← Back to Revelation

Revelation 8

13 verses

TL;DR

After the seventh seal, a silence precedes the sounding of seven trumpets that unleash a series of apocalyptic judgments upon the earth.

Summary

Revelation 8 begins with a profound silence after the seventh seal, setting the stage for the angelic trumpets that follow. Seven angels receive trumpets and prepare to sound them, while another angel offers incense at the golden altar before God's throne, symbolizing intercessory prayers. When the incense is cast to earth, cosmic disturbances—voices, thunder, lightning, and an earthquake—accompany its descent. The trumpets then blast, each bringing a specific calamity: the first releases hail and fire that burn vegetation; the second throws a flaming mountain into the sea, turning part of it into blood and destroying ships; the third sends a star named Wormwood that poisons rivers and fountains, causing death. Finally, the fourth blows upon the sun, moon, and stars, darkening a third of each and dimming day and night. An angel warns the earth of further woes to come with the remaining trumpets.

Outline
  1. Silence after seventh seal and angels receive trumpets
  2. Incense offered at the altar and cast to earth with cosmic disturbances
  3. Seven trumpets blast, each delivering a specific judgment
Themes
Apocalyptic judgment and divine wrathThe role of intercessory prayerThe irrevocability of God’s judgment
Keywords
trumpetssilenceincensefirehailbloodseariversWormwoodsunmoonstarsearthquake
People
Godangelsaints
Places
heavenearthseariversfountains of watersthrone
Things
seven trumpetsgolden censerincensefirehailWormwood starmoonsunstars
Key Verses
  • Revelation 8:3: Introduction of the incense offering that symbolizes the prayers of the saints and sets the apocalyptic tone.
  • Revelation 8:7: First trumpet’s destruction of vegetation shows the severity of divine judgment.
  • Revelation 8:10: The star Wormwood turning waters bitter highlights the physical and spiritual corruption inflicted by God's wrath.
Questions
  • What does the silence after the seventh seal suggest about God's presence during judgment?
  • In what ways does the incense offering symbolize the role of intercessory prayer in the divine judgment narrative?
  • How do the specific calamities of the trumpets reflect the themes of divine justice and wrath?
  • What does the recurring motif of ‘a third’ imply about the distribution of judgment?
  • How can the apocalyptic events in Revelation 8 be understood in the context of 1st‑century Jewish expectations?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter depicts intense, destructive judgments, reflecting a grim, warning‑laden tone.