In Heaven there is silence… something is coming.
A LOOK BACK: In chapter 6, the first six seals of the book are opened by the Lamb. In Revelation 7, there is a pause in the opening of the seals to allow the angels to “mark” those who belong to God. These will be the ones will be able to stand in the day of the wrath of the Lamb.
SILENCE: The Lamb opens the seventh seal, and John watches as there is silence in heaven for half an hour. The silence might indicate reverence or awe at what is coming. Consider the idea of a “moment of silence” because of a catastrophe that has befallen someone.
Revealed in the seventh seal, John sees seven angels, each given a trumpet. Another angel comes to the altar with a golden censer, and he receives incense to offer up with the prayers of the saints upon the altar. The prayers plus incense are offered and ascend up before God (sitting upon His throne). Remember the saints beneath the altar who died for Christianity and their cry, “How Long!” God’s answer to those prayers is coming.
After offering the incense, the angel fills his censor with fire from the altar casts it into the Earth. Voices, thundering, lightning, and earthquakes occur. Always remember, this is vision language of judgment and retribution on the enemies of God. As this happens, John sees the angels with the trumpets preparing to sound.
The first trumpet: The angel sounds the trumpet and the result is hail and fire mixed with blood is cast upon the earth. A third of the trees and all the green grass was burnt up.
The second trumpet: This angel sounds and a high mountain burning with fire crashes into the sea. One-third of the sea turns to blood. One-third of all creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships of the sea perish.
The third trumpet: The trumpet sounds and a great star falls burning from heaven and falls upon one-third of all the rivers and fountains of water. The name of it is Wormwood (bitterness), and the waters turn bitter and kill many men.
The fourth trumpet: One-third of the sun is smitten, and also one-third of the moon and stars become darkened. One-third of the day turns black and one-third of the night as well.
John sees an angel fly through Heaven declaring, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
Next week: Trumpets 5 & 6 | Woe 1 & 2.