The blowing of the first four trumpets in Revelation 8 and the opening of the six seals are similar in that there is an impact on the earth and in the cosmos. We get Images of fire, blood, and stars falling to earth. The sun, moon, and stars turn dark.
John is speaking to us about a vision and we are getting into visionary symbolism and must keep this in mind as we proceed. One question that came to my mind when reading: What is God’s purpose for the happenings here? Here’s a link to a blog I follow by Christopher C. Randolph who has written on the book of Revelation:revelation-8-the-seventh-seal. Is John’s vision drawing us into the mystery of God? Is this a call to deepen our relationship with Him?
Some thoughts that came to me during this reading: To a certain extent, we have had catastrophes in recent times that are similar to what is being portrayed in this reading. They are just not as severe as described in today’s passage. We’ve had meteors disintegrate in the earth’s atmosphere near Russia. There was contamination in ocean waters that killed many sea creatures after the nuclear facility was damaged from the tsunami a few years ago in Japan.
To me, God is giving us a lesson that there is a beginning and an end. There are mysteries that are impossible for us to understand and John is giving us this vision to make us think. John is giving us a big picture of the history of God’s people which I’m just not capable of understanding.
Each day with God is amazing because we have an opportunity to keep investigating the mysteries of God and sharing with others.
