REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 8.7

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eight

Judgment Resumed:

The Seven Trumpets

 

 

Preface

Man, inherently has a sinful nature passed down from Adam's disobedience to God. To re-establish the fellowship man once enjoyed with his Creator in the Garden, Satan must first be defeated. Under the old covenant, the sacrificial system and strict rules were set in place for the atonement of sin. This was continuous work, and the complex measurements of the Lord's Tabernacle dictated how a holy God would live among His people.

 

But before God's Kingdom can be established on earth, sin needs to be completely eradicated. The book of Revelation reveals how seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments will accomplish this task.  God's justice is satisfied when individuals or nations accept the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

 

In future passages, during God's justified wrath (i.e., His righteousness upon wicked earth), His grace is seen extended until every last person has the opportunity (up until the final calamity) to receive Christ as personal Saviour. Even the thief on the cross accepted Jesus as Lord just moments before his death (cf. Luke 22:42).

 

Trumpets

By way of review, trumpets are expressive instruments used:

1.  To move Israel into the wilderness

2.  To declare convocations or celebrations of the people

3.   To announce royalty

4. To call armies to battle

5.  To proclaim the giving of the Law

6.  To call attention to Almighty God

7.  To announce impending judgment

 

Outline of Seven Trumpet Judgments

A. The first four destroy the earth's natural environment

B. The remaining produce demonic destruction on humanity

C. The seventh is God's final wrath contained in seven bowls

 

Destruction Effects

1.  Trumpet Number 1 – The Earth's ecological system

2.  Trumpet Number 2 – Sea creatures travel by sea

3.  Trumpet Number 3 – The world's freshwater  supply

4.   Trumpet Number 4 – Heavenly bodies (i.e., sun, moon, stars)

5. Trumpet Number 5 – Under the earth

6.  Trumpet Number 6 – Upon mankind

7.  Trumpet Number 7 – Seven more severe judgments are unleashed via seven bowls or vials

 

 

 

(Verse 7)

 

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.

 

1.  Trumpet Number One: Immediately following the blast of the first trumpet, several disasters occur as listed:

1.   Fire

Fire is a biblical symbol used to depict divine judgment. It devours, destroys, and consumes

 

2. Hail

Hail was generally used as a judgment upon Israel

 

3.  Hail mingled with blood

A phenomenon denoting violence and ultimately death

 

All were cast down or violently hurled upon the earth by the specially designated angel from verse 5. Recall, these were literal fireballs (or burning coals that filled the golden censer). Some believe they are asteroids or comets God allows to fall from the sky to destroy the fundamental forces of nature.

 

Symbolically, one may say it is representative of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. However, blood in the Greek construct is literally of men and or of animals. Subsequently, it is real blood as was realized in the very first plague of Egypt which lasted one week.

Exodus 7:20–21 - And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

 

Under the seventh plague, hail is viewed as a destructive force.

Exodus 9:23-25 - And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all [100%]* the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all [100%]* the land of Egypt all [100%]* that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.

 

In effect, both plagues are combined in the first trumpet and are also encapsulated in Joel's prophecy:

Joel 2:30 - And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

 

Isaiah once prophesied the use of such destruction by the hand of God against the pride and glory of Ephraim:

Isaiah 28:2 - Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

 

And the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up

Albeit the first wave of trumpet judgments as one's destruction was upon the water, thus, presenting a grim picture of global ruin to vegetation:

a.  A third part of the trees burned

Trees, generally in Greek, refer to fruit trees. So there is not only a loss of food but seems to be a loss of wood used for construction.

 

b.  A third part of the green grass burned

The destruction of green pastures, in turn, devastates the ranching, dairy, and farming industries thus also producing a scarcity of food.

 

*Note: At the time of the Exodus plague one hundred percent of Egypt was affected. The outcome of the First Trumpet is only one-third of the earth and its population are distressed. At this point, God is graciously restraining two-thirds of His wrath as a warning signal, and continuing opportunities for repentance.  

 

 

(Verse 8)

 

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;

(Verse 9)

 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.

 

2. Trumpet Number Two: Immediately following the sound of the second trumpet visualize:

a.  Not an actual burning mountain, but a fiery mass having the appearance of a great mountain cast down into the ocean.

A supporting Old Testament precedent reads:

Jeremiah 51:25 - Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out Mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

 

There has been much supposition as to the actual identity of this burning mass object. Remember, John is trying to best describe future things during the first century. However, some interesting assumptions include:

1.  A gigantic meteorite

2. An atomic or volcanic explosion

3.  Something never previously observed

 

Whatever it may be, this judgment will cause universal death and destruction. Thus affecting:

1.  One-third of the sea

2.  One-third of the sea creatures

3.  One-third of the sea's ships  

 

Again, the devastation is not relegated to a localized area. Since John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, many have tried to define the sea as the Mediterranean and equate its localization to the ten plagues of Egypt. Conversely, God's judgment is broader in scope and involves the entire planet thrown into turmoil.

1.  One-third of the saltwater is in focus and will turn into blood. In all probability, the blood will come from the destroyed sea life and anyone in or on the water at this time.

 Zephaniah 1:3 - I will consume man and beast; I will consume (terminate) the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked, and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

 

2.  One-third of all sea life dies. Consider further damage from a tidal wave occurring from this event and all dead creatures washing ashore.

Hosea 4:3 - Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish (be sick), with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

 

3.  One-third of:

a.  Fishing boats

b.  Pleasure boats

c.  Cruise ships

d.  Merchant ships

e.  Military vessels

f.   Submarines

 

John is depicting the paralysis of all under and above-sea transportation for the military, commerce, and pleasure. The ability or capability to witness this drastic event will be seen by everyone.

Isaiah 2:12, 16-17 - Indeed, the LORD who commands armies has planned a day of judgment, for all the high and mighty, for all who are proud--they will be humiliated… for all the large ships, for all the impressive ships. Proud men will be humiliated, arrogant men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day (NET; emphasis mine).

 

Commentary

A good reminder now in God's Day of Wrath is two-thirds of the world have the opportunity yet to repent. While God's message continues to be preached, some repent, but because of hardened hearts, there will be unrepentant men who continue to reject the Gospel. The more they reject the more God's wrath follows.

 

Recall, after witnessing miracle upon miracle upon miracle, men persisted to ask Jesus, "What sign shewest Thou then, that we may see, and believe Thee (cf. John 6:30)?" The question remains: How much more is required to soften men's hearts?

 

Friends, the Bible is given to us for instruction in righteousness. We receive a special blessing from reading and studying the book of Revelation and it is our sign before the Great Tribulation transpires. Today is the hour of salvation.

Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

The choice is simple: Accept the gift of eternal life and deliverance from Jesus Christ or face eternal punishment.

 

In the following study, Trumpet Number Three, something else falls from the sky…

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Why is God a God of grace?

2.   What is affected by the sound of the first trumpet?

3.   Describe its Old Testament counterpart.

4.   What is the significance of green grass?

5.   What is affected by the sound of the second trumpet?

6.   What is the significance of salt water?

7.   What is the purpose of God's wrath?

 

 

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