1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (Revelation 8:1–2)
The action of the seventh seal is the initiation of the seven trumpet judgments. In other words, there are seven seals, but the seventh introduces the seven trumpets. The seventh trumpet will intoduce the seven bowl judgments. This process is on the order of the collapsing legs of a tripod.
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:3–4)
We tend to want to think that these prayers were for the kind benefit of mankind, but they were for vindication, offered by martyrs. If we vent, we must do so to God, and not take matters into our own hands, if that were possible in this case.
And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)
There is a time and place for everything, and such a time was this. Seven angels were aligned before the throne, each with trumpets. Each would signal a different devastating calamitous event on earth.
5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. (Revelation 8:5–6)
There comes a time when justice is meted out. Patience has run its course. When the law enforcement officer must fire his weapon. The switch must be flipped. The gavel must come down. Hearing the pleas of the saints, vengeance would finally be released on the perpetrators of evil like never before. Not one isolated event, but many of extraordinary proportions. Seeing these judgments, we can appreciate the depth of God’s current unwavering patience towards the world. His restraint. But it has finally come to an end.
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Hebrews 10:30)
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