Revelation 8
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedWhen the seventh seal is opened "there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour," and seven angels are given seven trumpets. An angel offers incense "with the prayers of all saints" at the golden altar, then fills the censer with fire and casts it to the earth. The first four trumpets bring hail and fire, a burning mountain into the sea, a star "called Wormwood," and darkness, each striking "the third part," and an angel cries, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth." Revelation 8:1Revelation 8:2Revelation 8:3Revelation 8:5Revelation 8:7Revelation 8:8Revelation 8:11Revelation 8:12Revelation 8:13
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The Lamb opening the seal, seven angels with trumpets, and another angel with "a golden censer." Revelation 8:1Revelation 8:2Revelation 8:3
Where
From the golden altar "before the throne," judgments fall on earth, sea, rivers and sky. Revelation 8:3Revelation 8:7Revelation 8:8Revelation 8:10Revelation 8:12
When
Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation overview
How it fits
Chapter 7 ended with God wiping away tears; now the seventh seal is opened. Chapter 9 continues with the fifth trumpet: "I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth." Revelation 7:17Revelation 8:1Revelation 9:1
Key verses
- Verse 4
"The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand." The judgments that follow come after the saints' prayers rise to God. Revelation 8:4Revelation 8:5
- Verse 12
"The third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars." Isaiah 13:10 also says "the sun shall be darkened." Revelation 8:12Isaiah 13:10
- Verse 13
"Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound." Revelation 8:13
Takeaway
The prayers of God's people rise up before Him, and His judgments on the earth are real. Revelation 8:4Revelation 8:5Revelation 8:13
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
The seventh seal and the incense
1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The first four trumpets
7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 10And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!