81 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal , there was silence in heaven for about half an hour . 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God , and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar , holding a golden censer ; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne . 4 And the smoke of the incense , with the prayers of the saints , went up before God out of the angel's hand . 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar , and threw it to the earth ; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake .
6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 8:1-6
Commentary on Revelation 8:1-6
(Read Revelation 8:1-6)
The seventh seal is opened. There was profound silence in heaven for a space; all was quiet in the church, for whenever the church on earth cries through oppression, that cry reaches up to heaven; or it is a silence of expectation. Trumpets were given to the angels, who were to sound them. The Lord Jesus is the High Priest of the church, having a golden censer, and much incense, fulness of merit in his own glorious person. Would that men studied to know the fulness that is in Christ, and endeavoured to be acquainted with his excellency. Would that they were truly persuaded that Christ has such an office as that of Intercessor, which he now performs with deep sympathy. No prayers, thus recommended, was ever denied hearing and acceptance. These prayers, thus accepted in heaven, produced great changes upon earth. The Christian worship and religion, pure and heavenly in its origin and nature, when sent down to earth and conflicting with the passions and worldly projects of sinful men, produced remarkable tumults, here set forth in prophetical language, as our Lord himself declared, Luke 12:49.