Revelation Study Series 13 - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled (Chapter 8) Series

Revelation Study Series 13 - God’s Mysterious Plan Fulfilled ch. 8

01.23.22

Message…

Revelation 8:1

When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.

Today, we focus on the seventh seal of the scroll that one day the Lamb of God will break. It begins a number of events, all predetermined by God and allowed by God. All will bring ultimate final glory to God.

The seventh seal of the scroll contains what are called the Seven Trumpet Judgments (out of the seventh trumpet judgment comes the seven bowl judgments)...all of this will occur during the final 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation period...

I’m titling this Message “The Sound of Silence” from this verse.

That was also a song by Simon & Garfunkel (1963). I was going to quote you a lyric from that song. But, the song doesn’t make any sense. Simon wrote it in his bathroom with the lights off and he can’t even tell you what it means.

God is clear in what He means. God was clear with what He had John record for us to know…

A half hour of silence in heaven...thirty minutes…

Some of you mothers and wives would love 30 minutes of silence wouldn’t you?

It probably never happens in your house, and it never happens in heaven...but, it will...at least this once.

This half hour of silence in heaven tells us that silence isn’t normal.

Think about that. All the praise and worship going on in heaven...right now.

Heaven is a busy place. Construction...new arrival orientation...something is happening in heaven!

But, all of that stops…

*(30 minutes, 1,800 seconds of silence)

What is this half hour of silence all about?

Maybe it's calm before the storm. Something is about to happen! Something significant/big is about to take place!

“As someone has said, “The steps of God from mercy to judgment are always slow, reluctant, and measured.” God is reluctant to judge for He is slow to anger. …

... “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD ...” (Ezek. 18:32). This silence marks the transition from grace to judgment.”

McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 2000, c1981.

Revelation 8:2

2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Trumpets in the Bible were typically used to assemble people for worship. They would warn of impending danger...assembling people to action including a call to war.

Our text says, “the seven angels who stand before God”...apparently they are not there just for these trumpets. They stand in His presence.

When Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah he said…

... “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! Luke 1:19

Gabriel announced Christ's birth. It stands to reason that he must be one of the seven!

These angels will blow their trumpet one by one ushering in events/judgments during the Tribulation time…

Revelation 8:3-5

3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.

4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.

5 Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.

The OT tabernacle and temple had a golden altar of incense.

It was fairly small...about 1.5 ft square x 3’ tall. It was made of acacia wood and then overlaid with gold.

It stood in the Holy place before the veil that separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies.

That is where the ark of the covenant was with God’s presence.

“God commanded the priests to burn incense on the golden altar every morning and evening, the same time that the daily burnt offerings were made. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. … (Exodus 30:34-38).”

http://the-tabernacle- place.com/articles/what_is_the_tabernacle/tabernacle_altar_of_incense

Remember that the tabernacle and temple were patterned after things in heaven.

So, this angel with the golden incense burner represents the prayers of believers who have been waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. Their prayers offered have gone unanswered. However, when the angel casts the fire from the altar to the earth...they will be answered!

As a side note it is interesting to see how our prayers work and encouraging…