The 7 Trumpets (Day 16)

 

The Seven Trumpets

 Revelation 8:6-7 ⁽⁶⁾Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. ⁽⁷⁾The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on 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.

The First Trumpet

          John saw the first angel sound his trumpet and down came hail and fire mixed with blood on the earth. It caused a third of the earth, trees and green grass to be burnt up. A similar judgment was given to the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to release the Children of Israel from bondage. Exodus 9:22-25 ⁽²²⁾Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt—on people and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt.” ⁽²³⁾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; ⁽²⁴⁾hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. ⁽²⁵⁾Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. (NIV)

           During World War II, 1939-1945, it is estimated that approximately 60-70 million people died, which would make that represent a third of the population during that time. The Russian and German militaries also used a Scorched Earth Policy that destroyed the basic resources the opposing forces as well as civilians would need for survival. In the process trees, grass, and food resources were said to have been destroyed. This was easily done by the use of military war planes dropping bombs. Therefore, the hail and fire mixed with blood seems to be symbolic of the bombs that dropped down on the land causing a fiery destruction leading to death of animals, vegetation, and more. This leads us to believe that this first trumpet has already sounded.

 

 

Revelation 8:8-9 ⁽⁸⁾The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood ⁽⁹⁾a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (NIV)

 The Second Trumpet

           John saw the second angel sound his trumpet and what looked like a fiery mountain was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea life died and a third of the ships were destroyed. This event seemed to have also taken place during World War II when an atomic bomb in the shape of a fiery mushroom cloud or mountain was dropped onto Japan. Witnesses described the scene as a “sea of flames” that had overtaken the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is believed to have killed approximately 80-140,000 people instantly and injured an additional 100,000. During WWII 105,127 ships were used of which 36,387 were destroyed, which is equivalent to one-third.

 

God was described as a fiery mountain during the days of Moses. No one could come into His presence unworthy. Even Moses had been in fear of going before God and being found unworthy. Hebrews 12:18-21 ⁽¹⁸⁾You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ⁽¹⁹⁾to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ⁽²⁰⁾because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ⁽²¹⁾The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” (NIV) How interesting that one of the judgments would resemble the mighty power of God coming down in full might. A consuming fire that will never go out.

 Revelation 8:10-11 ⁽¹⁰⁾The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— ⁽¹¹⁾the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. (NIV)

 

The Third Trumpet

John saw the third angel blow his trumpet and a blazing star fell from the sky and fell on a third of the water. Its name was Wormwood. Many people died from the bitter water in John’s vision. In 1986, one of Russia’s nuclear plants, Chernobyl (which means Wormwood in Russian) Unit 4, had an accident, which caused an explosion of great magnitude. Its nuclear material escaped into the air causing thousands of people to be evacuated due to safety concerns. Unfortunately, it did not go without causing thousands of casualties and millions exposed to the radiation. The rain made the spread of the radiation worse thus producing bitter water for it was not fit to drink, cook with, or use on the ground. The land was ruined for miles, animal and plant life died, and the effects to those exposed were seen for years. This event seem to have been the event of the third trumpet sounding.

 

           The children of Israel were disobedient to God during the time of Moses. He had received the Ten Commandments from God and saw as they danced around a golden calf. Moses had the calf turned to powder, sprinkled it into the water, and made the Israelites drink it as a punishment for their bad behavior. You can probably imagine the bitterness that was tasted due to powder gold as an addictive. Exodus 32:20-21 ⁽²⁰⁾And he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it. ⁽²¹⁾He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” (NIV) This is quite the opposite of the water that Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well. The water that Jesus gives is a living water, whereas the water from sin can cause a lifetime of bitterness and regret.

 Revelation 8:12-13 ⁽¹²⁾The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. ⁽¹³⁾As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” (NIV)

 

We will continue our study of the 7 Trumpets in tomorrow's blog. Please visit me on my website at www.KLRichMinistries.com.