Chapter 8 begins with the seventh seal being opened and under it was a time of silence in heaven for the period of about half an hour.
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Rev 8:1 |
This is probably the hardest seal to understand, simply because we don't know what time period the half an hour is suppose to take place. It could take place after the other seals are finished, or like the others, it may already be in effect.
If it has already started then there is a theory that fits this description. In order to understand this verse, we need to look at what the word "hour" means. Hora (ho'-rah), is the term used to say hour in the New Testament, and it simply means a fixed time period. One that has a beginning and an end.
If we apply the use of this half an hour, then it's obvious it means half of a fixed time period. This half an hour is written "about half an hour." Meaning, it is or may not be exactly half way or may be just over half.
Before John wrote the book of Revelation, he referred to the time period we live in since Christ as the last hour.
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18 |
The word hour here carries the same meaning as "fixed period of time." Therefore, when John said it is the last hour, he meant the last time period. Since the last hour started back when Jesus left the earth, logic would tell us it means the time period from him leaving until sometime in the future. Since Jesus has not returned yet, we know the last hour is at least 2000 years long. However, it is more likely to be 4000 years long.
The reason I say that is because of the expression of the "about half an hour" phrase, and the fact that Jesus hasn't returned yet.
Like the other seals that were opened, there is no indication that this seal hasn't begun just like the others. Therefore, if half an hour is 2000 years long, then a complete hour will be around 4000 years. Which makes more probability and sense considering we are under a seven thousand year prophecy that dates back to the days of Noah where God saved them from destruction and started a new plan of salvation for mankind.
It was approximately 2100 years from Noah to Jesus. Since then it has been another 2000 years, adding the millennium makes another 1000 years, which leaves 2000 years after the millennium for the end of this earth. Take away the Day of Judgment and you get 6000 years since Noah. Subtracting the 2100 years and you end up close to 4000 years. that means an hour, or the fixed time period, is about 4000 years long.
When half of it is applied to our time line since Jesus, you get our modern year/date and time line.
During our time period, Satan will dwell and reign as God and will eventually set up the abomination of desolation claiming to be a God greater than God almighty and all others just before the return of Christ. That is when the silence in heaven will be broken. The silence in heaven is God withholding all and any signs to mankind that he exists. The heavens are silent, the only sign this generation will have is exactly what Jesus said we should have.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. Mark 8:12 |
And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Luke 11:29 |
Jesus said it back then and it remains true today. God is not going to give any sign to us that he exists. That includes answered prayers, because an answered prayer proves the existence of God. That does not mean that some prayers will not be answered at some point in time, it just means they will likely not be able to be verified in certainty God answered them.
The sign of Jonah was the 3 days and nights he spent in the belly of a whale, therefore, the only sign God is giving us is that Jesus spent 3 days in the belly of the earth, and then rose.
for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Mat 12:40 |
With all of this, it can be said the half an hour of silence began 2000 years ago when the seal was opened.
We live in the time period of faith, and God demands faith from us. In the past he spoke from heaven and did things to show he existed, and the people still didn't believe. If God is silent, then believing in him is very difficult since there is no physical proof that he exists, unless you apply faith and belief. Therefore, the seventh seal simply means a time period when God and the heavens are silent and the people are to apply faith as a means to communicate with God.
One of the last times, if not the last time, God spoke where people could hear him when Jesus was being baptized.
And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat 3:16-17 |
Silence means, he simply doesn't speak to us like that anymore, less it prove that he exists. Which will do away all that has happened and is to happen.
If we consider the seventh seal has already started like the other seals, then the half an hour of silence is already happening right now since no one has heard from God in 2000 years.
Similar to the seventieth week of Daniel that was also split into two parts, the hour, or fixed time period, is also split into two parts, half before the return of Jesus and half after he comes back. Only the half after he comes back will not be silent or absence the knowledge of God because Jesus will be here and the false prophet will be long gone into the lake of fire. Like other scriptures that cover thousands of years,
Rev 8:1 also covers thousands of years.
Verse 2 breaks the silence and tells us about the seven trumpets.
And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets. Rev 8:2 |
Verse 3, 4 and 5 talk about the prayers of the saints.
And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel`s hand. And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Rev 8:3-5 |
It's not explained why the prayers of the saints were thrown to earth, but logic may have a reasoning we can see. It's possible, the prayers are the unanswered or interrupted prayers people had while they were alive on earth. Such prayers may have been interrupted by Satan or his angels, or may even be ones that God could not answer because of the silence and he is taking out his frustration on those left on earth, namely Satan. However, we simply don't know why it's important, you would think since the age is over that prayers don't matter anymore
because things will change after Jesus returns. What we want now will be immaterial then.
The sixth verse tells us the trumpets begin to sound and they will bring all kinds of wrath to earth.
And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound. Rev 8:13 |
There is a difference between the seven seals and the seven trumpets. The seals have been opened, while the trumpets are future events. We know that because no events have ever happened on earth that even come close to the destruction of the seven trumpets, while at the same time the earth as endured exactly what the seven seals represent, minus the sixth seal.
Four of the seven trumpets are blown bringing all kinds of plagues on earth. Fire mingled with blood burning up a third of the trees. A third of the sea's becoming blood as well. A third of sea life will die and a third of the ships will be destroyed. Then a so called "torch" will fall and poison a third of the fresh water supply. Then the moon and sun will be struck and only a third of them will shine.
There are a couple of ways to loose a third of the moon and sun. One way is to block one third out, which means something would have to block out the sun, moon and stars all at the same time. Another way is for them to become dimmer, of which only one third of the suns heat will reach the earth, one third of the moons light will reflect at night, and since things are dimmer, the distant stars may appear to disappear as their glow becomes weak.
Another way for this to happen is if the earth would speed up its rotation where a 24 hour day becomes a 16 hour day. Or, it could even be the clouds Jesus returns to earth in if it stops between the earth and the sun and blocks out the sun and moon. Of course, these are all theories because we really won't know until it happens.
Jesus said he was going to shorten those days in order to save flesh. The purpose of saving flesh is to save the remaining people who will repent and be saved during this time and reject the mark of the beast.
And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Mark 13:20 |
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Mark 13:24-25 |
These scriptures help us to learn and understand about the rapture or resurrections. There is no indication they have taken place when these things start to occur. It is however, possible the dead have risen or will rise from their graves about this time.