"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Revelation 8
Daily Nugget:
After the seventh seal is opened, there will be a mighty hush in Heaven for one-half an hour (Revelation 8:1), according to Revelation 8. It is the only time mentioned in the Bible where there is silence at the throne of God. Perhaps the suspense and anticipation of what will be unleashed on the Earth will cause the quietness.
Seven angels with seven trumpets will move to position (Revelation 8:2). An eighth angel will step to the altar and offer incense from a golden censer and the prayers of all the saints (Revelation 8:3-5). Perhaps they will include the plea of, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Mat. 6:10). Over two thousand years of prayers will be answered as God’s way will be done.
The first angel will sound his trumpet and “hail and fire mingled with blood” will be rained on the Earth. It will be very similar to the plague brought on Egypt during Moses’ leadership (Exodus 9:22-26). One-third of all the planet’s trees will be killed. Green grass will be incinerated. The Earth will be affected, as suppliers of the Earth’s oxygen are diminished.
God’s judgment on the planet continues as the second angel sounds his trumpet. It is also similar to the plague of Moses’ time (Exodus 7:19-21). A plummeting mass as a “great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea…” (Revelation 8:8). One-third of the sea will become blood; one-third of sea life will die; one-third of the sea’s ships will perish. With the loss of much of the sea’s oxygen-producing plankton, the breathable air level may also diminish.
The trumpet judgments will continue as the third angel sounds his instrument. A “great star,” possibly a huge meteorite, will crash to the Earth. The freshwater of one-third of the Earth’s rivers will be turned sour (Revelation 8:10-11). Many will die from the affected water.
Redemption of the Earth continues, as the fourth angel sounds his trumpet. This judgment is also similar to the ninth plague of Moses’ day (Exodus 10:22-24). The “third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars…” (Revelation 8:12). Either by darkening dust clouds that blocked the celestial lights, or God’s dimming of the lights from the outer atmospheres, the light shining on the planet will be lessened. Surviving plants will most likely die, as they will not have the light they require.
The Bible later mentions that there will be some still doubting and hating God in those days. It is hard to believe anyone would not drop to their knees and worship God when the prophesied days occur.
Doubting will happen though, as even today many have read about the hundreds of prophecies God has fulfilled, but doubt even His existence. They still scoff at the things of God and many proofs of His involvement in this world’s events.
Many do not even give God credit for creating all in this universe. It is so sad that the wickedness and hardness of man’s heart will result in God having to enforce His will and way in the upcoming last days as He judges Earth.
Today’s Thought:
“The Lord gave Noah the rainbow sign — not water, but fire next time!” — Author Unknown
Words to Understand:
censer: a vessel used to hold incense which is burned
Today’s Reading:
Revelation 8
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
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.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7 ¶ The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!