fSTUDIES IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. Mr K Gerner (Revised 1989)
Lesson 10. GLORIOUS VISIONS OF THE FUTURE. (iii) THE SEVEN TRUMPETS.
Chapters 8 and 9. Chap 11 v 1.
The SEVEN TRUMPETS do not come out of or follow the SEVEN SEALS in our last study. The SEVENTH TRUMPET shows the END OF THE AGE and heralds the Second Coming of Christ. The FIFTH AND SIXTH TRUMPETS take over 18 months, so the TRUMPETS MUST START SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE LAST DAY
The MINISTRY OF THE TWO WITNESSES is shown to run concurrently with the TRUMPETS by the account of their ministry being placed between the SIXTH AND SEVENTH TRUMPETS.
HENCE WE HAVE THE CONCEPT OF THIS VISION STEPPING BACK IN TIME AND VIEWING THE LAST DAYS FROM A DIFFERENT ASPECT
(a) RESPONSE TO PRAYER. Revelation chap 8 v.2 to v 6
THE TRUMPETS are sounded in DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE PRAYER OF GOD'S PEOPLE
This is clearly seen in the text of Chapter 8. .
REV 8:4 NIV The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.
REV 8:6 NIV Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
ANGELS ARE CLOSELY LINKED WITH THE CHURCH OF GOD AND ITS PRAYERS HEB 1:14 NIV Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
God and the angels take definite action in answer to prayer during the Great Tribulation. THE TRUMPETS ARE GOD'S JUDGEMENTS ON THE WORLD FOR ITS TREATMENT OF THE SAINTS, AND ARE DESIGNED TO BRING THE WICKED TO REPENTANCE.
Rev 9:20. The rest of mankind still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, idols that cannot see or hear or walk.21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts , their sexual immorality or their thefts.
IN THE O.T.GOD SPOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN TO MOSES AND THE TRUMPETS WERE HEARD BRINGING THE FEAR OF GOD ON THE PEOPLE.
EXO 19:13 NIV (nobody permitted near the Mountain on pain of death) Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."
EXO 19:19 NIV .... the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS IN REVELATION DEAL WITH NATURE AFFECTING MEN, WHILE THE LAST THREE DEAL WITH MEN THEMSELVES AND ARE "WOES" OF A HEAVY KIND.
WE SHOULD COMPARE THE JUDGEMENTS OF GOD ON EGYPT BY MOSES JUST BEFORE HE TOOK OUT THE PEOPLE. WITH THESE JUDGEMENTS BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD
(b) REAL JUDGEMENTS OF GOD Chapter 8 v 7 to Chap 11.v.19
These are very real judgements sent by God.
(1) FIRST TRUMPET. Chap 8 v 7
REV 8:7 NIV The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
MOSES TOO, called down a grievous hail on Egypt (Exodus 9 v.17 to v 26) which did not touch the land of Goshen, occupied by the children of Israel.
EXO 9:23 NIV When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt;
The result was a loss of fuel, timber and food in fruit,milk and meat.
(2) THE SECOND TRUMPET Revelation chap 8 v 8 and 9.
The appearance of a great mountain burning with fire, coming down, may indicate a meteorite turning water red.
Similarly Aaron stretched out his rod over the water of Egypt and they became blood.
EXO 7:19 NIV The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs, and they will turn to blood. Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in the wooden buckets and stone jars."20 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.
THIS MAY WELL APPLY TO THE EASTERN END OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, destroying ships and affecting much marine life; but children of God need to trust the Lord in this situation.
PSA 45:2 NIV You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
(3) THE THIRD TRUMPET Revelation 8 v 10 and 11
The waters on land are affected here as well as the sea waters. The Great Star, like a blazing torch, will appear like a meteorite, which has a bitter effect upon the water, and so is called "Wormwood" (which is interestingly, the translation of the Russian CHENOBYL, where the atomic accident affected many inland water waterways in Northern Europe)
DEU 29:18 NIV Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. WORMWOOD IS A ROOT BEARING POISONOUS AND BITTER FRUIT.
PRO 5:4 NIV but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double- edged sword.A LOOSE WOMAN MAY APPEAR SWEET AT FIRST, BUT HER END IS BITTER.
JER 9:15 NIV Therefore, this is what the Lord says: "See, I will make this people eat bitter food and drink poisoned water. GOD WILL GIVE POISONED WATER TO THOSE TURNING TO IDOLS, WHICH MAY ALSO BE APPLIED TO FALSE PROPHETS WHO POISON THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
JER 23:15 NIV Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning the prophets: "I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land."
WORMWOOD SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN GOD'S PENALTY FOR DISLOYALTY.
(4) THE FOURTH TRUMPET Revelation chap 8 v.12 AND 13
One third of the Heavenly luminaries are darkened in not shining one third of the day.(This is NOT the DARKENING OF THE SUN which occurs two years later)
MAT 24:29 NIV "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
ACT 2:19 NIV I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
TOTAL OBSCURATION OCCURS IN THE SIXTH SEAL. The "angel" here mentioned is seen in many MSS as an "eagle" = symbol of judgement from Heaven above. The ungodly are here punished as a direct answer to the prayers of the martyrs in their zeal for God and His Church
REV 6:10 NIV They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"
(5) FIFTH TRUMPET Revelations chap 9 v 1 to v 12
This is a trumpet lasting FIVE MONTHS and the star falling could have been Satan,cast out by Michael and his angels.(Revelation 12 v.7 to 14)
REV 9:5 NIV They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months.
REV 9:10 NIV They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.
This angel looses an enormous number of demons who torment the wicked.They are likened to a locust plague, and will afflict unbelievers, who have chosen the way of darkness. Those who follow wicked angels, will find out just how nasty they can be. This trump[et follows the SIXTH SEAL (Chapter 7) which tells how the saints are preserved from this attack. Similarly spirit baptism can protect from demons and we need to be in this protection NOW.
EPH 1:13 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
(6) THE SIXTH TRUMPET Revelation chap 9 v.13 to 21.
This last for 13 months and shows the great destruction of the 200,000 army.
REV 9:15 NIV And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million.
This may represent a conflict between Asian and European Communism in the Middle East (v 17) with the "fire and sulphur" coming out of their mouths representing tanks with rocket launchers and guns at the rear.
The rest of mankind who were not killed, far from repenting, went on in murder, immorality and adultery as their sin had hardened them. Even God's own people can fall this way, forgetting the God who brought them to birth..
DEU 32:17 NIV They sacrificed to demons, which are not God; gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear.
Isaiah 44 v.9 to 20 contains a similar satire on those who burn part of a tree trunk, then worship the rest.
1CO 10:19 NIV Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.ALTHOUGH DEMONS HAVE NO REAL POWER, IT IS NOT RIGHT TO ASSOCIATE WITH THEM BY GETTING INVOLVED IN OFFERINGS TO THEM. (cf Fruit is offered to Hindu gods during Transcendental Meditation which is NOT CHRISTIAN)
(7) SEVENTH TRUMPET Revelation chap 11 v 15 to v 19
The Kingdoms of this world become the Kingdoms of Our Lord and His Christ
REV 11:15 NIV The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
THE MILLENIUM BEGINS AT THIS POINT
DAN 7:13 NIV "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
ISA 24:23 NIV for the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.
Matthew chap 25 v 14 to 30 covers this same period.
At this trumpet OT and NT saints are raised.
REV 11:18 NIV The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
HOS 13:14 NIV "I will ransom them from the power of the grave ; I will redeem them from death.
1TH 4:13 NIV Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
PSALM 2 STATES THAT GOD WILL THEN JUDGE THE LAST REBELLION OF THE NATIONS AGAINST HIM.
The aim of Satan and Antichrist is POWER AT ANY COST, AND SO gOD IN DESTROYING HIM, DESTROYS THOSE WHO WOULD DESTROY THE EARTH.cf Isaiah 42 v.13 to 17 and UIsaiah 63 v 1 to 6.
EVERY ELDER BURST OUT INTO A SONG OF THANKSGIVING AT THE END OF ANTICHRIST AND THE TEMPLE IS NOW OPEN AGAIN.
As the Seven last plagues("vials") are now past (Rev 15 v 5 to v 8) God shows how faithful He is to His covenant with Israel and will keep His promises to His people. THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOW COMES INTO THE WORLD.
(iv) THE ANGEL AND THE BOOK. Revelation chapter 10
Between SIXTH AND SEVENTH TRUMPETS in the land of Palestine, comes the incident of the angel and the little book to :
1. WARN THE WICKED that at the SEVENTH TRUMPET the Lamb's wrath falls with no longer delay.("time no longer")
2. ENCOURAGES SAINTS IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION that at the SEVENTH TRUMPET their sufferings will end.GOD WILL BE TRUE TO HIS WORD. The mighty angel with an oath, gives STRONG CONFIRMATION to those trusting in Jesus
H EB 6:16 NIV Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17 Because God wanted o make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what as promised, he confirmed it with an oath.18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Heaven is full of angels waiting to come to our aid. cf Dan 7 :9 to 10
THE LITTLE BOOK has a connection with the close of the age and the "mystery " of God".
REV 10:7 NIV But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, "
THE LITTLE BOOK IS ALSO CONNECTED WITH THE SEVEN THUNDERS, the details of which John is to keep secret.
Before the return of the Lord, "the mystery of God" has to be fulfilled and so THERE IS A DELAY. During this period, "the mystery of iniquity" (Satan's plan) is al;so revealed.
MYSTERY is a word used then to imply that the TRUTH IS REVEALED ONLY TO A FEW INITIATED PEOPLE. The worldly person cannot see a plan in what God is doing; but God's aim is to put the earth under Christ and His Servants, who have overcome.(cf Romans chap 8.v.12 to 29)
REV 21:7 NIV He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
(i) THESE CHILDREN OF GOD must be BORN AGAIN, EDUCATED and TESTED. They can then qualify as SONS to replace the present world rulers (Satan's angels)
(ii) The latter will then be cast into Hell.
2TI 4:8 NIV Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.(cf 1 Peter chap 5.v.1 to v 4)
(iii) THIS DEPENDS UPON THE RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH.
Because of lack of response, God has to delay the time of the end. If the time of the end had been revealed to them, they would have become slack or forgotten their responsibility to "hasten the Coming of the Lord" BY GROWING INTO SONSHIP.
(iv) When the Lord sees the requisite number of Overcomers are ready, then He will let Satan work and stand aside from stopping him. (cf 2 Thessalonians 2 v 6 to v 12.) ANTICHRIST WILL THEN APPEAR.
(iv) Satan's "Mystery" is a mock kingdom here on earth
REV 2:24 NIV Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so called deep secrets"
In the last seven years, God will allow him to do this
2TH 2:7 NIV For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. GOD WILL ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN in order to :
(a) SHOW THE MADNESS of preferring Satan to Jesus
ACT 3:14 NIV You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
(b) TO SHOW THE JEWS THEIR SIN IN REJECTING THE TRUE MESSIAH
(c) TO BREAK GENTILE PRIDE BY ALLOWING THEM TO GOVERN THE WORLD BY THEIR OWN IDEAS AND FINALLY FAIL MISERABLY IN DOING SO
This will make them willing to accept God's plan by a Jewish Government under Christ, which Gentiles now despise
ZEC 8:23 NIV This is what the Lord Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'"
(v) On the brink of world destruction, Christ will intervene to send Satan to prison for 1,000 years. Satan will return to test the Millenium inhabitants, but will ultimately be smashed.GOD IS GOING TO WIN.
REV 20:1 NIV And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.