10/05/2023 Wednesday
The Revelation
Study of John’s Revelation
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

The Lord Jesus Opened the Seventh Seal (Re 8:1-6)

When he did, there was silence in heaven for a ½ hour* (v.1).

All those in heaven hushed because of the major events to come.

Perhaps the ½ hour of silence is another opportunity for repentance.

Seven angels stood before God having seven trumpets (v.2).

Another angel stood at the altar with a golden censer# (v.3-4).

He had much incense to offer with the saint’s prayers (Perhaps Re 6:10).

The smoke and prayers ascended up to God. He is longsuffering still.

The angel took the censer and poured fire on the earth (v.5-6).

Note the violent reaction on earth (v.5).

The seven angels prepare to blow their trumpets.
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

The First Angel Blows His Trumpet (Re 8:7)

This Trumpet resembles the seventh plague of Egypt (Exodus 9:18-26).

Hail and fire mixed with blood is cast to the earth.

The blood may indicate that the hail was so large and forceful that it shed the blood of creatures it hit.

1/3 of the trees and all of the grass is burned.

Massive bushfires will rage out of control.
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

The Second Angel Blows His Trumpet (Re 8:8-9)

A blazing mass, something like a great mountain, is cast into the sea. Is this a meteor?? Will tsunamis follow??

1/3 of the sea will become blood. John called it blood. He did not say it looked like blood. God is able!

1/3 of all life in the sea will die.

1/3 of all ships in the sea will be destroyed.

A 2022 report states that there were about 58,000 merchant ships trading internationally. 1/3 would be 19,333.

A similar plague turned the waters of Egypt into blood millenniums earlier (Exodus 7:19-21).
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

The Third Angel Blows His Trumpet (Re 8:10-11)

A great star will fall from heaven, burning like a lamp.

It will fall on the sources of fresh water.

The star is called “Wormwood” which is “bitter poison.”

1/3 of the fresh water on earth will be polluted.

Many people will die from drinking the water.

Wormwood is mentioned seven times in the Old Testament where it represents sorrow and bitter judgment (Deuteronomy 29:18;
Proverbs 5:4; Jeremiah 9;15; 23:15; Lamentations 3:15, 19; Amos 5:7) (Walvoord 952).
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

The Fourth Angel Blows His Trumpet (Re 8:12-13)

1/3 part of the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened.

This may be an eclipse that extends to a third part of the day and a third part of the night. Walvard

Possibly the last third of the day and the first third of the night was blacked out.

Another explanation is that the brightness of the heavenly lights will be diminished by one-third. (McGee 965)

We do well to note that these trumpet judgments are divine in nature not human.
Chapter 8 – The Trumpets

An Angel Flying in Heaven will cry Woe! Woe! Woe! (Re 8:13)

Woe is an announcement of dreadful judgement from God.

These three woes are upon the people of the earth.

The woes warn of the dread of the next three trumpet judgments.

The idea is that, “If you think this is bad, there is three more judgments coming that are far worse.”
Personal Application

The trumpet judgments will be dreadful. Rebels against God will suffer for their sins, but even then
God’s loving heart is longing for men to repent. They still refuse!

Are you warning the lost? Time is running out. We have much work to do. You have the good news
that saves.

Judgment is coming. Those around us may reject our warning, but it is our duty to warn them.

Paul was able to say, (Acts 20:26-27) “… I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare
unto you all the counsel of God.” Be courageous and speak out!