Last time we saw the opening of the first six of the seven seals revealing the four horsemen, the martyrs under the altar, and a great earthquake. Before the opening of the seventh seal John sees four angels at the four corners of the earth and another angel that is sent to seal the 144,000, that is, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Then there's a great multitude from every nation dressed in white and praising the Lord. They have come out of the tribulation and made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.  

The Lamb will be their Shepherd for eternity.

8:1-2

Seal 7: When the Lamb opened this final seal there was "silence in heaven for about half an hour." Remember John's previous description of heaven as a place with thunder, lightening, loud voices that sounded like trumpets, etc. Now, for a short time there is silence. John saw seven angels who were given seven trumpets.

v. 3-6 An angel had a golden censer (a vessel used for burning incense). At the altar he offered incense and the smoke rose up with the prayers of the saints. The angel filled the censer with fire from the altar and threw it forcefully to the earth bringing lightening, thunder and an earthquake. The seven angels prepared to sound their trumpets.

v. 7 Trumpet 1: hail and fire mixed with blood came down upon the earth. A third of the earth and trees were burned up and all the grass.

v. 8-9 Trumpet 2: something like a large fiery mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the sea creatures died, a third of the ships were destroyed.

v. 10-11 Trumpet 3: a great blazing star fell on a third of the rivers and springs. A third of the fresh water turned bitter and many people died from the bitter water. The star's name was Wormwood which means bitterness.

v. 12 Trumpet 4: a third of the day and night were without light because a third of the sun, moon and stars were struck by the angel.

v. 13 Next an eagle flew in midair and shouted, "Woe, woe, woe." because of what was coming with the next three trumpets.

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2 Corinthians 5:6 - 7:3 

we and us = Paul and his coworkers in ministry

you = the Corinthian believers.

5:6-11 Paul sees himself in his present state but lives by faith in the coming resurrection which is unseen. Whether he is in the physical body or the resurrected body his goal is the same-- to please the Lord. All will appear before the judgment seat and receive what is due them for the good or evil they have done while in the body. Paul sincerely believes that it matters what he does while he's alive in the physical body. He knows "what it is to fear the Lord." That's why he tries to persuade others to put their trust in Him.

v. 11-12 Paul and his coworkers are not pretentious. Whatever they are, it's plain to God and to the Corinthians. He's not trying to brag about himself but he's telling the readers all this so they will be able to boast about him. Apparently there are false teachers in Corinth who are not like Paul. So Paul is arming his readers with something they can use to stand up and "answer those who take pride in what is seen instead of what is in the heart." Those false teachers do not resemble Paul's description of himself as listed above. They are not suffering for the sake of Christ, fixing their eyes on what is unseen, or longing to be away from the body and home with the Lord. Paul's not bragging. He's helping the Corinthians discern and resist false teachers.

v. 13-15 Though some people may think Paul is "out of his mind" (see and example in Acts 26:24), it is for the sake of God. If he's in his right mind it's for the benefit of the Corinthians. Paul is compelled not by fear of judgment but by Christ's love. Jesus died for "all" (Jews and Gentiles) therefore all who are in Him have also died. Those who live in Him should live for Him and not for themselves.

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