Revelation 8

The story of the Bible essentially comes down to the suspense

Here in Revelation we begin to see the answer to that question.

Previously, we saw that Jesus is the answer to that question. John anticipated as Jesus broke off the seals to God's rescue plan that all would be revealed.

The first thing that happened was silence. Isn't that a bit underwhelming? The silence we see here is an awestruckness that comes from a natural response in worship to what has been revealed. There is a solemn realisation of the weight of what God is about to so.

There is a connection with the people of God praying and the coming of God's kingdom. The censer and incense represent corporate prayer to God. Their prayers are answered in the form of judgement of the world. God brings His kingdom through justice an judgement by the answering of our prayers. God loves to collaborate with us in bringing about His kingdom. This is a sobering reminder that God's kingdom bring about the destruction of all who stand against Him. But remember that for all who trust Him Jesus took that destruction on Himself on the cross so we won't be destroyed.