(Chapter 8)

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (Rev 8:1 - 5)

The above verses seem mostly self - explanatory. First - the seventh seal is opened. This seal completes the opening of the scroll, and signifies divine completeness and finality. In Heaven - we have seen much shouting and many various sounds. Heaven has not been described as very quiet. We have actual lightning bolts, thunders, Praise, Creatures calling out, voices of thunder, songs of praise, music of Harps, etc. Not very quiet.

Now - we have absolute silence. A person could hear a pin drop to the floor. Quiet, or SILENCE. This is because of what is about to take place. Even the 24 elders who - it was stated - NEVER stop shouting out praise - now these too, are quiet . . .

Mankind and Creation have several major events which have and will occur. These events may be briefly summarized as follows:

1. God CREATES the Earth, Sun, Moon, Stars; and Mankind. (Adam & Eve)

2. Adam disobeys God (sins); causing spiritual separation (Death) between God and Man.

3. Jesus or Immanuel  jEmmanouhvl (God with us) was born, lived a sinless life (Always being obedient to the Father); died, and was resurrected. With his life - he purchased or redeemed us back to God.

4. The Anti-Christ will take human form; and be worshiped by the vast majority of mankind as God.

5. Jesus will destroy the Anti-Christ’s Kingdom; and Rules all of mankind for 1,000 years.

6. Satan will be released from the abyss; takes human form (again) , and mankind (again) rejects God, and attacks the city which God loves (the Bride of the Lamb or the New Jerusalem.)

7. Everyone comes before the great white throne for judgement. Death is destroyed, and all pain, tears, and sorrow - cease to exist. God rules forever and ever.

In scripture - the ONLY time silence is ever mentioned as occurring in Heaven - immediately after that - we see the prayers of the saints being revealed before the altar of God and His throne.

These two events are significant.

What precisely were Jesus’ words in regards to the time when the anti-Christ would be ruling?

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now- and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15 - 22)

Jesus describes the time of the anti-Christ’s rule as a time of GREAT distress! Distress of such massive proportions that the entire creation has NEVER seen before; and will NEVER be subjected to or see again . . . What do individuals undergoing great and tremendous distress do?? Typically, we fall onto our knees; and PRAY! We cry out to God for deliverance!

Chapter Eight opens up with the amazing statement that absolute and TOTAL silence occurs in Heaven. Then we follow up this statement by referencing the prayers of the saints!

Silence is occurring in Heaven - because chapter Eight opens up with the anti-Christ starting his rule of 1,260 days. With this reign of great deception - also comes great persecution of the saints of God! And so the saints of God pray for strength and endurance. They pray to overcome the massive deceptions; and they pray not only for themselves - but they pray for others who have not yet taken the mark of the beast; but who are wavering; and not understanding the great time of distress which is occurring.

Incense has spiritual significance, and is described as being fragrant before God . . . And here we have the prayers of all the saints who are crying out in distress during the anti-Christ’s massive persecution, deception and reign; together with much incense or a pleasing fragrance - going up in smoke before God (He is breathing in your fragrance, flavor, and the sweet perfume of your prayers) and the golden altar which is before His throne.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2Corinthians 2:14 - 15)

I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Phillipians 4:18)

I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. (Ezekiel 20:41)

And John sees seven angels who stand before God. And with the opening of the seventh and final seal - these seven angels are given seven trumpets. (The last or seventh trumpet of these trumpets - is the last trumpet referenced in 1Corithians 15:52) The prayers of numerous distressed saints are going up before God and His throne, and the trumpets which have been proclaimed in prophecy throughout all of history - are about to be used . . . Satan or the great dragon, has just been kicked out of Heaven (R12); and the anti-Christ (Satan incarnate) has just come into his Kingdom (R13); and so silence occurs in Heaven.

The first of many judgements from Heaven. These judgements are given for several different reasons.

1. To encourage men to repent, and turn back to the True, Holy, and absolute Sovereign God.

2. To harden men’s hearts towards God, and cause them not to repent.

3. To give the anti-Christ greater ability to deceive.

4. Because men are worshiping the anti-Christ, and declaring him to be God; and not worshiping the one true, sovereign and Holy God.

Some of these four statements might seem contradictory. But consider Pharaoh, Egypt, and the Israelites:

The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. (Exodus 4:21)

But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. (Exodus 7:3 - 4)

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” . . . (Exodus 14:4)

Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? (Isaiah 63:17)

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (Romans 9:17 - 18)

We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:14 - 15)

Scripturally, judgements can be given to both draw individuals to repentance, and cause others to harden their hearts; while at the same time - increasing the Glory of God! So, too with these judgements. Satan will be using these judgements to draw attention to himself (R11 & R13); while God is using them to both harden those who refuse to believe - while at the same time - drawing a very few into true repentance.

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (R8:5)

Weather changes, and earthquakes. Notice also, that here we have a perspective change. In Chapter Eight - we are going to be watching spiritual events - but see direct and immediate causes and links to those events on Earth.

Fire from the altar of God is hurled upon the Earth. Weather changes, and earthquakes result.

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. (Rev 8:6 - 7)

And, during the above time period, and spiritual activities going on - the anti-Christ is ruling; and the beast and the false prophet are deceiving. Deceiving Billions. Remember Chapter 6; and the opening of the seals? The first seal opens, and a false religion is sent out . . . The 6^th seal opens; and the world is mourning and crying out for the rocks to HIDE them from the great day of God’s wrath! So, somewhere in-between the 1^st and the 6^th seal - the anti-Christ starts his earthly rule of massive deception. And finishing chapter 6; chapter 7 opens with a juxtaposition of the faithful believers. Those who qualified to be part of the Wife of the Lamb; and those who did not - and are required to experience the great tribulation. (Anti-Christ ruling.)

So, we close chapter 7 with a vision of the victorious (over the anti-Christ) saints; those who overcame and remained faithful to Jesus. With this sandwiching of events and changing perspectives - we now go to the initial description of spiritual events and earthly destruction and deceptions - which will be occurring under the rule and reign of the anti-Christ. I will give more evidence of this shortly . . . These trumpet blasts and judgements are upon those who have not submitted to Jesus, and are facing the choice of receiving the mark of the beast.

The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Rev 8:8 - 9)

All of these verses in chapter eight are mostly self-explanatory. Here the second trumpet is played; and the ultimate result is one third of everything in or on the seas - is destroyed. Huge devastation of sea life; and massive shipping, fishing, and commerce disruption. It is possible this trumpet blast only affects fishing boats, and the like . . . Those boats who are retrieving food from the waters or seas. That is possible. The focus is on the massive death coming to sea life. That is to cause food supply disruption to mankind. However, it is also entirely possible and likely; that when it states a third of all the ships were destroyed -that it means a third of all ships were destroyed. Any and all Ships. Fishing, shipping, oil tankers, pleasure, etc.

The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing kaiovmeno" (to light (a wick), keep burning) like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water - the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. (Rev 8:10 - 11)

Here we have fire reigning down on earth; and polluting drinking water.. Probably some sort of numerous asteroids falling all over the place. Flaming, burning rocks. Affecting springs of water, and numerous fresh water rivers. What they are - is not really the focus. The result is the destruction of a huge portion of all the potable water supply.

The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that i{na (a marker that shows purpose or result in order that, in order to, so that, then, it can focus on the introduction of a discourse or on the content itself) a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also oJmoivw" (likewise, in the same way, similarly) a third of the night. As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” (Rev 8:12 - 13)

In scripture, the sun represents God, the Father. And the moon, which reflects the light of the sun, and is only visible because of the reflected light - represents God, the Son. And the stars which are cast broadly thru the heavens, and star differs from star in splendor (1Cor 15:41), and are too numerous to count - represent God, the Holy Spirit.

In these verses, God is not stating that He shakes Himself up. But, since He created all things, and thru Him all things were created; God is using the three major focal and centerpieces of the Heavens and His creation - to make a statement. The moon, stars, and the sun - also represent our seasons, and how the entire Universe functions and flows for our planet.

Verse 12 describes a MAJOR heavenly shakeup. The moon will still reflect light, and the sun will still give light. But verse twelve, describes a MAJOR and tremendous reorganization of the entire solar system, and the Universe. The purpose of this tremendous, (and very sudden) change is seen in the following: so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

We strike the heavens and the entire Universe - to cause ⅓ of them to grow dark? What does that mean? Well, the next words tell you . . .

A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

If a catastrophic event happened, which somehow caused our sun to lose some light - what would we have?? Shorter daylight hours, and longer night hours. Our nights would be longer . . . But the TOTAL hours constituting an entire 24 hr ‘day’ would still be precisely the same.

However - here God strikes the heavens. He rearranges gravity, and the entire universe - so that not only are our daylight hours shorter - but so too - is the night!

In other words - God just literally - shortened the days. And He did so for one reason, and one reason only! For the sake of the elect! God has determined in his own mind, and for His own purposes, and reasons - that the number of days of this judgement and tribulation period - will be for a specific length. But the deceptions which are involved during this tribulation period are MASSIVE. And the consequences of God’s judgements on the earth, against mankind who are not repenting - are huge . . . Consequently - Jesus stated that these days of tribulation would be shortened . . . And so here - during the tribulation period; when the anti-Christ is ruling, and deceiving all those whose names have not been written in the book of Life from the creation of the world - God shortens these days for the sake of the elect.

Our Twenty-Four hour day - just became a Sixteen hour day. Massive planetary shakeup.

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now- and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21 - 22)

Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now - and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. (Mark 13:18 - 20)

Then we have an Eagle (a voice from God - remember God rescues on Eagle wings) calling out woe to the inhabitants of the earth. This might be a voice thundering directly from Heaven. It is probably more the case of all the numerous people who are remaining faithful to Jesus, and dying for Him - along with the two witnesses - giving testimony that you are doomed if you take the mark or worship the beast or his image; and that you should repent . . . Either way, or no matter - the spiritual statement of truth is: Even more Tremendous Woe and Hurt and Judgements - are coming upon the inhabitants of the Earth - with the remaining three trumpet blasts that are still to be sounded by the other three angels!

*Chapter 7*   *Chapter 9*

"Questions??? Give a shout!"

All Greek/Hebrew definitions (unless otherwise noted) are taken from
The NIV Exhaustive Concordance by Edward W. Goodrick & John R. Kohlenberger III © 1990 by The Zondervan Corporation. ISBN 0-310-436970-7

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, International Version®, NIV84®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright 2011 - Revelation Disclosed Updated 10/14/11

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