Revelation 8

Prayer Requests

What stood out to you reading this chapter?

Explain Futurism versus Idealism

Chester—The seven seals, the seven trumpets (and the seven bowls that we’ll meet in chapter 16) do not describe different periods, taking place one after another in sequence. They are parallel accounts. They describe the same period—history is leading up to and including the return of Christ. It’s as if history being replayed from different perspectives. The seven trumpets are like an action replay, but from a different camera angle. At the same time there’s an intensification. The seven seals affected a quarter of the earth; the seven trumpets will affect a third (9:18–19). [70]

Revelation 8:1-5

What happens once the seventh seal is opened? (1) What’s the significance of this?

What happens before the angels blow their trumpets? What is the significance of this?

Whose prayers are brought before God’s throne? How does this encourage you? (3)

What is the incense?

Beeke—The incense that is mingled with our tainted prayers so they become acceptable to God is the intercession of Christ. . . . Christ mingles His intercession with our intercession to cover the taint, selfishness, and earthiness of our prayers, and then He transforms them into that which is acceptable to His Father and presents our poor prayers to Him, washed in His own blood-purchased merits. He makes something big out of something small; something beautiful out of something homely. [258]

What does verse 5 teach us about the impact of our prayers?

Beeke—Derek Thomas writes, “Our prayers may make little impact to those who hear them in this world, but when they reach heaven, they are sent back (in George Herbert’s phrase) as ‘reversed thunder.’ The power of prayer is truly immense!” [261-62]

Before trumpet section...

Beeke—When John moves from the seven seals to the seven trumpets, we can’t help but notice a pattern. Just as the first four seals belong together, the sounding of the first four trumpets also seem to belong together. [263]

Also note that trumpets often signify judgment and destruction (Joshua, Gideon, Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52)

Beeke—In the Old Testament, a trumpet was used to sound an alarm. Likewise, the trumpets of Revelation 8 warn us of what is to come. They do not refer to the final judgment, but to God’s judgments in history that warn us of the final judgment. [265]

Johnson—“The plagues associated with the trumpets proclaim God’s supremacy and prefigure coming judgment, but they also leave time to repent.” [141]

Revelation 8:6-9

How much is literal and how much is symbolic? Hard to say.

Johnson—The purpose of portraying these judgments as the descent of burning objects form the sky is not to equate them with missiles or meteors, or atomic fallout, acid rain, or volcanic ash. Rather it is to stress that the destruction that decimates the physical world through warfare, other human evils, or natural disaster is ultimately the outworking of God’s sovereign purpose, defending his people and warning his enemies. [143]

What does the first trumpet remind you of? (Seventh plague on Egypt—hail fell with fire)

Just as that plague only affected Egypt but not Goshen, this plague only affects a third of the earth

What does the second trumpet remind you of? (the sea becoming blood reminds us of the first plague on Egypt)

Both trumpets suggest an increasing judgment being poured out on the earth before the end, but there’s still time to repent.

Revelation 8:10-12

3rd and 4th trumpets lead to chaos in the heavenly bodies. Some fall into the sea, others cease their shining

Storm images can symbolize historical judgments against nations (Ps. 18:11–14; Isa. 28:1–3; 30:30–31). The fall of a mountain into the sea is a symbol of national calamity (Ps. 46:2). Blowing trumpets, casting down mountains, and throwing a rock into the sea are images of the overthrow of Babylon ([Rev.] 18:21; Jer. 51:25–29, 63–64). Forcing people to drink bitterness (wormwood) signifies bitter experiences like invasion, defeat, and exile (Jer. 8:14–16; 9:15–16; 23:15; Lam. 3:15, 19). Sun and moon struck (smitten) with darkness can be a sign of conquest by a foreign power (Ezek. 32:2, 7–8, 11). Therefore, these trumpets symbolize natural and political disasters throughout this age that display God’s sovereignty over creation, supremacy over man’s idols, and wrath against sin. [Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible, 1877]

One reason why I think there are different camera angles:

Revelation 6:12–13 “When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.”

If the sun has already been darkened after the sixth seal, why is still partially shining during the fourth trumpet?

Revelation 8:13

God is patient and invites sinners to repent!

We’ll look at the Three Woes (which are the final three trumpets) over the next few weeks.

Application:

Jesus is still King!

Jesus invites people to repent!

Judgment is coming. There will be an escalation of judgment towards the last day.