Seventh Seal (God's wrath)
Seventh Seal is the Seven Trumpets
Rev 8:1-2 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
There was silence in heaven for half an hour between the opening of the 7th seal and the trumpet blasts. Why?
Prayers of Saints
Rev 8:3-4 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with 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, ascended before God from the angel's hand.
The prayers of saints alongside the offering of sweet incense at the golden altar are fragrant, acceptable and pleasing to God.
Luke 23:34a Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
The persecuted and martyred repeated similar prayers that Jesus uttered before He died, petitioning God to forgive all those who tortured and killed them.
Vengeance of the Lord
Rev 8:5-6 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The period of silence is the moment for the prayers of the saints and the cries of the persecuted and martyred to be heard by God. God will avenge the tribulations and death of His saints with an unquenchable fury.
Heb 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
Note The Wrath of God is also known as the Wrath of the Lamb. It will be poured upon the earth in seven stages under the names of seven trumpets or seven bowls. The trumpets and bowls are a symbolism of the same event.
1st Trumpet - plague on the Earth
Rev 8:7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
1st trumpet - One-third of the earth's vegetations will be loss to fire.
1st bowl - causes men on earth to suffer from loathsome sores (from extreme heat).
Rev 16:2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
2nd Trumpet - plague on the Sea
Rev 8:8-9 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
2nd trumpet - One-third of the sea will turn into blood, one-third of marine lives will die and one-third of ships will be destroyed.
2nd bowl - the sea (possibly a third) becomes a putrefied bloody body of water killing all living things in it.
Rev 16:3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
3rd Trumpet - plague on the Rivers
Rev 8:10-11 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
3rd Trumpet - on rivers and springs causing fresh waters to become poisonous.
3rd Bowl - is a retribution for the killing of God's saints and prophets. Fresh water sources will turn into blood.
Rev 16:4, 6 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood... For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."
