Monday Dec. 11
The Seventh Seal-the Trumpets {Revelation 8}
Here in Revelation 8 we learn of the seventh seal of judgement. Seven angels who stand before God are given seven trumpets. Trumpets that unleash fury upon the earth with every blare. But before Christ breaks the final seal and the devastation begins, a hush falls throughout heaven.
“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence for about a half an hour.” (v. 1) Imagine every creature in heaven watching God’s plan unfold. They are in such awe about what is happening, there is complete silence. No one speaks. No song is sung. And this silence is not only in honor of God, but also for the prayers of Christians who continually cry out to God for justice. In verses 3-5, we’re told an angel with a golden censer, (a vessel in which incense was carried), makes a “brew”of sorts. He takes the censer, adds to it incense and the prayers of the saints; resulting in a smoke that becomes a fragrance pleasing to God. He then takes the censer, fills it with fire from the golden alter, and hurls it to the earth resulting in thunder, lightening, and a earthquake. This signals the seven angels to prepare to sound their trumpets and usher in the judgements of God.
“The first sounded and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” (v. 7) Really think about that for a minute. Imagine the devastation to the ecology of the planet. A huge reduction of grass for wildlife to graze on, of fertile soil to grow crops, and not to mention a major reduction of oxygen being produced from trees. And that’s just the beginning!
“The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.” (vs. 8-9) In this judgement, the seas of the world become poisonous. This poisoned water kills sea life, which in turn kills the fishing trade. There goes yet another crucial source of food for humans and other animals alike. And when this burning mountain lands, it also destroys a third of all ships. So much for transportation across the oceans not only for people, but for life sustaining food, water, building materials, oil, and medical supplies. And the hits keep on coming.
“The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.” (v. 10) When this star called “Wormwood” hits the earth, it affects the drinking water of the world. Wormwood means bitter, and a third of all fresh water in rivers, lakes, and springs is impacted. First the salt water is poisoned, and now the freshwater is poisoned as well. Already there are countries in which people die due to the lack of access to clean water, and verse 11 us that probably out of desperation due to extreme thirst, many more will perish from drinking this bitter water.
“The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.” (v. 12) This does not describe a one-third lessening of light like when storm clouds overtake the sky, but one-third of the day and night are plunged into absolute darkness. As Jesus said, “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” (Matt. 24:29) Not only will there not be enough natural sunlight for the growing of crops and natural vegetation, the seas and their tides which are regulated by the moon will be thrown out of whack.
Chapter 8 ends with John saying, “Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the three remaining blasts of the three angels who are about to sound!” (v. 13) The cries of the eagle are well founded, for one third of the earth’s population will die with the sound of the next three judgements. But even though these first trumpets deliver God’s judgements in devastating ways, they also reveal God’s never ending mercy. His judgements are only partial, striking one third of the earth. Even in His anger against the wicked, He spares more than He smites. By eliminating everything that people depend on, He does so in the hope that they will repent, declare Christ as their Savior, and receive His gift of eternal life. For as we are reminded in 2 Peter 3:9, we serve a God who, “..is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” And I find great hope in a loving Creator who is not willing to give up on a single person...not even one.