Bible Groups - Digests of Bible Commentaries

The Revelation to John - Chapter 8

Revised 2013

The 7 messages to the churches look forward to judgement & salvation from the point of view of particular Christian communities. The 7 seals suggest end-time judgement & salvation in general, especially for all humanity, & esp the faithful. The 7 trumpets are also about the last days, but emphasis on the cosmos: heaven, earth, waters & underworld. After the climax of the vision of God worshipped by all the saints (7:9-17), the 7th seal is now opened, and logically the scroll can now be read. But instead another “seven” is now unveiled, linked by the short silence, the 7 angels with 7 trumpets, and the golden censor, which also links to the next series. Or is what follows to be seen as the content of the scroll? The 7 trumpets, a group of 4, then more diverse group of 3. Modelled on Exodus, recalling celebration of Tabernacles (7:9-17), & plagues of Egypt, preparing for deliverance of God’s people - ie those sealed (7:3), with Christians treatment by Rome seen as analogous to the Hebrews under Egypt’s Pharoah. God’s eschatological judgement will be like the plagues on Egypt. But again the plagues do not lead to repentance, the survivors continue in idolatrous ways. Key is that these disasters are intended to lead evildoers away from idolatry and related sins (Rev 9:20-21). More intense than previous cycle: a third of the earth is affected, instead of a quarter. But only a third so not final judgement (Ezek 5:2, 11-12). Disasters in this chapter not seen as divine punishment or final judgement. But they are announced by angels - ie with God’s permission. Plagues in Egypt were miracles for the Hebrews. So here the plagues are part of God’s plan for the salvation of believers.
1 A short pregnant anticipatory pause. Is this the end? The final cataclysm? Jews thought there were occasional silences in heaven, enabling prayers to be heard. But only a short pause, there is more to come. But silence during worship, in the presence of God, is worthwhile. Heightens the anticipation - greater drama to come! Jericho stood in the way of God’s people, but its walls fell down after a silence, 7 trumpet blasts, and a shout (Jos 6:3-7).
2 Trumpets were used in religious ceremonies, so ....? Trumpets also announce the beginning of judgement (1 Thess 4:16) or God’s judgement (Isa 27:13; Joel 2:1; Zeph 1:14-17; Zech 9:14).
3 But instead of the Lord coming in judgement we have a short liturgy, with incense before the altar, here in heaven, not the Temple. Was this just a reflection of the daily morning Temple ritual of incense on the golden altar, accompanied by a very loud trumpet blast, said to be audible in Jericho, or had incense already become part of Christian liturgy? Presumably the prayers are those of 6:10, ie “How long.....?” The plagues to come are therefore part of God’s answer in vindication of the saints’ prayers.
4 Why we use incense: to represent the prayers of the faithful rising up to God - perhaps those of the martyrs mentioned earlier. Incense before an altar and silent contemplation continued in the Mass.
5 But it was only a prelude to yet more disasters, heralded as usual by a theophany of earthquakes, thunder, etc, as angel throws God’s holy fire on the earth, where it becomes apparent in the natural disasters below - nothing happens except by God’s will. So God will eventually vindicate the faithful ones. Deliverance by God preceded by similar theophany (Ps 18:12-14). This time there is no waiting as earlier (6:11), the saints’ prayers are about (Ezek 10:2) to be answered (Acts 4:31). The angel’s action of throwing God’s holy fire on the earth foreshadows the plagues of the 7 trumpets, suggesting the plagues are punishment for persecution of the faithful.
6 In Jerusalem trumpets also blown to announce natural calamities.
7 First trumpet as first disaster strikes, destroying a third of the earth. Cf 7th plague in Egypt (Exod 9:22-26). These 4 disasters affect whole earth, not just Roman empire, as did the 4 horsemen. Destruction is substantial but limited. No mention of harm to humans. But locusts not to harm grass (9:4) Systematically the effects are felt by the earth, the sea, fresh waters, then the heavens.
8 2nd trumpet, a volcano erupts with rivers of lava flowing to the sea - cf Vesuvius & Pompei AD 79. Burning mountain sent to destroy Babylon (Jer 51:25).
9 Destruction over one third of the sea, including the fish (Exod 7:14-24). Sea turned to blood (Exod 7:20).
10 3rd trumpet: a huge meteor destroys huge areas. Another allusion to Babylon, whose king was so taunted (Isa 14:12).
11 Rivers & streams are poisoned, made bitter (Exod 15:23). Wormwood is very bitter plant, symbolising punishment God inflicts on the ungodly: God threatens to give wormwood & poisoned water to his people because of their idolatry (Jer 8:14; 9:12-16; 23:15).
12 4th trumpet: eclipse - or worse? Darkness recalls that over Egypt (Exod 10:21-29). Prophets often referred to darkness at judgement day (Amos 8:9; Isa 13:10; 30:26; 50:3; Joel 2:3,10; 3:15; Ezek 32:7-8). But this time it is not judgement day: only one-third of heavenly bodies affected. All natural disasters within people’s experience.
13 “Vulture” better translation, since associated with impending doom. Contrasting with the thrice “Holy” (4:8), 3 more woes to come, more than natural, 2 now, final woe delayed for an interlude, as before. “woe” (Gr: ouai) sounds like eagle’s cry. 4 disasters just described are from nature, need not be seen as divine punishment. But 3 “woes” suggest oracles of doom (Amos 5:7-27) or announcements of God’s judgement on wrongdoers (Isa 3:9, 11; 45:9-10; Jer 13:27, 22:13, 23:1, 48:46; Ezek 13:18; 16:23; 24:9). Matt compared Son of Man coming in judgement to eagles/vultures gathering over a corpse (Mt 24:28). The next 3 trumpets concern humanity more directly.