The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 8)

These sealed 144,000 jewish missionaries are protected by as they preach and converting people to the Lord by the thousands and perhaps even by the millions.

These jewish missionaries have been telling these tribulations saints that the anti-christ is not the Christ and do not take the mark of the beast.

Many have refused to take the mark of the beast and has had to die horrible deaths because they are not willing to take the mark of the beast.

They have suffered greatly and been killed and we read about them in heaven without their glorified bodies.

Of course, the reason they do not have their glorified bodies is because they missed the rapture when the church was raptured in Revelation chapter four.

We mortals are a trichotomy, we are body, soul and Spirit. The soul and the spirit of these tribulations saint have gone to be with the Lord.

This is what happens to the saints before the rapture, but when the rapture takes place the Bible tells us they will return with the Lord.

Look at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

When the rapture in Revelation 4 takes place all of this will happen!!!

But these tribulation saints will receive their glorified body at the SECOND COMING of Christ but in Revelation 8 they are praying for justice for what the anti-christ who has brutally killed them.

In chapter 8 we are going to be talking about God bringing judgment in response to the prayers of these tribulation saints which are in heaven without their glorified bodies.

Actually, one of the reasons for the trumpet judgments is God’s answer to the prayers of these tribulation saints.

Before we get into the trumpet judgments we need to look at…

I. THE ANGELS IN THIS CHAPTER

Before we get into the trumpet judgments we are introduce to some very special angels which are going to be introduced to us.

Now a lot of folks in studying Revelation chapter 8 over look verses 1-6 but I really enjoy reading these verses because it shows us how organized God is in assigning different angels for different missions.

Look at Revelation 8:2-6 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 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. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 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. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The judgment of Jesus is going to be carried out for the way these tribulation saints have been treated on earth.

This is the great moment of justice for which suffering believers have been praying.

Even today God is displeased with the saints of God today who are mistreated…God still punish those who punish His children.

Luke 17:1-2 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Look how God use these angels in heaven.

We have already been introduced to the twenty-four elders (angels) and the four beast which are angels around His throne.

However, the seven angels in verse two are specific angels ready to carry out God’s judgment against on those who have persecuted and killed these tribulation saints.

(1) God is fixing to pour out His wrath using these special seven angels.

Look at verse 2 again, And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets

We cannot positively identify these seven angels.

• For example, one theory is that these are special angels; also known as “the angels of the presence.”

• Not all “angels” are said to “stand before God in His presence.”

Gabriel, was one who did, as we are told in Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.