Revelation 8
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CHAPTER 8
The Seventh Seal and the Seven Trumpets (8:1-13)
1-2 In Chapter 6, the Lamb opened six of the seven seals that sealed the scroll, in which were written all the judgments that were to come upon the earth (Revelation 5:1). Now the time had come for the Lamb to open the seventh seal.
When the seventh seal was opened, John saw seven angels, who had been given seven trumpets. These seven angels were appointed to announce the plagues that were to come upon the unbelieving men of the world.
3-5 Another angel was given incense to add to the prayers of all the SAINTS (verse 3). According to Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints were themselves like incense. The prayers of the faithful martyrs also rose like incense to God (Revelation 6:9-10). Now all these prayers were about to be fulfilled. The angel filled the censer with fire from the altar, and hurled it down upon the earth. Then began the plagues of the seven trumpets.
6 According to John’s revelation, God sent these seven plagues upon the earth in order to lead people to repentance. These plagues were meant to destroy only a part of the earth, not the entire earth. However, men did not repent; instead, their hearts became even harder. Just as in Egypt the heart of the Pharaoh was hardened when God sent plagues upon the Egyptians, so it will be at the end of the world. At that time, when the final tribulations come, men’s hearts will become even more hardened, and they will begin to revile God. And just as God led His people, the Jews, out of Egypt and into the land He had promised them, so at the end of the world God will lead all believers out of the final tribulation and into His presence in heaven.
7 The first plague was a plague of hail and fire mixed with blood, which resulted in one third of the earth being burned up (Exodus 9:23-24).
8-9 The second plague destroyed one third of the oceans and seas of the earth (Exodus 7:20-21).
10-11 The third plague made the water of a third of the earth’s rivers and springs bitter (Jeremiah 9:15). The star that fell into the water was called Wormwood. Wormwood is the name of a very bitter-tasting plant.
12-13 The fourth plague was a plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23; Mark 13:24). After this plague came, an eagle gave warning that the remaining three plagues would be even more severe.