Dramatic Trumpets [Part 1]

Rev. 8:1

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

What a dramatic opening! An hour of silence does not bode well for what is to follow. After the Lamb opened the 7th seal, John saw came 7 angels who stood before God being given 7 trumpets. Then another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense combined with the prayers of the saints wafted before God. More drama to follow! The angel took the censer and filled it with fire and threw it on the earth. Yikes! Peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake followed. 

As might be expected, the 7 angels began to blow the 7 trumpets. Even more drama! The first horn blast ushered in hail and fire mixed with blood. In similar fashion as before, these were thrown on the earth killing 1/3 of the trees and all the green grass. Angel #2 blew and out of his trumpet came something like a great mountain burning with fire which was thrown in the sea making 1/3 of it blood, killing 1/3 of the living creatures, and destroying 1/3 of the ships.

Angel #3 blew and a great star fell from heaven blazing like a torch. When it fell, it landed on the the rives and springs making the water become wormwood [which incidentally was the name of the star] and killing many people. The 4th horn blast struck 1/3 of the sun, 1/3 of the moon, and 1/3 of the stars so that their light would be darkened and 1/3 of the day from shining and likewise the night. 

Seems like we should have gone on with the angels. But before the final angels, an eagle flew overhead crying loudly, Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow! So scary and yet so dramatic! Certainly God's judgment is horrific to see.

Father,

As I read these terrible things, I am filled with gratitude that You have called me to be Your own. I will not have to endure Your great judgments, but instead, I will be in Your presence praising You for eternity.

In Jesus name,

Amen