Revelation 8:1, Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4 KJV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 8:1

VIII.(1) And when he had opened the seventh seal . . .—Translate, And when he opened the seventh seal there took place a silence in heaven as it were for half an hour. It is greatly to be regretted that this verse should have been prefixed to this chapter. The section of the book with which it is connected is that which goes before, not that which follows. The second verse of this eighth chapter introduces a new series of visions: the first verse gives the close of the visions which follow the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 8:1-13

Revelation 8:1 Mr. A. C. Benson writes: 'I think that there are few verses of the Bible that give one a more sudden and startling thrill than the verse at the beginning of the eighth chapter of the Revelation. "And when he had opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." The very simplicity of the words, the homely note of specified time, is in itself deeply impressive. But further, it gives the dim sense of some awful and unseen preparation going... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:1-13

CHAPTER VI.THE FIRST SIX TRUMPETS.Revelation 8:1-13; Revelation 9:1-21.THE two consolatory visions of chap. 7 have closed, and the Seer returns to that opening of the seven Seals which had been interrupted in order that these two visions might be interposed.Six Seals had been opened in chap. 6; the opening of the seventh follows: - "And when He opened the seventh seal, there followed silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stand before God; and there... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 8:1-5

CHAPTER 8 Revelation 8:1-5 . The silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened is indicative of the solemn things which are now to come. The scroll is now fully opened and there is an ominous hush as the seven angels prepare to sound their trumpets of judgment. John beholds these seven angels, but before they begin to sound “another angel” is seen standing at the altar. This angel is not a creature, but like the angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament, is our Lord Himself. He is seen as the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 8:1

8:1 And {1} when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.(1) He returns to the history of the seals of the book, which the Lamb opens. The seventh seal is the next sign, a precise commandment for the execution of the most severe judgment of God on this wicked world, and being understood by the seal, all things in heaven are silent, and in horror through admiration, until the command to act is given by God to the ministers of his wrath. So he... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:1-13

The Seventh Seal Opened: Introduction to the Trumpets The last of the seven seals is now opened (v. 1) and there is silence in heaven for about half an hour before John sees seven trumpets given to seven angels. The seals have been only the beginning of God's working behind the scenes in reference to judgment. The trumpets indicate a ringing, declared testimony to all the world. The silence first shows the calm, quiet deliberation that will do nothing in undue haste. Also, before the angels... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:1

THE SEVEN SEALS This section might also be entitled “The things which shall be hereafter.” It is assumed that the true church is not upon the earth at the beginning of chapter 4, but that the translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 has taken place. Christendom is here, but the church is with the Lord in the air. To some this may seem a bold assumption, but not to those who have pursued the study of the earlier books in this commentary. To them it will appear natural and proper that the church... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 8:1

CONTENTS We have here, the Opening of the seventh Seal. To this succeeds the seven Angels coming forward with their seven Trumpets. An Angel is seen at the Altar of Incense. Four of the Angels in succession sound their Trumpets. Great Plagues follow. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 8:1-2

(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. I pause at the very entrance on this Chapter, to observe, that the silence which is said to have been in heaven, by the space of half an hour, at the opening of the seventh seal, is not to be supposed, (indeed it cannot be supposed,) as if there was any pause in the presence of God and the Lamb in... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:1

There was silence in heaven: which is to represent as it were a general consternation, and an expectation of dreadful events at the opening of the seventh seal, and when seven Angels stood prepared to sound seven trumpets. (Witham) read more