Revelation 8:1-8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:8

A great mountain burning with fire - Supposed to signify the powerful nations which invaded the Roman empire. Mountain, in prophetic language, signifies a kingdom; Jeremiah 51:25 , Jeremiah 51:27 , Jeremiah 51:30 , Jeremiah 51:58 . Great disorders, especially when kingdoms are moved by hostile invasions, are represented by mountains being cast into the midst of the sea, Psalm 46:2 . Seas and collections of waters mean peoples, as is shown in this book, Revelation 17:15 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1

And when. καὶ ὅταν , instead of καὶ ὅτε (as in the other seals), is read in A, C, and gives a certain indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest (Alford). ὅτε is, however, found in א , B, P, Andreas. He had opened the seventh seal; he opened. As in the case of the other seals, the silence accompanies the opening (see on Revelation 6:1 , Revelation 6:3 , Revelation 6:5 , etc.). This completes the number, and sets the roll free ( Revelation 5:1 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1

Silence in heaven. "Silence in heaven"? and that for "about the space of half an hour"? £ What can this mean, or how can it furnish an expositor with material for instructive teaching? The question is a natural one, and it is capable of being answered. This verse is neither to be dismissed as if unintelligible, nor slighted as if unimportant. It is full of most intense significance, and will be found to illustrate the truth that some of the most obscure and unpromising verses of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1

Blessed silence. "There was silence … half an hour." No one certainly knows what these words mean. Every one can see that they tell of a pause, an interval between the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the first of those trumpets of which this eighth chapter mainly speaks. It may be—as one great expositor suggests—that during that Lord's day in which St. John was in the Spirit, and during which he saw in stately procession the series of magnificent visions, or heard, one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-5

Prayer and fire. For some time there had been "silence in heaven." During this time there was a corresponding period of calm on earth. Then the prayers of the saints were rising to heaven, fragrant with the incense which mingled with them. As the sequel to these prayers, and as the answer to them, the angel takes fire in the censer and casts it on the earth. From that point a new series of activities unfolds. On these we shall touch in the next homily. Meanwhile we are detained by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-6

Soul silence. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour," etc. This portion of the dream of John, like other portions, has Jewish elements of thought brought into strange and grotesque combinations. In dreams there are no new objects or elements of thought or emotion, but old ones brought into unique forms by an ungoverned imagination. Whilst they are evermore difficult, if not impossible to interpret, they are at all times... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-13

The purpose of revealing judgment. The process of the conquest of evil is varied. It is now by severity of judgment, now by the gentleness of mild rebuke or moderated chastisement. Again the voice of the teacher arrests attention, and the appeals of truth stimulate to righteousness. Hidden behind all is the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, working all things according to the counsel of his holy will. His hand is unseen, and the revelation is needed to show and assure men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets; which stand (Revised Version). "And I saw" introduces the new vision, as in Revelation 5:1 ; Revelation 6:1 , etc. Probably not during the silence (as Alford), but subsequent to it. "The seven angels" probably refers to a particular order of angels, or rather to those with a special mission; though, with our limited knowledge, it is impossible to determine exactly who they are or what their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2

The ministry of angels. "And I saw the seven angels." These holy beings are continually spoken of in Scripture, and in no book of the Bible more frequently or emphatically than in this. From their first mention in connection with the touching story of Hagar and her child, which we read of in Genesis, down to their constant ministry, now of mercy, now of terror, which we read of in these closing pages of the Bible, we are continually meeting with references to them. It, therefore, cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2

The trumpet-symbol. "To them were given seven trumpets." Many instruments of music are mentioned in the Bible, but the trumpet is the one that stands out prominent amidst them all. There are stringed instruments, of which the chief is the harp; and there are those whose sound is produced by striking the stretched skin of which they are made, as the cymbals; but none are named so frequently as the trumpet. In Numbers 10:1-10 there are given express commands for their construction, and... read more

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