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Revelation 8:5

ESV Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
NIV Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
NASB Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and sounds, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
CSB The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
NLT Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake.
KJV And 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.
NKJV Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

What does Revelation 8:5 mean?

This verse reports the last thing that happens in heaven before the trumpet judgments begin. In the prior verse, the smoke rising from burnt incense represented the prayers of God's people. The eighth angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and hurls it onto the earth. The altar represents sacrifice for sinners, and fire represents judgment.

Because Jesus, God's Lamb, was sacrificed on the cross for our sin, God withholds His judgment from us. Romans 8:1 explains, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." However, in Revelation 8:5 judgment on sinners follows the altar of sacrifice. Those who remained unbelievers prior to the tribulation had rejected Christ's atonement and therefore must experience God's judgment. The tribulation judgments offer a stern warning to all today who harden their hearts against the Savior. Proverbs 29:1 cautions: "He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing." The Scripture urges: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15).

Loud thunder, rumblings, streaks of lightning, and an earthquake precede the seven trumpet judgments. These ominous occurrences must truly cause earth's inhabitants to tremble.
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