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The Seventh Seal and the Trumpets
Today's passage starts with another interlude, glimpsing the population of heaven worshiping God, using the words of a song we sometimes sing, "Salvation Belongs to Our God".
After this brief interlude, the seventh seal is opened - silence. This is most likely in waiting for the great wrath of God that is about to be poured out in the seven trumpets. The trumpets are pretty straightforward for the most part, but I want to deal quickly with the third trumpet - Wormwood.
The Seventh Seal and the Trumpets
Today's passage starts with another interlude, glimpsing the population of heaven worshiping God, using the words of a song we sometimes sing, "Salvation Belongs to Our God".
After this brief interlude, the seventh seal is opened - silence. This is most likely in waiting for the great wrath of God that is about to be poured out in the seven trumpets. The trumpets are pretty straightforward for the most part, but I want to deal quickly with the third trumpet - Wormwood.
| "Wormwood: A leafy plant which causes water to become extremely bitter when added to it (Prov 5:3–4; Jer 9:15; 23:15; Lam 3:15). Though wormwood is not poisonous, it can be combined with other elements that are (e.g., Deut 29:18, where “poisonous and bitter fruit” is actually “gall and wormwood”; Lam 3:19). The waters are called wormwood because the object from the sky made them bitter. Prolonged exposure to wormwood increases water’s toxicity." [1] | 
Wormwood Plant
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Since today's passage is more straightforward, I want to close with a quick though from the Life Application Bible Commentary:
"HOW LONG?
In Revelation 6:10, the martyrs called out to God, “How long will it be before you judge the people who belong to this world for what they have done to us?” (NLT). In 8:3, incense mixed with the prayers of the saints ascends to God, and God responds with judgment in answer to the anguished prayers of the suffering and martyred believers.
As we see the world’s wickedness, we too may cry out to God, “How long?” In the following chapters, the judgment comes at last. We may be distressed and impatient, but God has his plan and his timing, and we must learn to trust him to know what is best. Judgment is coming—be sure of that. Thank God for the time he has given you to turn from sin. Use the available time to warn others to turn to him." [2]
"HOW LONG?
In Revelation 6:10, the martyrs called out to God, “How long will it be before you judge the people who belong to this world for what they have done to us?” (NLT). In 8:3, incense mixed with the prayers of the saints ascends to God, and God responds with judgment in answer to the anguished prayers of the suffering and martyred believers.
As we see the world’s wickedness, we too may cry out to God, “How long?” In the following chapters, the judgment comes at last. We may be distressed and impatient, but God has his plan and his timing, and we must learn to trust him to know what is best. Judgment is coming—be sure of that. Thank God for the time he has given you to turn from sin. Use the available time to warn others to turn to him." [2]
[1] John D. Barry, Michael R. Grigoni, Michael S. Heiser et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012), Re 8:11.
[2] Bruce B. Barton, Revelation, ed. Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000), 98.
[2] Bruce B. Barton, Revelation, ed. Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000), 98.
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