Revelation 8

Commentary

The Seventh Seal

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

The First Four Trumpets

6And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Seventh Seal

1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.

The First Four Trumpets

6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 9 and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.

10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. 11 The name of the star is called “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

12 The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.

13 I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

The Seventh Seal

1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

3 Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.

5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, and rumblings, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The First Four Trumpets

6 And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

7 Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.

8 Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, a and many people died from the bitter waters.

12 Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.

13 And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!”

 

Footnotes:

11 a Literally became wormwood

The Seventh Seal

1And when he openeth the seventh seal, there came silence in the heaven about half-an-hour, 2and I saw the seven messengers who before God have stood, and there were given to them seven trumpets,

3and another messenger did come, and he stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much perfume, that he may give it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar that is before the throne, 4and go up did the smoke of the perfumes to the prayers of the saints out of the hand of the messenger, before God; 5and the messenger took the censer, and did fill it out of the fire of the altar, and did cast it to the earth, and there came voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

The First Four Trumpets

6And the seven messengers who are having the seven trumpets did prepare themselves that they may sound;

7and the first messenger did sound, and there came hail and fire, mingled with blood, and it was cast to the land, and the third of the trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.

8And the second messenger did sound, and as it were a great mountain with fire burning was cast into the sea, and the third of the sea became blood, 9and die did the third of the creatures that are in the sea, those having life, and the third of the ships were destroyed.

10And the third messenger did sound, and there fell out of the heaven a great star, burning as a lamp, and it did fall upon the third of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters, 11and the name of the star is called Wormwood, and the third of the waters doth become wormwood, and many of the men did die of the waters, because they were made bitter.

12And the fourth messenger did sound, and smitten was the third of the sun, and the third of the moon, and the third of the stars, that darkened may be the third of them, and that the day may not shine -- the third of it, and the night in like manner.

13And I saw, and I heard one messenger, flying in the mid-heaven, saying with a great voice, 'Woe, woe, woe, to those dwelling upon the land from the rest of the voices of the trumpet of the three messengers who are about to sound.'

The Favor of God paraphrase

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

¹ When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. ² And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. ³ Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar before the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The Trumpets Begin

⁶ Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

⁷ The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

⁸ The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, ⁹ a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

¹⁰ The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— ¹¹ the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

¹² The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

The Eagle’s Warning

¹³ As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

Footnotes:

1.The “silence in heaven” (verse 1) is a powerful pause before the next wave of divine judgment. It represents a moment of awe and anticipation, a solemn interlude before the events that follow.

2.The “golden censer” (verse 3) is a vessel used in temple worship to carry incense, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people rising to Him. The imagery connects divine action with human prayer, as the prayers ascend before the throne of God.

3.The “seven trumpets” (verse 6) are instruments of divine warning and judgment, similar to the trumpets in the Old Testament that signaled important events, such as the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:4-5). Each trumpet blast heralds a specific judgment on the earth.

4.The “hail and fire mixed with blood” (verse 7) is reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 9:23-24), highlighting the severity of God’s judgment. The burning of a third of the earth reflects widespread but partial destruction.

5.The “mountain all ablaze” (verse 8) thrown into the sea symbolizes a catastrophic event that devastates a third of the earth’s waters. The sea turning to blood recalls the first plague of Egypt (Exodus 7:20-21).

6.The “star named Wormwood” (verse 11) represents bitterness and suffering. In the Old Testament, wormwood was a plant associated with bitterness and sorrow (Jeremiah 9:15), and here it poisons the waters, leading to death.

7.The “eagle” (verse 13) in flight, warning of the woes to come, adds to the drama and urgency of the scene. The eagle’s proclamation signals that the most severe judgments are still to come, emphasizing the escalating nature of God’s intervention.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Revelation 8?
2Introduction to Revelation 8
3Context of Revelation 8
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Revelation 8 Unique Insights
7Revelation 8 Connections to Yeshua
8Revelation 8 Scriptural Echoes
9Revelation 8 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Revelation 8?

Introduction to Revelation 8

Revelation 8 marks a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic narrative as the seventh seal is opened, initiating a dramatic sequence of trumpet judgments that will shake both heaven and earth. This chapter serves as a bridge between the seal judgments and the even more severe trumpet judgments, beginning with an extraordinary scene of heavenly silence that emphasizes the gravity of what is about to unfold. The imagery of incense, prayers, and cosmic catastrophes paints a vivid picture of divine intervention in human history.

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This chapter is particularly significant because it reveals how the prayers of God’s people participate in bringing about His judgments on the earth. The connection between heavenly worship, earthly suffering, and divine justice is masterfully woven together, demonstrating that even in times of judgment, God’s sovereignty and the spiritual authority granted to His people remain unshaken.

Context of Revelation 8

Within the immediate context of Revelation, chapter 8 follows the opening of the seven seals and precedes the full unleashing of the trumpet judgments. It builds upon the tension created by the “silence in heaven” that contrasts sharply with the loud praises and declarations of previous chapters. This silence serves as a dramatic pause before the initiation of a new and more intense series of judgments.

The chapter fits into the larger structure of Revelation by bridging the gap between the seal judgments (chapters 6-7) and the trumpet judgments (chapters 8-11). This positioning is crucial as it demonstrates an escalation in both the severity and scope of God’s judgments upon the earth. The pattern follows the exodus plagues of Egypt, but with a universal rather than localized impact, showing how God’s historical dealings with Egypt serve as a template for His final judgment of the world system.

In the broader biblical narrative, Revelation 8 echoes numerous Old Testament prophecies, particularly those found in Joel 2:30-31 and Exodus 19:16-19, where cosmic disturbances herald divine intervention. The imagery of incense and prayers recalls the temple service, suggesting that even in judgment, God’s actions are intimately connected to His covenant relationship with His people.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • σιγή (sigē) – “Silence”: This profound silence in heaven (verse 1) comes from a word that implies not just the absence of noise but a deliberate hushing or stillness. In ancient Greek literature, it often preceded momentous divine actions. The half-hour duration suggests both completeness and anticipation, as this was approximately the time it took to offer incense in the Temple service.
  • λιβανωτόν (libanōton) – “Censer”: This golden censer mentioned in verse 3 is actually a specific type of incense holder used in the most solemn Temple ceremonies. Unlike the regular fire pans, this was a specialized vessel associated with Yom Kippur services, emphasizing the gravity of this heavenly moment.
  • θυμιάματα (thymiamata) – “Incense”: The plural form used here refers to a complex mixture of spices, reflecting the exact composition prescribed in Exodus 30:34-38. This connects the heavenly liturgy with the earthly Temple service while symbolizing the prayers of the saints.
  • προσευχαῖς (proseuchais) – “Prayers”: This term specifically denotes petitionary prayer, suggesting that the judgments that follow are, in part, God’s answer to His people’s requests for justice and vindication, echoing Luke 18:7.
  • χάλαζα (chalaza) – “Hail”: This term, used in verse 7, deliberately echoes the seventh plague of Egypt, suggesting that these judgments represent a global exodus, freeing God’s people from the world system just as Israel was freed from Egypt.
  • ἀψινθος (apsinthos) – “Wormwood”: This bitter herb, mentioned in verse 11, was proverbial in Jewish thought for divine judgment, particularly against idolatry and spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 9:15).
  • σάλπιγξ (salpinx) – “Trumpet”: These trumpets recall both the fall of Jericho and the Sinai theophany, suggesting that these judgments will both bring down the world’s systems and manifest God’s presence.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1’s “silence in heaven” stands in stark contrast to the constant praise described in chapters 4-5. This silence could have been described as a pause or break (παύσις), but σιγή was chosen to emphasize the profound nature of this moment. The half-hour duration connects to Temple liturgy, whereas a general pause might have used more common time measurements.
  • The censer in verse 3 is described as golden (χρυσοῦν), emphasizing its connection to deity and perfection, rather than using terms for other precious metals. This links it directly to the golden altar and the Holy of Holies.
  • The “third part” destruction motif appears repeatedly, rather than total destruction. This fraction suggests divine restraint in judgment, echoing Ezekiel 5:2 where similar proportions appear in judgment prophecies.
  • The mixture of “fire, blood, and hail” in verse 7 deliberately echoes Exodus plagues but combines elements to show escalation. The author could have used simple parallels but chose to intensify the imagery.
  • The star called “Wormwood” could have been described with other bitter substances known in antiquity, but ἀψινθος was chosen for its specific connections to covenant judgment in prophetic literature.

Revelation 8 Unique Insights

The half-hour silence in heaven has generated significant discussion in both Jewish and Christian traditions. Jewish insights suggest that such silence occurs during the morning and evening prayers of Israel, when God listens intently to His people. Early Christian writers like Victorinus saw this silence as representing the beginning of eternal rest, while others connected it to the Jewish tradition of praying silently during the offering of incense.

The arrangement of the angel at the golden altar presents a fascinating theological picture. In Second Temple period literature, particularly in the Dead Sea Scrolls, angelic priests were thought to perform celestial liturgy parallel to earthly Temple service. This chapter reveals that heavenly worship isn’t just parallel to earthly worship but actually integrates the prayers of earthly saints into cosmic events.

The progression of judgments follows a pattern found in ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly in texts like 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra, where cosmic disasters often come in sequences of thirds. However, Revelation uniquely connects these judgments to both Temple liturgy and the prayers of the saints, suggesting that God’s people participate in bringing about these eschatological events through their prayers.

The description of the first four trumpet judgments affecting creation in descending order (heaven, sea, fresh water, celestial bodies) reflects ancient Jewish cosmology while demonstrating God’s sovereign control over every level of creation. This ordering isn’t random but shows systematic divine judgment moving from the highest to the lowest parts of creation.

Revelation 8 Connections to Yeshua

The portrayal of Messiah Jesus in this chapter is subtle but profound. The silence in heaven follows the opening of the seventh seal by the Lamb, showing His authority to initiate these judgments. This connects to John 5:22-23, where Jesus is given all judgment by the Father.

The incense offering mixed with the prayers of the saints presents Jesus in His high priestly role, reminiscent of Hebrews 7:25. Just as earthly priests offered incense representing Israel’s prayers, Jesus presents and perfects the prayers of His people before the Father’s throne. The golden censer and altar imagery directly connects to His sacrificial work, showing how His atonement makes our prayers acceptable to God.

Revelation 8 Scriptural Echoes

The trumpet judgments deliberately echo the plagues of Egypt, demonstrating that God’s pattern of redemption through judgment continues. Just as the exodus plagues demonstrated God’s supremacy over Egypt’s gods, these trumpet judgments show His sovereignty over all creation. The parallels with Exodus 7-12 are striking but escalated to a global scale.

The imagery of heavenly silence recalls Habakkuk 2:20 and Zephaniah 1:7, where silence before the Lord precedes His mighty acts of judgment. The wormwood judgment echoes Jeremiah 9:15 and 23:15, where bitter water symbolizes divine punishment for spiritual adultery.

The trumpet imagery recalls both Numbers 10:1-10 (where trumpets summon assembly and announce war) and Joshua 6 (where trumpets bring down Jericho’s walls). This suggests these judgments both gather God’s people and demolish opposing spiritual strongholds.

Revelation 8 Devotional

This chapter powerfully demonstrates that our prayers matter more than we realize. The image of our prayers being mixed with incense before God’s throne shows that even when we feel our prayers are ineffective, they’re actually participating in God’s cosmic purposes. This should encourage us to persist in prayer, knowing that God treasures and acts upon the prayers of His people.

The systematic judgment of creation reminds us that God is sovereign over every aspect of our world. When we face personal or global crises, we can trust that nothing happens outside His control. The partial nature of these judgments (affecting one-third) shows God’s mercy even in judgment, giving time for repentance.

Did You Know

  • The half-hour silence mentioned would have immediately reminded first-century readers of the period of silence during the daily Temple incense offering, when worshippers would pray silently while the priest offered incense.
  • The “golden censer” mentioned is the same type used only once a year by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, suggesting these events parallel the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar.
  • The sequence of trumpet judgments follows the exact order of creation in Genesis 1, but in reverse, symbolizing a systematic un-creation of the corrupt world system.
  • The term “wormwood” refers to a bitter herb that was commonly used in ancient near eastern covenant curse formulas, making it a powerful symbol of judgment for the original readers.
  • The practice of mixing incense with prayers has parallels in both Jewish and early Christian worship, where incense was seen as purifying and elevating prayers to heaven.
  • The trumpet judgments affect exactly one-third of their targets, a fraction that appears in Ezekiel’s prophecies and symbolizes divine restraint in judgment.
  • The angel standing at the altar combines roles that were strictly separated in the earthly Temple, showing how heavenly worship transcends and perfects earthly patterns.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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