THE THIRD VISION – The Seven Trumpets

Chapters 8 -11

          We recall that the beginning of another circle of seven revelations does not necessarily mean that they follow chronologically after those revealed during the opening of the seven seals.  It does seem, however, that the opening of the seven seals (actually six so far) gives a kind of overview of the period of earth's existence right up to the time of Judgment Day.  Thus, the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the seven trumpets likely introduce events associated with the end of the world and Judgment Day.

The opening of the 7th, or last, seal suggests something dramatic.  Further, there is no question that what follows the blowing of each trumpet is not very pleasant to consider.  (It may include the things Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:3-44 and Luke 1:7-8)  Thus, suspense is created prior to the opening of that seal by silence "for about half an hour," a pretty long time in our minutes for pure silence.  We might use silence or pauses for effect occasionally, but we'll all agree that the effect of a half hour of silence would be very dramatic indeed.

8:2   "seven angels who stand before God" - Jewish tradition speaks of the seven archangels (main angels) who stand at God's side and even gives them all names.  We know of only two names (Gabriel and Michael) from the Bible.

            "seven trumpets" - Trumpets were widely used to give signals and commands in war.

8:3-4   "another angel" - This angel has a golden censer in which to burn incense.  In this case the incense is connected with the prayers of the believers (Luke 1:10 and Psalm 141:2).  With the fearsome things happening, or about to happen, it should be a special time of prayer for God's people.

8:5   When the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth we realize that the time of judgment is near.  The use of the four (noises, thunderings, lightnings, earthquakes) suggests that the earth is the realm to be affected.  Unbelievers beware!

8:6    The seven angels now prepare to sound.

8:7   Vegetation is struck While the mixture of hail, fire and blood (3) reminds us of the plagues in Egypt in some ways, yet these three do not normally occur together and did not during the plagues.  The three are each destructive enough by themselves.  To have them all occur at once is frightening.  The destruction is catastrophic with a third, not a fourth (6:8), of trees and green grass burned up.  The third refers to God's action, i.e., judgment, although there is a limit on the damage.  With a third of its vegetation gone, the world would be crippled.

8:8-9   The seas are struck  Imagine something as large as a mountain thrown into the sea.  Now the water of the sea is fouled and again a third (judgment with limitations) of sea creatures and ships are destroyed.  Thus, not just nature is affected.  Commerce, too, is crippled.

8:10-11   Waters are struck  Now the waters that humans use for nourishment are affected.  A third (limited judgment) of the rivers are struck and become bitter.  Although the wormwood we know may not be poisonous, the reference to it clearly suggests catastrophic results for the waters in this case.

8:12-13   The heavenly bodies are struck  Now the heavenly bodies (again the limited judgment) are disabled.  Jesus' predictions about the end of time include disruption of our universe.  The sun, moon, and stars are all affected.  It is truly frightening to think of such awesome events.  But, another angel warns the inhabitants of the earth that the next three trumpet blasts will provide a good deal more to think about.  Note the threefold "Woe."  (God's action in judgment is awesome.)

9:1   The falling star identifies an angel of God (a fallen angel?) who will be permitted to bring a limited amount of suffering upon unbelievers.

9:2   "Bottomless pit" is surely a symbol of hell, Satan's dwelling place.

9:3-4   "Locusts" apparently symbolize a plague of hellish torture which will not further harm vegetation but which will rather torture the unbelievers (those not sealed on their foreheads).

9:5-6   Notice the limitations on the power of hell's forces.  They tormented for five months (a limited time, but quite a while.) The torture is so bad that those affected will seek death.  This sounds like the beginning of hell for them.

9:7-10   The description of these torturers marks them as devilish, something we would hope never to see and something that man cannot overcome.  The "women's hair" is part of what makes these creatures absolutely unusual or "other- worldly."

9:11   Their leader is "destruction" or "perdition."  Since he is here described as the angel of the bottomless pit we can only think of the devil himself.  Does the devil torture people this way now?  More than likely this is to happen in connection with Judgment Day.  We are tempted to try to compartmentalize everything according to our "clock" time.  At this point, time will mean nothing.     

9:12   While this is bad enough, it's only one down; two of this category of woes to go.

9:13   The angels from the Euphrates.  The voice seems to be that of God Himself.  (The altar is that from which God directs the affairs of the world (four horns or corners).

9:14   The 6th angel is to release forces which have been held back for this time of judgment.  The Euphrates River was at the Eastern boundary of the farthest extent of the Promised Land (Genesis 15:18).  Across that river lay the deadly enemies of Israel even as they do today.  Thus the Euphrates reference here symbolizes that hostile forces will cross a previously strong boundary and let loose their fury for this time of judgment.

9:15   We notice that the angels had been prepared for this exact moment.  (Hour, day, month, year.)  Why not hour, day, week, month, year?  Answer:  the four (4) symbolism would not be there.  The damage is again limited to one-third of mankind.  (God's judgment.)

9:16   "Two hundred million" - 100,000,000 would seem to be enough to do heavy damage.  Well, we have double the necessary number here.  It is to symbolize a more than adequate force.

9:17   Remember that horses were part of the war machine until relatively recent times.  A real war horse would correspond to our armored cars, maybe even to our tanks or planes.  These horses symbolize the forces of hell because their mouths emit fire, smoke and brimstone.  Their riders wore the colors of fire (red), smoke (blue) and brimstone or sulfur (yellow).  Fire and brimstone symbolize punishment and in this case hell; those who suffer from this army are clearly the unbelievers, not the believers, as we see in the following verses.

9:18   Again, a third of humankind is destroyed.  The threes keep piling up in this part because we are dealing with God's (The Trinity's) judgment.

9:19   These horses are clearly symbolic of horrible power.  The fire, smoke and brimstone comes out of their mouths and, in addition, their tails are like serpents.  God's judgments, when He permits Satan to punish, are no joking matter.

9:20   It appears from this verse that the fearsome things which God permitted were designed to wake up the unbelievers and cause them to turn to God.  Instead, we see that they went right on as before; they failed to repent.  They continued to worship (1) demons, idols of (2) gold, (3) silver, (4) brass, (5) stone, and (6) wood.  The use of the number 6 here symbolizes that the worshipers of these idols are losers and, of course, the idols themselves are losers because they can neither see, nor hear nor walk.

9:21   How can they be so stupid?  How can they not notice that it's time to think about eternity?  God tries to jolt them awake but they continue as before although an even worse day is coming for them.  (Note Isaiah 2:  8-21)  They are engrossed in their (1) murders, (2) sorceries, (3) sexual immorality, and (4) thefts.  As we digest the news from day to day, we must say that the world in all 4 directions is pretty well occupied with the same today.

To summarize, the sounding of the first four trumpets shows us that all people will be affected by some events of the last days.  The sounding of the 5th and 6th trumpets shows us that only unbelievers will be affected by other events of the last days.  There are warning signs today which ought to convince all, including unbelievers, that God's will and laws cannot be tampered with.  (A good example might be the prevalence of AIDS resulting primarily from homosexuality and sexual promiscuity.  We also might mention the torture and distress that marital infidelity brings upon many.  These examples come to mind because "sexual immorality" is one of the four sins listed.) Humankind is in a bad way before God because of inherent sinfulness.  As we read portions like these, we remember what we have learned in earlier chapters.  The good news is that, by God's grace, He marks His own (seals them on their foreheads) and permits them to wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.  His blessed ones are safe and secure in His keeping no matter how much the effects of sin may be permitted to touch them in this world.

To summarize, the sounding of the first four trumpets shows us that all people will be affected by some events of the last days.  The sounding of the 5th and 6th trumpets shows us that only unbelievers will be affected by other events of the last days. 

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