Revelation 8:1-13

This chapter begins with the opening of the seventh (7) seal of the book (refer to Revelation 5:1-7) in heaven by the little-lamb which is representing the Lord Jesus Christ. This takes place after the 144,000 people were sealed (refer to Revelation 7:4-8). The openings of the previous six (6) seals are recorded in Revelation chapter 6 (also refer to Matthew 24:4-8).

The effects or events occurring as a result of the opening of the seventh seal cover the implementation of judgments under seven trumpets (Revelation 8:7 - 14:20) including seven bowls as part of the seventh trumpet blowing (Revelation 15:1 - 18:24). These occur during the time of the great pressure of the completing together of the age - and will be followed by the Lord Jesus Christ's return on earth as recorded in Revelation chapter 19; also refer to Matthew 24:9-14a and 21, and Acts 2:19 and 20a (referencing Joel 2:30 and 31a).

Revelation 8:1 and 2:

^8:1And whenever he opened the seal, the seventh (seal), there became silence in the heaven as half-an-hour; ^.2and I saw the seven angels who stood² before God and seven trumpets were given to them.

John writes that at whatever time the little-lamb opened...

the seal,
- emphatically and specifically the seventh seal (this is the last seal of the book to be opened; 7 is the number associated with the spirit realm and completion or perfection),

...there became silence (quietness, hush, no-one was speaking)...

in the heaven (as opposed to the earth)
- for the length of time of about half an hour (verses 3 and 4 below explain the reason for the silence coming to pass at this time - the prayer requests had been made to God for salvation, and for the implementation of final judgment and vengeance against those who oppose Him and His people);

...and I perceived (knew with my mind)...

the seven angels (these 7 angels are the spirits dedicated to God and carry out activities in connection with His throne; refer to Hebrews 1:7 and 14; Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6)
- who stood and continue to stand in the sight and presence of God
and seven trumpets
- were given to them.

[Reference: Exodus 14:14; Numbers 10:9; Joshua 6:13-16; Psalm 65:1 and 2; Lamentation 3:25 and 26; Zephaniah 1:16-18; Zechariah 2:13; Luke 1:19; Hebrews chapter 1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 1:4, 3:1 and 5, 4:5, 5:1, 5-7 and 11, 7:11.]

Verses 3-5:

^.3And another angel came and he was caused-to-stand on the sacrificial-altar having a golden censer, and much incenses were given to him in order that he will give (the incenses) relative-to the prayers of all the holy-people on the sacrificial-altar, the golden (sacrificial-altar), the (sacrificial-altar) before the throne.

^.4And the smoke of the incenses ascended relative-to the prayers of the holy-people from the hand of the angel before God.

^.5And the angel took² the censer, and he filled it from the fire of the sacrificial-altar, and he threw (it) into the earth; and there became thunders and sounds and lightnings and quakes.

Another angel came and he was caused to stand upon the sacrificial-altar (this altar refers to the altar on which incense is burned representing prayers being offered to God)...

having a golden censer (a vessel/container which is made of/with gold; the Greek word translated "censer" comes from the same Greek word as "frankincense" which is burned in such a vessel),

...and a lot of incenses (which produce beautiful odors when burned on hot coals) were given to the angel for the purpose and result that...

he will give the incenses (let them fall on hot coals to burn so that the cloud of incense smoke with its odor would rise up and be directly in God's presence)
- relative-to the prayers of all the holy-people (with respect to the communications to/with God by those who are sanctified, their general speaking towards/with Him; refer to Revelation 5:8, 6:10, and 7:4-8)
on the sacrificial-altar,
- emphatically and specifically the golden sacrificial-altar (on which incense is burned),
  - the sacrificial-altar which is in the sight and presence of God's throne.

[Note: Hebrews 9:1-5 describes the holy tent during the old covenant times where incense was burned on coals to produce its odor daily. The incense altar was physically placed immediately in front of the second veil which separated it from the ark of the covenant – however, once a year on the Day of Atonement the chief-priest would take a golden vessel/censer containing hot coals in his right hand plus incense in his left hand, and go inside the second veil where he would burn the incense on the coals so that the cloud of incense smoke with its odor was directly in God’s presence. Refer also to Exodus 30:1-10, 40:5; Leviticus 10:1 and 2, 16:12 and 13; Psalm 141:1 and 2; Isaiah 6:4-6; Luke 1:10 and 11; Hebrews 10:19-22.]

John continues: And the smoke of the incenses went up with respect to the prayers of the holy-people from the hand of the angel in the sight and presence of God.

And the angel took (received and retained so as to use) the censer (refer to verse 3 above)...

and he filled it (he made it full, stuffed as a ship loaded with freight)
- from the fire of the sacrificial-altar (referring to the hot burning coals),
and he threw (cast) it into the earth;

...and there came to pass (happened, occurred)...

thunders (rolling, rumbling sounds - figuratively referring to God's presence and expression of command, judgment, and righteousness/justice in action)
and sounds (voices, uttered-tones)
and lightnings (the sudden speedy flashes of shining bright light, the quick supplying of light)
and quakes (shaking motions, quick or shocking movements, seismic events).

The time of the completing together of the age, which includes judgment, will occur quickly in response to the prayers of God's people.

The following verses (Revelation 8:6 - 18:24) describe the details of what happened in the summary of verse 5. Also, the 4 angels who were stopped from treating the earth unrighteously in Revelation 7:1-3 will be able to continue in their endeavor.

[Reference: Exodus 30:1-10, 40:5 and 26; Leviticus 10:1 and 2, 16:12 and 13; Psalm 141:2; Isaiah 6:4-6; Matthew 2:11, 24:22; Luke 1:10 and 11, 18:7; Romans 9:27-29; Hebrews 8:5, 9:4, 23 and 24; Revelation 4:5, 5:8, 6:9 and 10, 7:4-14.]

Verse 6:

^.6And the seven angels, the (angels) having the seven trumpets, prepared themselves in order that they may trumpet.

In heaven, the seven angels...

emphatically and specifically the angels who have (are holding) the seven trumpets (refer to verse 2 above)

...prepared themselves (made themselves ready)...

for the purpose and result that
- they would blow the trumpets (make trumpet sounds).

Trumpets are sounded for various reasons, such as: to call, summons, or draw the hearer's attention, a signal, a warning, to begin battle, or for a victory celebration.

The details written in Revelation 8:7 - 11:14 pertain to effects or events taking place on earth as a result-of and corresponding-to the previous events which took place in heaven (Revelation 7:9 - 8:6). Also refer to Micah 7:15-17.

Verse 7:

^.7And the first angel trumpeted; and there became hail and fire having been mingled² in blood, and it was thrown into the earth; and the third of the earth was burned-down - even the third of the trees were burned-down and every green grass was burned-down.

The first of the seven angels blew his trumpet [some Greek texts omit the word "angel"]; and there came to pass (happened, occurred)...

hail (hailstone)
and fire
- which were and continue mingled (blended, mixed)
  - in blood,
- and it was thrown (cast)
  - into the earth;

...and...

the third of the earth (one-third, the third part or area of the land)
- was burned-down (we may say "burned-up" to indicate that what could be burned was destroyed) -

...emphatically to the degree and in explanation that...

the third of the trees (specifically one-third of the trees)
- were burned-down,
and all/every green grass (specifically one-third of what grows in a field, an enclosed area where animals may graze or feed upon it)
- was burned-down.

[Reference: I Corinthians 3:12-15; Revelation 7:1-3.]

Verses 8 and 9:

^.8And the second angel trumpeted; and as a great mountain being burned with fire was thrown into the sea; and the third of the sea became blood - ^.9even the third of the creatures, the (creatures) in the sea, died, the (creatures) having souls, and the third of the ships were throughly-corrupted.

The second angel blew his trumpet; and...

something in comparison to a large mountain being burned with/by fire
- was thrown (cast) into the sea;

...and...

one-third of the sea
- came to pass to be blood -

...emphatically to the degree and in explanation that...

the third of the creatures (specifically one-third of the things/beings created by God) - which ones? -
- the creatures within the sea,
  - died (no life in them),
- the creatures which have/hold souls (those that breath in order to maintain their physical lives; the word "soul" refers to the life of a physical body which is evidenced by breathing - it is what allows these creatures to move, swim, etc, living in the physical category in the sea),
and the third of the ships (specifically one-third of the boats with people inside of them in/on the sea who also have souls, breathing in order to maintain their physical lives)
- were throughly corrupted (utterly decayed, corrupted throughout or thoroughly - the people in the ships died in this manner).

[Reference: Genesis 1:20 and 21; Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 2:12 and 16; Zephaniah 1:3.]

Verses 10 and 11:

^.10And the third angel trumpeted; and a great star fell out-from heaven burning as a torch, and it fell on the third of the rivers and on the springs of the waters, ^.11and the name of the star is said (as) Wormwood; and the third of the waters became into wormwood - even many of the men died from the waters because they were made-bitter.

The third angel blew his trumpet; and...

a large star fell out from heaven (the area above the earth, the sky)
- burning as a torch (or as a lamp which needs to be fed olive oil to burn for light),
and it fell down on
- one-third of the rivers
- and on the springs (the wells or fountains which are sources or issues)
  - of the waters,
and the name given to the star (to describe the effect it has on what it fell on)
- is called Wormwood (absinthe, the dark green oil extracted from a desert plant which is extremely bitter to the taste);

...and...

one-third of the waters
- came to pass to be wormwood -

...emphatically to the degree and in explanation that...

a lot of mankind died
- from the waters
  - because the waters were made bitter (caused to be pointed, sharp, keen in the sense of being piercing and pungent, acrid - those who drank from these waters received the consequences).

[Reference: Deuteronomy 29:18; Proverbs 5:4; Jeremiah 9:13-15, 23:15; Lamentation 3:15 and 19; Amos 5:6-8, 6:12; James 3:11.]

Verse 12:

^.12And the fourth angel trumpeted; and the third of the sun and the third of the moon and the third of the stars were stroked; in order that the third of them may be darkened - even the day may not shine-light, the third of it, and the night likewise.

And the fourth angel blew his trumpet; and...

one-third of the sun
and one-third of the moon (the lesser light which usually shines by reflecting the sun’s light towards earth)
and one-third of the stars
- were stroked (were hit with stripes, smitten with strokes);

...for the purpose and result that...

one-third of them would be darkened (caused not to be sources of light, deprived of light, not receiving or emanating light) -

...emphatically to the degree and in explanation that...

the day would not shine-light (would not bring or cause light to shine on the earth so as to be evident, clearly seen),
- emphatically and specifically for one-third of the day (lasting for a third of what should be the daylight portion of a 24-hour period of time),
and the night
- similarly (a third of what should be the nighttime portion of a 24-hour period of time would not have the light from the moon and stars).

[Reference: Isaiah 5:30; Jeremiah 4:23 and 28; Joel 2:31, 3:15; Amos 8:9; Zephaniah 1:14-16; Matthew 24:21, 22 and 29.]

After the first 4 angels blow their trumpets - verse 13 below marks the effects or events following the last 3 angels blowing their trumpets as being especially woeful to/for the recipients.

Verse 13:

^.13And I saw and heard one flying eagle in mid-heaven saying with a great sound, "Woe, woe, woe - the (people) dwelling-down on the earth - from the remaining sounds of the trumpet of the three angels, the (angels) being about to trumpet."

John continues: And I perceived (knew with my mind) and heard...

one flying eagle (only one bird of prey such as an eagle or vulture which was flying in motion, and it was the source of what I heard)
- in mid-heaven (the midst or middle of heaven - referring to the location directly overhead, the zenith, the highest point looking up into the sky, where the sun is at noon, on the meridian)

...saying with a great sound (a large voice or uttered-tone, loudly)...

"Woe, woe, woe (regret, misery, distress - by repeating this word 3 times it gives extreme emphasis to the completeness of the woe that will be experienced for each of the 3 trumpets yet to be blown) -
- regarding the people dwelling-down on the earth (permanently dwelling, inhabiting, settled-down on the earth, where their house is) -
from the remaining sounds (the rest of the uttered-tones)
- of/from the trumpet of the three angels,
  - emphatically and specifically the angels who are on the point of blowing their trumpets."

[Reference: Revelation 4:7, 9:1, 12 and 13, 11:14 and 15, 12:12. Chart. Stars and Constellations. Note: verbs with a superscript 2 (²) immediately following them indicate the "perfect" tense - details are provided in the "Relevant Notes" link of this study.]

Revelation Chapter 9