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Commentary on the Book of Revelation, Chapter 8:

The Lamb breaks the seventh and final seal on the scroll of God, and silence falls in Heaven. Again we are reminded that prayers of faithful on earth are brought to Heaven before God (5:8), but this time the incense that brings prayers is also hurled to earth to bring destruction. Seven angels will blow trumpets, and as the first four trumpets blow, various disasters impact creation, from the seas, to the stars, to the people on the earth. Three woes are given to those who have survived this much, for they will experience worse as the final three trumpets are blown.

The Book of Revelation, Chapter 8:

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was si­lence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; 4 and the smoke of the in­cense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth;† and there were peals of thunder, loud noises, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The Seven Angels and Seven Trumpets

6 Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets made ready to blow them.
7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, which fell on the earth; and a third of the earth was burnt up, and a third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
8 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea; 9 and a third of the sea became blood, a third of the living crea­tures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the fountains of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the water, because it was made bitter.
12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light was darkened; a third of the day was kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.
13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice, as it flew in midheaven, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets which the three angels are about to blow!”

*Daily Lectio Divina Question:

"And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne." (v.3) This imagery is so liturgical and for Catholics cannot help but call to mind the priest at mass incensing the altar. Visualize incense rising up in fragrant twists and curls and imagine your prayers "mingling" with that incense. What is your sense about this moment that seems to call your senses to awaken? What is your sense about the significance of your prayers?

Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc, or online.

Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
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