> ![[Seventh Seal Prelude to the Seven Trumpets 8.1-6#^779e01|Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets]] The chapter begins with the Seventh Seal, that when opened has Seven Trumpets. ***What is the Biblical significance of the number seven?*** The number seven appears frequently in Scripture. It often is seen symbolically as representing divine completion, perfection, or rest. In the book of Revelation it is used to describe a number of things: - Seven churches in Asia - Seven angels - Seven candlesticks - Seven stars - Seven spirits before God’s throne - Seven seals - Seven trumpets - Seven thunders - Seven plagues ***As we look at the seventh seal, what are some of the unique qualities about it?*** First, there is silence in heaven for about a half an hour. ***What might be the significance of the silence?*** One consideration is that this is like a “quiet before the storm.” Some Jewish rabbis considered that there were times of silence in heaven so that the prayers of the saints could be heard, some people consider it to be related to the idea of being silent in the presence of God (cf. [[Habakkuk 2.20|Habakkuk 2:20]], [[Zephaniah 1.7|Zephaniah 1:7]], [[Zechariah 2.13|Zechariah 2:13]]). This silence is contrasted sharply to the previous scene in Heaven where all of the saints and angels and living creatures are worshipping and praising God. Then the angels offer the prayers of the saints with incense before God. This has an Old Testament parallel in tabernacle worship. The tabernacle was a pattern of the heavenly reality. > [!todo]- For Further Study: Prayer and Incense > Do a study on incense, prayer, and tabernacle worship. What does the imagery of incense and prayer represent? Consider the story of Aaron’s sons and the consequence of offering strange incense before the Lord. What could that story be teaching us about protocol in prayer? What might the role of incense in the tabernacle signify? Here are some Scriptures to get you started: [[Psalm 141.2|Psalm 141:2]], [[Revelation 5.8|Revelation 5:8]], [[Leviticus 10.1-2|Leviticus 10:1-2]], and [[Numbers 3.4|Numbers 3:4]]. When the angels throw down the censer of prayer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it to the earth, there was a response. ***What does this imply about the effectiveness or impact of our prayers?*** Our prayers are effective, powerful, and can move heaven and earth. ***What could be the symbolic meaning of the noises, thunderings, lightnings, and shaking?*** This was the prelude to the trumpets. These things are meant to get people’s attention and prepare them for the judgments of the trumpets. **The First Trumpet** >![[First Trumpet Vegetation Struck 8.7#^dfa7c5|First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck]] Consider what it would mean to agriculture and the food supply if one third of the vegetation was destroyed. **The Second Trumpet** > ![[Second Trumpet The Seas Struck 8.8#^3e2c4f|"Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck"]] The second trumpet brings a third of the sea becoming blood. If this is pointing to the waters of the earth, this would be the equivalent of the Atlantic Ocean being turned to blood (it’s about 1/3 of the water on the planet). **What kind of impact would there be to trade and the food supply if a third of the sea creatures are destroyed along with a third of the ships?** **The Third Trumpet** > ![[Third Trumpet The Waters Struck 8.10-11#^ef631f|"Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck"]] The third trumpet sees a star fall named Wormwood and it poisons the water supply. The name wormwood refers to a plant based oil that was used medicinally to kill intestinal worms and was bitter to the taste. ***Is there a parallel to bitter waters in the Old Testament?*** The children of Israel after leaving Egypt came to the bitter waters of Marah ([[Exodus 15.23|Exodus 15:23]]). ***What happened at the waters of Marah?*** They were bitter, complained, and experienced judgment. > [!todo]- For Further Study: Bitterness and Judgment > What impact does bitterness have on the soul of a person? Are there other stories where people were bitter and complained and experienced judgment or loss? Consider [[Hebrews 12.15|Hebrews 12:15]] as a good starting point for your study. **The Fourth Trumpet** > ![[Fourth Trumpet The Heavens Struck 8.12-13#^96ddd3]] The fourth trumpet brings darkness. The angel (or eagle) announces that things are about to get worse. This messenger is warning the people of what is to come. ***To the original audience, what do the first four trumpets bring to mind?*** They have parallels to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the judgments God brought at that time: the vegetation destroyed, the waters being turned to blood, the plague, and the darkness all have parallels to Israel’s deliverance. Judgment led to deliverance and redemption of God’s people. ***Do these judgments point to a final deliverance and redemption for the people of God?*** --- [[Studies]] | [[Revelation]] | [[Revelation Chapter 7]] | [[Revelation Chapter 9]]