Revelation 8:1
SILENCE IN HEAVEN-HALF AN HOUR; indicating quiet for a short time, eager expectation of what was to follow, and silent aspirations to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
SILENCE IN HEAVEN-HALF AN HOUR; indicating quiet for a short time, eager expectation of what was to follow, and silent aspirations to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEVEN ANGELS; messengers prepared to do the will of God. SEVEN TRUMPETS; instruments of alarm, and indications of approaching wars and desolations.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER ANGEL; supposed by many to be the Messenger of the covenant, the High-priest of our profession, Jesus Christ, offering the petitions of this people, and making intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25. These petitions manifestly have reference to the impending judgments that are about to fall on... [ Continue Reading ]
ASCENDED UP BEFORE GOD; in token of the acceptance of their prayers. The prayers of saints being presented by the great interceding Angel, and perfumed with his merits, ascend with acceptance before God, and will be answered in rich and lasting blessings on his friends, and in the ruin of his foes.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CENSER; with which he had offered incense. FILLED IT WITH FIRE; a symbol of the divine wrath about to be inflicted on the wicked. CAST IT INTO THE EARTH; as the place where the divine judgments were to be executed. VOICES-EARTHQUAKE; all symbols and precursors of the coming judgments, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEVEN TRUMPETS; in accordance with the view that has been given above, the four trumpets of the present chapter are commonly understood as emblematic of the successive invasions by which the destruction of the western empire was completed; while the two woe-trumpets that follow in the next chapt... [ Continue Reading ]
HAIL-FIRE-BLOOD; symbols of slaughter and ruin. THE THIRD PART; a definite part to denote a large part. Compare Ezekiel 5:2; Ezekiel 5:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD PART-DIED; AND THE THIRD PART OF THE SHIPS WERE DESTROYED; showing that great numbers would perish, business be suspended, and vast amounts of property be destroyed.... [ Continue Reading ]
WORMWOOD; indicating the bitter and fatal distresses which the presence of this star would produce upon the wicked, especially the persecutors of God's people. Continuance in sin inevitably leads to misery; and the greatness of the numbers, wealth, and power of persevering transgressors will do noth... [ Continue Reading ]
THIRD PART OF THE SUN-MOON-STARS; for the darkening of the heavenly bodies as the symbol of the overthrow of nations, see above note to chap Revelation 6:12-14.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY REASON OF THE OTHER VOICES; because the calamities which they would indicate would be exceedingly great and destructive. Interpreters generally apply the preceding four trumpets to the four principal invasions of the barbarians-of the Goths under Alaric, of the Vandals under Genseric, of the Huns... [ Continue Reading ]