Revelation
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Revelation 8
Revelation 8
Commentary · verses 1-13
1And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Commentary · verse 1
When the seventh seal was opened, there was silence in heaven for about a half an hour. The reason for this was unknown. However, judgment was now able to be executed upon the earth, so this half hour may have been time given to focus and make sure what would be accomplished was done intentionally with excellence.
2And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets.
2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Commentary · verse 2
Seven angels will stand before God and be given seven trumpets. The seventh seal contained and began the seven trumpets, which was really a small picture explanation for the events that will occur during the second half of the Tribulation.
3And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.
5And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
3And 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.
4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
5And 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.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Jesus stated that those who saw the abomination of desolation (those who saw the Antichrist set up an idol to be worshipped as God) to immediately run into hiding: Matthew 24:15-21. Jesus may have been speaking of hiding in Moab and Edom. Daniel also mentioned the abomination that makes desolate in Daniel 9:27 and that the Antichrist would make a peace treaty with Israel and then break it in the middle of the seven year Tribulation which was also known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel. In Daniel 11:41 it was stated that the Antichrist would not be able to overcome the countries of Edom and Moab. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, all believers will have been raptured. The only people that will be left on earth will be unbelievers and Jews. The Jews that heed Jesus' warning will be in hiding and holding to their Jewish faith. Everyone else will have to deal with the Antichrist and the judgment that will come upon the earth.
6And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
6And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Commentary · verses 6-7
When the first trumpet sounded, there was hail and fire mingled with blood cast on the earth. One third of all trees were burnt and all the grass was burnt! This ought to be a sign to the people on the earth that the Antichrist and his idol were not the Messiah and God, respectively.
8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.
8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Commentary · verses 8-9
When the second trumpet sounded, there was something like a great fiery mountain cast in the sea. One third of the sea became blood, one third of the sea creatures died, and one third of the ships were destroyed! Again, this ought to be another witness to the people of earth that the Antichrist was not the Messiah.
10And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters;
10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
Commentary · verse 10
When the third trumpet sounded, a great star fell from heaven burning as a torch. It fell upon one third of the rivers and on the fountains of waters.
11and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Commentary · verse 11
The name of the star that falls was "Wormwood" because of the water being turned extremely bitter. One third of the waters became wormwood which caused many men to die. This sounded like a meteor.
12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.
12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Commentary · verse 12
When the fourth trumpet sounded, one third of the sun, moon, and stars were struck into darkness. One third of the day was darkened and one third of the night was darkened.
13And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.
13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Commentary · verse 13
John heard an angel proclaiming woes regarding the last three trumpets. The worst was yet to come! It looked as if there was a time period between the first four trumpets and the last three trumpets. This time may have been mercy for potential believers, people on earth had an opportunity to state their will concerning the first four trumpets whether they believed in God or the Antichrist.
This chapter began the presentation of the perspective from earth during the second half of the Tribulation and was continued in chapter 9. This is denoted by the "8,9 (Trumpets)" and covered the second half of the Tribulation.