The Seventh Seal

8 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal [^Cthe final and climactic seal; 5:1], there was silence in heaven for about half an hour [^Ca dramatic pause induced by awe]. ² And I saw the seven angels who stand before God and to whom were given seven trumpets [^Ctrumpets often announce God’s appearance, accompanied by judgment and victory; Josh. 6].

³ Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden ·pan for incense [censer; incense burner]. He was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all ·God’s holy people [^Tthe saints; Ps. 141:2]. The angel put this offering on the golden altar before the throne. ⁴ The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand ·to [in the presence of] God with the prayers of ·God’s people [^Tthe saints]. ⁵ Then the angel filled the ·incense pan [censer; incense burner] with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there ·were thunder and loud noises [was rumbling thunder], flashes of lightning, and an earthquake [4:5].