Revelation 8:1-5
Expanded Bible
The Seventh Seal
8 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal [C the final and climactic seal; 5:1], there was silence in heaven for about half an hour [C a dramatic pause induced by awe]. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God and to whom were given seven trumpets [C trumpets 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 [T the 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 [T the 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].
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Revelation 8:1-5
Amplified Bible
The Seventh Seal—the Trumpets
8 When He (the Lamb) broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour [in awe of God’s impending judgment].(A) 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven [a]trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar. He had a golden [b]censer, and much [c]incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints (God’s people) on the golden altar in front of the throne.(B) 4 And the smoke and fragrant aroma of the incense, with the prayers of the saints (God’s people), ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and loud rumblings and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.(C)
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- Revelation 8:2 In the Old Testament, trumpets announced God’s commands to congregate, move camp, and prepare for war (Num 10:1-9). Trumpets were also used to announce celebrations (Num 10:10; 29:1), royal coronations (1 Kin 1:34, 39; 2 Kin 9:13), and God’s impending wrath (Josh 6:1-8; Zeph 1:14-16). Angels will blow trumpets during the judgment and resurrection (Matt 24:31; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16).
- Revelation 8:3 I.e. a special container for burning incense.
- Revelation 8:3 I.e. fragrant spices which exude perfume when burned.
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