Seven trumpets

The seventh seal is opened

1When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2I noticed that the seven angels who stood before God were each given a trumpet.

3Another angel, who had a gold container for incense,8.3 incense: See the note at 5.8. came and stood at the altar. This one was given a lot of incense to offer with the prayers of God's people on the gold altar in front of the throne.8.3: a Am 9.1; b Ex 30.1,3. 4Then the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God's people, went up to God from the hand of the angel.

5After this, the angel filled the incense container with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth. Thunder roared, lightning flashed, and the earth shook.8.5: a Lv 16.12; Ez 10.2; b Ex 19.16; Rev 11.19; 16.18.

The trumpets

6The seven angels now got ready to blow their trumpets.

7When the first angel blew his trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. A third of the earth, a third of the trees, and a third of all green plants were burnt.8.7: Ex 9.23-25; Ez 38.22.

8When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a great fiery mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, 9a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10When the third angel blew his trumpet, a great star fell from heaven. It was burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on a third of the springs of water.8.10: Is 14.12. 11The name of the star was Bitter, and a third of the water turned bitter. Many people died because the water was so bitter.8.11: Jr 9.15.

12When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck. They each lost a third of their light. So during a third of the day there was no light, and a third of the night was also without light.8.12: Is 13.10; Ez 32.7; Jl 2.10,31; 3.15.

13Then I looked and saw a lone eagle flying across the sky. It was shouting, “Trouble, trouble, trouble to everyone who lives on earth! The other three angels are now going to blow their trumpets.”