Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way
By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) © 9.25.09
Chapter Eight



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The Opening of the Seventh Sealed Scroll

Some people get a bit confused about the order of events here so let's do a very brief recap in order to clarify the ongoing time line:

In chapters 2 and 3 the history of the Way and Nicean Christian Church was discussed. At the end of Chapter three the Church was "vomited out" into the tribulation period.

We saw Moshiach accept his leadership role at Revelation 5:5.

Then in chapter six the Seven Year Tribulation period officially began as Rex Mundi (the Antichrist) took to his global throne as ruler of the Novus Ordo Seclorum or Global Union.

Also in chapter six the first six of the seven sealed scrolls were opened by Moshiach (Shiloh) as he took control of God's forces and entered into the final war (Armageddon is better thought of as the closing battle rather as a war itself).

The sixth seal was removed and the people cried out in fear at what it produced, convinced the end had come.

Then in the next verse (7:1) an unearthly stillness descended across the whole earth.

From 7:2 until this verse, 8:1, as the people huddled in fear for their lives, John's narration became parenthetical and he revealed more information about the fifth seal (6:9-11) and those who were sealed in God's service (i.e. the 144,000 Jews and the Great Multitude of Gentiles who will stand against Rex Mundi).


Now as chapter eight begins we see that not only is the earth completely still, the silence now extends into the Heaven, the Spiritual domains, as well! The entire universe is anxiously "holding it breath" as it were for what is coming next.

Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Our text says this silence lasts for "about a half hour." Some commentators find this fascinating and look for deeper meanings. For our purposes however, the meaning is simply that the universe is "holding its collective breath" for God's response much a disobedient child awaits his father's reaction when he knows he has been caught.

The oldest known existing copies of the Book of the Revelation are written in Koine Greek. Some theorize the book was originally written in Hebrew but unfortunately this can not be proved. The word presented as shofar in this translation (and in the World English Bible-ME version) is, in the Greek text, salpigx, or "trumpet" but that John was speaking of a specific type of trumpet, a Hebrew shofar, seems obvious enough.

A shofar is an ancient Hebrew sound instrument crafted from the horn of a ram. The ancient Israelites used it to sound warnings to the community or to send summons. It has historically been used in synagogues throughout the world to mark solemn occasions. The Shofars are contained within the seventh sealed scroll.

The Sounding of the Seven Shofars (Trumpets) of Judgment

8:2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven shofars [trumpets] were given to them.
8:3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the holy ones on the golden altar which was before the throne. 8:4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the holy ones, went up before God out of the angel's hand.

God has granted the Earth and its human inhabitants amazing freedom! Recall Lucifer's challenge that humanity, under his guidance, would prefer to fend for themselves without reliance on and submission to the One God. This was the essence of his challenge recorded in the Book of Job and is the running theme of the Bible. Throughout history both Jews and Gentiles have failed to take advantage of this wondrous gift of life and establish a just and compassionate world for all. Rather we have conclusively demonstrated our utter need for God and His righteous administration. Indeed this is the essential reason for the Kingdom of God and why the righteous throughout the Age, including our Master, have consistently prayed for the Kingdom to be established and for God's Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Now, as this chapter opens, that need is more clear than ever! The New World Order has established global fascism and enslaved the world and is now finalizing it power under a leader who can only be the foretol Antichrist! Paraphrasing Revelation 4:10, 'the twenty-four elders who represent life on Earth now prostrate themselves before HaShem and throw their crowns at his feet, demonstrated their acknowledgment of our collective inability and our need for God's rule.

We need God and our prayers for His protection and direction are here being symbolically added to sweet smelling angelic incense as a prayer that He will now intervene in the affairs of the planet and save us from the Beast and his New World Order. We pray that HaShem will do whatever must be done to purify the planet, establish the Kingdom and be our Master.

8:5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Note this combination carefully! According to the prophet HaShem is not happy with the Earth! His is a holy fire of righteousness indignation! He has seen the abuse of the poor, the weak, the helpless. He has watched as warfare destroyed the peace and decimated everything. As our Father He is saddened by our abuses, our disobedience, our cruelty, and our rebellion against Him... His Holy Anger is now added in measure to the prayers of the saints and the incense of the angles. The time has now come for HaShem to send forth His Moshiach, save His people and establish His Kingdom!

This combination of incense, prayers and divine wrath is now cast (ballo: hurled or thrown with great force) onto the Earth! with devastating results!

As previously discussed, the first six of the seven sealed scrolls were all opened during the first three and half years. They were opened in preparation for this Seventh Sealed Scroll and the Sounding of the Seven Shofars it heralds. These Soundings will occur in chronological order over the next few years. The Seventh Shofar or Trumpet will announce the establishment of the Earthly Kingdom of HaShem.

As the seven shofars are sounded we will be moving farther and farther into the Seven Years by months and years. While we know the basic time line of these events we can not establish exact dates for any of them. Once the seventh shofar sounds John will return us to this same period and share much more information.

It is important to remember that this is war not just nature gone awry! The weapons used are not planes and tanks but the powers of the Earth itself! It is Moshiach who is unleashing these forces on the Earth! Moshiach is fighting Lucifer and empowering us as his agents. Lucifer is fighting Moshiach and empowering Rex Mundi and his troops against us. The Tribulation period is not something we will merely be trying to survive, we will be soldiers or we will be fodder! And GOD can and will empower us to stand if that is our desire! The world will be utterly enmeshed in a war like it has never before experienced and everyone on the planet will be a participant!

There is a common belief that those living in the Tribulation Period will be huddled in fear and only trying to survive. This belief suggests that Moshiach will come at the very end of the Seven Years, defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon, and declare himself King. But as we have already seen it is Moshiach who opening the Scrolls! It is Moshiach who is leading the troops. Moshiach will be intimately involved through this war!

8:6 The seven angels who had the seven shofars prepared themselves to sound.

The First Shofar/Trumpet

8:7 The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

As I have said a few times now, if the prophecies make sense literally, take them that way! Much can learned and inferred from each of these events however this is a cursory study (that we can expand on in the comments sections of my blog -- linked here -- if there are questions/thoughts). For now, understand that these events are going to occur as Moshiach attacks and counterattacks Rex Mundi and prepares for the implementation of his Theocratic Kingdom.

Recall this verse from before: 6:8 And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades [Sheol: the grave] followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him.

The attack now being described follows that one and the percentages cited here and elsewhere are best understood as percentages of what remains. To clarify, this "third" is a third of the remaining three quarters. But again, these figures are probably a bit general and should not be taken to mean that just because an area was hit once it wont be hit again. The world has now entered its most chaotic period in history: "Unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would survive. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened" (Matt 24:22).

It has been said, and doubtless correctly so, that these attacks will be targeted by both sides. Those living in areas where the majority of people embrace the Rex Mundi will probably be harder hit by Moshiach's attacks than those living in areas of resistance and vice-versa. It is likely that those who listen to the Voice of God may receive warnings. This seems logical enough. However to be clear, there are no guarantees and most people are not going to survive these Seven Years. Nonetheless those living in the cities, those living in areas that show more philosophical tolerance and support for New World Order than other areas, those areas where self-sufficiency at least on a survival level is not feasible, may wish to seriously consider relocated while that is still possible.

The Second Shofar/Trumpet

8:8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 8:9 and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.

There is every reason to take these prophecies literally. Throughout history humankind has demonstrated its lack of regard for the Earth. Humans were placed here to be caretakers of the planet (Gen. 2:15) but instead they exploited and abused it. Now the Earth is being devastated for the third time so that the Kingdom of HaShem can be established.

These devastations are vast and almost beyond comprehension, however a slight adjustment in our thinking may help us understand what is being done.

The Earth belongs to HaShem.

Lucifer challenged that humanity would prefer to handle its own affairs under his leadership and so HaShem granted Lucifer control of the Earth within certain limitations. Humans would be free to obey God or follow Lucifer. THIS freedom will be lost for those who receive the coming Mark of the Beast!

Thus Lucifer became the "god of this world." When Lucifer offered to make Y'shua ruler of the Earth he was serious!

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took him [Y'shua] to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 4:9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." 4:10 Then Y'shua said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'"

Lucifer could make this offer because HaShem had previously empowered him to do so!

II Corinthians 4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; 4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded...

GOD is all powerful! He reigns supreme! And yet He gives us freedom. Even as we can disobey GOD we can disobey Lucifer! We choose!

So, Lucifer is the god of this world and its achievements and evils attest to his rule! Now Moshiach is clearing away the brush in order to establish the Kingdom of HaShem.

Under the theocratic administration of Moshiach the inhabitants of Earth will rebuild human civilization. What is happening in these verses is the destruction of the old world as the foundation of the new.

The Third Shofar/Trumpet

8:10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. 8:11 The name of the star is called "Wormwood." One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

The English word wormwood is used to refer to various plants. Here the word is apsinthos and almost certainly refers to absinthe, an anise-flavored herb extracted from the flowers and leaves of the Artemisia absinthium plant. When this herb is distilled it sometimes known as "la fée verte" (the Green Fairy). Drinking small amounts will give one a nice "high" however more than that and one becomes quite sick.

Humanity has abused diverse drugs throughout its history. Now a third of the water sources of the planet will become a highly intoxicating beverage! Some will drink but a bit to quench their thirst or seek out uncontaminated water sources, but others, seeking an escape from the many woes or reveling in intoxication for its own sake, will gorge themselves on the drug and become quite drunk and then violently ill. Recall the situation of those in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the United States dropped nuclear bombs on them. Many of the survivors spoke of their almost uncontrollable thirst. Countless people who had survived the initial U.S. bombing rushed into the rivers and streams drinking deeply of the radioactive waters. Those who were wise suffered from their intense thirst but only drank enough to survive. This will probably be a similar experience. Many will die from the absinthe-tainted waters.

The Fourth Shofar/Trumpet

8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn't shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.
8:13 I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the shofars of the three angels, who are yet to sound!"

We could set forth several interesting and frightening possibilities here! For example, NASA has stated that they are considering nuking the Moon! Our text however gives few details and I assume that this will be an action by Moshiach as stated.

Here Ends Chapter Eight.

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