The Power of Prayer
Revelation 8. Now the seventh seal is opened (8:1), and there is a moment of silence for about half an hour in heaven. These judgments that are about to follow are so terrible that the angels stood breathless in silent wonder.
1. The Pause: 8:1
2. The Prayers: 8:2-4
An angel offers up much incense on the golden altar to represent the prayers of the saints. God holds up the entire process of judgment while He receives and weighs the prayers of His own. John Phillips says, "What a potent force is prayer! The saints go into their bedrooms, close the doors, kneel down and pray. They spread out before God their petitions and God hears. The prayers are placed in the scales of judgment. In some mysterious way not explained to us, prayer changes things. This is true in every age..." And remember, these are prayers for God to avenge. Remember 6:9-11? "How long O Lord...until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" These prayers are mingled with the incense of the priestly prayers of the great angel himself (an angel which may represent the Lord Jesus Christ our High Priest). If the burning incense of this passage is symbolic of the prayers of the saints imploring God to act, then the image of the angel hurling that fiery censer to earth is a symbol of answered prayers. The time has come for God to act! Yes, prayer changes things. Yes, God answers prayers. May we never underestimate the power of prayer. May we never neglect this great privilege.
3. The Preview: 8:5-6
A sample of the frightful punishment to come.
4. The First Trumpet: 8:7
One-third of the trees and grass are burned by hail and fire mixed with blood.
5. The Second Trumpet: 8:8-9
One-third of the marine life and ships are destroyed by a burning object that falls into the waters.
6. The Third Trumpet: 8:10-11
One-third of the fresh waters are poisoned, killing many people by a falling object known as "Wormwood".
7. The Fourth Trumpet: 8:12-13
One-third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened. And now the warning is: Look out for the next three. You think these first four were bad; the judgments brought on by the next three will be far worse.
1. The Pause: 8:1
2. The Prayers: 8:2-4
An angel offers up much incense on the golden altar to represent the prayers of the saints. God holds up the entire process of judgment while He receives and weighs the prayers of His own. John Phillips says, "What a potent force is prayer! The saints go into their bedrooms, close the doors, kneel down and pray. They spread out before God their petitions and God hears. The prayers are placed in the scales of judgment. In some mysterious way not explained to us, prayer changes things. This is true in every age..." And remember, these are prayers for God to avenge. Remember 6:9-11? "How long O Lord...until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" These prayers are mingled with the incense of the priestly prayers of the great angel himself (an angel which may represent the Lord Jesus Christ our High Priest). If the burning incense of this passage is symbolic of the prayers of the saints imploring God to act, then the image of the angel hurling that fiery censer to earth is a symbol of answered prayers. The time has come for God to act! Yes, prayer changes things. Yes, God answers prayers. May we never underestimate the power of prayer. May we never neglect this great privilege.
3. The Preview: 8:5-6
A sample of the frightful punishment to come.
4. The First Trumpet: 8:7
One-third of the trees and grass are burned by hail and fire mixed with blood.
5. The Second Trumpet: 8:8-9
One-third of the marine life and ships are destroyed by a burning object that falls into the waters.
6. The Third Trumpet: 8:10-11
One-third of the fresh waters are poisoned, killing many people by a falling object known as "Wormwood".
7. The Fourth Trumpet: 8:12-13
One-third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened. And now the warning is: Look out for the next three. You think these first four were bad; the judgments brought on by the next three will be far worse.
posted by Royce Hendry at
5:22 AM
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