Chapter Eight

Six seals have been opened, revealing God's plan for those who don't follow Him, as well as His protection for those who do. Revelation chapter eight begins with the removing of the seventh seal.

What happens when the seal is broken? There is silence, followed by the distribution of seven trumpets.

An hour often represents a period of trial. How many times did Jesus use words such as "My hour has not come" or "Father, save Me from this hour?" But a half-hour is a broken hour. It is one that is not completed. So it is a fitting length for a period of silent pause.

Why is there a period of pause? It is to demonstrate God's desire for those who are disobedient to repent. Let's see what 2 Peter 3:3-13 has to say about this subject.

"Know this first of all," verses 3-4 explain, "that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning.

"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved," verses 8-9 conclude, "that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

"The Lord is not slow about His promises, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

Notice that the seven trumpets really fit with the seventh seal. Opened seals reveal, while trumpets announce. So the seven trumpets will announce the approach of the events revealed by the opening of the seals. Later, seven cups or bowls will demonstrate the actual fulfillment of what has been revealed and announced. As the seven trumpets fit under the seventh seal, so also the seven cups fit under the seventh trumpet.

If there is a pause before the seven trumpets to allow time for repentance, we might expect to find that there will come a time when it will be too late. The most likely time for this would be before the seventh trumpet, which is really the seven cups. So the statement in Revelation 10:6 will come as no surprise.

But let's go back to chapter eight.

Before the trumpets are blown, incense is added to the prayers of the saints, and both ascend before God. Then the censer is filled with fire from the altar and thrown to the earth.

By the way, the term "saints" as used in the Bible means simply "true believers" or those who have been "set apart." The saints are simply Christians, whether living or dead. The term occurs more than 60 times in the New Testament, and nowhere is it used to describe a special group other than what we would refer to as "normal" Christians. Romans 1:7 is just one of many verses that point this out.

The picture of the prayers of the saints calls to mind the events of Revelation 6:9-11, where the souls of those who have been slain because of the word of God cry out for God to judge the wicked of the earth. Here God is getting ready to announce that judgment.

The picture of casting coals down upon the earth is similar to the one found in Ezekiel 10:1-2. Thunder, lightning and earthquake are commonly used as figures of God's judgment.

Upon the blast of the first trumpet, hail, fire and blood are thrown down to the earth. One third of the earth is burned up, included one third of the trees and green grass The fact that only a third is destroyed shows us that this is a limited event. God is always in control. The purpose of the trumpet is to warn, not to punish by total destruction.

If one third of the earth's vegetation is affected by the first trumpet, what is left? There are the fresh waters, the salt waters and the heavenly bodies.

As the second trumpet sounds, something like a great mountain is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea creatures and a third of the ships are destroyed.

With the third trumpet, a star falls from heaven and pollutes a third of the rivers and fresh water springs.

The blast of the fourth trumpet results in the darkening of a third of the sun, moon and stars.

Then an eagle is seen flying in mid-heaven. This eagle pronounces three woes upon the inhabitants of the earth, which will be announced in the final three trumpets. It should be pointed out that the inhabitants of the earth are those who do not obey God. God's followers live on the earth, but they are citizens of heaven, as we read in Philippians 3:20 and other verses.

What do we have so far? We have God fulfilling the requests of the slain saints to judge the earth. He announces this judgment through seven trumpets. This is exactly what is needed to carry out the purpose of the book: to provide strength and courage for those who would have to face tremendous trials. But God also allows time for others to repent and turn to Him.

We have seen the sounding of the first four trumpets, consisting of warnings given through the earth, salt waters, fresh waters and heavenly bodies. Now we are looking to the final three trumpets.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."