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REVELATION – LESSON 5
I. SEVEN ANGELS SOUND SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:6-
A. The first trumpet – Judgment affecting the land (8:7)
1. Hail and fire, mingled with blood, is cast upon the earth – God’s retribution for killing and causing bloodshed is felt.
2. 1/3 of trees and earth are burnt up while all the grass is burnt up – partial judgment (cf. Exodus 9:23-
B. The second trumpet – Judgment affecting the sea (8:8-
1. A great mountain burning with fire is cast into the sea – picture of volcano erupting affects life in and on the nearby sea.
2. 1/3 part of the sea becomes blood, 1/3 part of sea life dies, and 1/3 part of the ships on the sea are destroyed – partial judgment.
C. The third trumpet – Judgment affecting inland waters and fountains (8:10-
1. A blazing star falls to earth making the waters bitter and deadly.
2. The star’s name is “Wormwood” – “bitter wood”
3. Many die from the bitter water – picture of effects of God’s partial judgment regarding idolatry (cf. Deut. 29:18; Jer. 9:15, 23:15).
D. The fourth trumpet – Judgment affecting the heavens (8:12)
1. 1/3 part of the sun is smitten.
2. 1/3 part of the stars are darkened.
3. 1/3 part of the day and 1/3 part of the night are darkened – partial judgment (cf. Ex. 10:21-
E. The flying eagle – three woes – more intense judgments (8:13)
1. A sobering break before the final three trumpets
F. The fifth trumpet – judgment by killing 1/3 of men – horses and riders-
1. A star has already fallen and given power to open the bottomless pit of destruction (9:1,11, 17:8, 20:1,3; cf. Lk. 8:31)
2. Smoke from abyss darkens the sky and air
3. Man-
a. Command: hurt and torment, excluding those not sealed by God on their forehead. Locusts are not to hurt vegetation, but man himself. More intense warning than the four previous trumpets.
b. Time of torment – five months – enough time to repent.
4. Symbolic locusts have the power and sting of scorpions – make men hurt and wish for death – but death does not come.
a. They appear powerful (as horses prepared for war, apparent victorious crowns; wings sounding as many chariots and horses); glorious (faces as of man, hair as of women); strong (teeth as of lions, breastplates as of iron).
b. Yet they leave in their path – Destruction: Abaddon (Hebrew-
c. the internal rottenness, that comes from the abyss to deceive the earth with its glory, leaves destruction in its wake.
d. The first woe is past – two more woes to come.
G. The sixth trumpet – Judgment by killing 1/3 of men – horses and riders – external forces (9:13-
1. God’s appointed messengers ready to bring judgment through outside forces are loosed from Euphrates River – symbolic identification with foreign power (cf. Isa. 8:5-
2. Have been ready for God’s specific time for partial judgment (9:15)
3. Numberless horsemen – two myriads of myriads
4. Horsemen have upon them the colors of judgment – fiery red, reddish orange and pale yellow (9:17).
5. Horses have heads as lions and tails like harmful heads of serpents – coming and going they are fierce and deadly (9:17, 19)
a. Three plagues – fire, smoke and brimstone proceed from the mouth of horses – picture of God’s warning judgments.
b. Yet, the living do not repent of their idolatry and ungodliness.
H. Two intermediate visions before the sounding of seventh trumpet (10:1-
1. Strong angel with (heavenly mission) opens “little book” – John takes it and eats it – sweet and bitter (Chapter 10)
a. Angel stands with information for all (earth and sea).
b. John not allowed to write message of seven thunders – God has more powerful warnings at his disposal, but is ready to complete His purpose of establishing His kingdom against powerful persecuting forces – no more delay – time for the fulfilling prophecy – persecuted saints victorious (cf. Dan. 7).
c. John absorbs the meaning of the writing of the “little book,” and because it is from God, it tastes sweet; but because is adversely affects sinners it tastes bitter (cf. Ezekiel 2:8-
2. Measuring of temple and two witnesses (Chapter 11).
a. The temple (inner sanctuary) measures as belonging to God, while outside (court) is considered common or given over to the nations.
b. The holy city – spiritual Jerusalem will be under the persecuting power of the nations.
(1). Duration: 42 months – a broken, incomplete period (3 1/2 years – half of seven).
c. John absorbs the meaning of the writing of the “little book,” and because it is from God, it tastes sweet; but because it adversely affects sinners it tastes bitter (cf. Ezekiel 2:8 -
(1). Two, a number denoting confirmation – certainty of message (cf. Deut. 17:6, Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1)
(2). Two olive trees (power to light lamps) and two candlesticks (the light given in the message presented).
(3). Prophesy in sackcloth for 1260 days – times of sorrow – while persecution is taking place the message of Christ is being presented (1260 days – 3 1/2 years – half of complete seven) and persecution is not complete – does not conquer.
d. Reason for sorrow: at first the gospel is preached with powerful confirming signs; but then persecution sets in – the persecuting beast out of the abyss slays witnesses in streets of spiritual Sodom (fornication) and Egypt (bondage, persecution) and “where also the Lord was crucified” – Jerusalem (truth rejecting city).
e. Beast’s power gives enemy reason for rejoicing but only for a short incomplete time (3 1/2 days).
f. God resurrects the cause proclaimed by the witnesses before the eyes of enemy.
(1). Earthquake – 1/10 part of the city fell: 7,000 slain – a partial but complete judgment as God has planned.
(2). Remnant gives glory to God – God is victorious
I. The seventh trumpet – song of victory and rejoicing – God’s cause established despite persecution (11:15-
1. Voices in heaven and worship of victorious twenty-
2. Ark of covenant seen – blessed promises await the faithful.
3. God’s sobering presence ushered with lightnings, voices, thunders and an earthquake and great hail.
QUESTIONS:
1. What similarities do you see in the UNFOLDING of the seven seals and the seven trumpets?
2. The sounding of the seven trumpets are the result of God hearing ________________________.
3. How are the seven trumpets more intense in their judgments than the opening of the seven seals?
4. The locusts connected with the sounding of the fifth trumpet were (a) literal (b) figurative. Explain your answer:
5. Who was the king of the locusts?
6. What does the scene of the fifth trumpet represent?
7. Describe the army connected with the sixth trumpet:
8. What does the sounding of the sixth trumpet represent?
9. After the sounding of the sixth trumpet, what do the survivors fail to do?
10. What does John do to the “little book?”
11. In chapter 10, when will the mystery of God be finished?
12. In chapter 11, how does the plight of the witnesses correspond to the unfolding of the events connected with the preaching of the gospel in the first century?
13. Identify the “great city” in 11:8?
14. Summarize what occurs with the sounding of the seventh trumpet: