Revelation 8
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The Seventh Seal (vs. 1-6)
The seventh seal is opened and instead of hearing a voice like the other seals or seeing creatures, judgment, or horsemen, there is complete silence in heaven for about half an hour. It is the calm before the storm and is a pause before judgment is unleashed. Then the scene changes and seven trumpets are given to the seven angels who stand in the presence of God. Another angel is seen with the prayers of the saints being offered up before the presence of God. What a comfort for the saints to know that their prayers, as well as our prayers go before the throne of God! The prayers go before God and we see an answer to these prayers, as thunders, rumblings, lightnings, and an earthquake occur. God’s response to cries of the saints is now being issued upon the earth. And the seven angels prepare to blow their trumpets.
The First Trumpet (8:7)
The first trumpet is blown and we see hail and fire, mixed with blood, being hurled to the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was burned up. We note that it is only a third, thus not a total consummation of judgment yet. We will see a full judgment is coming shortly while. Again, the number one-third is not a literal number, just like 144,000 is not a literal number. The message of the first trumpet is simple: partial judgment is coming in an effort to cause the people to repent before the full judgment comes (9:20-21). Further, we cannot take the fire and hail falling to the earth literally, just like the images found in the first six seals. To do so violates the premise of Revelation 1:1 that these things are signs and symbols. Just like the previous images, so also these images are used in the Old Testament as symbols of coming judgment. Isaiah 28:2 says, “Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.”
The Second Trumpet (8:8-9)
The second trumpet blows and a great mountain ablaze with fire is hurled into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Not only is the earth affected by this judgment, but all the seas are affected as well. Again, this is only a partial judgment with only a third of the sea, living creatures, and ships being affected.
The Third Trumpet (8:10-11)
The third trumpet blows and a great star, blazing like a torch falls from heaven. It falls on a third of the rivers and springs of water. There is a name given to the star, Wormwood, and a third of the waters become wormwood and many people die. To understand what this symbol is referring to, we need to understand how God used wormwood in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 29:18, “so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood;” Here is a reference to people who turn their heart away from God. Proverbs 5:3-4, “For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” Here is a reference to people whose heart turn to immorality. Jeremiah says, referring to false prophets, in Jeremiah 23:15, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness has gone out into all the land.” This was a condemnation to a rebellious Israel. Notice also Jeremiah 9:15, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.” This was an image of judgment upon God’s people who did practiced immorality and turned their heart from God. All of these images of wormwood depict judgment due to immorality and wickedness. This is exactly the purpose of these judgments against Jerusalem. Again, this third trumpet describes a partial judgment because only a third is affected.
The Fourth Trumpet and an Eagle (8:12-13)
The fourth trumpet sounds and a third of the sun is struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars are darkened. As we have seen many times thus far, the darkening of these elements is symbolic of judgment. Yet again, only a third of these elements are affected symbolizing a partial judgment. These partial judgments are to be a warning to cause people to repent. Thus, the image of using trumpets, which were used to sound the alarm and to give a warning for people to prepare. There are many times we read in the scriptures where God would send a partial judgment upon the nation in effort for them to repent. If they did not repent, then full judgment was coming where it would be lights out for the nation. The warnings are being sent out for Jerusalem to return to the Lord, but they will not repent. Then a eagle flies through heaven proclaiming in a loud voice a woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining trumpet blasts. These first four trumpets are terrible pictures of judgment. But the rest of the trumpets are going to issue a complete judgment, where the angels unleash the winds and the full wrath of Gog upon Jerusalem.
