As we grow closer to the harpazo, the day the Lord Jesus calls us home, we see an increase in insanity on the earth. Some days the things that people say and do just don’t make sense and the level of hypocrisy seems psychotic. The unsaved are addicted to delusion. Humans who reject Jesus are bound by a spirit of delusion. The Children of the Living God are not deluded, we have the spirit of aletheia (truth), which is why blatant schizophrenic actions confuse us. Creation travails over increased levels of sin. Anxieties rise in humans and creation as evil spreads and continues to control the children of wrath. John explained this time to us, as well as the future in heaven.
1 John 4:6 G1473 We G1537 [2of G3588 G2316 3God G1510.2.4 1are]; G3588 the one G1097 knowing G3588 G2316 God, G191 hears G1473 us; G3739 the one who G3756 is not G1510.2.3 G1537 of G3588 G2316 God, G3756 does not G191 hear G1473 us. G1537 By G3778 this G1097 we know G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 of the G225 truth G2532 and G3588 the G4151 spirit G3588 of the G4106 delusion.
If we remember, the seals being opened causes chaos on the earth due to the Children of God being harpazo’d. Humans kill humans and cause so much sin that Death and Hades have the right to collect one fourth of the people on the earth. (If this seems odd, think back to David’s sin of numbering the people as we have previously studied. This is before Jesus took back the keys to Death and Hell, now Jesus is in charge of Death and Hell.)
The Saints will also take part in rebuking the people on earth in the seventh seal. It is interesting to note that our prayer and praises have so much power they will effect the earth in a bold way. All words have frequencies and vibratory patterns that influence everything around us. Just like our heart has heart waves, and our brains have brain waves, our words are felt, whether we realize it or not. We are about to see the seventh seal opened, and after that the start of the wrath of the Lamb.
Revelation 8:1-13 (KJV)
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Revelation 8:1 G2532 And G3753 when G455 he opened G3588 the G4973 [2seal G3588 G1442 1seventh], G1096 there became G4602 quietness G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven G5613 about G2256 a half-hour.
4602LSJ Gloss:σιγήsilence
Dodson:σιγή silence.
Thayer:
1) silence
σιγή
sigē see-gay' Apparently from σίζω sizō (to hiss, that is, hist or hush); silence KJV Usage: silence.
Why is it quiet in Heaven? Something is going on with the saints and all those in heaven are watching.
Revelation 8:2 G2532 And G1492 I saw G3588 the G2033 seven G32 angels, G3739 the ones which G1799 [2before G3588 G2316 3God G2476 1stand], G2532 and G1325 were given G1473 to them G2033 seven G4536 trumpets.
4536LSJ Gloss:σάλπιγξ a war-trumpet, trump
Dodson:σάλπιγξ a trumpet a trumpet, the sound of a trumpet.
Thayer:
1) a trumpet
σάλπιγξ
salpigx sal'-pinx Perhaps from G4535 (through the idea of quavering or reverberation); a trumpet KJV Usage: trump (-et).
It is interesting that just as Jesus’ Hebrew name is Joshua, this other Joshua had seven horns/trumpets. As we previously studied, when reviewing chapter 5 these trumpets are war trumpets. There are all kinds of trumpets made from animal horns, but predominately the ram’s horn was used as a war trumpet; whereas the shofar was used in the temple. The ram horn has a higher pitched sound, whereas the shofar has a lower pitched sound. The war trumpets were just given to seven angels and an Angel is about to bring to pass the seventh seal.
Joshua 6:9 And let the men of war proceed before, and the priests bringing up the rear behind the ark of the covenant of the Lord proceed sounding the trumpets. 10 And Joshua commanded the people, saying, Cry not out, nor let any one hear your voice, until he himself declare to you the time to cry out, and then ye shall cry out. 11 And the ark of the covenant of God having gone round immediately returned into the camp, and lodged there.
12 And on the second day Joshua rose up in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets went on before the Lord; and afterwards the men of war went on, and the remainder of the multitude went after the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
Remember what has just happened, the sixth seal has been opened and that announces the wrath of the Lamb. Chapter seven is a parentheses, it tells us what is also taking place besides the seals being opened and traumatic events on the earth. The sixth seal scares men and they wish to die. In chapter 5 Jesus was holding seven horns/trumpets. These are trumpets like Joshua’s and they are trumpets of war. As mentioned, the first part of the tribulation is the removal of the saints which causes men to kill each other in pursuit of world domination. Unless those left on the earth make an alliance with these dominators they will be killed. Some of the Jews found out rather quickly that they had been duped and many were martyred under the altar. Now others who dislike the rulership of those who rise up will be given a choice, join or die.
Up to this point in time humans have been killing humans, but the last seal being opened has to do with the saints and all their prayers. It is the children of the Living God (the saints) having vengeance and recompense against the children of wrath. This is brilliant. The children of wrath have persecuted the children of the Living God their entire lives. As these seals have been about humans and their sin, this last seal opened gives the saints their opportunity to rebuke the children of wrath.
What are the saints doing? They are now quiet. Why? They are watching the Angel. They have been praying. Whether intercession, war time prayer, praise or worship, this prayer is for the will of the Father to be done on the earth and it is done before the altar of incense. But the time has come for their prayers to be sent to the earth and it is quiet for thirty minutes in heaven. Prayer and praise and worship have always gone from earth to heaven, to the altar of incense before the throne; but now those prayers, praises, and worship, are going back to earth.
Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:3 G2532 And G243 another G32 angel G2064 came G2532 and G2476 he stood G1909 at G3588 the G2379 altar, G2192 having G3031 [2censer G5552 1a golden]; G2532 and G1325 [3 were given G1473 4to him G2368 2incenses G4183 1many], G2443 that G1325 he should offer it G3588 with the G4335 prayers G3588 [2the G39 3holy ones G3956 1of all] G1909 upon G3588 the G2379 [2altar G3588 G5552 1golden], G3588 the one G1799 before G3588 the G2362 throne.
3031LSJ Gloss:λιβανωτός frankincense, the gum of the tree
Dodson:λιβανωτός a censer.
Thayer:
1) the gum exuding from a frankincense tree
2) a censer
λιβανωτός
libanōtos lib-an-o-tos' From G3030; frankincense, that is, (by extension) a censer for burning itKJV Usage: censer.
5552 LSJ Gloss:χρύσεοςgolden, of gold, decked
Dodson:χρυσοῦς golden golden, made of gold, adorned with gold.
Thayer:
1) golden
2) made of gold
3) overlaid or covered with gold
χρύσεος
chruseos khroo'-seh-os From G5557; made of gold KJV Usage: of gold, golden.
2368LSJ Gloss:θυμίαμα that which is burnt as incense
Dodson:θυμίαμα incense.
Thayer:
1) an aromatic substance burnt, incense
θυμίαμα
thumiama thoo-mee'-am-ah From G2370; an aroma, that is, fragrant powder burnt in religious service; by implication the burning itself KJV Usage: incense, odour.
4335 LSJ Gloss:προσευχή prayer
Dodson:προσευχή prayer, a place for prayer (a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).
Thayer:
1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
For Synonyms see entry G5828
προσευχή
proseuchē pros-yoo-khay' From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel) KJV Usage: X pray earnestly, prayer.
39 Strong’s:ἅγιον a sacred thing (i.e. spot) Derivation: neuter of G40;
KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
Thayer:
1) reverend, worthy of veneration
1a) of things which on account of some connection with God possess a certain distinction and claim to reverence, as places sacred to God which are not to be profaned
1b) of persons whose services God employs, for example, apostles
2) set apart for God, to be as it were, exclusively his
3) services and offerings
3a) prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean
4) in a moral sense, pure sinless upright holy
ἅγιον
hagion hag'-ee-on Neuter of G40; a sacred thing (that is, spot)
KJV Usage: holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary.
1799 Dodson:ἐνώπιον before the face of, in the presence of
before the face of, in the presence of, in the eyes of.
Thayer:
1) in the presence of, before
1a) of occupied place: in that place which is before, or over against, opposite, any one and towards which another turns his eyes
ἐνώπιον
enōpion en-o'-pee-on Neuter of a compound of G1722 and a derivation of G3700; in the face of (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: before, in the presence (sight) of, to.
This is the first time we see the altar of incense before the throne in heaven. In Chapter 5 the prayers of the saints were in golden bowls before the throne, but now we know there is also an altar of incense here. The scent of frankincense is technically olibanic acids derived from Boswellia trees in a resin form. The word censer is not the round incense burner on a chain that priests use to wave around in mass. The censer is the frankincense resin itself, and it is golden frankincense. Frankincense comes in many shades, but this shade is golden and on earth it was burnt in the temple at the time of the multitudes praying. Remember Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father?
Luke 1:9-10 (AMP)
9 As was the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 And all the throng of people were praying outside [in the court] at the hour of incense [burning].
Frankincense is an offering made along with prayer and is part of the priestly temple function. Connecting the smoke and scent with the words of prayer and worship has a connection we seldom think of. Our words have a frequency which is probably compatible with frankincense. The offering of the smoke and the scent of frankincense carry prayer and worship past the interference of hindering demonic beings. Prayer, before Jesus’ death, had to go though the lower air, past the prince of the power of the air. The holy aroma of the offering is like a spiritual bug repellent to the fallen spiritual beings. They know that scent is holy and pure to the Creator, the Living God. The satan cannot interrupt, or stand in the way of temple praise at the altar of incense. Today, we have the Holy Spirit inside of us and we are the temple, our prayers, and praise, and worship, are not hindered and go straight to heaven. They are a sweet offering. All the prayers of the saints of all time have been collected here.
Revelation 8:4 G2532 And G305 [5ascended G3588 1the G2586 2smoke G3588 3of the G2368 4incenses], G3588 with the G4335 prayers G3588 of the G39 holy ones, G1537 out of G5495 the hand G3588 of the G32 angel, G1799 before G3588 G2316 God.
The prayers of the saints were in golden bowls, and now we see the smoke of the incense and the prayers mixed in the hand of the angel. The seventh seal is starting.
Revelation 8:5 G2532 And G2983 [3took G3588 1the G32 2angel] G3588 the G3031 censer, G2532 and G1072 filled G1473 it G1537 from G3588 the G4442 fire G3588 of the G2379 altar, G2532 and G906 cast G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth; G2532 and G1096 there became G5456 sounds, G2532 and G1027 thunders, G2532 and G796 lightnings, G2532 and G4578 an earthquake.
5456 LSJ Gloss:φωνή a sound, tone
Dodson:φωνή a sound, noise, voice a sound, noise, voice, language, dialect.
Thayer:
1) a sound, a tone
1a) of inanimate things, as musical instruments
2) a voice
2a) of the sound of uttered words
3) speech
3a) of a language, tongue
φωνή
phōnē fo-nay' Probably akin to G5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication an address (for any purpose), saying or language KJV Usage: noise, sound, voice.
The angel takes the frankincense resin from the altar of incense and throws it to the earth. All the words the saints have prayed, all the worship, all the praises, are collected together with golden frankincense and thrown to the earth. Immediately the words and frankincense cause noise, thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. Now it is the praise and worship and prayers of the saints that harms humans. So far these seals have caused humans to harm humans, now it is the prayers of the saints that is harming humans. Do you realize what the people on earth hear? They hear all the words of the saints. Look at the word phōnē. They hear all the prayers all the worship, all the praises, and the mixing with frankincense means it is a holy offering that burns for a long time.
Our prayer has always been powerful, but now the earth is going to feel the power of prayer. There is positive and negative electrical charges in the air. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted. The earth is seizing and reeling. The frankincense and prayers have breeched the lower air, and are back on the earth with a frequency that disrupts the air and the land. Remember, the saints have been taken off the earth for a while, and the level of sin has grown exponentially, but the prayers of the saints thrown to the earth will be in their ears, in their nostrils, in their eyes. It may make the people on earth mad; that is, crazy and angry. The words will be in their heads and they won’t be able to get them out, they will sting, like static electricity, and the ground will rise and fall in waves as earthquakes and aftershocks do. People will feel as if they are standing on the sea, with motion sickness, all the while hearing, seeing, smelling the prayers, praise, and worship, of the saints. The seventh seal is a truly disorienting time on the earth. This seems like something that may make people repent and call on Jesus as Lord and Savior, but chances are people will only further harden their hearts. People were so frightened at the sixth seal they wanted to die, and now they are assaulted with the prayers of the saints as lightning, thunder, smoke, and earthquakes.
We see the need for us to praise and worship while we are on the earth. Not one word falls, it all goes to the heavenly altar of incense and then it comes back down. In this we realize the more we worship now, the more worship will ignite the earth in the seventh seal. We can be intentional about our prayer, praise, and worship, and we know those words will all come back to earth in power. We can change our prayer focus today, knowing what the future holds. Now the angels will start blowing the trumpets and the earth will rebel against humans.
Revelation 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
Revelation 8:6 G2532 And G3588 the G2033 seven G32 angels, G3588 the ones G2192 having G3588 the G2033 seven G4536 trumpets, G2090 prepared G1438 themselves G2443 that G4537 they should trump.
The seventh seal, the prayers of the saints collected at the altar of incense in heaven have been thrown down to earth. The saints have participated in the rebuking of mankind and the seal is finished. The angels are ready to now bring the wrath of the Lamb.
Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Revelation 8:7 G2532 And G3588 the G4413 first G4537 trumped, G2532 and G1096 came to pass G5464 hail G2532 and G4442 fire G3396 being mixed G1722 in G129 blood, G2532 and G906 was cast G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth; G2532 and G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G1093 earth G2618 was incinerated, G2532 and G3956 all G5528 [2grass G5515 1green] G2618 was incinerated.
2618 LSJ Gloss:κατακαίω to burn down, burn completely
Dodson:κατακαίω I burn up, consume entirely.
Thayer:
1) to burn up, consume by fire
κατακαίω
katakaiō kat-ak-ah'ee-o From G2596 and G2545; to burn down (to the ground), that is, consume wholly KJV Usage: burn (up, utterly).
This is literally hail and fire, mixed with shed blood. If we remember the blood of Abel that cried out from the ground, this then makes sense.
Genesis 4:10 G2532 And G2036 the lord said, G2962 G5100 What G4160 did you do? G5456 The voice G129 of the blood G3588 G80 of your brother G1473 G994 yells G4314 to G1473 me G1537 from G3588 the G1093 ground
Blood cries out for vengeance just like the martyrs do.
Hebrews 12:24 (AMP)
24 And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].
The red blood of the innocents’ does not stop yelling out. It is in fact required or is demanded to be atoned for.
Genesis 9:4 G4133 Except G2907 [3meat G1722 4with G129 5 the blood G5590 6of life G3756 1you shall not G2068 2eat].
5 G2532 For even G1063 G3588 G5212 your G129 blood -- G3588 of the blood G5590 of your lives G1473 G1537 at G5495 the hand G3956 of all G3588 the G2342 wild beasts G1567 I shall require G1473 it, G2532 and G1537 from G5495 the hand G444 of a man's G80 brother G1567 I shall require G1473 it.
6 G3588 The one G1632 shedding G129 blood G444 of a man, G473 in return G3588 G129 his blood G1473 G1632 shall be shed; G3754 for G1722 in G1504 the image G2316 of God G4160 I made G3588 the G444 man.
Shed or poured out blood on the earth is now going to incinerate one third of the earth. The earth is now rebuking men for the sins that were committed on the earth. Man was made in the image or the representation of the Elohim. We may not think of that as a big deal, especially when our earthly bodies seem weak, but we are created as a portrait of the Living God. The satan would like all humans dead and he also knows that the blood of humans like Abel and Zechariah, as well as the prophets and apostles and all the righteous, will be required and recompensed.
Matthew 23:35-36 (AMP)
35 So that upon your heads may come all the blood of the righteous (those who correspond to the divine standard of right) shed on earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar [of burnt offering].
36 Truly I declare to you, all these [evil, calamitous times] will come upon this generation.
Luke 11:49-51 (AMP)
49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets and apostles, [some] of whom they will put to death and persecute,
50 So that the blood of all the prophets shed from the foundation of the world may be charged against and required of this age and generation,
51 From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was slain between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against and required of this age and generation.
The second trumpet brings more blood. This time the sea turns to blood.
Revelation 8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Revelation 8:8 G2532 And G3588 the G1208 second G32 angel G4537 trumped; G2532 and G5613 it was as G3735 [3mountain G3173 1a great G2545 2burning] G906 was cast G1519 into G3588 the G2281 sea; G2532 and G1096 [5became G3588 1the G5154 2third G3588 3of the G2281 4sea] G129 blood;
9 G2532 and G599 [8died G3588 1the G5154 2third G3588 3of the G2938 4creatures G1722 5in G3588 6the G2281 7sea], G3588 the ones G2192 having G5590 lives; G2532 and G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G4143 ships G1311 were utterly destroyed.
There is a mountain that lifts itself up or rises, and it is burning. This burning mountain that rises is thrown into a salt sea. Is this a volcano that rises up suddenly and then falls into the ocean? We don’t know, but we do know it turns one third of the sea to blood. Because of this, one third of the sea creatures die and also one third of the ships on the ocean are destroyed or rot thoroughly. Since there was just an earthquake at the seventh seal, it would not be unlikely that molten lava would rise up as a mountain and explode into the sea. Volcanos release gases, which along with the hot magma will kill marine life and disintegrate boats.
With one third of the earth incinerated and one third of the ocean as blood, the humans start blaming the two witnesses. We will study the two witnesses later, but to understand this timing, the two witnesses spend three and one half years on the earth. The witnesses come down when the saints go up. The people believe the two witnesses are responsible for these catastrophes. We see however that men brought these disasters upon themselves and it is the day of vengeance, the time that sin is recompensed. Next we see the fresh water turn bitter.
Revelation 8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Revelation 8:10 G2532 And G3588 the G5154 third G32 angel G4537 trumped; G2532 and G4098 [3fell G1537 4from out of G3588 5the G3772 6heaven G792 2star G3173 1a great], G2545 burning G5613 as G2985 a lamp, G2532 and G4098 it fell G1909 upon G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G4215 rivers, G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G4077 springs G3588 of the G5204 waters.
11 G2532 And G3588 the G3686 name G3588 of the G792 star G3004 is called G3588 G894 Absinthium; G2532 and G1096 [5became G3588 1the G5154 2third G3588 3of the G5204 4waters] G1519 into G894 absinthium, G2532 and G4183 many G3588 of the G444 men G599 died G1537 because of G3588 the G5204 waters, G3754 for G4087 they were made bitter.
894 LSJ Gloss:ἄψινθοςwormwood
Dodson:ἄψινθος wormwood.
Thayer:
1) wormwood
2) the name of a star which fell into the waters and made them bitter
ἄψινθος
apsinthos ap'-sin-thos Of uncertain derivation; wormwood (as a type of bitterness, that is, [figuratively] calamity) KJV Usage: wormwood.
Wormwood
[ 1,,G894, apsinthos ]
(Eng., absinthe"), a plant both bitter and deleterious, and growing in desolate places, figuratively suggestive of "calamity" (Lamentations 3:15) and injustice (Amos 5:7), is used in Revelation 8:11 (twice; in the 1st part as a proper name).
4087LSJ Gloss:πικραίνω to make sharp
Dodson:πικραίνω I embitter I make bitter, embitter; pass: I grow angry or harsh.
Thayer:
1) to make bitter
1a) to produce a bitter taste in the stomach
2) to embitter. exasperate
2a) render angry, indignant
2b) to be embittered, irritated
2c) to visit with bitterness, to grieve (deal bitterly with)
πικραίνω
pikrainō pik-rah'ee-no From G4089; to embitter (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: be (make) bitter.
A burning star falls from heaven called “Wormwood”. The potable water, the rivers and streams becomes undrinkable. Remember what Jesus told us in chapter 1 of Revelation? The stars are angels. This star is an angel, and this angel named Absinthium/Wormwood who turns the waters absinthium/bitter. We have seen angels called by their function or job. The job of this angel is to make the waters bitter, pungent, or acrid. Wormwood is also a botanical, Artemisia Absinthium, growing in Eurasia, Northern Africa and Northern America. In herbal medicine it is used to kill parasites. It is also used in alcoholic beverages. This star makes the waters bitter, and people die from drinking it.
Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Revelation 8:12 G2532 And G3588 the G5067 fourth G32 angel G4537 trumped, G2532 and G4141 [5was struck G3588 1the G5154 2third G3588 3of the G2246 4sun], G2532 and G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G4582 moon, G2532 and G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G792 stars; G2443 that G4654 [3should be darkened G3588 G5154 1a third G1473 2of them], G2532 and G3588 the G2250 day G3361 should not appear for G5316 G3588 G5154 a third G1473 of it, G2532 and G3588 the G3571 night G3668 in like manner.
4141 LSJ Gloss: πλήσσω to strike, smite
πλήσσω
plēssō place'-so Apparently another form of G4111 (through the idea of flattening out); to pound, that is, (figuratively) to inflict with (calamity) KJV Usage: smite.
4654LSJ Gloss:σκοτίζω to make dark
Dodson:σκοτίζωI darken.
Thayer:
1) to cover with darkness, to darken
2) to be covered with darkness, be darkened
2a) of heavenly bodies as deprived of light
2b) metaph.
2b1) of the eyes
2b2) of the understanding
2b3) of the mind
σκοτίζω
skotizō skot-id'-zo From G4655; to obscure (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: darken.
The sun moon and stars are going to be inflicted with calamity, and one third of all the lights will be obscured. How disorienting will it be when there are only a few hours of daylight and very little light from the moon at night. It will be hard to tell time. It will be hard to know when to wake up or go to bed. It will be hard for the entire world to keep schedules. Animals will also be in calamity; in the fourth seal animals will devour men. So at this time people will have to defend themselves more aggressively from wildlife.
The trumpets are bringing the wrath of the Lamb and the earth is eagerly and expectantly longing for the revealing of the sons of God on the Day of the Lord.
Romans 8:19-22 (AMP)
19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].
20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it—[yet] with the hope
21 That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children.
22 We know that the whole creation [of irrational creatures] has been moaning together in the pains of labor until now.
The earth is going through a birthing process, it is shedding itself of evil. The earth is groaning and travailing until it can rid itself of the children of wrath. Evil has a frequency that disrupts the earth, causing the earth, plants, and animals, to be in chaos. Think of it as anxiety. As people have anxiety, the entire creation has anxiety. Creation is stressed and in distress over evil. On the day that the children of the Living God return with the Lord Jesus Christ, the earth will be cleansed. If we think that this tribulation time is simply about us humans we are mistaken. All of creation is pained because the satan has defiled all of creation as well as mankind. Harmony was lost in the garden of eden.
Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation 8:13 G2532 And G1492 I saw G2532 and G191 heard G1520 one G105 eagle G4072 flying G1722 in G3321 mid-heaven, G3004 saying G5456 [2voice G3173 1with a great], G3759 Woe, G3759 woe G3759 woe, G3588 to the ones G2730 dwelling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1537 because of G3588 the G3062 remaining G5456 sounds G3588 of the G4536 trumpet G3588 of the G5140 three G32 angels, G3588 of the ones G3195 being about G4537 to trump.
3321LSJ Gloss:μεσουράνημα mid-heaven, mid-air
Dodson:μεσουράνημα the middle of heaven mid-heaven, the middle of heaven, the zenith.
Thayer:
1) mid-heaven
2) the highest point in the heavens, which the sun occupies at noon, where what is done can be seen and heard by all
μεσουράνημα
mesouranēma mes-oo-ran'-ay-mah From a presumed compound of G3319 and G3772; mid-sky KJV Usage: midst of heaven.
It is interesting that John sees an eagle flying mid-heaven. It was speaking as well. An eagle is considered unclean and a bird of prey, however it is obvious that the Living God and Jesus Christ are not offended by them. Just like we saw the star/angel Wormwood, who makes the waters bitter, we see an eagle. A created being which seems to be unclean to us, and has assignments we don’t like, is not seen in that way by the Creator. As the Letter of Aristeas explains, the law was not about the flesh of animals being unclean, but about the behaviors that we were not to emulate. Eagles kill other animals including birds. Didn’t we just read in Genesis that we are not to kill other humans because of the requirement of blood? But eagles have an important role, not just here but at the end of the tribulation when they gather both dead bodies (Matthew 24:28) and fleshy bodies (Luke 17:37).
The eagle is flying over the earth with a mega voice saying woe three times. The woe is complete (3 means complete). The eagle is giving the warning that the other three war trumpets are about to sound. The earth is about to go into more chaos and another star/angel is going to start the fifth trumpet and first woe. Then there will be two more woes.
Clearly this is not a time one should intentionally want to be on earth. We have the opportunity to become part of the saints before the altar of incense. Today, our prayer life should be more intentional as our world becomes further duped by evil. Evil brings destruction, but a cleansing will take place and we will rejoice with all creation when the disinfecting and purifying is complete. Let’s end considering the words of this Essene
hymn.
HYMN 6 (FORMERLY 1) IX (formerly I) … Thou art long-suffering in Thy judgements and righteous in all Thy deeds. By Thy wisdom [all things exist from] eternity, and before creating them Thou knewest their works for ever and ever. [Nothing] is done [without Thee] and nothing is known unless Thou desire it. Thou hast created all the spirits [and hast established a statute] and law for all their works. Thou hast spread the heavens for Thy glory
10 and hast [appointed] all [their hosts] according to Thy will; the mighty winds according to their laws before they became angels [of holiness] … and eternal spirits in their dominions; the heavenly lights to their mysteries, the stars to their paths, [the clouds] to their tasks, the thunderbolts and lightnings to their duty, and the perfect treasuries (of snow and hail) to their purposes, … to their mysteries. Thou hast created the earth by Thy power and the seas and deeps [by Thy might]. Thou hast fashioned [all] their [inhabi] tants according to Thy wisdom, and hast appointed all that is in them
15 according to Thy will. [And] to the spirit of man which Thou hast formed in the world, [Thou hast given dominion over the works of Thy hands] for everlasting days and unending generations. … in their ages Thou hast allotted to them tasks during all their generations, and judgement in their appointed seasons according to the rule [of the two spirits. For Thou hast established their ways] for ever and ever, [and hast ordained from eternity] their visitation for reward and chastisements; Thou hast allotted it to all their seed for eternal generations and everlasting years … In the wisdom of Thy knowledge Thou didst establish their destiny before ever they were.
20 All things [exist] according to [Thy will] and without Thee nothing is done. These things I know by the wisdom which comes from Thee, for Thou hast unstopped my ears to marvellous mysteries. And yet I, a shape of clay kneaded in water, a ground of shame and a source of pollution, a melting-pot of wickedness and an edifice of sin, a straying and perverted spirit of no understanding, fearful of righteous judgements, what can I say that is not foreknown, and what can I utter that is not foretold? All things are graven before Thee on a written Reminder for everlasting ages, and for the numbered cycles of the eternal years in all their seasons; they are not hidden or absent from Thee.
25 What shall a man say concerning his sin?
And how shall he plead concerning his iniquities? And how shall he reply to righteous judgement? For Thine, O God of knowledge, are all righteous deeds and the counsel of truth; but to the sons of men is the work of iniquity and deeds of deceit. It is Thou who hast created breath for the tongue and Thou knowest its words; Thou didst establish the fruit of the lips before ever they were. Thou dost set words to measure and the flow of breath from the lips to metre. Thou bringest forth sounds according to their mysteries, and the flow of breath from the lips according to its reckoning,
30 that they may tell of Thy glory and recount Thy wonders in all Thy works of truth and [in all Thy] righteous [judgements]; and that Thy Name be praised by the mouth of all men, and that they may know Thee according to their understanding and bless Thee for ever. By Thy mercies and by Thy great goodness, Thou hast strengthened the spirit of man in the face of the scourge, and hast purified [the erring spirit] of a multitude of sins, that it may declare Thy marvels in the presence of all Thy creatures. [I will declare to the assembly of the simple] the judgements by which I was scourged, and to the sons of men, all Thy wonders by which Thou hast shown Thyself mighty [in me in the presence of the sons of Adam]. Hear, O you wise men, and meditate on knowledge;
35 O you fearful, be steadfast! Increase in prudence, [O all you simple]; O just men, put away iniquity! Hold fast [to the Covenant], O all you perfect of way; [O all you afflicted with] misery, be patient and despise no righteous judgement! … [but the foo] lish of heart shall not comprehend these things
The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (7th Edition) (Penguin Classics) (pp. 260-262). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
