Revelation 8
Notes
Transcript
Translation
Translation
Whenever he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels standing before God, and they were given seven trumpets.
Another angel came and stood upon the altar holding a golden censer. A great amount of incense was given to him, so that he would offer it up along with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints went up from the hand of the angel before God. The angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar. He threw it on the earth, and there was thunder, rumbling, lightning, and an earthquake.
The seven angels who have the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
The first sounded the trumpet. There was hail and fire mixed with blood thrown upon the earth, and a third of the earth burned up, also a third of the trees burned up, and all green grass burned up.
The second angel sounded the trumpet. Something like a great mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea were killed, and a third of the ships destroyed.
The third angel sounded the trumpet. A great star fell from heaven, burning like a lamp. It fell upon a third of the rivers and the springs of water. The name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the water became bitter as wormwood. Many of the people died from the water because it had become bitter.
The fourth angel sounded the trumpet. A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars was struck, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and the night likewise.
I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in the height of the sky, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell upon the earth, from the rest of the sounds of the three trumpets of the angels about to sound.”
Prayer of the Saints
Prayer of the Saints
Silence is a powerful tool in worship
A “moment of silence” is commonly understood as time for prayer
We use silence in our own worship service
Silence is used for us to focus on God and give reverence. Not because God can’t hear through the noise, but because we cannot.
The opening of the seventh seal initiates heavenly worship in the form of silent prayers of the saints.
Saints have been praying before, now their prayers are offered up before God on the altar
Rev 6:9-11
The New Revised Standard Version The Seven Seals
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” 11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.
The following signs and judgments are God answering these prayers. The saints prayers for justice and vengeance are thrown down on those who wronged them.
Trumpets of Moses
Trumpets of Moses
So the seven trumpets (and much of what follows) is an answer to the prayers of the saints.
Trumpets often used to alert of coming armies in war.
Why seven? Seven trumpets also used before the ark of the covenant in the OT. This is not just any army, but the army of God. The Lord of Hosts, YWHW Sabaot comes.
The judgement is against Israel, particularly those in Jerusalem who persecuted followers of Jesus.
John borrows language from Ezekiel (i.e. “a third”) who prophesies against Israel
Many of the signs resemble historical records of the Roman siege of Jerusalem
“Hail and fire” = Roman ballistae and catapults. Some stones launched at Jerusalem are even described as “hailstones” in other historical records
Destruction of ships, bitter water and famine, etc. all reminiscent of a siege.
John also draws on the Exodus narrative’s 10 signs/plagues.
E.g. water to blood; hailstones
In Exodus the signs are against the Egyptian gods. Judgement against followers of false gods and also a call to repentance.
God again brings judgement against followers of falsehood
While the trumpets are certainly a judgement, they also remain a call to repentance, though no one heeded the call (v. 9:20-21)
So God extends mercy and an offer of forgiveness before judgement. But for those who refuse, the evil they wrought will come back on them.
We see God’s justice play out like this many times in scripture. The wicked are judged with the judgments they gave.
Matt 7:2
The New Revised Standard Version Judging Others
For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
Plagues in Egypt
Is 3:10-11
The New Revised Standard Version Chapter 3
Tell the innocent how fortunate they are,
for they shall eat the fruit of their labors.
11 Woe to the guilty! How unfortunate they are,
for what their hands have done shall be done to them.
Gal 6:7
The New Revised Standard Version Bear One Another’s Burdens
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
Power of Prayer
Power of Prayer
What is the takeaway? If this is about judgement on Israel 2000 years ago, what relevance does it have today?
Firstly, though it may not actually be about the end of the world, this passage does affirm God’s justice and point toward a final judgement
More importantly, this tells us something about the way God works
God’s judgement is not arbitrary. He does not bring about calamity for the sake of destruction. His judgement is always intended not just to punish, but to bring people to repentance. He does not execute judgement without mercy, and the judgement he gives is often only the work of our own hands returned to us.
It tells us, also, that God comes in judgement for the sake of his people.
Even in Ezekiel/Isaiah, i.e. the first time Jerusalem was destroyed, the main charge against Israel aside form idolatry was abuse and oppression of the poor and outcast.
Here, again, the charge brought against Israel, aside from rejection of the True God and his Son, is oppression and abuse of his children.
In Exodus as well, the main charge against Egypt was not just idolatry, but oppression of God’s people.
Ex 2:24-25
The New Revised Standard Version Moses Flees to Midian
God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
God hears his people, and he will respond
Prayer is powerful, because it is the prayer of saints offered upon the altar of God they changes the course of history.
It was the prayers of the saints thrown upon the earth that brought about justice for the oppressed.
Our prayer does not fall on deaf ears.
Even so, we must also remember that these prayers were answered in God’s time. (c.f. Rev 6:10-11)