Rev 8 | TNotes | STEP | 8:1 The opening of the seventh seal concludes the first act and dramatically initiates silence , which suggests the mystery of God in his dealings with the world (10:4 ; 1 Kgs 19:11-12 ). Perhaps the mysterious silence here is analogous to God’s rest on the seventh day of creation (Gen 2:1-3 ; see also Heb 4:1-11 ). • half an hour: This brief hush precedes the unfolding of the second act of divine judgment when God will answer the prayers of his people.

8:1 ^a The opening of the seventh seal concludes the first act and dramatically initiates silence, which suggests the mystery of God in his dealings with the world (10:4 ^b; 1 Kgs 19:11-12 ^c). Perhaps the mysterious silence here is analogous to God’s rest on the seventh day of creation (Gen 2:1-3 ^d; see also Heb 4:1-11 ^e).

• half an hour: This brief hush precedes the unfolding of the second act of divine judgment when God will answer the prayers of his people.
Summary for Rev 8:6-9:21: 8:2–11:19 ^f The second cycle of judgments is structured around seven trumpets. Like the first cycle (6:1–8:1 ^g), this one contains an interlude (10:1–11:14 ^h; cp. 7:1-17 ⁱ) and ends with a glimpse of God’s eternal Kingdom (11:15-19 ^j; see 7:9–8:1 ^k).

• The trumpet judgments are reminiscent of the ten plagues of Egypt (Exod 7:14–11:10 ^l) and have the same purpose—to show the powerlessness of earthly gods (or satanic powers) and to demonstrate beyond doubt the power and sovereignty of God.
Summary for Rev 8:2-6: 8:2-6 ^m This scene of preparation in heaven introduces the seven trumpets of judgment and continues the theme of God’s receiving and answering prayer (5:8 ⁿ; 6:9-11 ^o). 8:2 ^p The dramatic sounding of trumpets by angels heralds an approaching end (see Isa 27:13 ^q; Zech 9:14 ^r; Matt 24:31 ^s; 1 Cor 15:52 ^t; 1 Thes 4:16 ^u).
Summary for Rev 8:3-4: 8:3-4 ^v The prayers of God’s people ask for God’s ultimate justice and judgment (6:10-11 ^w; see also 5:8 ^x; Ezra 9:5-6 ^y; Ps 141:2 ^z; Dan 9:21 ^aa). The mixture of incense and prayers that reaches God’s presence shows that God hears their prayers (see Rev 6:9-11 ^ab) and is prepared to act.
8:5 ^ac The action of the angel, as he throws fire ... down upon the earth, signals the dramatic beginning of God’s judgment (see Gen 19:24 ^ad; Exod 9:23 ^ae; Lev 10:2 ^af; Deut 9:3 ^ag; 2 Kgs 1:10 ^ah).

• thunder ... lightning ... earthquake: These earthly portents remind us of God’s power, presence, and judgment (also Rev 11:19 ^ai; 16:18 ^aj; see Exod 19:18-19 ^ak; 1 Kgs 19:11-12 ^al; Isa 29:6 ^am).
Summary for Rev 8:7-12: 8:7-12 ^an Each of the first four trumpets affects one-third of its target (see Ezek 5:1-4 ^ao, 12 ^ap; Zech 13:8 ^aq). The point is not to convey an exact measurement; instead, it indicates that God’s judgment on the earth is beginning but has not reached its zenith. Together, the first four trumpets form a unified message of judgment on the whole physical world (as with Rev 6:1-8 ^ar). 8:7 ^as Hail and fire mixed with blood signal the destruction of plant life, as did the seventh plague on Egypt (see Exod 9:13-35 ^at; Joel 2:31 ^au; Acts 2:19 ^av).

• all the green grass was burned: Nothing escapes God’s judgment.

• This vision need not be harmonized with Rev 9:4 ^aw because each scene is self-contained and communicates its own message.
Summary for Rev 8:8-9: 8:8-9 ^ax water ... became blood: This judgment is similar to the first plague on Egypt (see Exod 7:14-25 ^ay; Ps 78:44 ^az).

• The mountain of fire suggests something similar to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 that brought bloody destruction to ships and sea life (see Pliny the Younger, Letters 6.16.1-22).
Summary for Rev 8:10-11: 8:10-11 ^ba The star named Bitterness (literally wormwood, a shrubby plant yielding a bitter extract) is symbolic rather than physical. Bitter water is connected with judgment from early in Israel’s national experience (Exod 15:22-26 ^bb; Num 5:18 ^bc; Jer 9:13-16 ^bd; 23:15 ^be). The message is that wide-scale judgment has begun.
8:12 ^bf the fourth angel: On the fourth day of creation, God made the sun ... the moon, and ... the stars (Gen 1:14-19 ^bg).

• the day was dark: This judgment replicates the ninth plague in Egypt (Exod 10:21-23 ^bh).
8:13 ^bi The ancients regarded the eagle as a symbolic messenger of God (see 4 Ezra 11:7-8; 2 Baruch 77:19-26).

• Terror, terror, terror: A threefold announcement would be recognized as a message from God (see Acts 10:16 ^bj).

• The terror (Greek ouai) that sounded like an eagle’s screech was directed against humans of this world who were not among God’s faithful people (Rev 6:10 ^bk; 9:4 ^bl, 20 ^bm).