Revelation 8 is another chapter from the Book of Revelation, which describes the opening of the seventh seal and the events that follow. The chapter is part of a series of visions that the Apostle John receives, depicting the end times and God’s final judgment.
Summary of Revelation 8:
The Seventh Seal and the Silence in Heaven:
- Verse 1: When the Lamb (Jesus Christ) opens the seventh seal, there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. This silence signifies the awe and solemnity of the moment, as it precedes the coming judgments.
The Seven Trumpets:
- Verses 2-6: After the silence, seven angels are given seven trumpets. Another angel comes and stands at the altar with a golden censer, offering incense mixed with the prayers of the saints. The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers, ascends before God. The angel then takes the censer, fills it with fire from the altar, and throws it to the earth, resulting in thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. This action marks the beginning of the trumpet judgments.
The First Four Trumpet Judgments:
- Verses 7-12: The first four trumpets are sounded, each bringing a specific judgment on the earth:
- First Trumpet (Verse 7): Hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown to the earth, burning up a third of the trees and all green grass.
- Second Trumpet (Verses 8-9): Something like a great mountain, burning with fire, is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turns to blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea die, and a third of the ships are destroyed.
- Third Trumpet (Verses 10-11): A great star, named Wormwood, falls from the sky, poisoning a third of the rivers and springs of water. Many people die from the bitter waters.
- Fourth Trumpet (Verse 12): A third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck, causing a third of the day and night to be darkened.
The Eagle’s Warning:
- Verse 13: As the chapter closes, John sees an eagle flying in mid-heaven, crying out with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” This is a warning of the even more severe judgments that are to come with the next three trumpets.
Revelation 8 portrays a dramatic escalation in the divine judgments, with the first four trumpets bringing catastrophic destruction to the earth’s natural order. The chapter sets the stage for the final three trumpets, which are referred to as the three “woes” due to their intensity and severity.
The Strength card is the eighth card in the Major Arcana of a tarot deck. It symbolizes inner strength, courage, and the ability to overcome obstacles through calmness and compassion rather than brute force. Here’s a deeper look into the card:
Imagery and Symbols:
- A Woman with a Lion: The traditional depiction of the Strength card shows a woman gently taming a lion. The woman represents patience, calmness, and control, while the lion symbolizes raw emotions, instinct, and sometimes anger or passion. The woman’s ability to control the lion with a gentle touch rather than force indicates the triumph of inner strength over brute strength.
- Infinity Symbol: Often, the woman is depicted with an infinity symbol (a lemniscate) above her head, representing infinite potential, balance, and harmony.
- The Setting: The background is usually peaceful and serene, symbolizing the calm that comes from mastering one’s inner self.
Meaning (Upright):
When the Strength card appears upright in a tarot reading, it usually signifies:
- Inner Strength: You have the strength within you to face any challenge that comes your way. This strength is not about physical power but rather mental and emotional resilience.
- Courage: You are called to approach situations with bravery, even if you feel fear or doubt.
- Compassion and Patience: Handling a situation with kindness and understanding rather than aggression will lead to better outcomes. It’s about showing compassion to others and to yourself.
- Self-Control: The card suggests that you are in control of your emotions, and you can manage any impulses or desires that might lead you astray.
- Overcoming Challenges: You can conquer any obstacles by maintaining a calm and composed attitude.
Meaning (Reversed):
When reversed, the Strength card can indicate:
- Self-Doubt: You may be feeling insecure or lacking confidence in your abilities.
- Lack of Control: You might be struggling to manage your emotions or impulses, leading to actions driven by anger or fear.
- Weakness: There could be a situation where you feel powerless or overwhelmed.
- Aggression: The reversed card might suggest that you’re trying to force a situation or using power in a harmful way, rather than leading with compassion and patience.
Key Themes:
- Inner strength, courage, compassion, self-control, patience, overcoming obstacles, resilience, and the balance between raw emotions and calm reasoning.
The Strength card encourages you to harness your inner power with grace, showing that true strength lies in the ability to remain calm and composed, even in the face of adversity.
