End Times

Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake. [Revelation 8.5]

Man, Revelation is intense!

Before this verse, chapter 7 of Revelation speaks of 144,000 people of the tribes of Israel who are given the "seal of God" on their foreheads before the events described in chapter 8 begin. The seal they were given exempted them from being adversely affected by the events described in chapter 8.

Then, a "vast crowd" of others are mentioned who are seen posthumously in heaven before God's throne worshipping Him. There are too many of these people to count. They died in (or, came out of) the great tribulation, which would appear to be the events beginning in Revelation 8. It is possible that these were "raptured" out, but it will require more study to know for sure...

When the events of chapter 8 commence, it sounds very much like these circumstances are mostly the result of the earth's atmosphere being breached by fiery external forces (asteroids?). However, in the opening verses of chapter 8, it is very clear that these circumstances are predicated by "a great amount of incense" that was mixed with the prayers of God's people and poured upon a gold altar before God's throne. Interestingly enough, from that same altar then fire is removed and cast upon the earth. This fire appears to be described in further detail concurrent with "trumpet blasts" of severe judgment.

In further observation, chapter 9 contains the following:

But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts. [Revelation 9.20-21]

The people who remain after these terrible astronomical disasters, followed by the assault of the 200 million-strong army, are all grouped into one category: "unrepentant." To my understanding, this indicates the absence of "God's people" - maybe so, maybe not.

The one thing that stands out from this portion of Revelation today is the need to be ready. According to the Bible, things are going to get ugly.

Father, I want to be prepared for the days ahead. Teach me Your Word - make it alive in my life. Let my life reflect Jesus and Jesus alone.