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Revelation Lecture 11

THE PRAYER OF ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Revelation 8:1-13

Key Verse 8:4

1. What happens in heaven when the Lamb opens the seventh seal (1-2)? What might the silence in heaven communicate about God’s presence and the events about to unfold? What are the seven angels given, what does this suggest about their role in the coming events?
2. What does the offering of incense with the prayers of all God’s people suggest about the value of these prayers to God (3-4)? What does it mean that the angel hurls the censer filled with fire onto the earth (5)? What does this image suggest about our prayers, especially in times of trouble?
3. What happens when the first and second angels sound their trumpets (6-9)? What might the repeated destruction of “a third” suggest about both the severity and the limits of God’s judgments? How would the destruction of vegetation, sea creatures, and ships affect human life?
4. What happens when the third and fourth angels sound their trumpets (10-12)? How does the name “Wormwood” relate to what happens to the water (Jeremiah 9:13-15)? Why does the eagle repeat “woe” three times (13)?

Revelation Lecture 11 October 25, 2026

THE PRAYER OF ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Revelation 8:1-13

Key Verse 8:4

The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

Last Sunday, we studied the interlude between the opening of the sixth seal and the seventh seal. In today’s passage, the seventh seal is finally opened. This leads into the vision of seven angels sounding seven trumpets. The seventh seal leads into the seven trumpet judgments. And the seventh trumpet leads into the seven bowl judgments. These three sets of seven judgments describe God’s judgments from different angles. They show us judgments taking place in the world today, as well as the final judgment to come. As the end approaches, these judgments will grow more intense and occur more frequently.

Look at verse 1. “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” What happened when the Lamb opened the seventh seal? There was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Why was heaven silent? Until then, heaven had been filled with praise and worship. The angels and the great multitude had been worshiping God and the Lamb with loud voices. But when the Lamb opened the seventh seal, everything became quiet. Imagine sitting here in complete silence for half an hour. We would begin to wonder, “What is about to happen?” We sense that something powerful is coming. God’s judgment is about to unfold. In the presence of his holiness and power, all heaven falls silent.

What did John see in the silence? “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them” (2). These seven angels stand before God, ready to serve him and carry out his commands. Now each angel receives a trumpet. What do these trumpets mean? In the Old Testament, trumpets were used to sound an alarm. They warned people of approaching danger. They also called people to battle and gave the signal to attack. Here in Revelation, the trumpets announce God’s judgment. The angels are preparing to sound them. God will act against evil. His judgments will be severe, and the world will have to face his power and authority.

Then who appeared? Look at verse 3. “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.” Another angel came forward. He carried a golden censer and stood at the altar. A censer was a special container used to hold burning coals and burn incense before God. The altar appears several times in Revelation. Do you remember what John saw when the fifth seal was opened in chapter 6? He saw under the altar the souls of those who had been killed because of God’s word and their faithful testimony. They cried out, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” They were crying out for justice. They were asking God to judge evil and make things right. “Lord, how long will you allow this suffering? How long before you act?”

Now, in chapter 8, an angel stands at the same altar. The place where their cries were heard is now the place where prayers are offered before his throne. The angel receives much incense to offer with the prayers of all God’s people. Notice those words: “the prayers of all God’s people.” These prayers include not only the cries of the martyrs but also the prayers of all who belong to God.

Look at verse 4. “The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” The smoke rises, and with it, the prayers of God’s people rise before God. Their prayers reach God’s presence. In the Old Testament, incense was closely connected with prayer. God commanded Aaron to burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning and evening. As the incense rose before God, it provided a picture of his people’s prayers rising to him. David expresses this beautifully in Psalm 141:2: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” What does this mean? Our prayers are like fragrant incense before God. He welcomes them and delights in them.

But sometimes we feel that God is silent. We may wonder, “Does God hear me?” “Does my prayer really matter?” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God answered us right away? We pray: “Lord, please heal me.” “Lord, please heal our brothers and sisters who are suffering.” How wonderful it would be if healing came the moment we prayed! Or we pray, “Lord, please help me find a good job.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear God say, “Yes! Here is a good job for you. You can start on Monday!” Some of us may pray, “Lord, please help me find the perfect husband or wife.” We all have our own idea of the perfect spouse! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God answered, “Yes! I have just the right person for you”?

But sometimes we pray and pray, and the answer does not come. Why? Is God ignoring us? Does he hear our prayers but pay no attention? Or are our prayers too weak? When an answer does not come, I sometimes think, “Maybe I am not praying earnestly enough. I need to pray harder.” So I pray more earnestly. But God still seems silent. At times like these, we can easily become discouraged. We may begin to think, “Nothing will change, no matter how much I pray.” Some of us may even question God’s love. “Does God really love me? If he does, why is he silent?” Others may begin to question their faith. “Is God really there? Is anyone listening?”

But today’s passage shows us what we cannot see with our eyes. Even when God seems silent, our prayers rise before the throne of God. He hears them, and he receives them with love. His silence does not mean that he has forgotten us. A delayed answer does not mean that our prayers have been ignored. Then why are answers to our prayers sometimes delayed? We cannot always know the reason. But let me share three things we can remember as we wait.

First, God knows the best time to answer. We want an answer right now. But God sees our past, present, and future. He knows what we cannot see. His timing may be different from ours, but we can trust his wisdom and love. Think about Abraham. God called him and promised to make him into a great nation. But Abraham had no child. How long did he wait before Isaac, the promised son, was born? Twenty-five years! That is a long time to wait. Was it because God lacked the power to give him a son? Of course not. During those years, God was teaching Abraham to trust him. And at the appointed time, God fulfilled his promise. If you are waiting for an answer today, consider this question: “Lord, what do you want to teach me during this time?”

Second, God can use waiting to grow our character and faith. We pray for God to change our situation. But while we wait, God works to change us. When life is comfortable, we may not seek God very much. We live as though we can manage everything on our own. Then one day, we become sick or face a problem we cannot solve. We realize how weak we are. We begin to cry out, “Lord, I need your help.” A week passes. Then a month. The situation may still be the same. But something is changing within us. We find ourselves turning to God each day. We become more humble. We recognize our need for him. Our faith grows as we learn to depend on him. Even in painful waiting, God is shaping our character and faith.

Third, God wants to draw us into a deeper relationship with him as we keep praying. Prayer is more than asking God for things. It is coming to him, opening our hearts, and sharing our lives with him. As we keep praying, we bring him our fears, our disappointments, and our hopes. We learn to be honest with him. We learn to trust him. Our relationship with him can grow deeper. Then we begin to discover something precious: knowing God is even more important than receiving what we ask for. We can pray, “Lord, I still ask for your help. But while I wait, help me to know you more. Help me to love you more. Help me to trust you.” God has not forgotten us in our waiting. He invites us to keep coming to him.

Look at verse 5. “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Imagine this scene. The angel has just offered incense with the prayers of God’s people. Now he takes that same censer, fills it with fire from the altar, and throws it down to the earth. Suddenly, there is thunder. There are rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. These are signs of God’s awesome presence and power. They announce his judgment against the evil of this world. This scene prepares us for the trumpet judgments that follow.

Here is something important we must remember: God’s judgment comes in response to the prayers of his people. Think about the suffering of the early Christians. Some were imprisoned. Some lost their livelihoods. Some were killed because they refused to deny Jesus. In the history of the early church, some believers faced wild animals in the arena. Others were burned to death. Following Jesus could cost them everything. Yet they remained faithful. Imagine their prayers. “Lord, do you see what is happening? Do you remember us? How long before you bring justice?” God did not forget them. Their prayers rose before his throne. And this vision shows us that God will act. He will judge evil and bring justice for his people.

Some people say that God does not care about evil. Others think he never intervenes in human affairs. Some even declare, “God is dead.” But God is not indifferent. He sees the suffering. He hears the cries. He will not allow evil to continue forever. He will not be mocked. He receives the prayers of his people, judges the world in righteousness, and gives his people the final victory. Here in America, we have freedom to worship and many opportunities to share our faith. Yet following Jesus can still bring ridicule or rejection. When we seek to obey God’s Word at school, at work, or among our neighbors, others may look down on us. Their words may sound something like this: “You believe in a God you can’t even see? You’re so old-fashioned!” “You believe Jesus is the only way to salvation? You’re so narrow-minded! You’ve been brainwashed!” “You believe the Bible is the truth? You’re so ignorant and don’t understand the real world!” Words like these can hurt. We may become afraid of being rejected by our friends. We may hesitate to say openly, “I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus.”

But God will not remain silent forever. At his appointed time, he will judge the evil of this world. We have already seen how terrifying his judgments are through the opening of the seals. Now let us look at the first four trumpet judgments.

What happens when the first angel sounds his trumpet? Hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown down on the earth. A third of the earth is burned up. A third of the trees are burned up, and all the green grass is burned up. This is judgment on the land. Trees and grass provide food and shelter for people and animals. The land that supports life is struck by judgment.

What happens when the second angel sounds his trumpet? Something like a huge mountain, burning with fire, is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turns into blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea die, and a third of the ships are destroyed. This is judgment on the sea. It affects both marine life and human life. The destruction of ships also strikes trade and transportation. People lose food, goods, and their means of making a living.

What happens when the third angel sounds his trumpet? A great star, blazing like a torch, falls from the sky. It falls on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The star’s name is Wormwood. A third of the waters turn bitter, and many people die from drinking them. This is judgment on fresh water. Wormwood is a plant known for its strong, bitter taste. In Scripture, it is associated with bitter suffering and judgment. We need water to live. Rivers and springs supply the water that sustains us. But here, the water that should give life brings death.

What happens when the fourth angel sounds his trumpet? A third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck. A third of their light turns dark. A third of the day is without light, and also a third of the night. This judgment reaches into the heavens.

Do you notice a repeated expression in these four judgments? “A third.” A third of the earth, a third of the sea, a third of the waters, and a third of the heavenly lights are struck. The repeated emphasis on “a third” shows that these judgments are severe but still limited. This is not yet the complete and final judgment. The destruction is terrible. Yet God places limits on it. Those who remain still have an opportunity to repent. These judgments are warnings. They call people to turn away from sin and return to God before the final judgment comes. But that opportunity will not last forever. The day will come when God judges the whole world. So how should we respond? We should repent and come to Jesus who gave his life for our sins. We should reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus. We should share the good news of Jesus and show his love through our actions. While there is still time, we should help others come to Jesus and receive his salvation.

As we close, let us think once more about “the prayers of all God’s people.” God does not listen only to a few special people. Every believer can come before him. Whether we are young or old, new to the faith or have followed Jesus for many years, our prayers are precious to him. And God delights when his people pray together. Jesus says in Matthew 18:19–20, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” We come together in his name, seek his will, and trust his presence among us. This is an invitation to seek our heavenly Father together. The church is not a building. The church is God’s people gathered in Jesus’ name. Even when only two or three gather, Jesus promises to be with us. Of course, we can pray alone. God hears us wherever we are. But he also calls us to pray together—to carry one another’s burdens and seek his help with one heart. There is power in praying together because the God who hears us is powerful.

I pray that our church will become a church that faithfully gathers to pray. We have many prayer requests. Some of us gather early in the morning to pray, and I thank God for those faithful prayers. But I want to encourage all of us to pray together. Let us pray for those who are sick. Let us pray for our families, our church members, our campuses, and our neighbors. Let us pray for those who do not yet know Jesus. Let us pray for our church and for this troubled world. Let us experience God and grow more in knowing God through prayer. Our God hears our prayers. He receives them with love. And he acts in his wisdom and at his appointed time. So let us keep praying and not lose heart. Let us trust him while we wait. Through Jesus, the Lamb, God will give his people the final victory. Amen.