Revelation 8:1-6
Revelation
chapter 8 begins by telling us of Jesus opening the last of the seven seals.
The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ contains details about the events
that will happen at the end of the world. Many of the details are symbolic in
nature. But the greatest blessings that are hidden in the book of Revelation
will not be found in the factorial bits of information about the future; but
rather in the spiritual truths that are given in the promises of God, and that
are taught through the symbolisms and through the lessons learned in the events
that will occur.
In the
previous chapters of Revelation details were given concerning the first six of
the seven seals in the book that could only be opened by Jesus Christ.
Evidently these seals are symbolic of Gods sovereignty because the events that
take place upon the earth at the beginning and until the end of the great
tribulation will only occur when the Christ opens the seals. And concerning the
book with the seven seals Revelation 5:3 says, And
no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the
book, neither to look thereon. No man indeed, except Jesus
Christ. And what is the reason that Jesus alone can open the book and the seals
therein? Because Christ is God. Jesus is one who is without sin and Holy. Jesus
is the one who has perfectly fulfilled the law and died for the sins of the
world.
And it is
indeed one of the great spiritual lessons that should be learned and that we
should be reminded of when we read the book of Revelation and when we seek to
live by faith in this world so corrupted by sin and so often filled with
disappointments, failures, persecutions, and death. This is why God promised us
in Romans
The Bible says in Revelation chapter 8:1, And when He
had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of
half an hour. When the first 6 seals are opened they bring forth, war,
famine, disease and death to Ό part of the earth. When the fist 6 seals are
opened; the sun will blacken and the moon will be as blood and the very stars
of the heavens will fall unto the earth. And when the first six seals are opened
they also bring forth a great and horrible persecution to the children of God,
so much so; that many countless believers in Christ will die for their faith.
And the Bible says in Revelation 8:1, And when He
had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of
half an hour. Consider the great destruction and suffering that will be
caused in the opening of the first 6 seals. Yet before the seventh seal is open
there will be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour. What is this
silence symbolic of? Well, what do you think of when you think of heaven? Do
you think of the sound of thousands of innocent and happy children laughing and
playing, or the sound of Angels strumming harps of silver and gold? Or perhaps
you can hear the sound of the saints singing and praising and thanking God for
His great mercy and grace. Or perhaps you can imagine hearing the voice of the
Father whisper, in a still small voice; I love you. Yet, when the seventh seal
is opened there will be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour.
Perhaps this silence is like the calm before a storm. Perhaps this silence is
likened unto when we give a moment of silence out of respect for those who have
died at a memorial service. One truth is
certain, this silence in heaven tells us just how serious and terrible indeed
are the events that will soon take place upon the earth.
2000 years ago Jesus Christ came to this earth to die for the sins
of the world. And when He walked that lonely path of shame and suffering He
kept silent. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:7 says, He was
oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet he opened not His mouth: He is brought as
a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He
openeth not his mouth?
There is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak. Hebrews
When we consider all of the horrible events that will fall upon
the peoples of the earth, what great comfort and joy it is to know that God is
love; that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all; That God knoweth how
to deliver the godly out of temptation; and Just as Psalms 23:3 says, God will lead
us in the paths of righteousness for His names sake. And Psalms
23:6 says, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Following God in this life in a close, personal, and holy way
should be no great secret. Simply think about and believe the promises of God
and remember that Jesus died for your sins so that you could be free from
condemnation. And then even if you walk this earth during the time of the great
tribulation; you will find that there are reasons to praise and thank God, and
be comforted by the love and fellowship of His Spirit.
The Bible goes on to say in Revelation 8:2-4, And I saw the
seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 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. And the smoke of
the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God
out of the angels hand.
If you do not believe in the sovereignty of God then perhaps you
should think again about what the Bible says in Romans 8:28, And we know
that all thing work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to His purpose. One of the greatest ways that the
children of God will see the Holiness of God, His judgment and love, His mercy
and grace, and His way of working all things to good: is through the experience
of answered prayers. When you read the book of Revelation and consider all of
the terrible things that will happen to some people in this life, it should
help you to realize the importance of standing on the promises of God. Here in
Revelation 8:2-4 there is one other important truth we are reminded of; it is
the importance of the power of prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
The symbolism found here in verses 2-4 and the immediate events
that occur remind us of how great and gracious God is indeed. Concerning
prayer, In Revelation chapter 5:8 God describes the prayers of His children as,
golden
vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. If something
is made of gold, then it is very valuable. The word odours has the idea
of incense and perfume or something that is very pleasing. The prayers of Gods
children are so precious to Him. He values them more than all the gold and
money this world can hold.
Verse 3 tells us that the prayers of the saints are put upon the
altar. In the O.T. the altar was the place of sacrifice. It was at the altar
that the lamb was slain as a sin offering, a symbolism of the fact that Jesus
is the Lamb of God who died on the altar of
This is the symbolism of Revelation 8:3 when the prayers of the
saints are placed on the altar. Faith pleases God. Our prayers to God are based
on the blood of Jesus Christ and not on anything else. When you speak to God
you can speak directly to Him, there is no other man that you must go through
other than Jesus Christ the only Begotten Son of God. Hebrews
It is also very important to notice that verse 3 says, the prayers of
all the saints. Here at the very end of the world, at very end of Gods plan
and dealings with man in this temporary world: the prayers of all the saints
are still before God. It has been about 6 thousand years since the Spirit of
God first moved upon the face of the deep and since the love of God through His
Spirit breathed breath into the life of Adam, the first man. But from the
prayers of Adam, to the prayers of Moses, to the prayers, of Christ Himself
when on this earth, and to the prayers of you and I; every prayer that has been
prayed has risen up to the heavens like a sweet smelling burning incense to
bring pleasure and joy to the Father because of the Son. These prayers do not
past swiftly by the presence of God in His eternal glory, but they remain ever
in His thoughts; being answered time and time again, because God loves His
children and values their prayers.
One very great result of our prayers is given here in Revelation
8:5-6, 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. And the seven angels which had the seven
trumpets prepared themselves to sound. These 2 verses of Revelation 8 tell
us of five things that come about, as a result of the prayers of the saints:
voices, thunderings, lightnings, an earthquake and the sounding of trumpets.
The voices and thunderings are most likely symbolic of the declaration of Gods
truth to the world. Concerning the Word of God the Apostle Paul asked of the
believers in II Thessalonians 3:1, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the
Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with
you. The lightnings and earthquake are perhaps a literal lightning and
earthquake, and are probably symbolic of the judgment of God to shortly come
upon the earth. And the sounding of trumpets emphasizes the fact that something
very important is about to take place. The sounding of the trumpets only occurs
after the prayers of the saints have offered to God. The important events that
occur after the sounding of the trumpets are the final events before the return
of Christ.
How important is prayer? Well, the results of Gods final working
in this world are partly because of the prayers of His children. What are the
prayers that His children have prayed over the centuries? That the name of
Jesus Christ might be magnified, that the will of God might be accomplished,
that the lost people of the world might be brought to a saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ, that the wickedness of the world might be judged and sin
destroyed forever, that Christ will return quickly to take His children from
this corrupted world.
Human beings are social creatures. Yet, how much more so is the
eternal God? Just how much God truly values our prayers; will never be
understood by us. But you certainly should not doubt that God answers your
prayers, because Jesus said in Luke 11:9, And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be
given you; seek and ye shall find.
God is more than able to answer your prayer, to break you free from the
chains of sin and the power of the devil. Of all the things you will ever ask
of God; to ask Jesus for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life is indeed the
greatest prayer you could possibly request of Him. And He will answer you. How
much more so is God capable of answering all of your lesser requests? How
important is prayer? Without prayer, you do not have a relationship with God.
The Prophet Elias prayed and it rained not on the earth for 3 ½
years. The apostle Peter cried out to Jesus on the mists of the stormy sea and
Jesus saved Him. What about the countless blind, maimed and diseased that cried
out to Jesus and He healed them. Psalms 34:6 says, This poor man
cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. With God all
things are possible. Pray without ceasing the Bible says.
The next time that you would desire to see the mighty hand of God
do a great work in your life, simply pray to God and He will show thee the
power of His eternal Godhead. Perhaps you have never turned from your sins and
turned to Jesus. Then you can do so right now. Pray to Jesus now and He will
save you. Jeremiah 33:3 says, Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great
and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
___________________________________________________
Copyright; 2003 by Charles
F. (Rick) Creech
All Rights Reserved