The Pause. 8:1 The Prayer. 8:2-4 The Preview. 8:5 The Preparation 8:6 1. Preparation for the judgment of the trumpets. 8:1-6 V.1 a) Silence in heaven - I. The only mention of silence in Revelation. II. Its a time of silence before the storm; it’ s like the eye of a typhoon, 6 seal judgments has already been released, now the seventh seal is broken containing 7 trumpets judgments and 7 bowls judgments. Hab. 2:20 Zeph.1:7-8; Zech. 2:13 III. Perhaps the silence in heaven is connected to the answering of prayers. v.3-5 V.2 b) Seven trumpets - I. The angels have a special place of ministry: They stand before God, perhaps they are high ranked angels. II. 7 trumpets are given them, which releases judgments upon the world. III. At the fall of Jericho Israel marched in silence for 6 days, at the seventh day 7 trumpets sounded and then the walls of Jericho fell. Joshua Ch.6 IV. The 7 trumpets are announcers of God’ s judgments. V.3 c) Saints prayers - I. In the Old Testament the priests had golden bowls with incense in it, the incense was burned on the altar of incense. Ex.30:1-10; 34-38; Lev.16:12-13; 1.Kings 7:50; 1.Chr.28:17; 2.Chr.4:22; Jer.52:19; Zech.14:20 II. Incense represents the prayers of the saints. Psalms 141:1-2; Luke 1:5-11 A. Perhaps the prayers for His Kingdom to come. Matt.6:10 B. Perhaps the prayers for His judgment. Luke 18:7-8; Rev.6:10 III. It’ s the prayers of all the saints, no prayer is lost or forgotten. IV. This altar is the only altar in the heavenly temple, the sacrificial bronze altar for sin is not in the temple for Christ has fulfilled its purpose. Ex.27:1-8; Heb.10:1-10 V.4 d) Smoke ascends - Prayer Ascends. Why are these prayers first coming before God now? I. They had been received by God but stored until the time of fulfilment. II. God always answers prayers, the way He answers are: A. Go - Move by faith. B. Slow - In the right time. C. Grow - When you are ready. D. No - Its not My will for you (No is also an answer). V.5 e) Severe answer of prayer - Prayer Answered. Ezek.10:2-7 I. It seems that God answers the prayers by shacking the earth. Ezek.10:2 II. Perhaps they are prayers for: A. His salvation, which God answers by awakening people before judgment falls. B. His kingdom to come, which God answers by shakings. C. His judgment, which God answers by shaking the world and releasing the trumpet judgments. Ex.3:7-10 V.6 f) Seven angels prepares - Preparation to sound is needed because of the severity of the judgments and the blast they will make.