Study
12 From the Book of Revelation is: Revelation 8 and 9
We
are brought back, after the interlude of chapter 7, to the opening of the
seventh seal. Will it user in the final end? All heaven is silent, as if in
suspense and expectancy cf. Mk. 13:32), but there follows a new series of
judgments (cf. Mk. 13:7, 8).
1-
In 8:3-5 we see, in the heavenly sanctuary, what happens to the
prayers of Christ’s people. What are we taught as to the efficacy of prayer
when mingled with the incense of Christ’s intercession and fire from the altar
of His sacrifice? In this case what kind of answer is granted? Cf. 6:9, 10; Rom
8:26; and see Note 5 below.
2-
Contrast the first four trumpet judgments with the fifth and
sixth, (a) in the objects affected, and (b) in the severity of their character
and result. What was the purpose of these trumpet Judgments? See 8:13; 920, 21. Cf. Lk. 13:1-5
3-
What do we learn from these chapters concerning God’s control
over all that happens? See especially 8:2; 9:1, 4, 13-15.
Notes
1-
8:3, 5. Two altars are to be distinguished, the ‘golden altar’
of incense, and the altar of sacrifice. See Ex. 37:25-38:7.
2-
8:6. ‘Trumpets’: indicating that these judgments were sent in
warning. Cf. Am. 3:6; Ezk. 33:1-5. The destruction wrought is therefore only
partial—‘a third’.
3-
9:1. ‘The bottomless pit’: better, ‘the abyss’ (rv), the abode
of the powers of evil. Cf. 11:7; 17:8.
4-
9:11. ‘Abaddon’ and ‘Apollyon’: both means ‘destruction’.
5-
9:13. ‘The golden altar’: indicating that the prayers of the
saints were being answered
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