Revelation- Victory
in Jesus!
Ch. 8- The 7th Seal
After the interlude that was Ch. 7, we now get back to the 7th and final seal
(it will continue until Ch. 11)! Remember 6:10? The martyrs shouted out “How
long until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” This
question will now start to be answered!
Here we see his judgments begin.’
You will notice that the judgment is partial. What do you think this
indicates? What is He waiting for?
I think it is his intent that the disobedient might realize their errors and
turn to him. I believe this is shown in Ch. 9 next week! When they chose not to
do so, he will bring total judgment on the Empire! Chapter 8 will show the areas
affected to be land, sea, freshwater and heavenly bodies. Internal decay and
invasion by a hostile army are shown in Ch. 9. Historians, interestingly enough
agree exactly. It is known that the Roman Empire fell due to a series of natural
calamities, internal corruption and external enemies! LET’S GET INTO THE WORD:
V1- What do you make of the “silence in Heaven for half an hour’? Is it
literal? I believe this is simply an “attention getter” for dramatic
effect. Since Ch. 4, heaven has seen nothing but constant movement and activity.
Now, he uses this silence to call attention to God’s answer to the cries of the
martyrs. It is the “calm before the storm”. I think the time length should not
be taken literally. It just shows a relatively low period of time when compared
to others. The silence and its’ length show heavens interest on what is about to
go down on earth!
V2- Just A REMINDER. What are trumpets used for in Revelation?
They are used to warn. They follow seals and precede God’s bowls of wrath.
V3- NOTE- It seems that whenever John uses incense in Revelation it refers to
prayers.
V5- In verse 4 God listened to the prayers and cries, and his initial response
now comes here! It occurs immediately! Casting fire to the earth, God indicates
he has heard and is now signaling that judgments are coming to earth on behalf
of the martyred saints. There was thunder, rumblings and lightning….(just like
4:5)….signaling that SOMETHING great was about to come. Here, John adds also, an
earthquake. Often used in the OT the earthquake described God’s judgments
against heathen cultures!
The 1st Four Trumpets
V6- Each angel will announce a particular series of events. The 1st four (the
rest of Ch. 8) announce judgments of “natural calamity”.
V7- Hail and Fire (mixed with blood)- used in the OT as God’s instruments of
judgments (EX: Job 38:22-23, IS 30:30-31, EX 9, etc…) What do you think it
means by “a third of the earth”? Is it literal? It indicates that this
is still just a PARTIAL judgment of God. The 1st judgment is on the land area
only!
V8-9- Burning Mountain- The sea was “turned into blood”. This is very
reminiscent of the 1st plague of Egypt. It would mean that its’ life force
(oxygen?) was cut off! Fish and wildlife die and ships (probably with men) are
destroyed! The judgment seems to be not only on the physical sea, but also the
commerce that comes from it! The sea was a life vein for the Roman Empire! Down
with these persecutors !
V10-11- The Great Burning Star- This effects the fresh waters of earth…first the
seas and now this! Wormwood was a bitter wood. It represented bitterness and
spoil.
V12- The Heavenly Body Destruction- It is similar to the 9th plague of Egypt.
What could the fading of these light sources represent? Whatever it
is, God is unhappy, and his judgment has begun!
The first blast from the trumpets is over. The forces of nature have been set
loose and havoc reign son the earth! It seems bad…BUT THE NEXT VERSE WARNS THAT
THE WORST IS STILL YET TO COME!
THE EAGLE: HERALD OF WOES
The eagle screams out 3 woes
1- 9:1-12
2- 9:13- 11:14
3- 11:15-19
When the 3rd woe is finished, we will be revealed a beautiful victory scene! God
has kept his promise!
The chapter ends with the Eagles’ warning: YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!!!!!!