Revelation
8 (Excerpts from Daniel and Revelation-
by Uriah Smith)
475 -- CHAPTER
-- VIII -- The Seven Trumpets
We name as the
subject of this chapter the seven trumpets, as these constitute the main theme
of the chapter, although there are other matters introduced before the opening
of that series of events. The first verse of this chapter relates to the events
of the preceding chapters, and therefore should not have been separated from
them by the division of the chapter.
VERSE 1. And when he had opened the seventh
seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
The series of seven
seals is here resumed and concluded. The sixth chapter closed with the
events of the sixth seal, and the eighth commences with the opening of the
seventh seal; hence the seventh chapter stands parenthetically between the
sixth and seventh seals, from which it appears that the sealing work of that
chapter belongs to the sixth seal.
Silence in Heaven. - Concerning the cause
of this silence, only conjecture can be offered, - a conjecture, however, which
is supported by the events of the sixth seal. That seal does not bring us to
the second advent, although it embraces events that transpire in close connection
therewith. It introduces the fearful commotions of the elements, described as
the rolling of the heavens together as a scroll, caused by the voice of God,
the breaking up of the surface of the earth, and the confession on the part of
the wicked that the great day of God's wrath is come. They are doubtless in
momentary expectation of seeing
p 476 -- the
King appear in, to them, unendurable glory. But the seal stops just short of
that event. The personal appearing of Christ must therefore be allotted to the
next seal. But when the Lord appears, he comes with all the holy angels with
him. Matt. 25:31. And when all the
heavenly harpers leave the courts above to come down with their divine Lord, as
he descends to gather the fruit of his redeeming work, will there not be
silence in heaven?
The length of this
period of silence, if we consider it prophetic time, would be about seven days.
VERSE 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood
before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
This verse
introduces a new and distinct series of events. In the seals we have had the
history of the church during what is called the gospel dispensation. In the
seven trumpets, now introduced, we have the principal political and warlike
events which were to transpire during the same time.
VERSE 3. And another angel came and stood at the
altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that
he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which
was before the throne. 4. And the smoke of the
incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out
of the angel's hand. 5. And the angel took the censer,
and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there
were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Having as it were,
in verse 2, brought out the seven angels, and introduced them before us upon
the stage of action, John, for a moment, in the three verses last quoted,
directs attention to an entirely different scene. The angel which approaches
the altar is not one of the seven trumpet angels. The altar is the altar of
incense, which, in the earthly sanctuary, was placed in the first apartment.
Here, then, is another proof that there exists in heaven a sanctuary with its
corresponding vessels of service, of which the earthly was a figure, and that
we are taken into that sanctuary by the visions of John. A work of ministration
for all the saints in the sanctuary above is thus brought to view. Doubtless
the entire work of mediation for the people of God during the gospel
dispensation is here presented.
p 477 -- This
is apparent from the fact that the angel offers his incense with the prayers
of all saints. And that we are
here carried forward to the end, is evident from the act of the angel in
filling the censer with fire and casting it unto the earth; for his work is
then done; no more prayers are to be offered up mingled with incense; and this
symbolic act can have its application only at the time when the ministration of
Christ in the sanctuary in behalf of mankind has forever ceased. And following
the angel's act are voices, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake, -
exactly such occurrences as we are elsewhere informed transpire at the close of
human probation. (See Rev. 11:19; 16:17, 18.)
But why are these
verses thus thrown in here? Answer: As a message of
hope and comfort for the church. The seven angels with their warlike trumpets
had been introduced; terrible scenes were to transpire under their sounding;
but before they commence, the people of God are pointed to the work of
mediation in their behalf above, and their source of help and strength during
this time. Though they should be tossed like feathers upon the tumultuous waves
of strife and war, they were to know that their great High Priest still
ministered for them in the sanctuary in heaven, and that thither they could
direct their prayers, and have them offered, with incense, to their Father in
heaven. Thus could they gain strength and support in all their calamities.
*******
We will study this
more in-depth tomorrow by the grace and mercy, the will of our God!
All through the love
of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our LORD, now and forever!
Amen.
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