THE SEVEN TRUMPETS
UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE OF FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF TRUMPETS
(Find the evidence lower down on this webpage)
How are we to understand the seven trumpets are they mostly in the past or does their fulfillment apply to the future.?
There is one main statement from the Spirit of prophecy that seems to set a historic fulfillment in concrete and it is found in GC 334/5 But there are other statements which clearly place the trumpets in a future setting.
Mar 257 The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us, and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us.
This is clearly placing the trumpets in connection with the vials. Whatever the vials are the trumpets are in some way connected. What are the vials that are going to be poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth.
The Bible says:
Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels, seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 16:1 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.
Rev 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; ......
Rev 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; ......
Rev 16:4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; ......
Rev 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; ......
Rev 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; ......
Rev 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; ....
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; .....
Clearly the vials are the seven last plagues. If the trumpets are somehow connected with the plagues then that puts them in a future setting.
No matter how clear things are there are always those that must twist or pervert something plain to make it fit their own preconceived ideas.
The following is taken from a sermon by Austin Cooke available on the Steps to Life website
http://www.steps.org.au/Sermons/Part-12-Trumpets-and-Plagues.html
Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded; vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth.1
"On the basis of this statement some have concluded that the trumpets are yet future. Is there, however, an answer to this view? Is it possible that the other six trumpets also apply to the time of the end? First, in the above statement there is no indication at all that it is actually an exposition of the prophecy of the seven trumpets of Revelation. In fact it is clear, rather, that the term trumpet is used in a general sense of a call to battle in the coming crisis of the church."
The context of the above quotation reads:
"In this last conflict the Captain of the Lord's host (Joshua 5:15) is leading on the armies of heaven and mingling in the ranks and fighting our battles for us….We would lose faith and courage in the conflict, if we were not sustained by the power of God.
Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men…they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle and all the world will be on one side or the other of the question.
The battle of Armageddon will be fought. And that day must find none of us sleeping….the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle….Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded; vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth."2
Note: in this quote there has been part of the statement left out just before “trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded;” This is what Austin Cooke left out “Solemn events before us are yet to transpire” this portion of the statement places the timing of the statement in a future setting. As this does not fit the authors predisposition of a historic application of the trumpets it has been left out of his message. This omission could be an innocent mistake or it could deliberate that is for God to judge but even if it is an innocent omission it is not harmless as it can lead people to make wrong conclusions leading them to believe that the trumpets cannot have a future application.
Notice what he says about the vials.
Some conclude that if this refers to the seven trumpets then these trumpets are associated with the plagues. However this is not necessarily so, while the word vial does represent a plague, the expression could be referring to other plagues that may fall upon mankind before the close of probation. Already there are evidences of plague epidemics. The AIDS disease has even been labeled by some as the wrath of God !
Note – here he is trying to disassociate the vials from the plagues so that there is no connection of the trumpets with the seven last plagues therefore discrediting any possibility of a future application of the trumpets. But as we have noted from the Bible. The vials are clearly a reference to the 7 last plagues.
His conclusion is a private interpretation and it is contrary to what the Bible and the spirit of prophecy actually say.
GC 88: 599. The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared, “Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God.” [Mark 12:24.] The language of the Bible should be explained according to it obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has given the promise, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” [John 7:17.] If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad, and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error.
When we come to a study of the word of God we all have our baggage. Our own preconceived ideas and traditions. Too often we look to learned men who we think know what the Bible says but there are many false teachers who twist and mystify plain statements of scripture. This is why God gives a blessing to those who read the book of Revelation.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
If we would take the Bible just as it reads according to its most obvious meaning and if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse our minds we would not walk in error. The promise has been given. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” [John 7:17.] “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32"
TM 106: "The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however long they may have held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the opinion of commentators as the 'voice of God; they were erring mortals like ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well as to them. We should make the Bible its own expositor."
RH Oct 9 1883 "Make the Bible its own expositor, bringing together all that is said concerning a given subject at different times and under varied circumstances."
TM 115 "The book of Daniel is unsealed in the Revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history."
Was the whole of the book of Daniel sealed or was it only a portion of it?
AA585 The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end." Daniel 12:4.
With these statements in mind we need to understand where our interpretation of the Trumpets comes from.
Bible Readings for the Home Circle- 1914 edition is as standard reference of Adventist belief. Let’s see what it says about the trumpets.
"With what do these trumpets deal?
With the wars, commotion, and political upheavals which result in the breaking up and downfall of the Roman Empire the first four with the downfall of Western Rome, the fifth and sixth with the downfall of Eastern Rome and the seventh with the final downfall of Rome in its broadest sense, Bible Readings for the Home Circle pg 289
So according to Bible Readings for the Home Circle (BRH) pge 289 the 1st trumpets relate to the downfall of Western Rome; the 5th and 6th trumpets deal with the downfall of Eastern Rome; and the 7th is the final downfall of Rome generally. On what are these conclusions based. Are these conclusions based on clear evidence from the Bible itself.
On page 289 of BRH the 1st trumpet is declared to have been fulfilled from 395-410 AD. The authority for these conclusions is Albert Barnes, and Gibbon.
Uriah Smith says:
1897 UrS, DAR 478.2 "None could elucidate the texts more clearly, or expound them more fully, than the task has been performed by Gibbon. The chapters of the skeptical philosopher that treat directly of the matter, need but a text to be prefixed, and a few unholy words to be blotted out, to form a series of expository lectures on the eighth and ninth chapters of Revelation." "Little or nothing is left for the professed interpreter to do but to point to the pages of Gibbon."
I know not how the history of the sounding of the first trumpet can be more impressively set forth than by presenting the graphic rehearsal of the facts which are stated in Gibbon's History, by Mr. Keith, in the Signs of the Times, Vol. I, pp. 221-233: "Large extracts show how amply and well Gibbon has expounded his text in the history of the first trumpet."
Smith declares that if you want to teach anyone about the trumpets all you need to do is quote directly from Gibbons just add the appropriate texts and blot out a few unholy words and hey presto you have a presentation about the trumpets. Pretty much whatever you need to know about the trumpets you can directly quote from Gibbon.
Note what Ellen White has to say about Gibbon.
ST, November 3, 1881 "Gibbon, the renowned historian, was not a great man according to God's standard. He was endowed with great intellectual powers, that he might make known to his fellow-men the knowledge of God. But Satan prepared his snares for this man, and he became entangled in the meshes of skepticism. His works breathe insinuations against God and against the world's Redeemer. He improved every opportunity to destroy confidence in the Bible and the Christian religion. Eternity alone can reveal the amount of harm wrought by his writings. The world pronounces Gibbon a literary success. God pronounces him a failure."
4T 520 “Gibbon the skeptic, and many others whom God endowed with giant minds, and whom the world called great men, rallied under the banner of Satan and used the gifts of God for the perversion of truth and the destruction of the souls of men.”
The interpretation of trumpet No 2 is interpreted as the invasion of Africa and Italy by the Vandal Genseric from 428-476AD. This explanation comes from Gibbons Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chapter 36. This is that man that Ellen White said “improved every opportunity to destroy confidence in the Bible and the Christian religion.” who “used the gifts of God for the perversion of truth and the destruction of the souls of men.” Why are we using the observations of Gibbon as a basis for our understanding of prophecy?
In Bible Readings for the Home on page 291 we are told that Mohammed is the star that fell from heaven and the bottomless pit refers to the Arabian desert. –“Attila is symbolized by the star of the third trumpet (Rev. 8:10,11); Mohammed, by the star of this trumpet. The bottomless pit doubtless refers to the wastes of the Arabian desert, from which came forth the Mohammedans, or Saracens of Arabia, like swarms of locusts.” The proof used for this conclusion is Myers's "General History," page 401.
EW 274 "The sayings and doings of men are dwelt upon instead of the plain, cutting truths of the Word of God."
What is wrong with using the Bible to interpret itself? Does the Bible interpret what these symbols mean? See trumpet slide show
2 TM 112 "When we as a people understand what this book (Revelation) means to us there will be seen among us a great revival."
This great revival has not happened among God’s people. Maybe it is because we have not properly understood the meaning of this book
Isa 29:11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
Isa 29:12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
We need a revival and that revival will come from an understanding of the book of Revelation. The learned or wise leaders cannot understand the book (of Revelation) because it is sealed. It is closed to them. It is then given to common people and they cannot understand it because they think the wise should explain it to them so they say I cannot understand it I am unlearned I need someone who is learned to explain it to me.
Revelation 1 says there is a blessing to those who read and understand it. If we are wise in our own understanding or opinions we will not understand it. But if we let the Spirit of God illuminate our minds through His word we will receive the blessing that is promised in this book.
May God bless you as you dig for yourself the treasures that are there, instead of relying on the opinions and traditions of men.
UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE THAT THE SEVEN TRUMPETS ARE DEFINITELY FUTURE EVENTS
Since the above information was presented, with further study, more truth has come to light that places the seven trumpets during the time of the 'loud cry' and the message of the angel of Revelation 18. This conclusion is supported by the Spirit of Prophecy and the word of God. Read this amazing truth below - you can also download it as a pdf. file .
“The angel, the mighty angel from heaven, is to lighten the earth with his glory, while he cries mightily with a loud voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen” (Revelation 18:2). Oh, how I wish the church to arise and shine because the glory of the Lord has risen upon her. What can we not do in God if every human agency is doing its very utmost! “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). We would lose faith and courage in the conflict if we were not sustained by the power of God. Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide-awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. What is this? Grace, Grace.”
“The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us, and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth.”
Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us, and these things will be sure indications of the presence of Him who has directed in every aggressive movement, [the One] who has accompanied the march of His cause through all the ages, and who has graciously pledged Himself to be with His people in all their conflicts to the end of the world. He will vindicate His truth. He will cause it to triumph. He is ready to supply His faithful ones with motives and power of purpose, inspiring them with hope and courage and valor in increased activity as the time is at hand.
Deceptions, delusions, impostures will increase. The cries will come in from every quarter, “Lo, here is Christ! Lo, there is Christ!” “But,” said Christ, “Go ye not after them.” There will be one fierce struggle before the man of sin shall be disclosed to this world, who he is and what has been his work. While the Protestant world is becoming very tender and affectionate toward the man of sin, shall God's people take their place as bold and valiant soldiers of Jesus Christ, to meet the issue which must come, their lives hid with Christ in God? Mystic Babylon has not been sparing in the blood of the saints, and shall we be wide-awake to catch the beams of light which have been shining from the light of the angel who is to brighten the earth with his glory?
Letter 112 1890
Ellen White illuminated the future battles God's remnant were to expect in the previous transcript that she originally wrote to her family members : Emma, Edson and Willie - her precious children.
It is important to note that Ellen White is discussing future events. The time she discusses is the time when the loud cry of the mighty angel of Revelation 18 is sounding. There is going to be a desperate struggle between good and evil You can only be on one of two sides. She specifically refers to solemn events that will transpire at that time - TRUMPET AFTER TRUMPET WILL SOUND and VIAL AFTER VIAL WILL BE POURED OUT. She describes these scenes as ones of stupendous interest and continues "these things will be sure indications of the presence of Him who has directed in every aggressive movement, [the One] who has accompanied the march of His cause through all the ages, and who has graciously pledged Himself to be with His people in all their conflicts to the end of the world."
Ellen asks the very important question: "Shall we be wide-awake to catch the beams of light which have been shining from the light of the angel who is to brighten the earth with his glory?"
Do you understand the importance of what she has said? She has definitely placed the SEVEN TRUMPETS in the context of the final warning messages given at the time of the loud cry which is yet to take place - the time when the earth is ablaze with the glory of the angel of Revelation 18. God is waiting for His church to ready herself. Are you ready? Are you in Babylon? Or is it time to leave Babylon? Such important questions that we as individuals have to ask ourselves.
Jeremiah also saw this time and was taken aback by what he saw in vision:
Jer 4:19 KJV* My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
Jer 4:20 KJV* Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
Jer 4:21 KJV* How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
Jer 4:22 KJV* For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
"The prophecies which the great I AM has given in His word, uniting link after link in the chain of events, from eternity in the past to eternity in the future, tell us where we are today in the procession of the ages and what may be expected in the time to come. All that prophecy has foretold as coming to pass, until the present time, has been traced on the pages of history, and we may be assured that all which is yet to come will be fulfilled in its order....
The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.
The Bible, and the Bible only, gives a correct view of these things. Here are revealed the great final scenes in the history of our world, events that already are casting their shadows before, the sound of their approach causing the earth to tremble and men's hearts to fail them for fear.
“I am pained at my very heart; ... I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled.” Jeremiah 4:19, 20."
PK 536—537
Ellen White quotes Jeremiah and states that prophecy will be fulfilled in its order. The Bible only gives a correct view of these things and we are on the verge of a stupendous crisis. The trumpet will sound and destruction is cried. Jeremiah is experiencing heartfelt pain and anguish and in verse 21 asks the question : How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
The prophecy of the seven trumpets in Revelation 8,9 and 11 is yet future. Trumpets are associated with warnings. The trumpets will blow and are the warnings of God sent to a world who have to make a choice. This choice is about who they will worship - the creator God who made the universe or the God of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), Satan - the destroyer, the evil one who appears as an 'angel of light' and blinds or deceives those who prefer darkness rather than light. This is the last opportunity before the testimony of God's witnesses comes to an end
God's witnesses are his watchman and are called to draw the attention of the world to their creator God. God has pre-announced the judgments he will use to awaken, alarm and warn the world that His return is imminent. This announcement is in the word of God in the final book of the Bible - Revelation - Rev 1:1 KJV* The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Eze 33:2 - 7 KJV Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Ezekiel was a designated 'watchman' to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 33:2). The watchman knowing impending danger was near needed to sound the alarm. The 'sword of the Lord' was to come upon God's people. The expression 'sword of the Lord' represents the judgments He allowed to fall upon Israel and other nations to awaken them to their sinful condition and need to heed the Creator God and his law. David - King of Israel numbered the children of Israel and was disobedient to God's specific command not to do so (1 Chronicles 21 : 1-3). Through God's prophet Gad, David was given a choice as to which judgment or punishment he would choose as a result of his disobedience.
1Ch 21:11 KJV* So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
1Ch 21:12]KJV* Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
The 'sword of the Lord' caused the deaths of seventy thousand men (1 Chronicles 21:14) as a result of the pestilence unleashed as a punishment for David's sin.
It is the responsibility of God's watchmen to :"If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;" (Ezekiel 33:3). When God's judgments or sword are going to take place it is the responsibility of His watchman to blow the trumpet and broadcast the warning to all who will listen. It is the responsibility of God's witnesses to prophesy again (Revelation 10:10) and warn the world and its inhabitants that the seven trumpets heralding God's judgments are going to take place. The lion roars and the trumpets sound during the time of the loud cry echoing the plea to 'Come out of Babylon my people."
Jer 25:31 KJV* A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.
Mic 2:12 KJV* I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
The phrase: "A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; "is a reference to the loud cry of the angel of Revelation 18. Note the purpose of the 'noise': the Lord has a controversy with the nations and will plead with all flesh. In Micah is described the gathering of the remnant of Israel and how 'they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men'. The loud cry is pictured again and it is the remnant of Israel that are proclaiming the message to the world.
"The last great conflict is before us; but help is to come to all who love God and obey his law, and the earth, the whole earth, is to be lighted with the glory of God. “Another angel” is to come down from heaven. This angel represents the giving of the loud cry, which is to come from those who are preparing to cry mightily, with a strong voice, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” April 19, 1906 — Be Vigilant RH Ch 1420
My brethren, we must have Jesus enthroned within, and self must die. We must be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and then we shall not sit down, saying unconcernedly, “What is to be will be. Prophecy must be fulfilled.” Oh awake, I pray you, awake, for you bear the most sacred responsibilities! As faithful watchmen you should see the sword coming and give the warning, that men and women may not pursue a course through ignorance that they would avoid if they knew the truth. The Lord has enlightened us in regard to what is coming upon the earth that we may enlighten others, and we shall not be held guiltless if we are content to sit at ease with folded hands and quibble over matters of minor importance.
If the watchmen sleep under an opiate of Satan’s and do not recognize the voice of the true Shepherd and do not take up the warning, I tell you, in the fear of God, they will be charged with the blood of souls. The watchmen must be wide-awake, men who will not slumber at their post of duty, day nor night. They must give the trumpet a certain sound that the people may shun the evil and choose the good.
Light must come to the people through agents whom God shall choose, who will give the note of warning that none may be in ignorance of the purposes of God or the devices of Satan. At the great heart of the work Satan will use his hellish arts to the utmost. He will seek in every possible way to interpose himself between the people and God and shut away the light that God would have come to His children. It is his design to keep them in ignorance of what shall come upon the earth.
All should be prepared to hear the signal trumpet of the watchman and be ready to pass the word along the walls of Zion that the people may prepare themselves for the conflict. The people must not be left to stumble their way along in darkness, not knowing what is before them and unprepared for the great issues that are coming. There is a work to be done for this time in fitting a people to stand in the day of trouble, and all must act their part in this work. They must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ and be so fortified by the truth that the delusions of Satan shall not be accepted by them as genuine manifestations of the power of God.
MS 18 1888
What a great responsibility rests on the people of God! We have to warn humanity of the impending 'sword' or God's judgments. Ellen White writes : "The Lord has enlightened us in regard to what is coming upon the earth that we may enlighten others... They must give the trumpet a certain sound that the people may shun the evil and choose the good...The people must not be left to stumble their way along in darkness, not knowing what is before them and unprepared for the great issues that are coming." The seven trumpets will be sounded at the time of the latter rain which occurs during the 'loud cry'. They will be convincing testimonies to the accuracy of God's prophecies recounted in His word (Revelation 8, 9 and 11).
Rev 8:5 KJV* And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Rev 8:6 KJV* And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The heavenly fire thrown down from the altar in heaven is representative of the latter rain. Note immediately after this event the seven angels with seven trumpets are about to sound. For further information about 'The Latter Rain' go to the study on this website.
They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.” CET 177.2
Ellen White asked the question at the beginning of this study : "Shall we be wide-awake to catch the beams of light which have been shining from the light of the angel who is to brighten the earth with his glory?" Those beams of light included the revelation that the seven trumpets were yet future events. As watchmen on the walls of Zion it is our duty to warn the world and to prophesy again of the sword that will come and offer to a dying world the free gift of salvation from God while there is still time.
It will be the saddest of moments to hear the voices of people who were never warned. Ellen White shares a vision at a meeting of the Huntsville Church Board :
"There was a scene presented to me. It was the night before the Sabbath. That is when that scene was presented. I looked out of the window, and there was an immense ball of fire that had come from heaven, and it fell where they were casting buildings with pillars, especially the pillars were presented to me. And it seemed as if the ball came right to the building and crushed it, and they saw that it was branching out, branching out, enlarging, and they began to cry and mourn and mourn, and wring their hands; and I thought some of our people stood by there, saying, “Well, it is just what we have been expecting; it is just what we have been talking about; it is just what we have been talking about.” “You knew it?” said the people. “You knew it, and never told us about it?” I thought there was such an agony in their face, such an agony in their appearance.
MS 152 1904
Catastrophic events will take place during the sounding of the trumpets.. God's witnesses, like Moses, will:
Rev 11:6 KJV* " have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. " The trumpets are prophesied by God's witnesses. Yet the trumpets are given with mercy - they only impact on one third of the earth, sea, fountains of waters and the sun, moon and stars. God's witnesses prophesy for a period of 1260 literal days and give the loud cry combined with the message of the angel who lightens the earth with his glory (Revelation 18). See the Revelation 11 study on this website for more information about events during the 1260 day time period.
From this introductory study we can conclude the following:
· That the seven trumpets are future events.
· We have a responsibility as watchmen to warn humanity of the judgments that God will send.
· The trumpets are designed as a wake up call to all that Christ is coming and to prepare to meet him.
· The trumpets are judgments given with mercy.
· The trumpets sound during the loud cry and the fourth angel's message of Revelation 18.
Since the revelation that the seven trumpets have a prophetic fulfillment yet to come God has revealed much. A book about the coming fulfillment of the trumpet judgments is available FREE from this website. No commentators have been relied upon to interpret the trumpet events rather the very important rule of interpretation - 'The Bible and the Bible only' has been applied. Statements from the pen of Ellen White have also been included which support the 'Bible and the Bible only' application.
Click on the image below to go to the Seven Trumpet Book and download it for your reading offline if needed.
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