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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 8:1-6

In these verses we have the prelude to the sounding of the trumpets in several parts. I. The opening of the last seal. This was to introduce a new set of prophetical iconisms and events; there is a continued chain of providence, one part linked to another (where one ends another begins), and, though they may differ in nature and in time, they all make up one wise, well-connected, uniform design in the hand of God. II. A profound silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, which may be... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 8:1-5

8:1-5 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand in the presence of God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense that he might add it to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. And the angel took... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:4

And the smoke of the incense ,.... For the incense being put, as it was used to be, upon burning coals of fire, caused a smoke to arise like a cloud, Leviticus 16:13 ; so that the whole house, or temple, was filled with it F4 Misn. Yoma, c. 5. sect. 1. : which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel's hand ; alluding to the incense the priest took in his hand, and cast upon the burning coals; and shows how that by the smoke of the incense, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:5

And the angel took the censer ,.... The golden one before mentioned, the use of which was to take and carry in it burning coals of fire: and filled it with fire of the altar ; of burnt offering, for upon that, and not upon the altar of incense, fire was; the allusion is to the priest "that was worthy to use a censer F5 Misn. Tamid. c. 5. sect. 5. ; who took a silver censer, and went to the top of the altar (of burnt offering), and having removed the coals there, and there took... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:4

The smoke of the incense - with the prayers - Though incense itself be an emblem of the prayers of the saints, Psalm 141:2 ; yet here they are said to ascend before God, as well as the incense. It is not said that the angel presents these prayers. He presents the incense, and the prayers ascend With it. The ascending of the incense shows that the prayers and offering were accepted. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:5

Cast it into the earth - That is, upon the land of Judea; intimating the judgments and desolations which were now coming upon it, and which appear to be farther opened in the sounding of the seven trumpets. There were voices - All these seem to point out the confusion, commotions, distresses, and miseries, which were coming upon these people in the wars which were at hand. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-5

Prayer and fire. For some time there had been "silence in heaven." During this time there was a corresponding period of calm on earth. Then the prayers of the saints were rising to heaven, fragrant with the incense which mingled with them. As the sequel to these prayers, and as the answer to them, the angel takes fire in the censer and casts it on the earth. From that point a new series of activities unfolds. On these we shall touch in the next homily. Meanwhile we are detained by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-6

Soul silence. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour," etc. This portion of the dream of John, like other portions, has Jewish elements of thought brought into strange and grotesque combinations. In dreams there are no new objects or elements of thought or emotion, but old ones brought into unique forms by an ungoverned imagination. Whilst they are evermore difficult, if not impossible to interpret, they are at all times... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-13

The purpose of revealing judgment. The process of the conquest of evil is varied. It is now by severity of judgment, now by the gentleness of mild rebuke or moderated chastisement. Again the voice of the teacher arrests attention, and the appeals of truth stimulate to righteousness. Hidden behind all is the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, working all things according to the counsel of his holy will. His hand is unseen, and the revelation is needed to show and assure men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:2-5

The effectual prayer. A new series—another—opens upon the view of the holy seer. These are scenes in which is symbolically represented the method by which the Divine providence will execute those sovereign purposes which are specially contemplated in the redemption of the persecuted Church in its struggle with the various developments of evil in the world. Not always does evil present itself as an antagonistic power. It is soft, subtle, and alluring, drawing the feet of the unwary believer... read more

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