Revelation 8: Silence and Trumpets

When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. Seven angels are given seven trumpets. Another angel offers much incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar, and the smoke rises before God. Then the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth, and there are thunders and an earthquake. The first four trumpets sound, and a third of the earth, the sea, the rivers and the sky are struck. An eagle cries, Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because three more trumpets are yet to sound.

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Read Revelation 8

World English Bible · 13 verses

¹ When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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 saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, then threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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 burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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 water.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The name of the star is “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Revelation 8 · Preschool

Prayers Go Up

Name Date

Color the sweet smoke of incense rising to God. God hears our prayers!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”

Revelation 8:4 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Explain that in John’s vision the prayers of God’s people rise to God like sweet smoke. God hears every prayer. Take a quiet moment and pray together.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Revelation 8 · Grade 4

Seven Trumpets

Name Date

Read and Think

The Lamb opens the seventh seal, and there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. After all the loud praise, everything stops. Then John sees seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets are given to them. In the Bible, trumpets often announce that God is acting.

Another angel stands at the golden altar with a golden censer. He is given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints. The smoke rises before God. Then the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth. Thunders, lightnings, and an earthquake follow. The prayers of God’s people are part of how God’s plan moves forward.

The first four trumpets sound. Each one strikes a third part of creation: the land and trees, the sea, the rivers and springs, and the sun, moon, and stars. A third is not everything. These judgments are warnings that call people to turn to God. An eagle flies through the sky crying, Woe, woe, woe, because three more trumpets are coming.

Show What You Know

What happens right after the seventh seal opens?
What do trumpets often announce in the Bible?
What happens after the fire is thrown to the earth?
Why does the chapter say a third rather than everything?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

prayersaltarGodangel

Then John sees seven angels who stand before , and seven trumpets are given to them.
Another stands at the golden altar with a golden censer.
He is given much incense to offer with the of all the saints.
Then the angel fills the censer with fire from the and throws it to the earth.

Think About It

Why do you think heaven goes silent before the trumpets?
How does this chapter show that your prayers matter?

Memory Verse

“The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, then threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed.”

Revelation 8:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When has a warning helped you make a good choice?
How are the trumpets like the plagues in Exodus?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Revelation 8 · Grade 5

Prayers and Warnings

Name Date

Read and Think

When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. After the songs of chapters 4 to 7, the silence is striking. It may picture awe before God acts, or a hush so that the prayers of the saints can be heard. Then John sees the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets are given to them. Trumpets in Scripture call people to attention, sound alarms, and announce the Lord’s coming.

Before any trumpet sounds, another angel stands at the altar holding a golden censer. Much incense is given to him to add to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, goes up before God. Then the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it on the earth, and there are thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. The cries of chapter 6, How long, have been heard. God’s answer to his people’s prayers begins.

The first four trumpets echo the plagues on Egypt in Exodus: hail and fire, water turned to blood, darkness. Each affects a third of the land, sea, fresh waters, or sky. The limit to a third shows these are partial judgments meant to warn, not to end everything. Then John sees an eagle flying in mid heaven, crying with a loud voice, Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!

Show What You Know

What two ideas might the silence picture?
What do trumpets do in Scripture?
Which earlier events do the first four trumpets echo?
What does the limit to a third show?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

angelprayersaltarGod

It may picture awe before God acts, or a hush so that the of the saints can be heard.
Then John sees the seven angels who stand before , and seven trumpets are given to them.
Before any trumpet sounds, another stands at the altar holding a golden censer.
Much incense is given to him to add to the prayers of all the saints on the golden before the throne.

Think About It

How does it change prayer to know God gathers the prayers of his people like incense?
Why might God send warnings before final judgment?

Memory Verse

I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

Revelation 8:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When is it good to be quiet before God?
Why does the eagle warn about three more trumpets?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Revelation 8: Silence and Trumpets

Read Revelation 8

Worksheets

Prayers Go Up

Prayer

Take It Home

Prayers

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Silence in Heaven

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

Quiet in Heaven

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

The Prayers of the Saints

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Story Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Seven Trumpets

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Prayers and Warnings

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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