When the seventh seal on the scroll introduced in chapter 5 is opened, a new series of "trumpet" judgments is begun (8:1-6). The trumpet judgments devastate a third of earth's vegetation (v. 7), seas (vv. 8-9), and fresh water (vv. 10-11), as well as a third of the heavenly bodies (vv. 12-13). Yet these judgments that shake the foundations of the material universe seem insignificant compared to what is to follow. Now the boundary between the supernatural and natural universe is breached; locust-like, demonic beings are unleashed to torture humankind (9:1-12). The sixth trumpet unleashes four angels with unspeakably evil powers, and a army of 200 million demons, that kill a third of humankind (vv. 13-19). However, despite these terrors, the rest of humanity does not repent, but rededicates themselves to idolatry and immorality (vv. 20-21).
The believer’s personal application: Even the horrors of the end times won’t bring repentance. No horror story ever written will compare to the horrors of the last days.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
Some people take the terrible scenes drawn in these chapters as descriptions of the initial judgments of the Great Tribulation period. The demonic enemies of chapter 9 introduce a supernatural yet literal aspect to these judgments. Humanity's refusal to repent, even though what is happening is clearly supernatural in character, is a further indication of how distorted the sinful human nature really is. Our God as Judge uses natural disasters to foreshadow final judgment.
“The prayers of all the saints” (8:4):
The incense represents the prayers of the believers of all time for vindication, to be won when God judges the inhabitants of the earth and avenges the blood of the saints (6:10). The scattering of hot coals and fire from the altar of incense represents God's answer: the time of judgment is now.
"Trumpets" (8:6):
The ram's horn trumpets were used in Old Testament times to alert the population to imminent danger and to invasion.
Three series of judgments:
These series feature seven seals (chapter 6), seven trumpets (chapters 8-9), and seven bowls (chapters 15-16). While there are similarities between these judgments, each sequence increases in intensity, and the bowl judgments are called the "last plagues" that complete God's expression of wrath. How literally are images in these chapters to be understood? This question is raised by John's description of "hail and fire mixed with blood" and of "something like a huge mountain, all ablaze" falling into the sea.
Part of the difficulty in interpreting any prophecy rests on the normal limitations of terms and images available to the writer. For instance, how would a 1st-century person ever be able to describe the crowded expressways, the busy airports, the TV, and space shuttles of the 20th century?
The very fact that he or she would have to use the terms, and concepts of his or her century would mean, that even though describing something quite literal, their explanation simply could not convey a clear image of what they saw to their contemporaries.
Even if we assume that John is describing actual events that he witnessed, the language limitations alone would make it difficult for us to develop a clear, accurate impression of what he saw.
"The Abyss" (9:1):
Is a term used for the underworld; the place of the dead. The New Testament pictures the Abyss as a prison, smoldering with subterranean fires, where demons are held captive (Luke 8:31; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). John witnesses the opening of the Abyss and the release of a multitude of demons to torment the lost. Those whom God has sealed, however, are safe from them (7:3).
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