Seals First half 1.First 2.Second 3.Third 4.Fourth ___________________________ Second half 5. Fifth 6. Sixth (Armageddon) 7. Seventh = 8:1-19:21 Trumpets First half 1.First 2.Second 3.Third 4.Fourth 5.Fifth 6.Sixth __________________________ Second half 7.Seventh = End of Trib.

Rev. 7:13-17 Obedient servants who washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 1:5 – where HE washed us!) These are those who imitate the Lamb in His suffering!

Rev. 8:1 The seventh seal seems to cover the events from 8:1-19:21 These are the way the visions are presented to John, not necessarily the order in which they occur!

Rev. 8:1 In 7:3, the plagues on the earth were to wait until after the sealing of the 144,000. Now, an ominous silence falls upon heaven. Zeph. 1:7, 15, 17; Hab. 2:18-20 It’s about to begin!

Rev. 8:2 Trumpets often used to signal something important. Ex. 20:18 (Heb. 12:19); 1 Thess. 4:16 But, before the trumpet sounds, another event occurs…

Rev. 8:3-4 An angel is given a golden censor and stands before the altar - 2 Chron. 26:18 (the role of the priest). He uses the censor to offer the “prayers of all the saints” on the altar before the throne of God.

Rev. 8:3-4 These prayers are offered up with “much incense”. Psalm 142:2 This was a form of worship and seems to signify the prayers are a pleasing aroma, acceptable to God. Ex. 30:7-9; Num. 16:46-48; 2 Kings 18:4; 1 Chron. 23:13

Rev. 8:3-4 The judgment to come is from God. It is in response to the prayers of the saints.

Rev. 8:3-4 God is repaying. And He is doing what is His and His alone to do. Romans 12:19 Romans 2:1-8

Rev. 8:3-4 Have you ever considered how important you are to God? Have you ever considered how much your prayers mean to Him?

Rev. 8:3-4 God hears. God remembers. God knows when and how to best answer our prayers. Free-will is very much alive, but not well.

Rev. 8:5 “Fire” Used throughout Scripture to depict judgment, especially temporal judgment. Ezek. 15; Isa. 5:5; 9:18-19; 10:16-19

Rev. 8:5 “Threw it to the earth” The judgment in response to the prayers of the saints is now defiantly sent to the earth.

Rev. 8:5 “Noises, thunderings, lightenings, and an earthquake” Ex. 19:16-19; Heb. 12:18-24 “Ominous” doesn’t begin to cover it. Again, notice the strong OT emphasis!

Rev. 8:6 “So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound”. Something big is about to happen.

Did you notice anything? All of this comes because God does hear. He does remember. You do matter. Your prayers are important. James 5:16b-20

Rev. 8:3-4 Have you ever considered how important you are to God? Have you ever considered how much your prayers mean to Him?