https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Revelation+8
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 14 October 2024:
Revelation 8:1 — When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
From Ligonier Ministries – “In today’s passage, we come at last to the opening of the seventh seal (8:1). Heaven has thus far been anything but quiet, for we have seen the twenty-four elders, the four living creatures, and the departed believers all singing praise to the Lord (4–5; 7:9–12). The silence that accompanies the breaking of the seventh seal, therefore, merits reflection. Zephaniah 1:7 and other texts from the Old Testament prophets call people to silence before the great day of God’s judgment, so the silence in heaven likely has something to do with the coming of the day of the Lord. That judgments follow the opening of the seventh seal would seem to confirm this (Rev. 8:2–13). However, the events of Revelation 8:2–5 indicate that the silence serves other purposes as well.
In keeping with the close association of prayers and incense (Ps. 141:2), John sees angels holding censers filled with incense—the prayers of the saints, which rise before God (Rev. 8:2–4). The silence, then, likely occurs also to facilitate the hearing of the prayers. Our great God is so attentive to the prayers of His people that He is willing to silence heaven to hear them.
The prayers are specifically for judgment on the Lord’s enemies, for when the angel uses the censer to cast fire from the heavenly altar down to earth, signs of divine wrath follow (v. 5). These prayers, in some sense, cause the judgment to occur in light of their connection to the censer and what occurs. In God’s providence, our prayers are powerful and effective.
We should never doubt the power of prayer in the unfolding of God’s purposes. Here in Revelation, the saints pray for judgment, and judgment happens. Of course, not all our prayers make things happen immediately. However, the Lord does respond to them, and they can effect change in this world. We should pray believing that our prayers matter and that they do effect things.
Revelation 8:13 — Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!
There are only two words repeated three times in the New Testament for emphasis: “Holy, holy, holy”, and “Woe, woe, woe.” Unfortunately, both words are under-emphasized from the pulpits today. God’s wrath will be unimaginably horrible to those who don’t honor His holiness. This reality should excite all Christians to spread the Gospel to as many as possible. Christians too should not lose sight of the truth that if you do not honor God as Holy, you will experience woe. Grace is not given that a person can safely dishonor God. Grace is given that we can glorify God as Holy.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 14 October 2024: There is much in the Bible you don’t understand and many things God has not revealed. However, He has given you everything you need to have the faith you need. In the midst of uncertainly, trust and obey, and experience the fullness of joy knowing you are a child of God and He will fulfill His promises to you.
– 2 Peter 1:3-15 — His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 