Revelation 8
Contemporary English Version
The Seventh Seal Is Opened
8 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I noticed that the seven angels who stood before God were each given a trumpet.
3 (A) Another angel, who had a gold container for incense,[a] came and stood at the altar. This one was given a lot of incense to offer with the prayers of God's people on the gold altar in front of the throne. 4 Then the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up to God from the hand of the angel.
5 (B) After this, the angel filled the incense container with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth. Thunder roared, lightning flashed, and the earth shook.
The Trumpets
6 (C) The seven angels now got ready to blow their trumpets.
7 (D) When the first angel blew his trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. A third of the earth, a third of the trees, and a third of all green plants were burned.
8 When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a great fiery mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 (E) When the third angel blew his trumpet, a great star fell from heaven. It was burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on a third of the springs of water. 11 (F) The name of the star was Bitter, and a third of the water turned bitter. Many people died because the water was so bitter.
12 (G) When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck. They each lost a third of their light. So during a third of the day there was no light, and a third of the night was also without light.
13 Then I looked and saw a lone eagle flying across the sky. It was shouting, “Trouble, trouble, trouble to everyone who lives on earth! The other three angels are now going to blow their trumpets.”
Footnotes
- 8.3 incense: See the note at 5.8.
Revelation 8
Worldwide English (New Testament)
8 When the Lamb opened the seventh lock, all was quiet in heaven for about a half hour.
2 Then I saw the seven angels stand in front of God. Seven horns or trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar. He had a gold bowl. Plenty of incense was given to him. He was to put it with all the words of all God's people when they talk to him. He was to put it on the gold altar in front of God's throne.
4 The sweet smelling smoke of the burning incense went up at the same time as the prayer words of God's people. They went up from the hand of the angel that was standing in front of God.
5 Then the angel took the bowl and filled it with fire from the altar. He threw it on the earth. There was thunder, loud noises, and lightning. And the earth shook.
6 The seven angels who had the seven horns or trumpets got ready to blow them.
7 The first angel blew his trumpet. Rain like stones, and fire mixed with blood, fell on the earth. A third part of the earth was burned. A third of the trees was burned. And one third of all the green grass was burned.
8 The second angel blew his trumpet. Then something like a big hill, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea.
9 Then a third of the sea became blood. A third of all things that lived in the sea died. A third of all the boats was broken.
10 The third angel blew his trumpet. A big star fell from the sky. It burned and gave a bright light. It fell on a third of the rivers and places where there is water.
11 The name of the star is Bitter. A third part of the water became bitter. Many men died because the water was made bad to drink.
12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet. A third of the sun was made dark. And a third of the moon and a third of the stars were made dark. A third part of them became dark. A third part of the day had no light, and also a third part of the night.
13 Then I looked and heard an angel who was flying across the sky. He called in a loud voice and said, `Trouble! Trouble! Trouble to the people who live on earth! Big trouble will come when the sound of the other trumpets is heard. The three angels are now ready to blow their trumpets!'
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