“The Book of Revelation Chapter 8”
Introduction: This week we will continue our Bible Study lessons in chapter 8 of the Book of Revelation. Today we will begin our study of chapter eight and when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about the space of a half an hour in (Revelation 8:1). Some bible scholars believe that during this time, that mankind seemed to weaken for the first time during the tribulation. Now God is a merciful and patient God and He a waits further for repentance, but there was none. Remember that our God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11) This marks the only occasion in our recorded history of the bible that Heaven was silent. At this time there was not the slightest sound or movement in Heaven. Also we will begin studying some of the Trumpet Judgments of chapter eight. Please be much in prayer for me as I try to teach this last book of the Bible.
“The Seven Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets”
I) (The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer)
1) (Read) (Chapter 8:1); And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (KJV)
1) Explanation: (Chapter 8:1); And when he (Jesus) had opened the seventh seal, (which was the last Seal). Then there was silence in heaven for about the space of half an hour. (Now this one half of an hour of silence was proclaiming the intense expectancy of what is about to come upon the world). (In other words, if it has been bad thus far, now the intensity of the Judgment is about to increase many fold).
1) Comments: (Chapter 8:1); John said when Jesus opened the seventh seal, there was total silence in Heaven for about a half an hour. This silence indicates the beginning of a further series of judgments to come. This next set of judgments will be so catastrophic that all Heaven is silent in anticipation. Here many may see a parallel between this period of silence and the time of silence during the solemn ceremony of the temple worshiping God. Here the seventh seal is ushered in and opened only by Jesus Christ our Lord and there was silence in heaven. This must be a mere metaphor, and silence being put here for the deep and solemn expectation of the stupendous things were about to take place, which the opening of this seal had produced.
When anything prodigious or surprising is expected, all is silence, and not even the breath is scarcely heard to be drawn for a half an hour. As heaven may signify the place in which all these representations were made to John, the half hour may be considered as the time during which no representation was made to him, the time in which God was preparing the august exhibition which follows. There is here, and in the following verses, a strong allusion to different parts of the temple worship; a presumption that the temple was still standing, and the regular service of God carried on. The silence here refers to this fact-while the priest went in to burn incense in the holy place, all the people continued in silent mental prayer without till the priest returned. Now the Angel mentioned here appears to execute the office of the priest.
II) (The Seven Trumpet Judgments) (Revelation 8:2-6)
2) (Read) (Chapter 8:2); And I saw the seven Angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. (KJV)
2) Explanation: (Chapter 8:2); And I (John) saw the seven angels which stood before God. (Now the Greek Text says, that “the Seven Angels of the presence of God Almighty”. And to them were given seven trumpets. (Now we have had the Seven Seals of Judgment. Now the world will experience the Seven Trumpet Judgments).
2) Comments: (Chapter 8:2); John writes that he saw the seven Angels that stands before God, and they were given seven trumpets. Now the breaking of the seventh seal judgment does nothing on earth except introduce the seven trumpet judgments.
3) (Read) (Chapter 8:3); And 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. (KJV)
3) Explanation: (Chapter 8:3); And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer. (Now this is the “Altar of Incense” in Heaven). And John tells us that there was given unto him much incense. (Now this represents the perfection, merit, and virtue of the Life of Jesus Christ). (Now everything speaks of Jesus Christ, and more particularly of what Jesus did at the Cross; now incidentally, this Altar of Incense in Heaven is the pattern for the Altar of Incense that stood in the Tabernacle on Earth immediately before the Veil during the time of the Law). Here he was to offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (Now the prayers of all the Saints are very precious in the sight of God, but yet at the same time imperfect).
Also John tells us that it was added to our prayers must be the Incense, which is a type of the sweet savor of the merit of the life, and death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ).
3) Comments: (Chapter 8:3); John writes that another Angel had a golden censer and he stood at the altar with much incense to offer for the prayers of all the saints. The censer was filled with live coals and was used in the temple worship. The incense was poured on the coals, and the sweet-smelling smoke drifted upward to God. Another Angel is about to perform the office of priest here. Now the Angel has the golden censer and this was a preparation peculiar to the day of expiation. Now on other days it was the custom of the priest to take fire from the great altar in a silver censer, but on the day of expiation the high priest took the fire from the great altar in a golden censer. And when he had come down from the great altar, he took incense from one of the priests, who brought it to him, and went with it to the golden altar; and while he offered the incense the people prayed without in silence, which is the silence in heaven for half an hour. There was much incense, that he should offer it for the Judgments of God are now about to be executed. The saints are the genuine Christians that pray much to God for protection. The angelic priest comes with much incense, standing between the living and those that are consigned to death, and offers his incense to God with the prayers of the saints.
4) (Read) (Chapter 8:4); And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. (KJV)
4) Explanation: (Chapter 8:4); (And the smoke of the incense, even through we aren’t given the information in this verse, the Angel has taken coals of fire from the “Brazen Altar” and placed them in his Golden Censer, which came with the prayers of the saints). Also for our prayers to be effective in Heaven, they must always be mixed with the intercessory Work of Jesus Christ in (Hebrews 7:25-26); It is here that they ascended up before God out of the Angel’s hand. (Now we know that our prayers come “up before God Almighty”. (Now we should at least pray according to the “Will of God”, and this should inspire every Saint to a greater prayer life).
4) Comments: (Chapter 8:4); John tells us that the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of all the saints and these prayers drifted upward that symbolizing the believer’s prayers ascending up to God. (Read)– (Exodus 30:7-9). The smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints. Now though incense itself be an emblem of the prayers of the saints and yet here they are said to ascend before God, as well as the incense. It is not said that the Angel presents these prayers. He presents the incense, and the prayers ascend with it. The ascending of the incense shows that the prayers and offering were accepted.
5) (Read) (Chapter 8:5); And 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. (KJV)
5) Explanation: (Chapter 8:5); And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar. (Now this is the Brazen Altar in Heaven that typified the Death of our Lord Jesus, which was necessary in order that man might be redeemed; as it is obvious here, that Heaven is filled with the portrayal of that Sacrificial, Atoning Death). And the Angel cast it into the earth. (Now with the Salvation of the Cross being rejected by the Earth, and now the Judgment of the Cross will now commence). And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Now all of this speaks of the fact that it is Judgment coming, and Judgment such as the world has never seen before in (Matthew 24:21).
5) Comments: (Chapter 8:5); John tells us here in this verse five, that the Angel then threw the censer down upon the earth. This symbolizes the judgment of God released on earth in answer to the prayers of the saints for justice for those who had oppressed and killed them. This also shows that judgment, and revenge is in God’s hands and not in ours. No matter how strong the desire to take revenge on our enemies, we as Christians should always look to our God and pray for his justice.
6) (Read): (Chapter 8:6); And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (KJV)
6) Explanation: (Chapter 8:6); And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Now as stated, if the Cross is rejected, then Judgment must follow). (Now these events will take place about two and one half years into the Great Tribulation).
6) Comments: (Chapter 8:6); John writes that the seven Angels are preparing to sound the trumpets. Now the trumpet blasts have three purposes; 1) To warn that judgment is certain, 2) To call the forces of good and evil to battle, 3) To announce the return of the King, the Messiah. These warnings also urge us to make sure our faith is firmly fixed on our Lord Jesus Christ.
III) (The First Trumpet; the vegetation is Struck)
7) (Read) (Chapter 8:7); The 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. (KJV)
7) Explanation: (Chapter 8:7); The first Angel sounded, which is the first Trumpet Judgment, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth. (Now this will be literal, and will be a fulfillment of the Prophecy of Joel. (Joel 2:30-32) Now this similar to the Seventh Plague upon Egypt in (Exodus 9:22). Also there was a third part of trees that was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Now this probably refers to a third part of the Mediterranean area being affected; and even though all of this will affect the entirety of the Earth). (Now this will be obvious, because the greatest concentration will be in the Middle East).
7) Comments: (Chapter 8:7); John sees a picture of a vast global destruction in which one-third of the vegetation on earth is burned up. Now this first trumpet judgment will literal brings fire, hail, and mingled with blood. This first trumpet causes the destruction of most of the vegetation on earth and will cause famine and death and this will also produce a lack of oxygen too. Now the fact that the bible predicts such of a massive global destruction at the end of human history ought to be enough of a warning that we all should be living Godly lives every day and tell others that are lost about Jesus before it is too late for them.
IV) (The Second Trumpet; the Sea is Struck)
8) (Read) (Chapter 8:8); And 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; (KJV)
8) Explanation: (Chapter 8:8); And the second Angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea. (Now this great mountain burning with fire is more than likely, and this will be a giant meteorite which will fall into the Mediterranean Sea). And the third part of the sea became blood. (Now this is similar to that which had taken place in Egypt that was so long ago). (Exodus 7:20-21)
8) Comments: (Chapter 8:8); John said the second Angel sounded his trumpet and something like a mountain was thrown into the sea. This great mountain of burning fire may have been a giant asteroid or a meteor that comes from outer space. This second trumpet will turn a third of the sea into blood. This judgment has similarities with the first plague in Egypt (Exodus 7:16-21). A great mountain burning with fire that was supposed to signify the powerful nations which invaded the Roman Empire. Mountain, in prophetic language, signifies a kingdom. Great disorders, especially when kingdoms are moved by hostile invasions, are represented by mountains being cast into the midst of the sea. The seas and collections of the waters mean peoples, as is shown in this book. Therefore, great commotions in kingdoms and among their inhabitants may be here intended, but to whom, where,
and when these happened, are to happen, but we know not. But the third part of the sea became as blood.
9) (Read) (Chapter 8:9); And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (KJV)
9) Explanation: (Chapter 8:9); And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Now these concerns are the part that affected the meteorite, or by whatever manner that our God chooses to do this).
9) Comments: (Chapter 8:9); John said that a third of the living creatures in the sea die and a third of the ships will be destroyed by this second trumpet judgment. This will cause a reduction and an evaporation of water in the sea. Now this will also cause a shortage of rain and fresh water on the land. This will cause distribution of food and other resources all over the world.
V) (The Third Trumpet; the Water is Struck) (Revelation 8:10-11)
10) (Read) (Chapter 8:10); And 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; (KJV)
10) Explanation: (Chapter 8:10); And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp. (Now more than likely this was another meteorite). And it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. (Now a third part of the land area here in which this problem speaks of is the “Old Roman Empire” area in (Daniel 7:7-8) .
10) Comments: (Chapter 8:10); John tells us that a third Angel sounded his trumpet and a great star fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and the springs of water. Now this third trumpet judgment makes a third of all the fresh water bitter, and this results in a widespread thirst and then bring death. Now this star is named “Wormwood” which means bitter and many die from this bitter water.
11) (Read) (Chapter 8:11); And 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. (KJV)
11) Explanation: (Chapter 8:11); And the name of the star is called Wormwood. Now this huge meteorite, which will fall, and will carry with its properties of the bitter, nauseous plant known as the “Wormwood” in (Jeremiah 9:15). And the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. (Now this Wormwood could take the lives of hundreds of thousands, and maybe even millions).
11) Comments: (Chapter 8:11); John said the name of this star was wormwood and many of the people died from drinking this water that had become bitter. Now this third trumpet judgment was called a star which calls forth the wormwood that pollute one third of all fresh water and makes the water undrinkable on earth. (Tell), I would just like for all of you to stop and think about the times that you did not have any drinking water to drink.
VI) (The Fourth Trumpet; the Heavens are Struck) (Revelation 8:12-13)
12) (Read) (Chapter 8:12); And 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. (KJV)
12) Explanation: (Chapter 8:12); And 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. (Now let me tell you once again and let us emphasize the fact that these Judgments aren’t symbolic, they are literal real! Now our Lord Jesus Christ said this would happen). (Read) (Luke 21:25-26)
12) Comments: (Chapter 8:12); John said that the fourth Angel sounded his trumpet and a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were without day light, and a third of them were turned dark and also a third by night like- wise. Now here the fourth trumpet judgment reveals that the sun, the moon, and the stars will be darkened; and the world will experience a one-third increase in darkness. This will have a terrible effect on all crops, the food supply, and everyone’s lifestyle on earth. This hardship that results here will no doubt contribute too many people calling on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7:9)
13) (Read) (Chapter 8:13); And 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! (KJV)
13) Explanation: (Chapter 8:13); And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice. (Now it is possible that this Angel will be visible to people on Earth, and could well be portrayed by Television and sattle-lite from the sky).
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! (Now the three “woes” here are meant to correspond with the three remaining Trumpet Judgments).
13) Comments: (Chapter 8:13); John said that he heard and watched an eagle flying in midair that was calling in a loud voice about the three “Woe! Woe! Woe! To all the people on earth. Now this trumpet blast were about to sounded by the other three Angels. Now these Angels were announcing from Heaven that the next three judgments, which are two trumpets and the bowl judgments. These judgments will be even worse than the first, which is what the three “Woes” mean and yet the worst is still to come. Now these “Woes” will mark the deepest darkness and the most painful of the Great Tribulation. This is associated with the last part of the three and half years and will be the blackest days in all human history.
Now as we come to the end of this chapter eight in the book of Revelations, I would like to ask you a question about the condition of “your soul”. If you were to die before this day comes to an end. “Where would your Soul spend eternity at? Now this is probably the most important question in your life. Would you like to ask Jesus to save you now? If so just keep on reading and the next few verses will tell you how to be saved.
We as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ should remember that “Salvation” is simple, but it’s not cheap. It cost Jesus Christ everything so that Salvation could be offered to us freely. God has provided Salvation on a basis, which permits anyone who can make their own decision to have it. Now if Salvation could be received on the basis of education, multitudes would be excluded. If eternal life could be had on the basis of wealth, a great number would still be left out. If being saved were dependent upon one’s moral perfection, everyone would fall short. But God has made His Salvation Plan available on the basis of a personal faith which even a child can exercise.
This way all must come to Him on the same terms (Romans 3:9-10); and (Galatians 3:22). Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith”; and that not, of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Now all you have to do is just sincerely pray a simple prayer like this one here. “Please God, I confess to you my sins and need Jesus in my life right now. I will turn away from my sins and place my Faith in your Son Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen.”
Note: I pray that this Bible Study lesson about chapter eight will help you in your studies and help you understand Gods’ word in the Bible. Please feel free to pass them on to other people if they have helped you.
Your, Brother in Christ
Frank Rose