The Lamb Breaks the Seventh Seal.
“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets. Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.
Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts.” – Revelation 8:1-6 NLT
Shortly after the rooster crowed the officer of the day knocked on the door of the second-floor chamber surrounding the outer court of the temple. He led out in the casting of lots to determine those who would do the various duties of the daily service.
At daybreak, they brought a lamb to the outer court. While one priest prepared to slaughter the lamb, another entered the temple to clear the ashes from the altar of incense and relight the lamps inside the Holy Place (Rev 1:12-16). The opening of the great entrance door into the temple (4:1) was the signal to slay the lamb (5:6-10). The body parts of the Lamb were then brought to the altar of burnt offering and its blood poured out at the base of the altar (6:9-11).
The appointed priest then took the golden censer (8:3-5). It was like a long-handled frying pan with a lid on it. The priest filled it with coals from the hottest part of the fire on the altar of burnt offerings (8:3). He then entered the open door of the temple and arranged the coals of fire on the altar of incense. At the time commanded by the officer of the day, he added incense to the fire on the altar (8:4).
At this decisive point in the service, three things happened. The censor was thrown down (8:5) between the altar of burnt offering and the entrance to the temple. There was a break in the singing, a moment of silence (8:1). And during that moment of silence seven priests would blow seven trumpets (8:2, 6).
The first third of the book of Revelation is based on the “tamid,” which was the daily sacrifice in the Hebrew temple.
The incense represents the righteousness of Christ applied to the prayers of God’s people throughout the Christian era. This scene assures us that our mistakes, and even the inadequacy of our good deeds, are covered by the perfect righteousness of Christ.
The purpose of the trumpets is clarified in connection with the fifth seal (Rev 6:9-11) and assures God’s people that heaven is not indifferent to their suffering. Reference to both the golden altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering, as well as the prayers of God’s people in Rev 8:3,4, connects the trumpets with the scene in 6:9,10,(The souls under the altar). The seven trumpets answer the prayers of His people for judgment on those who have persecuted them. Therefore, the events portrayed in the trumpets likely fall on the opponents of God’s people throughout Christian history.
The concept of trumpets has a rich background in the Old Testament. There are six Hebrew and two Greek words that are translated as “trumpet” or “blow the trumpet.” Of 144 usages in the Greek Old Testament; 75 are in the context of worship, 33 are used in reference to battle, and 10 warn that an enemy is approaching (Ezekiel 33).
The most important of these references is Numbers 10:8-10. This text tells us that trumpets were sacred instruments whether used in worship or in battle. They called on God to remember His covenant (agreement). When He heard the trumpet’s call, He would protect and defend his people in battle (v. 9). When trumpets were blown over the sacrifices of Hebrew worship, God “remembered” His people and forgave their sins (v10).
Whenever the priests blew the trumpets, God acted. So, the blowing of trumpets was a symbol of covenant prayer. When God’s people pray based on His promises, He will respond. He will deliver them from human enemies and also from the enemy of sin.
On the surface, the seven trumpets sound like a litany of war and disaster. But at a deeper level, they portray a spiritual concept. They are a symbol of God’s people calling out for Him to right the wrongs on this earth. God responds to the trumpet’s call as we shall see.