啓示錄 8 章 Revelations 8
- 馬克牧師
- Jul 8
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 29
各位平安，這一講我們要繼續默想《啟示錄》第八章的經文。
當前六印被揭開後，地上出現了極大的災難，並且有四位騎士出現，對世界施行審判。現在，第七印即將揭開。在這之前，天上出現了一段寂靜，彷彿是暴風雨前的寧靜，全地也靜默下來，等待著最後審判的降臨。
我們看到有一位天使拿著香爐，站在祭壇旁。他把眾聖徒的祈禱，連同香，一同獻在金壇上，呈到神面前。隨後，這位天使把盛滿香的香爐倒在地上，帶來更大的震動與毀滅——雷轟、大聲、閃電，還有地震。
在這裡，我想插播一小段故事，當然這不是出自聖經，也不在正統教義當中。這個故事比較像是一種歷史傳說，或者我們就當作是「信仰界的奇幻小說」來聽一聽吧。
相傳在某些早期文獻中，有一部書叫《天階》（Celestial Hierarchy），它把天使的等級分為三大類、九個等次。這個分類法曾在天主教會早期被一些人接受，甚至被列為次經之一。不過到了二十世紀末，根據《天主教教理問答》，這套說法已經不再被承認；在基督教主流信仰裡也從來沒有被當作正統教義。
但有趣的是，在這套系統中，有一個傳說性的名單，提到「七位顯現的天使長」，也就是擔任特殊任務與啟示工作的天使。他們分別是：
· 烏利爾（Uriel）
· 拉斐耳（Raphael）
· 拉貴耳（Raguel，又有作 Razuel 的拼法）
· 米迦勒（Michael）但以理書10:13, 12:1，猶大書1:9
· 沙利耳（Sariel）
· 加百列（Gabriel）路加福音1:11-20, 但以理書 8:16, 9:21
· 利米耳（Remiel）
這些名字在一些古代文獻或文藝作品中出現過，但我們要記得，這並不是出自《啟示錄》的經文，也不是我們信仰的核心內容。不過當作一段小插曲，倒是挺有意思，也可以幫助我們從另一個角度理解「天使」這個角色在歷史與文化中的想像。
接下來，我們看到約翰所記錄的七個號角聲。這時，有七位天使站起來，各自拿起號角，準備吹響審判的號聲。
談到這些號角聲，我們也要注意，它背後其實有非常重要的含義。
首先，號角在古代常常用來發出警告。當人們聽到號聲，就會立刻警覺——可能有危險、災難或某種重大事件即將發生。它是一種喚醒人心的聲音。
第二，號角也代表戰爭的開始。在戰場上，號聲一響，軍隊就得整裝待發，準備迎戰。這也象徵著屬靈爭戰的展開，是對信徒的一種提醒——要站穩、預備好。
第三，號角還代表君王的來臨。古時候，當國王進城時，會有人吹號宣告：「王來了！」這也是對耶穌基督再來的預表——那位永恆的君王將要臨到。
所以，這七個號角不只是災難的預兆，它們同時是在做三件事：一、警告這個世界；二、宣告屬靈爭戰的開始；三、預備迎接我們的主——耶穌基督的再來。這樣的號角聲，是極為合適且深具意義的宣告方式。
當第一位天使吹號時，就有冰雹與火摻著血，被丟在地上。這一幕，讓我們聯想到《出埃及記》中法老所遭遇的災難，當時天降火與冰雹，毀壞了埃及的農作物。而這裡加上了「血」的元素，使災難的畫面更加駭人、更具警醒意味。
緊接著，我們看到有一座「火燒的大山」被扔進海裡，導致海水的三分之一變成了血。這幅異象，同樣也令人聯想到埃及河水變血的災難。但這裡提到的是「一座大山」，有學者推測這可能象徵的是火山爆發。
例如，西元79年義大利的維蘇威火山（Vesuvius）爆發，就是一次毀滅性的災難。短短幾分鐘內，整個龐貝城與周邊地區被摧毀，火山灰掩埋了無數生命。這場災難的消息，很可能傳遍整個羅馬帝國。而約翰可能正是藉著這樣熟悉的歷史事件，來描繪神審判時的可怕景象——就像一座燃燒的山掉進海裡，帶來混亂與毀滅。
當第三位天使吹號的時候，有一顆星從天上墜落，名字叫做「茵蔯」（Wormwood）。這個名字對熟悉舊約的人來說，是再熟悉不過的象徵了。
在以色列人的記憶中，茵蔯是一種帶有極強苦味的植物。他們最怕的，就是這種植物所代表的意涵 —— 它象徵著拜偶像所帶來的結果與神的審判。在《申命記》第29章第18節中，上帝警告百姓不要離棄祂、去拜假神，否則就會「有惡根生出茵蔯與苦膽」來。
而在《耶利米書》中，上帝也透過先知多次提到，要把「茵蔯」給悖逆的百姓吃，把苦膽水給他們喝（參見耶利米書9:14-15、23:15）。這些經文中的「茵蔯」不是毒藥，但它那令人難以下嚥的苦味，是對以色列人極大的提醒和警戒。
所以，當《啟示錄》中說到這顆名叫茵蔯的星墜落，使江河和水泉變苦，許多人因此死亡，這並不是單純的自然災難，而是靈性上的審判——是上帝對離棄祂之人的警告。對當時的猶太人來說，這不只是災難的描述，而是一個深具歷史記憶與屬靈重量的警鐘。
接著，第四位天使吹號，異象中我們看到——日頭的三分之一、月亮的三分之一、星辰的三分之一都變為黑暗。白晝有三分之一失去光明，夜晚也是一樣。
這是一片極大的黑暗。
這一幕，讓人聯想到《出埃及記》中那場伸手不見五指的黑暗災——整片埃及地都陷入無光的恐懼之中。同樣地，這裡所描述的，也是一種令人敬畏的超自然現象。
但不只是天象異變，更可怕的是，這些我們仰賴判斷季節、方向、時間的太陽、月亮、星辰，竟然全部都失去了原本的運行與功用。它們不再發光，不再指引，彷彿宇宙的秩序被突然打亂。
這正是在告訴我們：當上帝的審判臨到時，不只是人類的系統、帝國的權力會動搖，連自然界的基本秩序——那些我們以為理所當然的運行，也都會被破壞、被摧毀。
最後，我們看到一個異象——有一隻鷹飛在空中，在天的正中央，用大聲呼喊說：
「禍哉！禍哉！禍哉！」
這是對地上居民的警告，因為接下來，還有三位天使要吹其餘的號角。換句話說，一切還沒有結束，災難還沒落幕，真正的審判仍在後頭。
這三聲「禍哉」不只是語氣上的重複，而是強調、加倍、再加倍的警告。它像是從天而降的警鐘，響徹全地，告訴世人：要醒悟，要悔改，要預備迎見那位公義審判的神。
啟示錄第六章給我們看到的是人為的戰爭，災難，饑荒，瘟疫來臨。而啟示錄第八章給我們看到的是一幅駭人的末日景象，各種恐怖的自然災禍來臨了，而這些只是前半段而已，下一講我們繼續默想第九章的經文，接下來三個天使吹號會有什麼樣的災禍呢？感謝各位的聆聽，願上帝祝福各位。
Peace to you all. In this message, we continue to reflect on the words of Revelation chapter 8.
After the first six seals were opened, great disasters fell upon the earth, and four horsemen appeared to bring judgment. Now, the seventh seal is about to be opened. But before that happens, there is a moment of silence in heaven—like the calm before a storm. The whole earth grows still, waiting for the final judgment to unfold.
We then see an angel holding a censer, standing beside the altar. He offers the prayers of the saints, together with incense, on the golden altar before God. After that, he throws the censer to the earth, and this act brings even greater destruction: peals of thunder, loud noises, lightning, and an earthquake.
At this point, I’d like to share a short story—not from the Bible, and certainly not part of official doctrine. It’s more like a historical legend—or maybe just a piece of “theological fantasy,” if you will.
In some early writings, there’s a book called The Celestial Hierarchy. It categorizes angels into three main spheres with nine levels. This system was accepted by some in the early Catholic Church and even treated as deuterocanonical for a time. However, by the end of the 20th century, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this teaching is no longer recognized. It was never considered part of core doctrine within the broader Christian faith.
Interestingly though, within this tradition is a legendary list of “the seven archangels”—heavenly beings said to carry out special missions and revelations. They are:
· Uriel
· Raphael
· Raguel (also spelled Razuel)
· Michael (see Daniel 10:13, 12:1; Jude 1:9)
· Sariel
· Gabriel (see Luke 1:11–20; Daniel 8:16, 9:21)
· Remiel
These names appear in ancient texts and artistic works, but we must remember: they are not mentioned in the book of Revelation, and they are not central to our faith. Still, as a side note, it's an intriguing piece of history that shows how angels have been imagined and understood in both religious and cultural traditions.
Now, we return to the seven trumpets recorded by John. At this point, seven angels stand up, each holding a trumpet, ready to sound the alarms of judgment.
These trumpet blasts carry significant meaning.
First, in ancient times, trumpets were used to give warnings. When people heard a trumpet blast, they knew something urgent was happening—danger, disaster, or some great event. It was a call to attention.
Second, trumpets signaled the beginning of war. When the trumpet sounded, armies had to gear up and prepare for battle. This also symbolizes the start of spiritual warfare—a reminder for believers to stand firm and be ready.
Third, trumpets marked the arrival of a king. In ancient times, when a king entered a city, the trumpet would sound to declare: “The king is here!” This, too, points forward to the return of Jesus Christ—the eternal King coming again.
So, these seven trumpets are not merely warnings of disaster. They serve three purposes:
1. To warn the world,
2. To declare the beginning of a spiritual battle, and
3. To announce the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a deeply fitting and meaningful form of proclamation.
When the first angel blew the trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down to the earth. This scene reminds us of the plagues in Egypt described in Exodus, where fire and hail destroyed crops. But now, with blood added to the image, the warning feels even more alarming—an intensified judgment.
Next, we see a “great mountain burning with fire” thrown into the sea, turning a third of the waters into blood. This too echoes the Egyptian plague of the Nile turning to blood. But this time, a mountain is involved. Some scholars suggest this may symbolize a volcanic eruption.
Take, for example, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 in Italy. In just minutes, the city of Pompeii and surrounding areas were destroyed, buried in volcanic ash. This tragedy likely sent shockwaves throughout the Roman Empire. Perhaps John was drawing from such a known historical event to describe the terrifying scope of God’s judgment—as if a blazing mountain were cast into the sea, bringing chaos and devastation.
When the third angel sounded the trumpet, a star fell from heaven, named “Wormwood.” To those familiar with the Old Testament, this name carries deep meaning.
Wormwood is a bitter plant known to the Israelites. They dreaded its taste, as it symbolized the consequences of idolatry and God’s judgment. In Deuteronomy 29:18, God warns the people not to turn to false gods, lest “a root bearing bitterness and wormwood” arise among them.
In Jeremiah 9:14–15 and 23:15, God says He will give rebellious people wormwood to eat and bitter water to drink. Wormwood is not poison, but its intense bitterness serves as a powerful spiritual symbol—a warning that disobedience leads to bitter consequences.
So, in Revelation, when the star named Wormwood falls and turns rivers and springs bitter—causing many to die—it is not just a natural disaster. It is a spiritual judgment: a clear warning from God to those who have forsaken Him. To the Jewish audience, this image would be deeply familiar and sobering.
Next, the fourth angel blew his trumpet. A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck and turned dark. A third of the day was without light—and likewise the night.
It was a darkness of terrifying magnitude.
This recalls the plague of darkness in Exodus, when the land of Egypt was enveloped in such deep blackness that no one could see or move. Once again, we see a supernatural phenomenon intended to provoke awe and fear.
But more than that, the sun, moon, and stars—elements we rely on to mark time, to guide seasons and directions—have now lost their function. They no longer shine, no longer guide. It’s as if the very order of creation has been disrupted.
This tells us something important: when God's judgment comes, not only will human systems and empires be shaken, but even the most basic structures of the natural world—those we take for granted—will be shattered and undone.
Finally, John sees an eagle flying high in the sky, calling out in a loud voice:
“Woe! Woe! Woe!”
This is a warning to the inhabitants of the earth, because three more angels are still to sound their trumpets. In other words, this is not over yet. The disasters we’ve seen are only the beginning—the true climax of judgment is still to come.
These three cries of “woe” are not just repetition for emphasis. They’re an intensifying alarm—a heavenly siren echoing across the world, calling people to wake up, repent, and prepare to meet the righteous Judge.
Revelation chapter 6 showed us the disasters caused by human hands—wars, famine, plague. But in chapter 8, we see terrifying scenes of cosmic and natural catastrophe. And yet, these are only the first half. In our next reflection, we’ll move into chapter 9 and see what happens when the final three angels sound their trumpets.
Thank you all for listening. May God bless you.
Comments