Revelation #26

Today we will start Chapter 8. As you will see the deeper we get into Revelation the more intense and more symbols are used. So go slow and think about what is being said.



Revelation 8

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

1When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings,[a] flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.



In verse 1 we are told the Lamb opens the seventh seal and something interesting happens....there was silence for about a half an hour. This is the calm before the storm. Judgement is on the way. In verse 2 we are told that John saw seven angels standing before God and they were handed seven trumpets. Trumpets in the Word of God usually symbolize that an act of God is coming and that is the case here. In verse 3 we are told another angel comes and is given a golden censer which represents the Word of God. This angel was also given much incense which represents the Holy Spirit. This angel was to offer this incense with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar which represents Jesus. The prayers and the incense rose before God....what a beautiful picture of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the saints rising as a sweet aroma before God! Also remember the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us saints when we don't know what we should pray for as told in Romans 8:26:



Romans 8:26

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.



In verse 5 we are told the angel takes the censer and fills it with fire from the altar and throws it to earth! This is a sign of the coming judgement. Along with this fire are an earthquake, great rumblings of thunder, and lightning.



My friends get prepared for tomorrow we will look at the start of the trumpets blowing....not a good day for those who have not been raptured with the church!



Tom