Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 8
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
What Does This Mean?
Following the Seven Seals, there are Seven Trumpets which begin to announce the judgments upon the earth. In chapter 8, we see the first four judgments, which wreak havoc on God’s Creation. I.e. The trees, grass, mountains, rivers, springs, sun, moon and stars. Notice it is not complete judgment, but limited to one third of the area.
Importantly, as John starts this series of judgments, there is a half hour of silence in heaven. Why? Because of the prayers of the saints had risen as incense before God. One wonders how much worse the judgment would have been if those prayers had not been offered. Also, notice that while mercy comes from the altar of God, so does judgment. The chapter ends on the ominous note that the next three trumpets and next three angels will bring a much more severe and complete judgment. Also notice that some of the imagery is related to the judgments God poured out on Egypt in Moses’ time. See Exodus 19:17
What Does This Mean For Us?
Sometimes I think we take for granted all the beauty of the earth and God’s creation. Living in Southern California, not only do I get to take in the beauty of the mountains, but also the Pacific Ocean. As I look out on to the ocean, as the sun is setting, it seems endless and infinite, like God. Every once in a while we will have fires started in the hills, and at night it is quite a breath taking scene. One can only imagine what John is describing here as the judgment starts with God’s Creation.
Take a moment over the next few days to give thanks for God’s creation. Today it is raining in Southern California, and I give thanks for the cleansing rain which will put some humidity back in the air, and also be good for the ground and plants and trees. Let’s try not to take for granted the awesome grandeur of God’s Creation but give thanks for it every day!
Heavenly Father, when I survey the sun, the moon and the stars what is man that you are mindful of us. You made us a little lower than the angels and have given us dominion over your Creation. May be good stewards and use Your Creation wisely. We lift up our prayers like incense to you the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Amen.
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
What Does This Mean?
Following the Seven Seals, there are Seven Trumpets which begin to announce the judgments upon the earth. In chapter 8, we see the first four judgments, which wreak havoc on God’s Creation. I.e. The trees, grass, mountains, rivers, springs, sun, moon and stars. Notice it is not complete judgment, but limited to one third of the area.
Importantly, as John starts this series of judgments, there is a half hour of silence in heaven. Why? Because of the prayers of the saints had risen as incense before God. One wonders how much worse the judgment would have been if those prayers had not been offered. Also, notice that while mercy comes from the altar of God, so does judgment. The chapter ends on the ominous note that the next three trumpets and next three angels will bring a much more severe and complete judgment. Also notice that some of the imagery is related to the judgments God poured out on Egypt in Moses’ time. See Exodus 19:17
What Does This Mean For Us?
Sometimes I think we take for granted all the beauty of the earth and God’s creation. Living in Southern California, not only do I get to take in the beauty of the mountains, but also the Pacific Ocean. As I look out on to the ocean, as the sun is setting, it seems endless and infinite, like God. Every once in a while we will have fires started in the hills, and at night it is quite a breath taking scene. One can only imagine what John is describing here as the judgment starts with God’s Creation.
Take a moment over the next few days to give thanks for God’s creation. Today it is raining in Southern California, and I give thanks for the cleansing rain which will put some humidity back in the air, and also be good for the ground and plants and trees. Let’s try not to take for granted the awesome grandeur of God’s Creation but give thanks for it every day!
Heavenly Father, when I survey the sun, the moon and the stars what is man that you are mindful of us. You made us a little lower than the angels and have given us dominion over your Creation. May be good stewards and use Your Creation wisely. We lift up our prayers like incense to you the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Amen.
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