Revelation Chapter 8 - 7th Seal, 7 Trumpets

In Chapter 8 we will see the 7th seal brokened. When the 7th seal is brokened it brings forth 7 trumpets. Sounding one at a time, each one will bring forth a distinct part of the wrath of God. 

When the seal is broken, there will be silence in heaven for about a half an hour.  I would like to be able to tell you exactly why there was silence in heaven for a half hour, but it would only be speculation.  I would imagine that silence in heaven is not a common event.  Usually we have seen the elders and angels before the throne proclaiming praises to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.  I would speculate that it was a solemn preparation for what was shortly about to take place.  In this John saw :

1) The 7 angels who stand before God, each given a trumpet.
2) Another angel stood at the altar holding a golden censer, and incense was given to him, so that he could add it to the prayers of the saints that were upon the golden altar, that was before the throne.
Remember, in Chapter 5, we saw golden bowls filled with incense, which were the prayers of the saints.  In Chapter 6, we saw the saints under the altar crying out with a loud voice,

         "How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

On earth, the saints lived with the command from the apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, 12th chapter, verse 19,

         "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine , I will repay,' says the Lord."

This was definitely a common prayer before God, by the saints.  So in combination with all the other prayers ever prayed, by all the saints, the response by God to all these prayers were about to be answered.  Remember, the apostle Peter wrote in his 2nd letter Chapter 3, verse 9,

        " The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

This would seem to be a solemn moment for Jesus.  He is glad that His bride, the church, is with Him, but mindful of all those who had refused to receive Him unto eternal life.  They must now receive the  conscequence of not doing so, which is the wrath of God.  Jesus must act, because they are destroying men and the earth, with their militaries and weapons.  All who are left are following the commands of the anti -christ and have received the mark of the beast.

3) The smoke of the incense, with the prayers or the saints, went up before God out of the angels hand.
4) The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth.
5) There followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
6) The 7 angels who had the 7 trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.