What Old Testament events parallel the "thunder, rumblings, and earthquakes" in Revelation 8:5? Setting The Scene In Revelation 8:5 “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” Those four signs—thunder, rumblings, lightning, earthquake—have shown up together before. Each time they signal that the LORD has stepped onto the stage in judgment or covenant-making. Revelation echoes those earlier moments to assure us He will keep every promise—both of blessing and of wrath. Mount Sinai: The Foundational Parallel • Exodus 19:16-19: “There were thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, and a very loud trumpet blast… the whole mountain trembled violently.” • Exodus 20:18: “All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain in smoke.” Key thought: At Sinai God revealed His law and His holiness. Revelation 8:5 looks back to that scene, reminding us that the God who once shook one mountain will soon shake the whole earth (cf. Hebrews 12:26). Prophetic Visitations That Echo Sinai Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the Psalmists reuse the same sensory language to describe later appearances of the LORD. – “Then the earth shook and quaked… He thundered from heaven… flashes of lightning lit up the world.” – “Your thunder resounded… the earth trembled and quaked.” • Ezekiel 1:13-14; 10:5 – “The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.” – “The LORD of Hosts will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and a flame of consuming fire.” These passages underline a pattern: whenever God draws near to judge or deliver, creation rumbles. Judgment Scenes In Israel’s History • Numbers 16:31-34 – Korah’s rebellion: “the ground under them split apart… the earth opened its mouth.” Though thunder is not named, the earthquake motif signals swift, righteous judgment. • 1 Samuel 12:17-18 – Samuel’s rebuke: “the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared.” • 2 Samuel 22:8-14 – David’s song (parallel to Psalm 18) connects thunder and earth-shaking to divine rescue and vengeance on enemies. Prophecies Of The Final Shake-Up Old-Testament prophets looked ahead to a climactic, worldwide replay of Sinai’s sights and sounds. Revelation 8 begins to fulfill those forecasts. • Haggai 2:6-7 – “Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.” • Joel 2:10-11 – “The earth trembles, the heavens shake… the day of the LORD is great and very dreadful.” • Ezekiel 38:19-20 – “There shall be a great earthquake… and all the men on the face of the earth will quake at My presence.” • Zechariah 14:4-5 – “The Mount of Olives will be split in two… you will flee just as you fled in the days of the earthquake.” Putting It All Together 1. At Sinai God thundered to announce covenant law. 2. In Israel’s history He repeated the pattern to vindicate His servants and judge rebels. 3. The prophets expanded the imagery, pointing to a final, global shaking. 4. Revelation 8:5 signals that the hour of that ultimate shaking has begun. The same Creator who once shook a single mountain will soon rock the whole planet, proving once more that “the LORD reigns; let the earth quake.” (Psalm 99:1) |
    |