Revelation 8

   



The Seventh Seal--the Trumpets

Initial Questions from Strauss__8:1-6

1. What does the trumpet signify---verse 2?

2. What were trumpets used for in the New Testament world?

3. Do verses three and four contain biblical justification for the Roman Catholic doctrine of the power of the prayers of the dead saints?

4. What does the casting of fire upon the earth signify__verse 5?

5. Who prepared to sound the trumpets__verse 6?

1When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.3Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.4And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.5Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.6And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.



Verse 1__As with the seven seals (5:8-10) before the trumpets sound, there is an initial vision of the function of the prayers of the saints. It is here that we see the prayers of the "righteous" and the power of those prayers to persuade God to intervene in history.

The first four trumpet blasts are (vs. 6-12) closely related as were the four seals. Yes, Paul even uses the figure of the trumpet (1st Thess. 4:16). John tells us that when he opened the 7th seal there was about a half hour silence in heaven (no singing, praising, nor any sound).

Verse 2__It is here that John sees the seven angels before the throne and they receive the trumpets. A new period of "woes" on the earth is about to begin.

Verse 3__There is some argument as to what altar we are speaking of here, but I think it is the "Golden Altar" as in Exodus 25:17-22.

In our vision the angel takes the place of the priest at the altar. The angel was given the incenses "in order" that the holy incense was to be added to the prayers of the saints. Thus, the incense and prayers were on their way to the throne room of God. Note, even though these people (on earth) are being persecuted they continue to pray.

Verse 4__The smoke of the incense went up with the prayers.

Verse 5___ The angel "cast" (in a single act). The judgment of fire covers the earth (see Ezekiel 10:2); and there occurred thunders, and sounds, and lightnings, and a earthquake. This is the same phenomenon which occurred when the first four seals were opened (6:12ff).

Verse 6___The Angels have put the trumpets to their mouths (in order that) they might trumpet.

7The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

How about some Questions??

1. What followed after the sounding of the first trumpet?

2. Why the symbolism of limitation, i.e., one-third of the earth, trees, and green grass?__verse 7.



Verse 7___The imagery is unquestionably taken from the Egyptian plagues as recorded in Exodus 9:24 (also in Joel 2:28f).

There is a pattern to all of this. The first four trumpets are discussed in seven verses and the last three are called the three woes and are described in 27 verses.

The first four affect the properties belonging to nature.

The last three affect mankind.

One third of the earth, one third of the trees, and all the green grass was burnt.

In this court setting was are still reminded who is king of the universe. God (YHWH) is still Lord over and and will judge humans (in this case through nature). This however is a limited judgment.

 8The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Here are those Questions again:

1. What followed the sounding of the second trumpet?__verse eight.

2. What particular part of creation was effected?

3. How extensive was the destruction?__verse nine.

4. What place does the sea play in the life of man?

Verse 8___The first trumpet sounded and affected things of the earth and the second trumpet sounds and affects things of the seas .

John does not assert that a great mountain fell into the sea but something "like" a mountain that was burning. This sounds more like a underwater volcano or a meteorite. This was aimed at the marine life (fish), which was a source of food during the 1st century.

Verse 9___ The extent of the destruction is here revealed. "One third" of all living creatures were destroyed.


 10The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters.11The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.


Verse 10___ The fresh water supply is not under attack. Man cannot survive long without water. John declares that the burning object (as a lamp) fell on "one third of the rivers and into the fountains of the waters."

Verse 11__The imagery comes from Jeremiah 9:15. "The name of the star (in verse ten the word used was lam) is called wormwood." (See Deuteronomy 29:18; Amos 5:7). Note that John does not say that the water is mixed with woormwood, but turned to wormwood. The idea of "wormwood" signifies bitter sorrow (Lamentations 3:19).

8:12

 12The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.


Verse 12___The imagery comes from the ninth Egyptian plague (Exodus 10:21). The source of heat and light for the universe was affected by this trumpet. John declared that one-third of the sun, moon, and stars "were struck"___(in order that) the third of them may be darkened. Here we have the length of days affected.

The first four angels have not blown their trumpets. There was devastation of one type or another followed by each blast.

8:13

13Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"



Verse 13__There is an intermission between the fourth and fifth trumpet. John has a vision of "one flying eagle." This is the OT image from vengeance and wrath in general (see Deut. 28:49; Hosea 8:1 and Habakkuk 1:8). This bird of prey is flying in mid-heaven or the place that the sun occupies at noon. His message, Woe, Woe, Woe to those who dwell on the earth.

The "Triple Woes" stand for the remaining three trumpets. Things have been bad thus far but are about to become much worse.


by Lane Rogers