Revelation 8:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2-5

The effectual prayer. A new series—another—opens upon the view of the holy seer. These are scenes in which is symbolically represented the method by which the Divine providence will execute those sovereign purposes which are specially contemplated in the redemption of the persecuted Church in its struggle with the various developments of evil in the world. Not always does evil present itself as an antagonistic power. It is soft, subtle, and alluring, drawing the feet of the unwary believer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2-6

Form a preface to the vision of the trumpets, and serve both to connect this vision with what has gone before, and to indicate the cause of this further revelation. The series of mysteries embraced under the seals is completed, and has so far accomplished its purpose, which is to fortify the patience of the saints by the assurance of God's providence and their ultimate victory and reward. But this is only one part of the seer's mission; there is not only a message of encouragement to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:3

And another angel came. No particular angel is specified. Some writers, unable to accept the passage as meaning that the Church's prayers are offered by means of an angel, prefer to believe that Christ himself is indicated. (Thus Bede, Elliott, Primasius, Vitringa.) But, besides that the difficulty has no real existence, the same expression occurs in Revelation 7:2 , where there is no doubt of its meaning. Moreover, in no passage of the book is our Lord represented under the form of an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:3-6

Prayer. The vision of the opening of the seven seals is completed. We are not told what took place when the seventh seal was opened, only that then there was a solemn pause—" silence in heaven for half an hour." Alter the opening of the sixth seal the progress of events was interrupted, that the mark and impress of God might be put upon the Israel of God—those out of the Jewish nation who were to be delivered out of the impending judgments. Then was shown, also, the beatific vision of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:4

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand; and the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints went up, etc. (Revised Version). The prayers, accompanied by the incense, and typically purified by it, are received by God. He hears the prayers; and the judgments against the wicked, which follow in the trumpet visions, constitute the answer to them. This makes more probable the view that the following visions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:5

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; taketh the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth (Revised Version). The angel now returns to the altar of burnt offering, whence he takes fire, which he casts upon the earth. This action denotes that God's judgments are about to descend on the earth, and it therefore forms the visible token of God's acceptance of the prayers of the saints, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:6

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. This verse takes up and continues the narrative of Revelation 8:2 ; the intervening passage serves to indicate the immediate cause of the judgments now about to descend, viz. the "prayers of the saints" ( Revelation 8:4 ). (On the number seven, as signifying a complete number, see Revelation 1:4 ; Revelation 5:1 , etc.) Cf. the sounding of the trumpets at Jericho, and the other passages quoted in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:6-13

Restricted judgment. In wrath the Lord ever remembers mercy. In the sounding of four of the seven angels this idea is most prominent. Afflictions of various kinds are seen to rest upon the earth, but they are confined in each case to one third. It is not a final overthrow, nor is it a vision of destruction. In the disturbance of the material world is portrayed the upheaving in the spiritual, and the gentle threat of the Divine displeasure. The avenging his own elect is a call to men to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:7

The first angel sounded ; and the first sounded (Revised Version). The word "angel" should be omitted here, though found in the other trumpets. The first four are marked off from the last three (as in the case of the seals) by distinctive features. The first four refer to the natural life, while the last three are connected more closely with the spiritual life of man. The first four are connected and interdependent; the last three are distinct and more detached. The last three are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:8-9

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea. Jeremiah 2:25 contains a somewhat similar description, with, however, a different meaning. There the mountain is the heathen power; here it is the instrument of the punishment of the ungodly world. Alford objects to calling the mountain a volcano, though that, or something of the same nature, seems obviously to be meant. The contiguity of such appearances to St. John in the Isle of Patmos... read more

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