The Seventh Seal
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. - Revelation 8:1-6
The seventh seal is the beginning of the seven trumpets. Notice how John mentions time, "When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." (Revelation 8:1). There is no time in heaven, but to give us a reference of the importance of this last seal, John states all of heaven was silent for a time while the seventh seal was opened. Next, there are seven angels standing before God and each one was given a trumpet. There is another angel mentioned, one that is holding a golden censer with incense to offer the prayers of the saints upon the altar, which was then burnt, and the smoke ascended before God. Afterward, the angel takes the censer with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth.
The prayers of all the saints are being answered. This should be encouraging to you that our prayers are heard by God and when we pray earnestly with righteous intentions, our prayers please and honor God. God answers all prayers of those who love Him, sometimes we have to wait for His answer. However, the suffering we endure is not ignored or invisible to God, the persecution we may face because of our faith, is not forgotten or passed over. All of our tears are remembered and numbered by God! All of our sorrows and heartache is on record! God, our Father, feels our hurt, knows our pain, and will bring justice and vengeance on the earth in the end days.
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
The first angel sounded: and hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. - Revelation 8:7
The Great Tribulation is not over yet. The first trumpet is hail and fire mingled with blood that is thrown to the earth and 1/3 of the trees and all green grass to burn up. Most of us have seen grass that is either died due to lack of water and an excess of heat or burned from a fire. Imagine 1/3 of all the trees on earth and 100% of all the green grass on earth being burned up!
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. - Revelation 8:8-9
Notice how John says, "something like a great mountain"; remember most of what he is witnessing he has never seen before. Imagine living in his era seeing things of modern-day. Therefore, he is doing his best to describe what he is seeing by referencing visual objects that are commonly known. The second trumpet sounds for "something like a great mountain burning with fire" to be thrown into the sea, 1/3 of the sea becoming blood, 1/3 of sea animals/creatures to die, and 1/3 of ships being destroyed. Again, what a sight!
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. - Revelation 8:10-11
The third trumpet sounds and "a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch", it falls on 1/3 of the rivers and springs of water. This truly is an enormous star to effect 1/3 of the waters on earth! These waters then become bitter causing many humans to die. Water is a necessity, without it we will die since our bodies are primarily composed of water. Imagine this scene and not being able to drink the water due to its poison/contamination. Many people believe in global warming and that humans are destroying the earth. God says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22). Daniel 2:20-22 states, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him." You are not powerful enough to destroy what God made! God is the Maker of the seasons, Creator of the sun and moon, Master of the animals and creatures, and King of humans, trust in His power and Word and ignore the lies the devil spews into the ears of those who let him. God created this earth and everything in it and God will be the one to destroy it in the last days!
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” - Revelation 8:12-13
The fourth trumpet sounds and 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, 1/3 of the day was dark, and 1/3 the night was dark. You may think nighttime is dark since it is difficult to see, however, we still have the moon and stars to give us a bit of light. Imagine not having the moon or stars, that is true, pitch black, darkness. Darkness produces many evils, it creates fear, real or imagined, it is also when the devil loves to taunt, tempt, and terrorize humans. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5b). Without God, there is no light, no day, sunshine, no stars. Without God there is no joy, peace, love, hope, goodness, or comfort, Without God, there is nothing except an unfillable void, a black hole, an emptiness, fear, confusion, and discord. An angel flies over the earth and with a loud voice says, "woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" What a warning! God has warned and been patient. God has given opportunity after opportunity. Here again, an angel is warning the remaining humans of what is coming if they do not repent. When Jesus says something three times, it means it is highly important and you better be listening and paying attention! Here the angel says "woe" three times, because what is coming is even worse than what has already happened.
You would think the people left on earth would get the message and repent, but they are so hard-hearted, blinded by Satan, and filled with their evil desires that they get angry at God and continue to reject Him with more hatred and malice than ever before! It truly is unbelievable the extent evil goes to when God has been clear and stated that He is Lord of all, He has won the war, He is God.
Are you ready? If Jesus Christ came back today, would you go to Heaven with the Church or would you be left on the earth to go through the Great Tribulation? If Jesus Christ came back today, would your loved ones, family, friends go with you to Heaven or would they be left on this earth? This is the time to make sure you are ready for eternity and to witness to those you love and to those you meet so they will not have to go through eternal torment, but will live in eternal glory where God wipes away all tears and we live in perfect, sinless, holy beauty face to face with Jesus Christ forever.
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