Revelation 8

1. The Lamb opened the seventh seal. Then there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

God in His mercy stops and gives men time to think about what has happened and what is coming next. God could have destroyed the world in a minute but we see how He holds back judgment giving man every chance to turn to Him.

2. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God. They were given seven trumpets.
Trumpets were used to prepare for war, to move the camp, to announce the feasts, and to prepare the way for the Lord.

3 – 5

Another angel came and stood at the altar. This angel had a golden pan for incense. The angel was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all God’s holy people. The angel put this offering on the golden altar before the throne.

The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God. It went up with the prayers of God’s people. Then the angel filled the incense pan with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth. There were flashes of lightning, thunder and loud noises, and an earthquake.

Our prayers must be very powerful if they can be used like this!

6 – 7

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet. Then hail and fire mixed with blood was poured down on the earth. And a third of the earth and all the green grass and a third of the trees were burned up.

We see how God keeps pausing His judgments. It is like He is asking, “Is that enough yet? What will it take?“

8 – 9

The second angel blew his trumpet. Then something that looked like a big mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. And a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living things in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

This judgments remind us of the plagues of Egypt. The waters turning into blood took away the power to buy and sell by shipping. It also destroyed most of the fishing business. Exodus 7:19 – 21

10 – 11

The third angel blew his trumpet. Then a large star, burning like a torch, fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. And a third of all the water became bitter. Many people died from drinking the water that was bitter.

There is no star with this name that is known. Maybe this star will be discovered before the end? This makes some Bible teachers say that John must have seen something that fell on the earth and polluted the water.

12. The fourth angel blew his trumpet. Then a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were hit. So a third of them became dark. A third of the day was without light.

Some people seriously think that they can escape earth and go to another planet. When these people look up and see the stars falling they will see there is no escape from their sin without Christ.

13. While I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying high in the air. The eagle said with a loud voice, “Trouble! Trouble! Trouble for those who live on the earth! The trouble will begin with the sounds of the trumpets that the other three angels are about to blow.”

Again God sends a warning, “There is still time to turn to Me!”