The MacArthur Bible Commentary.
Rev. 8:1 the seventh seal. This seal includes not only an earthquake, but the seven trumpet judgments (8:1-9:21; 11:15ff.) and the seven bowl judgments (16:1-21), with the bowl judgments flowing out of the seventh trumpet and coming in rapid succession just before Christ’s return (see note on 6:1). silence in heaven. The silence of awe and anticipation at the grim reality of the judgments God is about to unleash.
Rev. 8:2 seven trumpets. In Revelation, trumpets primarily announce impending judgment. The trumpets are of greater intensity than the seals, but not as destructive as the final bowl judgments will be (cf. 16:1-21). They occur during the final three and one-half years, but the time of each is indefinite, except the effects of the fifth trumpet judgment, which will last five months (9:10). The first four announce the divine destruction of earth’s ecology (vv. 6-12), while the final three involve demonic devastation of earth’s inhabitants (9:1-21; 11:15ff.).
Rev. 8:3 censer. A golden pan, suspended on a rope or chain, that was used to transport fiery coals from the brazen altar to the altar of incense, in order to ignite the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people (5:8; Ex. 27:3; cf. Luke 1:8, 9). This occurred twice daily at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices.
Rev. 8:5 thunderings, lightnings. See note on 4:5. an earthquake. Surely of equal or greater intensity than the one described in the sixth seal (see note on 6:12).
Rev. 8:7 hail and fire followed, mingled with blood. This may describe volcanic eruptions that could certainly result from the earthquake in verse 5. The steam and water thrown into the sky by such eruptions could easily condense into hail and fall to earth along with the fiery lava (cf. Ex. 9:13-25). Dust and gases may so contaminate falling liquid water that it appears blood red. a third of the trees were burned up. The lava storm will create a blazing fire that devastates one-third of the earth’s forests.
Rev. 8:8 like a great mountain. Probably a huge meteor or asteroid surrounded by gases that will ignite as it enters earth’s atmosphere. Its impact will create a tidal wave, destroying one-third of the world’s ships. sea became blood. This may refer to an event known as red tides, caused by billions of dead microorganisms poisoning the water—in this case the result of the meteor’s collision. Or it may be actual blood, a clear act of eschatological judgment.
Rev. 8:10 great star fell. Another celestial body, perhaps a comet in this case since it leaves a fiery trail (see notes on v. 8; 6:13). It will disintegrate as it nears the earth, scattering over the globe.
Rev. 8:11 Wormwood. A bitter, poisonous substance, derived from a root, that causes drunkenness and eventually death (Deut. 29:18; Prov. 5:4; Jer. 9:15; Lam. 3:15).
[TABLE="class: cms_table"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"]The Seven Trumpets[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1. Trumpet One
(Rev. 8:7)[/TD]
[TD]Ravaging fires[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2. Trumpet Two
(Rev. 8:8, 9)[/TD]
[TD]Seas polluted[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3. Trumpet Three
(Rev. 8:10, 11)[/TD]
[TD]Fresh water contaminated[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4. Trumpet Four
(Rev. 8:12, 13)[/TD]
[TD]Celestial disruption[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5. Trumpet Five
(Rev. 9:1-12)[/TD]
[TD]Demon invasion[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6. Trumpet Six
(Rev. 9:13-21)[/TD]
[TD]Demons wage war[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7. Trumpet Seven
(Rev. 11:15-19)[/TD]
[TD]The seven bowls (see note on 6:1)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Rev. 8:1 the seventh seal. This seal includes not only an earthquake, but the seven trumpet judgments (8:1-9:21; 11:15ff.) and the seven bowl judgments (16:1-21), with the bowl judgments flowing out of the seventh trumpet and coming in rapid succession just before Christ’s return (see note on 6:1). silence in heaven. The silence of awe and anticipation at the grim reality of the judgments God is about to unleash.
Rev. 8:2 seven trumpets. In Revelation, trumpets primarily announce impending judgment. The trumpets are of greater intensity than the seals, but not as destructive as the final bowl judgments will be (cf. 16:1-21). They occur during the final three and one-half years, but the time of each is indefinite, except the effects of the fifth trumpet judgment, which will last five months (9:10). The first four announce the divine destruction of earth’s ecology (vv. 6-12), while the final three involve demonic devastation of earth’s inhabitants (9:1-21; 11:15ff.).
Rev. 8:3 censer. A golden pan, suspended on a rope or chain, that was used to transport fiery coals from the brazen altar to the altar of incense, in order to ignite the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people (5:8; Ex. 27:3; cf. Luke 1:8, 9). This occurred twice daily at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices.
Rev. 8:5 thunderings, lightnings. See note on 4:5. an earthquake. Surely of equal or greater intensity than the one described in the sixth seal (see note on 6:12).
Rev. 8:7 hail and fire followed, mingled with blood. This may describe volcanic eruptions that could certainly result from the earthquake in verse 5. The steam and water thrown into the sky by such eruptions could easily condense into hail and fall to earth along with the fiery lava (cf. Ex. 9:13-25). Dust and gases may so contaminate falling liquid water that it appears blood red. a third of the trees were burned up. The lava storm will create a blazing fire that devastates one-third of the earth’s forests.
Rev. 8:8 like a great mountain. Probably a huge meteor or asteroid surrounded by gases that will ignite as it enters earth’s atmosphere. Its impact will create a tidal wave, destroying one-third of the world’s ships. sea became blood. This may refer to an event known as red tides, caused by billions of dead microorganisms poisoning the water—in this case the result of the meteor’s collision. Or it may be actual blood, a clear act of eschatological judgment.
Rev. 8:10 great star fell. Another celestial body, perhaps a comet in this case since it leaves a fiery trail (see notes on v. 8; 6:13). It will disintegrate as it nears the earth, scattering over the globe.
Rev. 8:11 Wormwood. A bitter, poisonous substance, derived from a root, that causes drunkenness and eventually death (Deut. 29:18; Prov. 5:4; Jer. 9:15; Lam. 3:15).
[TABLE="class: cms_table"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2"]The Seven Trumpets[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1. Trumpet One
(Rev. 8:7)[/TD]
[TD]Ravaging fires[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2. Trumpet Two
(Rev. 8:8, 9)[/TD]
[TD]Seas polluted[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3. Trumpet Three
(Rev. 8:10, 11)[/TD]
[TD]Fresh water contaminated[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4. Trumpet Four
(Rev. 8:12, 13)[/TD]
[TD]Celestial disruption[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5. Trumpet Five
(Rev. 9:1-12)[/TD]
[TD]Demon invasion[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6. Trumpet Six
(Rev. 9:13-21)[/TD]
[TD]Demons wage war[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7. Trumpet Seven
(Rev. 11:15-19)[/TD]
[TD]The seven bowls (see note on 6:1)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
1) Christ says it will be like the Days of Noah prior to His return. Everything will appear normal. This can't be the case if the trumpets were literal as the world would be in utter chaos.
2) Christ gives a very detailed description of the end times in His Olivet Discourse. There are no mention of any of these trumpet events during the tribulation period. Mat 24:21-28. Instead, these passages deal mostly with Satan's deception and warnings about going out after the false Christ (false Rapture). The only trumpet or bowl event that is clearly evident is the 6-7 bowl which is the preparation for and execution of, Armageddon, Mat 24:28. The 5th trumpet is alluded to as it is the period of Satan's "teaching" or deception. The 6th trumpet is also hinted at as it is the actual slaughter of those who do not follow the Lord's warning and go out after the False One.
3) The Bowl judgments are clearly of God as we are told this. We are also told that they are poured out in double strength. A study of the Bowls compared to the earlier trumpets show that the bowls are indeed poured out in double strength. This means the earlier trumpets are of Satan.
Compare:
Bowl #2: the sea became blood and every living creature died
Trumpet #2: great mountain thrown into the sea and 1/3 of the sea become blood, 1/3 of living creatures died.
If you take 1/3 away from ALL with Trumpet 2. You are left with 2/3 of the original amount. Therefore the Bowl affects twice or double what the trumpet affects.
Bowl #3: (ALL) the rivers and springs of waters became blood.
Trumpet #3: A third of the waters become wormwood and many men died.
Again, you have ALL remaining (which is 2/3) of the rivers and springs of waters affected by the bowl where you had 1/3 affected by the trumpet.
Bowl #4: Poured out on the (whole) sun and power was given to him to scorch men with fire/great heat.
Trumpet #4: A third of the sun, moon and stars were struck darkening them by 1/3 both day and night.
Who is the LIGHT? Who is the HIM? Jesus and by extension Christians are to be the salt and light. LIGHT = TRUTH. I see trumpet 4 as deception and/or falling away of significant Christian influence which is countered by God by pouring out TRUTH probably through the 144K and/or 2 witnesses. We know the witnesses have power to turn "water to blood" and we know that "fire" or Truth comes out of their mouths. Rev 11:5-6.
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