Revelation Chapter 8

The seventh seal is so much more diverse than the other seals as it covers all events from Chapters 8-14. Notice the first four seals are the beginning of sorrows described in Matthew 24:4-26. The fifth seal are the spirits of the saints under the altar who are waiting for their blood to be avenged as they died a martyr’s death. The sixth seal reveals mans shame and describes the 144,000 and the great multitude of Gentiles. The seventh seal begins the day of Gods wrath with the first four seals being destruction of the environment that will cause many to lose their lives. The ones who will be able to stand are those who have Gods seal upon them as they continue the witness and testimony of Jesus throughout the nations.

One thing we need to take into consideration before going forward in our study is that during the seven trumpet sounds this will be Global in what God causes to happen on earth. God’s wrath will not necessarily be centered in just one confined area, but one area can cause much damage throughout the world as a whole. A third of everything here on earth will be destroyed as in vegetation, water and even man.

One third of all the earth can be a very vast area as only twenty-five percent of the earth is dry land as water covers the other seventy-five percent as in oceans, seas, lakes and fresh water streams that feeds of the major source that is the ocean.

God’s wrath is poured out into the world as chastisements for disobedience, but also a warning that man needs to repent and turn back to God before the door of salvation is closed forever. The time of Gods long suffering and patience is coming to an end and God would that none should perish 2 Peter 3:9. Many will repent during this time as their ears are finally opened to the witness and testimony of Gods word as it is carried out into the word to every nation, Matthew 24:13, 14.

Revelation 8:1-4

The reason there was silence in heaven for about a half hour was God was silent for a short time while the angels were preparing for the seventh seal to be opened. First, seven angels are given their trumpets as each one would be sounded in Gods timing. Then John sees an angel with a golden censer and this angel is given much incense to burn before the altar of God as it sends up a sweet aroma to him. The sweet aroma is all the saints under the altar and all around the world worshiping and praising God’s name as they send up their prayers before Him.

Revelation 8:5

Fire usually represents Gods judgment. The censer that had incense in it and being a sweet aroma sent up to God filled with the prayers of the saints is now filled with fire and cast down to the earth. God is now ready to avenge those prayers of the saints as they wait for their fellowservants that are sealed with the seven spirits resting upon them.

These servants of God will also be persecuted to death during the time of the seven trumpet sounds as they keep the witness and testimony of God and preach to those that yet need to repent. Gods vengeful wrath is about to be released on all the earth as the voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake is Gods great power and authority ready to shake the earth as now is the time of his final wrath before the door of salvation is closed forever.

Revelation 8:6-7

Hail and fire can be likened unto meteors that fall from the sky as the brimstone God brought down from heaven striking those in Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24. A third of the trees and all the green grass are burned up which makes a third part of the world with a shortage of oxygen in the air that is created from the carbon dioxide from the trees and living plants. I would only imagine the drifting smoke itself would cause respiratory problems for many people.

Seeing that this is Global the intense fire and smoke from all the trees and grass burning can travel for miles causing much more damage throughout the nations. The trees that produce various healthy foods for our well being will become scarce. The green grasses that would probably include crops of wheat, barley, corn and so forth will be destroyed causing a shortage in food. The animals we depend on as a food source will also die as they are left without vegetation they need to live on.

The blood that is mingled in with the hail and fires is the blood of the martyred saints that wait under the altar to have their blood avenged.

Revelation 8:8-9

This great mountain burning with fire could be an asteroid the size of a mountain hitting the sea sent down from heaven as the third part of the sea is destroyed along with sea life and the third part of the ships that sit in it. The third part of the sea turned to blood by reason of all the ocean life that is killed and those men, women and children who are on these ships that are destroyed. Take into consideration the disease that would spread from all the rotted sea life that is rotting away washing up on the shore and the flesh of those who were burned along with the ships.

These ships will more than likely be types of fuel tankers, merchant, fishing and luxury cruises ships traveling the waters. With the third of these ships being destroyed means a third part of the world’s fuel and food supply would be destroyed.

Let’s look at this on a larger scale of what is being destroyed as in life, fuel and food as this would be Global and not centrally located as Gods wrath is Global. There is only one ocean, but divided by four regions as being the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. This would be like the four corners of the earth as being North, South, East and West. The only difference between the ocean and the sea is that the ocean is much larger and feeds into the 108 seas around the world.

Scripture is not clear on what a third part of the sea would be as in circumference of area or region so one can only assume since it is a third part of the world that could be thirty eight different seas around the world that are being destroyed by meteors at one time. A third part of food and supplies that are vital to our life will no longer be available in many areas of the world and many will starve to death.

Revelation 8:10-11

John saw in his vision a great star that is burning like a lamp that falls to earth. In John’s time torches were used as a light source so this star burning like a lamp or a torch could be that of a burning asteroid or a series of meteors falling on earth. I can only think it to be many as they fall on the third part of rivers and streams as it poisons the third part of the earth’s fresh water supply and causes many to die from the bitter water they drink. This would also kill all fresh water fish leaving man without another food source.

This star is given a name called Wormwood because wormwood is a plant that can be potentially toxic in its pure form and has a bitter aroma to it. In large amounts, it can cause damage to the nervous system, resulting in convulsions, loss of muscle control, and sometimes death. Now we have a third part of the world without fresh water to drink.

Revelation 8:12-13

With the third part of the sun, moon and stars being darkened this will affect mans source of electricity and heat that is vital to keep a certain degree of the earth warm, and generated power in homes, hospitals and manufacturing plants including nuclear reactors.

Agriculture and navigation would be hard pressed as it takes the solar power from the sun to run the solar cells that produces the energy needed to run farming machinery and trucks to take the produce to manufacturing plants where the produce is then distributed to market.

Vehicles such as cars, ambulances, planes, trains and the list goes on need an energy source from the sun in order to run their engines. The darkness of the third part of the day would be roughly around eight hours of daylight being lost and total darkness of night as the moon and stars are illuminated by the sun at night. A flashlight would be useless to see in the dark as it needs energy from the sun to run the battery that turns the light on.

This much darkness would cause people to panic in the streets creating chaos as the love of many will wax cold, Matthew 24:12. Riots would break out causing looting and lose of life as those who have not will do anything in desperation to take from those who have much.

This angel is in exclamation for men to repent for the next three trumpet sounds will bring even greater tribulation to those of the earth and that they need to repent before the door of Salvation is closed.

Genesis 19:24 (LEB)

Adonai rained down from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Adonai.24Adonai rained down from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Adonai.

Matthew 24:4-26 (LEB)

And Jesus answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you!4And Jesus answered andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you!5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.6And you are going to hear about wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is not yet.6And you are going to hear about wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is not yet.7For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.Or “in place after place”7For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.Or “in place after place”8But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.8But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.9Persecution of Disciples Predicted“Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nationsOr “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context because of my name.9Persecution of Disciples Predicted“Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nationsOr “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context because of my name.10And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another,10And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another,11and many false prophets will appear and will deceive many,11and many false prophets will appear and will deceive many,12and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.12and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.13But the one who endures to the end — this person will be saved.13But the one who endures to the end — this person will be saved.14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations,Or “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context and then the end will come.14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations,Or “Gentiles”; the same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context and then the end will come.15The Abomination of Desolation“So when you see the abomination of desolationAn allusion to Dan 9:27 spoken about by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place” (let the one who reads understand),15The Abomination of Desolation“So when you see the abomination of desolationAn allusion to Dan 9:27 spoken about by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place” (let the one who reads understand),16“then those in Judea must flee to the mountains!16“then those in Judea must flee to the mountains!17The one who is on his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun housetop must not come down to take things out of his house,17The one who is on his“the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun housetop must not come down to take things out of his house,18and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak.18and the one who is in the field must not turn back to pick up his cloak.19And woe to those who are pregnant“who have in the womb” and to those who are nursing their babiesThe words “their babies” are not in the Greek text but are supplied as a necessary clarification in those days!19And woe to those who are pregnant“who have in the womb” and to those who are nursing their babiesThe words “their babies” are not in the Greek text but are supplied as a necessary clarification in those days!20But pray that your flight may not happen in winter or on a Sabbath.20But pray that your flight may not happen in winter or on a Sabbath.21For at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will happen.21For at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will happen.22And unless those days had been shortened, no human being would be saved.“every flesh would not be saved” But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.22And unless those days had been shortened, no human being would be saved.“every flesh would not be saved” But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.23“At that time if anyone should say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘Here he is,’ do not believe him!*supplied from English context23“At that time if anyone should say to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘Here he is,’ do not believe him!*supplied from English context24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect.24For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect.25Behold, I have told you ahead of time!25Behold, I have told you ahead of time!26Therefore if they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, orHere “or” is supplied because of English style ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it!*supplied from English context26Therefore if they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, orHere “or” is supplied because of English style ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it!*supplied from English context

Matthew 24:13 (LEB)

But the one who endures to the end — this person will be saved.13But the one who endures to the end — this person will be saved.

Matthew 24:12 (LEB)

and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.12and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold.

2 Peter 3:9 (LEB)

The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“want”) which is understood as causal does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.9The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“want”) which is understood as causal does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Revelation 8:10-11 (LEB)

And the third angel blew the trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.10And the third angel blew the trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.11And the name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.11And the name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.

Revelation 8:12-13 (LEB)

And the fourth angel blew the trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened, and the day did not shine with respect to a third of it, and the night likewise.12And the fourth angel blew the trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened, and the day did not shine with respect to a third of it, and the night likewise.13And I looked, and I heard one eagle flying directly overhead“in midheaven,” i.e., “at the zenith”, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth, from the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow the trumpet!”13And I looked, and I heard one eagle flying directly overhead“in midheaven,” i.e., “at the zenith”, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth, from the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow the trumpet!”

Revelation 8:1-4 (LEB)

The Opening of the Seventh SealAnd when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.The Opening of the Seventh SealAnd when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.3And another angel who had a golden censer came and stood at the altar, and a large amount of incense was given to him, in order that he could offer the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne.3And another angel who had a golden censer came and stood at the altar, and a large amount of incense was given to him, in order that he could offer the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne.4And the smoke of the incense went up before God with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel.4And the smoke of the incense went up before God with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel.

Revelation 8:6-7 (LEB)

The Blowing of the TrumpetsAnd the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves in order to blow them.6The Blowing of the TrumpetsAnd the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves in order to blow them.7And the first blew the trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown to the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.7And the first blew the trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown to the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

Revelation 8:8-9 (LEB)

And the second angel blew the trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood,8And the second angel blew the trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood,9and a third of the creatures in the sea — the ones which had life — died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.9and a third of the creatures in the sea — the ones which had life — died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Revelation 8:5 (LEB)

And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire from the altar and threw it to the earth, and there were thunders and sounds and lightnings and an earthquake.5And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire from the altar and threw it to the earth, and there were thunders and sounds and lightnings and an earthquake.