The Trumpets

Chapter 8 opens with the breaking of the 7^th seal. The 6^th seal revealed the final judgment. It was the day of God’s wrath on the ungodly. When Jesus broke the 7^th seal, heaven stood silent for thirty minutes. This is all that was given to John regarding the last seal.
The Prayers of God’s People
The 5^th seal revealed martyred saints crying out to God, “How long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” The answer had already been given through the Apostle Paul. To comfort the believers in Thessaloniki during their time of persecution and suffering, he wrote, “…when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the good news of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8). In Revelation 8, we see those prayers ascending to God and we see God’s answer: fire being thrown down upon the earth, thunder, lightning and a terrible earthquake. God does hear the prayers of His people and He does answer.
Four Trumpet Blasts
Seven angels stood before God and they were given seven trumpets. Each angel was to blow a trumpet. Revelation 8 reveals the judgments of the first four trumpets. One third of the earth, the sea, the rivers, the sun, moon and the stars were affected. These four trumpets bring judgment on the physical world.
An Eagle’s Message
This is a sobering message to those who belong to this world. This is not a message to believers. Believers are saved from God’s wrath. Romans 5:9 makes this clear: “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” The Eagle warned that he final three trumpet blasts would bring terror on those who don’t know God and who live in rebellion toward Him.
Revelation for You
In what ways do you see Revelation 8 as an answer to your prayers concerning all the evil that has happened within your lifetime?
God has called us to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19) and ministers of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6). Does Revelation 8 help you see the importance of these roles?