Podcast Episode 20 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes. So far, 2025 has started out in a way that our country has never seen before. With extreme fires, plane crashes, and heavy snow in the south states (rare occurrences), and other events. The book of Revelation is being fulfilled and God is soon to return. This series on Revelation may seem longwinded, but it is very necessary for the perilous times ahead. God wants to remind His people of what His word says. Furthermore, God wants to give us the biblical tools to be mentally, spiritually, and physically prepared. I pray that you’ve been blessed by this series so far. We still have ways to go, but it is my hope that we finish this series before 2025 ends.
Today, we’re diving into Revelation 8. Now, it is time for the Lamb of God to break the seventh seal. Remember, the seventh seal is the final seal. God showed John what happened between the 6th seal and 7thseal not being broken. Revelation 8:1-2 NL states, “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.”
We learn later that those seven trumpets signifies catastrophic events unfolding on earth. The seven angels don’t begin the judgement until they have received the trumpets from the Lord. The judgment that follows the trumpets are significant to Israel and the Jews (who follow false prophets). Matthew 24:11-12 NLT comes to mind, “And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” This statement is even prevalent for today. Many people’s hearts have grown cold just like the days of the bible.
When heaven was silent for about 30 minutes, that was not an indication of something good coming. Think about when a court room becomes silent. In a court case, silence can be good or bad. The judge renders a verdict in a criminal trial after the silent period. The people in heaven are now silent as they wait for the judge (The Lord) to make His next move.
Revelation 8:3-5 NLT states, “3 Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. 5 Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.”
Gold represents accomplishments, success, power, and divinity. Some people think the male angel was Jesus, but we have no proof of that. We are also not told exactly what those prayers from the saints were. The prayers could be concerning God bringing judgment to evil/wicked people or about the suffering God’s people went through (Psalm 94:3-5). The prayers could also be about deliverance, salvation, grace, or etc. We don’t know.
Regardless, verses 3-5 should delight our soul because it proves how the prayers of the righteous availed much (James 5:16). Psalms 34 and 1 Peter 3:12 lets us know that our prayers please God. His ears are open to the righteous prayers. God invites us to draw nigh to Him, so that we may receive mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
We draw near to God by reading our Word, praying, fasting, and worshipping. The time frame of Revelation 8 is the tribulation period. The tribulation survivors and saints will accept God’s invitation to pray, and they will call upon Him for grace and mercy. We must be the same way now. It is as if the incense burner of prayers goes up (in smoke). The prayers are a sweet-smelling aroma to God. Remember, even Jesus took the opportunity to pray throughout His time here on earth (Hebrews 5:7).
Revelation 8:6 NLT states, “Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts.” So, this is the last thing that occurs before judgement unleashes on the earth. The altar mentioned in verse 4 represents sacrifices for sinners. The fire symbolizes judgement. Fortunately, there is no judgement for those in Christ (Romans 8:1). But for those who continue to reject the Gospel during the tribulation (and even people today), they will receive the wrath of God. Things are about to get ugly. But remember what Proverbs 29:1 says about, “harden not your hearts”. That means, don’t reject God. Don’t grow cold-hearted towards the Word of God.
At this point, the seven angels (which represents completion) are prepared to blow their trumpets to release judgement on earth. Revelation 8:7-13 NLT are devastating verses for the unbelievers. We will break it down more in detail, but let’s first read through it.
Revelation 8:7-13 NLT, “The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned. 8 Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, 9 one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star was Bitterness. It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water. 12 Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night. 13 Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”
A consistent word used through these verses is 1/3. I can only imagine 1/3 of chaos unleashing on earth as a sign of God’s mercy. God is powerful and mighty. He could destroy the earth 100%, but He chooses to only limit His wrath of destruction to 1/3. That’s mercy! That’s grace!
Remember, Revelation 6 discusses the 6th seal being broken. It mentioned stars falling, dark sun, and red moon. Could it be a correlation since the Lamb broke the 6th seal and the great earthquake brought destruction?
So, it is clear that major destruction, chaos, and unfortunate events are occurring. God is pouring our His wrath like fire on the earth (Isaiah 26:21). Keep in mind, the Lord is allowing it to happen with no ounce of remorse. God’s judgement is upon the earth during the tribulation period. The final verse of Revelation 8:13 is worth a reread. John the Revelator looks and hears a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air. This is not good at all. The eagle hollers, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”
No one should want to hear the words, “Terror, terror to all those who belong to the world” (Revelation 8:13) or “depart from me I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). If you’re reading this blog, that is an indication that the Lord has given you another chance at life—another chance to make it right. Don’t delay your repentance. Don’t delay your walk with Christ. God has given us the book of Revelation as an act of love. It is through the warnings of Revelation that we get to see how much God loves us enough to warn us on how to avoid being under His mighty wrath. If God didn’t love us, we wouldn’t have the bible which is considered the greatest love story ever told.
So, because we know better (through studying the Word of God), we must do better. I pray that this bible study has allowed your eyes to be open. We know God to be a God of love, kindness, mercy, and grace. Many preaches give sermons on those characteristics of God. On the other hand, God is also a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). We will never experience God’s wrath if we turn from evilness, sin, and wickedness. Romans 1:18 tells us that God’s wrath is revealed against the wickedness of people. God doesn’t just punish people with His wrath for no reason, people store of wrath against themselves (John 3:36). If we choose not to repent of our sins and obey the Word of God, He will inflict His wrath upon us (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
God loves you and every being that He created. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us”. John 3:16 reminds us that God loved the world so much that He sent His only son and whoever believes in His son will have everlasting life. Therefore, we can have everlasting life and avoid the terrors of Revelation destroying us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. There is nothing wrong we can ever do to make Him no longer love us. Although He loves us until the end of time, He chastises those He love (Hebrews 12:6).
Therefore, we must see the book of Revelation as a way God warning us, convicting us, and drawing us to repentance. It’s time for us to get the speck out of our own eyes (Matthew 7:3-5). It is time for us to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12). It’s time to get right with God for the time is drawing near of His return. God is coming back to redeem His people—only His people. Are you His? The bible tells us in Luke 21:28 ESV, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near”. May God bless you, keep you, protect you, and show mercy on your soul. Thank you for reading my blog on Revelation 8. Until next time, with Wytinsea Writes.
