(Continued from Part 1.)
The Trumpets
In part 1 of this series, we reviewed excerpts from my book “Revelation: Illustrated and Explained”. I discussed the Seal judgments upon the earth. Now we will discuss the Trumpet judgments, the difference between the Seals and Trumpets; the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation; and finally, the timing of the Rapture.
“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” (Revelation 8:1-2 KJV)
The Seventh Seal introduces the Trumpet Judgments. Some believe that the “silence in heaven” may indicate a reset in time back to some point at the beginning of the Seals, or possibly later. Remember, some believe that the Seals are an overview of the entire scope of the tribulation, whereas the Trumpets are concurrent with the Seals, but with more details. Now, let’s take a close look at the differences between the traditional timeline given by many commentators and an alternate timeline proposed by others. Much has been written about how and when all these different events in the tribulation will take place. It is not worth it to worry or get into arguments over this. Keep in mind that nobody knows for sure when these judgments will occur—only that we should be spiritually prepared at all times!
[Avalanche Lily Adds: We believe that Jesus returns on Rosh Hashana, at the last Trump. Jewish tradition states that the thirty days before Rosh Hashana, during the month of Elul the preparation month, the Trumpet/Shofar is blown everyday and at Rosh Hashana, is the Great Trump blown. The trumpet also continues to be blown for the next ten days until Yom Kippur for a total of a forty day time period. Jesus returns on Rosh Hashana. The next ten days on the Biblical Calendar are the Ten Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. We believe that that half hour of silence for that specific dispensation of time, no trumpets will be blown, in those specific Ten Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur in which starts the next year of Biblical counting based on the Jubilee cycle. Leviticus 25:9 Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. This will begin the last year/the seventh year of the seven year cycle of Daniel’s Last week.
The day that Jesus returns during the Sixth Seal Ends the Age of Grace. This is when he raptures the Saints from the dead and those that are alive and remain. Then, that silence in Heaven is a Holy silence in expectation of Jesus about to unleash His Wrath of the Seventh Seal on all who took the Mark of the Beast. The Trumpet judgements and the Bowl judgements are the WRATH of GOD and both are the same set of events. The act of telling the same events in two slightly different ways are a poetic tool called Hebrew Parallelism. This is when the same events are re-explained but vary slightly, or different aspects of events are focused on during a retelling. The book of Revelation is Hebrew Parallelism. The whole picture is given Chronologically from Chapter 6-11:17, all seven Seals are looked at in these scriptures in Chronological order. Then the scriptures 11:18-16:16 returns once again, a third time to the Sixth and Seventh Seals and shows another perspective of them. In fact the first telling of The trumpet judgements are what is seen from heaven. The second telling of the bowl/vial judgements are what is seen from the earth. The third telling backs up to talk about the whore and Babylon during the Sixth seal, then skips the Seventh Seal and goes right to Jesus’ return and the Marriage supper of the Lamb.]
Comparing the two timelines
In the traditional timeline of the tribulation, the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls are in consecutive order. However, one cannot escape the fact that the Second Coming of Jesus is clearly stated at the end of the Seals, so there appears to be an overlap:
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15-17 KJV)
The “face of him that sitteth on the throne” is God, no doubt the Father. The Lamb is Jesus. The “wrath of the Lamb” is a reference to the time known as the wrath of God, poured out in the Great Tribulation, when all unbelievers suffer the terrible punishments of the Bowl Judgments:
“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (Revelation 16:1 KJV)
Most Bible experts believe the wrath of God begins with the bowl judgments. However, the wrath described in the sixth seal in Revelation 6:17 and the wrath in the bowl judgments in Revelation 16 may well be the same event. So there appears to be an overlap here. On the other hand, some people believe that this “wrath” includes all of the tribulation period of the seals, trumpets and bowl judgments.
Some people may ask, why is this important? This timeline becomes very important, as we shall see in later chapters, especially in regards to the timing of the rapture and other events, including the trials Christians will go through in the future. It is better to be prepared than unprepared for future events. Some people believe there will be two groups of Christians: That one group is raptured up to God before the Tribulation; and that there’s another group of people who accept the Lord during the first half of the tribulation, called the “tribulation saints.” Regardless of what your belief is on this, as mentioned previously, make sure your heart is right with the Lord, and it won’t matter!
Differing Views of the Rapture
One of the most hotly-contested topics in Revelation is: When will the Rapture take place? Remember that the Rapture is the event when the Christians on the earth, both dead and alive, will fly up into the air to meet the Lord Jesus Christ:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV)
There are several different viewpoints on the timing of the Rapture, most notably:
1. Pre-Tribulation View: This perspective holds that the Rapture will occur before the seven-year tribulation period. Proponents believe that believers will be taken up to heaven to avoid the suffering and judgment that will occur during this time.
2. Mid-Tribulation View: According to this view, the Rapture will take place at some point in the middle of the tribulation period, at some point before the Great Tribulation begins.
3. Pre-Wrath View: The rapture will occur before the “wrath of God” begins, which is the period of time when God punishes the world for rejecting Him. (Bowl Judgments). This view distinguishes between the wrath of the Antichrist, which believers will live through, and the wrath of God, which they won’t have to endure. It teaches that the Rapture will take place immediately prior to the “Day of the Lord,” when God pours out His wrath upon the earth with the Bowl Judgments.
4. Post-Tribulation View: This perspective claims that the Rapture will occur at the end of the tribulation period, coinciding with the Second Coming of Christ. Believers will go through the entire tribulation, but will be protected by God during this time. This view emphasizes the unity of the Rapture and the Second Coming as a single event.
LIFE APPLICATION: Events seem to be worsening in our world. Now, more than ever, we need to seek the Lord with all our hearts and to be ready for His second coming, regardless of our belief in the timing of the rapture.
[Avalanche Lily Adds: Believers will live through the Whole Tribulation, the first Six Seals. We must face the Beast system and must choose to take the Mark of the Beast or not. It is our hour of testing for holding to the testimony of Jesus. Many, many will be martyred during this time, which begins in earnest during the Fifth Seal. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
We are raptured when Jesus returns at the Sixth Seal and takes us up and then He pours out the Wrath of the Seventh Seal. The six Seals open Chronologically, but then run together concurrently, until Jesus comes.
Tribulation and the Great Tribulation
Christians have been going through tribulation since the First century. Persecution of believers will continue. Many Bible experts refer to the entire seven-year period as the “Tribulation.” Others call the “tribulation” a 3.5-year initial period, followed by another 3.5-year period known as the Great Tribulation. This will be a time when the Antichrist will take total control. It will also be marked by the time known as the “wrath of God,” which includes the Bowl judgments.
The 1st Trumpet: Hail, Fire and Blood
“And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
(Revelation 8:6-7 KJV)
There are several possible interpretations of this verse. Some commentators have remarked that hail and fire hitting the earth could be the tail of a comet coming into contact with our planet. This is because comet tails contain ice, which may look like the hail described in verse 6.
“Hail and fire mingled with blood” may be a reference to the ice from a comet’s tail hitting and instantly killing any birds in the sky, thus producing blood which falls to the earth.
LIFE APPLICATION: When these signs occur, it should be a wake-up call for us all to seek the Lord and His will for our lives. God also wants us to be a witness to others, especially when we see all these fearful events.
The 2nd Trumpet: A Mountain of Fire
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:8-9 KJV)
The “great mountain” described by the Apostle John could be an asteroid, comet, or meteor which impacts the earth. The sea becomes bloody because of the many sea creatures who die. A third of the ships in the affected area would sink from the massive waves generated by the impact.
This event is also similar to: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” (Luke 21:25 KJV)
LIFE APPLICATION: By this time, some people will wonder if they missed the rapture. Some will no doubt turn to the Lord; others may turn away from the Him. These may be many of the ones who will accept the mark of the Beast later on.
The 3rd Trumpet: The Wormwood Star
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11 KJV)
In the First Century, wormwood was a plant known to the people as being bitter tasting. To call the water “wormwood” would be like calling the water bitter or possibly poisonous. We know from verse 11 that Wormwood is a star. We know it will fall from the sky and pollute a third part of rivers and springs—our main sources of clean water to drink. Many people will die after drinking the contaminated water.
Some authors and commentators have suggested that Wormwood might be a brown dwarf star, one which has failed to produce the normal hydrogen fusion seen in a typical star. Also, most scientists believe that all stars have a twin—making what is known as a binary star system (see article below). Some scientists and commentators have speculated that our own sun’s twin star may one day return from its orbit and pass by the Earth. It’s believed that the gravitational pull from the twin brown dwarf star may affect the Earth in harmful ways as it passes by. Since brown dwarfs have an outer core of helium and hydrogen, it’s possible if this atmosphere comes into contact with the Earth, it could be one reason for the poisoning of a third of our water supply.
LIFE APPLICATION: Even well before this 3rd Trumpet occurs, it is wise for all of us to make sure we have one or more water filtration systems in place. Water, along with food, are indispensable essentials for survival.
The 4th Trumpet: Darkness
“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (Revelation 8:12 KJV)
We are not given any clue as to how the sun, moon and stars are struck. It may be a planetary object(s) striking the sun and moon. However, for one-third of the stars to be darkened would be a truly unusual event. This passage is also similar to:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29 KJV)
[Lily Adds: This scripture is taking place at the Sixth Seal when Jesus comes in the air at the end of the Age of Grace to take up His own, to save them from the Wrath of the Father at the Seventh Seal]
LIFE APPLICATION: When the power grid goes down, sustainable sources of light at night will become necessary. It would be wise to acquire battery-powered and kerosene lanterns, candles, and matches. A small solar generator and panel and rechargeable batteries and chargers will be very much in demand, even as trading items.
The 5th Trumpet: Stinging Locusts
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Revelation 9:1-6 KJV)
These locusts (grasshoppers) with scorpion-like tails will be truly frightening, and supernatural in nature. By now, it is clear there are some people who have the seal of God and others who do not. Those who have rejected the Lord are tortured for five months with painful stings similar to that of a scorpion.
LIFE APPLICATION: Be sure you have the “seal of God,” proving you are a real Christian. (“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13 KJV)
The 6th Trumpet: The 4 Angels of Death
“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” (Revelation 9:13-16 KJV)
This passage is very similar to one found later in the Bowl judgments. Remember that we discussed in an earlier article how some people believe that many of the events in the seals, trumpets and bowls overlap at different points.
“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” (Revelation 16:12 KJV)
Notice the points of similarity, showing overlap: 1. Both verses refer to the Euphrates River, located mostly in modern-day Iraq. Any army coming from the East to Israel would need to cross this river. But in chapter 16, “the water thereof was dried up,” making a crossing much easier. 2. In chapter 9, an army of “two hundred thousand thousand” (200 million) is mentioned. Note the use of plural, “kings.” This indicates at least two countries from the East. Some commentators have speculated they could include China, North Korea and possibly others.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven…And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints…”
(Revelation 11:15, 18
Now we finally arrive at the 7th trumpet. Unlike the other trumpets, this trumpet does not announce any immediate judgment. We see the statement, “thy wrath is come,” (Revelation 11:18) but we will not actually see the wrath of God unleashed on unbelievers until chapter 16 with the Bowl Judgments. This will be covered in part 5 of this series.
In part 3 of this series, we will discuss the Antichrist, False Prophet, the Mark of the Beast and the One-World Money System, and how all of these could potentially affect you!
(To be continued tomorrow, in Part 3.)
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