Revelation Chapter 8
The Bible describes a silence in heaven for thirty minutes. This is probably the only time that such a long period of silence will happen in heaven. But there is great reason for the silence, the seventh seal has just been opened. This silence is probably like what we in our country call a “moment of silence” when a tragedy is observed by silence and prayers for those involved. The angelic beings in heaven know that God is about to exact great judgement on the beings of earth, and they are silent for thirty very long minutes. They are very somber as they think on the coming judgement.
Waiting for the Lamb to give command are seven angels with seven trumpets that they will blast. There was another angel that carried something different in his hands.
Let's Reflect
1. What did this other angel carry?
2. We know that the prayers of those saints (people saved during the tribulation) reached God’s ears in heaven because the angel is going to scoop them up with the incense and do what with them?
3. What is seen and heard on earth from the incense that the angel hurled at the earth? Don’t you often think about the power of God when there is a big storm? Do you remember what happened when Moses climbed Mount Sinai to meet with God?
Exodus 19:16-20On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
4. Now the seven angels with trumpets will begin to blow them and as they do some horrific things will happen to the earth. What happens when the first trumpet is blown?
5. When the 2nd trumpet blew there is a description of a large mass like a mountain falling towards earth and landed in the sea. What does this sound like that fell from the heavens?
6. The 3rd trumpet blew, and we are told exactly what it was that fell to the earth – a star. This star was called Wormwood which means bitter. Again, you can find all kinds of symbolic meanings that have been assigned to what this star means, but I think that if God who created the stars tells us in Revelations that He hurled a star at the earth in His judgement, I believe it is just that, a star. Why is the bitterness of the star landing in the earths’ waters so destructive?
7. The 4th trumpet blew, and we find that a third of the light of the sun, the stars and the moon is darkened. This would be so very devastating to the earth if there was complete darkness, the earth would freeze. What does the Bible say about the length of this blackout?
8. In this chapter there has been 4 angels that have blown trumpets, but John mentions that there are still how many angels that will blow trumpets? And knowing what is to come, he hears an eagle flying overhead that pronounces 3 words, what are they?
