Revelation 8 - Introduction

The Opening of the Seventh Seal Revelation Eight

Six of the seals on the little book had been opened and their messages had been heard. Now the seventh seal was opened so its contents could be disclosed. The opening of the seventh seal was attended with a solemn silence in heaven for the space of half an hour. In expectation of destruction and overwhelming calamities there was only silence.

There was also the appearance of seven angels. Each angel had a trumpet that was to be used to introduce a new series of events. The opening of the first six seals had given an overview of what was to happen. When the seventh seal was opened we see the details of the events. The period of silence is the entire Christian age from that point until the end. This is the same time frame pictured by the first six seals.

Trumpets were used to sound certain sounds. These seven trumpets sounded forth the beginning of a new series of events. Another angel is also introduced in vision. This angel is pictured in the act of giving worship and honor to God. He had "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." Much like when Korah led his rebellion God is here pictured as sending fire from heaven. (Number 16) God's wrath is poured out on those who oppose His cause. This is likewise very similar to Ezekiel 10:2, where the man clothed in linen is commanded to go between the wheels under the cherub, and fill his hands with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and to scatter them over the city. This was a symbol of God's destruction against wicked society.

The angel casts the censer to the earth. The effect was that "there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." (Revelation 8:5) All nature is in the hand of the Almighty as He brings His judgment against the persecuting forces.

When the first angel sounded a third part of the vegetation was consumed. As the second angel sounded the burning mountain was cast into the sea and a third part became blood. A third part of the boats and fish were destroyed. The third angel sounded and a burning star named Wormwood fell upon the waters and a third part of them were made bitter and many died because of the waters. The third part of the light, both for day and night, was smitten when the fourth angel sounded. At this point an angel flies "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!" All of these events lead us to the final triumph of Christianity.