The Earth As It Was

The Earth As it Was Revelation 8:1-13ASB

1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were 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.

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

10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. 11 The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

The silence in heaven was because of the awe and anticipation at the grim reality of the judgements God is about to release.

The seventh seal includes not only an earthquake but the 7 trumpet judgement, and the 7 bowl judgement, with the bowl judgements flowing out of the seventh trumpet and coming in rapid succession just before Christ’s return.

Revelation 8:1NLT When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour.

One man said, the silence in heaven means there will be no women in heaven.

No, but really I believe this 30 mins. brings a transition from grace to judgement.

Remember, the trumpet brought men to war, anointed kings, and people to Moses was given the Law at Mt. Sinai. (However this trumpet will bring judgement.)

Notice who broke the seal. The Lamb. Christ is the only ‘One’ found worthy to open the little scroll- remember, this is the title deed to the universe.

Revelation 8:2NLT I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

Just as these 7 angels had this opportunity to work for God, we in return will also.

These trumpets primarily announce impending judgements. These trumpets are of a greater intensity than the seals, but not as destructive as the final bowl- judgements will be. They occur during the final 3 1/2 years, but the time of each is indefinite, except the effects of the fifth trumpet judgement, which will last 5 months (Rev.9,10).

The first 4 announce the divine destruction of earth’s ecology, (vs.6-12) while the final 3 involve demonic devastation of earth’s inhabitants.

Revelation 8:3NLT 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.

This gold incense burner was used to transport fiery coals from the brazen altar to the incense in order to ignite the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people.

According to Exodus and Luke, this occurred twice daily- once in the morning, and once in the evening.

Revelation 8: 4-5NLT 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.