THE FIRST TRUMPET
[[Revelation 8:7]] KJV* 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.
This faith must be the great element in the power which rules the characters of God’s people. He displayed great signs and wonders in Egypt, showing His command over all the natural world and over the powers which the Egyptian oppressors worshipped. Once again the Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world as upon the gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land. Then His redeemed people will exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth. Shall not those who are living in the last remnant of this earth’s history become intelligent in regard to God’s lessons? MS 85, 1899
God is going to execute judgment on the gods of this world just as he did upon the gods of Egypt. In Egypt the worship of nature had superseded the worship of the Creator God. The ten plagues poured out on Egypt were designed to show that the Creator God of the universe had "command over all the natural world and over the powers which the Egyptian oppressors worshipped." Notice what type of judgments are going to be poured out :"With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land." Also take note of what God's remnant people will be doing at this time: "His redeemed people will exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth." God's witnesses at the time of the latter rain and loud cry will be declaring: *[[Rev 14:7]] KJV* Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. The trumpet warnings will be blown by God's witnesses admonishing the world's inhabitants to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The hour of his judgment is come will be present truth for the world. The earnest plea to worship the Creator God and acknowledge His true day of worship in doing so - the seventh day sabbath of the fourth commandment - echoes around the world.
In Egypt worship of nature and a multiplicity of man-made gods was essential to an individuals health, wealth and status. Today's society is a mirror of history. The prime, motivating influence for many is to serve themselves. "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" is an expression authored by Aleister Crowley an English occultist and writer who whilst in Egypt authored his 'Book of the Law' dictated to him by an entity named Aiwass who he later identified as his holy guardian angel.
( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema )
This so called 'Book of the Law' is certainly not of heavenly origin yet the same spirit was prevalent even when Christ was on earth. Christ said: *[[Mat 15:9]] KJV* But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. You cannot truly worship the Creator God if you are teaching and obeying the commandments of men. It is the commandments of God that He wants you to obey. This will be the catch cry of God's witnesses - "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." His true worshippers will keep His law: *[[Rev 14:12]] KJV* Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
*[[Revelation 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.
*[[Revelation 8:6]] KJV* And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
*[[Revelation 8:7]] KJV* 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.
Before the trumpets are sounded, the outpouring of the latter rain takes place. The coals of fire are cast into the earth and the cleansing coals representative of the spirit of God purify His remnant readying them to prophesy in sackcloth (Revelation 11:3). An earthquake also signifies that the latter rain has taken place.
*[[Joel 2:28]] KJV* And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
*[[Joel 2:29]] KJV* And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
*[[Joel 2:30]] KJV* And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Joel describes the outpouring of the latter rain and refers specifically to the wonders that take place in the earth and heavens. These wonders refer to the trumpet warnings of Revelation 8 and 9. Blood and fire the first two wonders are combined in the first trumpet: *[[Revelation 8:7]] KJV* 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.
This trumpet warning of judgment is literal. The impact on the environment is devastating. Today man bemoans the destruction of forests like the Amazon. But when a third of the world's forests are destroyed the whole world suffers. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide. Not only does the atmosphere have to deal with the smoke and pollution created by the burning of the trees, there are now significantly less forests to convert the CO2 into oxygen. Global warming caused by the retention and increase of CO 2 in the atmosphere now rapidly increases. Man's attempts to avert a disastrous rise in world temperatures and the unpredictable climate changes that happen as a result are futile.
Remember how Ellen White states that God will execute judgments upon the gods of this world :"Once again the Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world as upon the gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land." The judgments of God are very real and are designed to warn and remind people of the soon coming of Christ. He wants people to realise that time is running out. Fire, hail and blood are elements that God enables with his word to cause destruction and fulfil His word:
*[[Nahum 1:3]] KJV* The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
*[[Nah 1:4]] KJV* He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
Note that "the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm". All God has to do is speak just like He did at creation - *[[Psa 33:6]] KJV* By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He created by His word and He destroys by His word - 'He rebuketh' the sea and dries up all the rivers at His word. *[[Psa 104:7]] KJV* At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. David describes how God's voice which is likened to thunder controls the movements of the oceans keeping them within their boundaries, but He can also dry seas up with His word. (Psalms 106:9) The God who created nature, who 'hath his way in the whirlwind and storm' will plead with humanity through the judgments he delivers through His creation. The fiery storm of hail mingled with blood of the first trumpet will be sounded by God's witnesses as with a loud voice they repeat the first angels message 'the hour of his judgment is come - worship him that made heaven and earth and sea and the fountains of waters ' Revelation 14:7. Turn to the creator God and worship Him - honour Him by keeping His law.
The traditional Adventist view of the trumpets has been to rely on historical accounts of events that happened during the collapse of the Roman Empire and interpret the hail, fire and blood symbolically. The question must be asked is :Are the hail, fire and blood symbols or figures in the context of the trumpets?
William Miller in his written work: Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology gives some advice when it comes to interpreting prophecy:
Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy, to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms.
Waters, meaning people.
Lamp, meaning Word of God.
Day, meaning year.
PROOFS
Dan.ii.35,44. vii.8,17. Rev.xvii.1,15. Ps.cxix.105. Ezek.iv.6.
To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further, if not, look again.
How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively.
PROOFS
Rev.xii.1,2. xvii.3-7.
EXPLANATION OF PROPHETIC FIGURES
HAIL, denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by some Northern government. Isa.xxviii.2,17. xxx.30,32. Rev.viii.7.
Miller’s rules of Biblical interpretation have merit. However, even his interpretation of prophecy was not 100% foolproof. Miller actually believed the seven plagues or vials had already been poured out:
“holding that six of the seven plagues were already past, being symbolic of the judgments of God on the Papacy going back to the Reformation. While he thought the seventh plague was still future, it did not presage any special persecution for the saints other than what they had always had to endure throughout the centuries.”
Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: 1845 – 1859 Vol 1, 85
Not long after the disappointment of 1844 a vision given to Ellen Harmon was included in the pamphlet ‘A Word to the Little Flock’:
“The vision given to Ellen Harmon constituted a major departure from mainstream Millerite thinking. This probably explains why, when this vision was included in the pamphlet A Word to the “Little Flock” 16 months later, James White felt it necessary to include a section offering biblical support for the position “that the seven last plagues were all in the future, and that they were all to be poured out before the first resurrection.” For White himself, this represented a reversal of his earlier Millerite position”. Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: 1845 – 1859 Vol 1, 85
Today, just like in the days post 1844 we need to examine our beliefs and traditions and ask ourselves – Are we letting the Bible interpret itself? Or are we trying to interpret prophecy and use symbols and figures when the context obviously is literal? The pioneers with revelation from the spirit of prophecy were able to conclude that the seven plagues had not been poured out. Surely we with similar evidence and enlightenment available can come to a similar conclusion. Ellen White wrote in 1890: “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.”
A key proof text used by Miller for interpreting hail as a symbol is:
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.
The text compares a mighty and strong one to a ‘tempest of hail’, ‘a destroying storm ‘ and ‘a flood of mighty waters overflowing’. It is obvious in the text that a simile is being used –a comparison is being made between the devastation caused by the strong one and the impact a storm with hail and overflowing waters would have –both cause destruction. The strong one IS NOT HAIL but is “AS A TEMPEST OF HAIL”.
Miller himself states “If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively.”
In Isaiah 28:2 the term hail in the context is definitely being used in a figurative sense. But can the same be said for Revelation 8:7:
Revelation 8:7 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.
A trumpet or warning is sounded just as Moses warned Pharaoh of the impending plagues in Egypt, God’s witnesses will prophesy again and warn the world of God’s judgments and why they are falling. The trees and green grass burn –is this a literal burning? It certainly is! What has caused this destruction? Hail and fire mingled with blood has fallen upon the earth similar to what fell upon Egypt.
Exodus 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
Exodus 9:23 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.
Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
There is no simile or comparison being made between a strong one and the hail in Revelation 8:7. The hail and fire is HAIL AND FIRE. As the herb of the field was destroyed in Egypt so will it be in God’s first trumpet warning to humanity.
It is also interesting to compare other verses in Revelation to assess if hail is used in a figurative or literal sense. Just prior to the outpouring of the plagues and after the seventh trumpet has sounded –Revelation 11:19 describes an earthquake and great hail:
Revelation_11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
And when the seventh vial is poured out at the end of the plagues a great hail falls from heaven:
Revelation_16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.In all references in Revelation the hail is literal, just as the earthquakes are literal. They signify the beginning and end of God’s judgments.
Investigating how often hail is mentioned in the Bible we find that the word hail is used 38 times in 34 verses. Within 26 or 76% of those verses hail is used in a literal sense. That sense being hail that comes from the sky at God’s command. One verse in that literal group states:
*[[Job 38:22]] KJV* Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,*[[Job 38:23]] KJV* Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
It is a well known theme throughout the word of God – He who created the earth, its inhabitants, its atmosphere and weather patterns utilizes the natural forces of His own creation as judgments, hoping that mankind would realise, before it was too late, that He is their creator and deserves their worship.
Hail and fire were the fifth plague in the land of Egypt:
*[[Psalms 105:32]] KJV* He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
*[[Psalms 148:8]] KJV* Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
It was demonstrated to the Egyptians that the earth is under the control of the living God, that the elements obey His voice, and that the only safety is in obedience to Him. PP 269.3
A number of other references to hail being used as a judgment include:
*[[Joshua 10:10]] KJV* And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. *[[Joshua 10:11]] KJV* And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
*[[Haggai 2:17]] KJV* I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.
*[[Psalms 18:13]] KJV* The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.*[[Psalms18:14]] KJV* Yea, he sent out
his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
The next passage from Isaiah refers to when the spirit is poured from on high. This is a reference to the latter rain.
Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isaiah 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Isaiah 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Isaiah 32:19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
What is shocking about this passage is Verse 19. God’s people will dwell safely when the hail comes down on the forest and the city will be devastated by the impact of the hail - it shall be made low – or brought down or abased. This one verse describes the hail of the first trumpet impacting the forest and refers to the seventh plague when cities will be laid low and destroyed. At this time in the future, the safety of God’s true followers is sure. They dwell in quiet resting places and peaceable habitations. This passage is truly a promise for those living in the time of the end.
The hail is mingled with fire and BLOOD. The question is asked: ‘If the hail and fire are literal is the blood literal too?’ It is interesting to note that the very word used for blood in Revelation is:
h1. G129
Transliteration: *aima*
Phonetic: *hah'-ee-mah*
*Thayer Definition*:
# blood
## of man or animals
## refers to the seat of life
## of those things that resemble blood, grape juice
# blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder
This term can be used in both a literal sense, or in other words actually be blood, however the word can be used to describe those things that resemble blood. Because the trumpet is a future judgment of God the actual scientific composition of the blood will be totally at His discretion. The concept of blood rain is not new and throughout history events have been recorded where blood like substances have fallen from the sky. For further information on this topic check out:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_rain
From our study of the first trumpet we have come to the following conclusions:
· Our creator God is going to judge the modern gods of this world as He did to the gods of Egypt – with fire, floods, plagues and earthquakes.
· When God pours His spirit out (the latter rain) there will be seen: wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
· Even our pioneers changed their understanding of prophecy when the Bible and spirit of prophesy revealed to them truth and light.
· The majority of texts in the Bible referring to hail –refer to literal hail.
· God has used literal hail in judgments throughout the Bible and has an armoury or treasures of natural elements that he has reserved for the time of trouble.
· The blood which comes down with the fire and hail will appear to be blood and may be literal or a substance resembling blood.
· The first trumpet warning of hail, fire and blood is going to be a literal event similar to the plagues that fell on Egypt.
The first trumpet will herald the soon return of Jesus Christ. God is merciful and restricts its impact to a third of the forests. It is time to recognise that there truly is a God. The creator God desires that his children worship Him and obey Him.
*[[Revelation 14:7]] KJV* Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
SIX MORE TRUMPETS ARE YET TO SOUND!
This faith must be the great element in the power which rules the characters of God’s people. He displayed great signs and wonders in Egypt, showing His command over all the natural world and over the powers which the Egyptian oppressors worshipped. Once again the Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world as upon the gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land. Then His redeemed people will exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth. Shall not those who are living in the last remnant of this earth’s history become intelligent in regard to God’s lessons? MS 85, 1899
God is going to execute judgment on the gods of this world just as he did upon the gods of Egypt. In Egypt the worship of nature had superseded the worship of the Creator God. The ten plagues poured out on Egypt were designed to show that the Creator God of the universe had "command over all the natural world and over the powers which the Egyptian oppressors worshipped." Notice what type of judgments are going to be poured out :"With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land." Also take note of what God's remnant people will be doing at this time: "His redeemed people will exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth." God's witnesses at the time of the latter rain and loud cry will be declaring: *[[Rev 14:7]] KJV* Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. The trumpet warnings will be blown by God's witnesses admonishing the world's inhabitants to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The hour of his judgment is come will be present truth for the world. The earnest plea to worship the Creator God and acknowledge His true day of worship in doing so - the seventh day sabbath of the fourth commandment - echoes around the world.
In Egypt worship of nature and a multiplicity of man-made gods was essential to an individuals health, wealth and status. Today's society is a mirror of history. The prime, motivating influence for many is to serve themselves. "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" is an expression authored by Aleister Crowley an English occultist and writer who whilst in Egypt authored his 'Book of the Law' dictated to him by an entity named Aiwass who he later identified as his holy guardian angel.
( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema )
This so called 'Book of the Law' is certainly not of heavenly origin yet the same spirit was prevalent even when Christ was on earth. Christ said: *[[Mat 15:9]] KJV* But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. You cannot truly worship the Creator God if you are teaching and obeying the commandments of men. It is the commandments of God that He wants you to obey. This will be the catch cry of God's witnesses - "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." His true worshippers will keep His law: *[[Rev 14:12]] KJV* Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
*[[Revelation 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.
*[[Revelation 8:6]] KJV* And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
*[[Revelation 8:7]] KJV* 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.
Before the trumpets are sounded, the outpouring of the latter rain takes place. The coals of fire are cast into the earth and the cleansing coals representative of the spirit of God purify His remnant readying them to prophesy in sackcloth (Revelation 11:3). An earthquake also signifies that the latter rain has taken place.
*[[Joel 2:28]] KJV* And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
*[[Joel 2:29]] KJV* And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
*[[Joel 2:30]] KJV* And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Joel describes the outpouring of the latter rain and refers specifically to the wonders that take place in the earth and heavens. These wonders refer to the trumpet warnings of Revelation 8 and 9. Blood and fire the first two wonders are combined in the first trumpet: *[[Revelation 8:7]] KJV* 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.
This trumpet warning of judgment is literal. The impact on the environment is devastating. Today man bemoans the destruction of forests like the Amazon. But when a third of the world's forests are destroyed the whole world suffers. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide. Not only does the atmosphere have to deal with the smoke and pollution created by the burning of the trees, there are now significantly less forests to convert the CO2 into oxygen. Global warming caused by the retention and increase of CO 2 in the atmosphere now rapidly increases. Man's attempts to avert a disastrous rise in world temperatures and the unpredictable climate changes that happen as a result are futile.
Remember how Ellen White states that God will execute judgments upon the gods of this world :"Once again the Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the gods of this world as upon the gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land." The judgments of God are very real and are designed to warn and remind people of the soon coming of Christ. He wants people to realise that time is running out. Fire, hail and blood are elements that God enables with his word to cause destruction and fulfil His word:
*[[Nahum 1:3]] KJV* The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
*[[Nah 1:4]] KJV* He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
Note that "the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm". All God has to do is speak just like He did at creation - *[[Psa 33:6]] KJV* By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He created by His word and He destroys by His word - 'He rebuketh' the sea and dries up all the rivers at His word. *[[Psa 104:7]] KJV* At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. David describes how God's voice which is likened to thunder controls the movements of the oceans keeping them within their boundaries, but He can also dry seas up with His word. (Psalms 106:9) The God who created nature, who 'hath his way in the whirlwind and storm' will plead with humanity through the judgments he delivers through His creation. The fiery storm of hail mingled with blood of the first trumpet will be sounded by God's witnesses as with a loud voice they repeat the first angels message 'the hour of his judgment is come - worship him that made heaven and earth and sea and the fountains of waters ' Revelation 14:7. Turn to the creator God and worship Him - honour Him by keeping His law.
The traditional Adventist view of the trumpets has been to rely on historical accounts of events that happened during the collapse of the Roman Empire and interpret the hail, fire and blood symbolically. The question must be asked is :Are the hail, fire and blood symbols or figures in the context of the trumpets?
William Miller in his written work: Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology gives some advice when it comes to interpreting prophecy:
Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy, to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms.
Waters, meaning people.
Lamp, meaning Word of God.
Day, meaning year.
PROOFS
Dan.ii.35,44. vii.8,17. Rev.xvii.1,15. Ps.cxix.105. Ezek.iv.6.
To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further, if not, look again.
How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively.
PROOFS
Rev.xii.1,2. xvii.3-7.
EXPLANATION OF PROPHETIC FIGURES
HAIL, denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by some Northern government. Isa.xxviii.2,17. xxx.30,32. Rev.viii.7.
Miller’s rules of Biblical interpretation have merit. However, even his interpretation of prophecy was not 100% foolproof. Miller actually believed the seven plagues or vials had already been poured out:
“holding that six of the seven plagues were already past, being symbolic of the judgments of God on the Papacy going back to the Reformation. While he thought the seventh plague was still future, it did not presage any special persecution for the saints other than what they had always had to endure throughout the centuries.”
Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: 1845 – 1859 Vol 1, 85
Not long after the disappointment of 1844 a vision given to Ellen Harmon was included in the pamphlet ‘A Word to the Little Flock’:
“The vision given to Ellen Harmon constituted a major departure from mainstream Millerite thinking. This probably explains why, when this vision was included in the pamphlet A Word to the “Little Flock” 16 months later, James White felt it necessary to include a section offering biblical support for the position “that the seven last plagues were all in the future, and that they were all to be poured out before the first resurrection.” For White himself, this represented a reversal of his earlier Millerite position”. Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: 1845 – 1859 Vol 1, 85
Today, just like in the days post 1844 we need to examine our beliefs and traditions and ask ourselves – Are we letting the Bible interpret itself? Or are we trying to interpret prophecy and use symbols and figures when the context obviously is literal? The pioneers with revelation from the spirit of prophecy were able to conclude that the seven plagues had not been poured out. Surely we with similar evidence and enlightenment available can come to a similar conclusion. Ellen White wrote in 1890: “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.”
A key proof text used by Miller for interpreting hail as a symbol is:
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.
The text compares a mighty and strong one to a ‘tempest of hail’, ‘a destroying storm ‘ and ‘a flood of mighty waters overflowing’. It is obvious in the text that a simile is being used –a comparison is being made between the devastation caused by the strong one and the impact a storm with hail and overflowing waters would have –both cause destruction. The strong one IS NOT HAIL but is “AS A TEMPEST OF HAIL”.
Miller himself states “If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively.”
In Isaiah 28:2 the term hail in the context is definitely being used in a figurative sense. But can the same be said for Revelation 8:7:
Revelation 8:7 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.
A trumpet or warning is sounded just as Moses warned Pharaoh of the impending plagues in Egypt, God’s witnesses will prophesy again and warn the world of God’s judgments and why they are falling. The trees and green grass burn –is this a literal burning? It certainly is! What has caused this destruction? Hail and fire mingled with blood has fallen upon the earth similar to what fell upon Egypt.
Exodus 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
Exodus 9:23 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.
Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
There is no simile or comparison being made between a strong one and the hail in Revelation 8:7. The hail and fire is HAIL AND FIRE. As the herb of the field was destroyed in Egypt so will it be in God’s first trumpet warning to humanity.
It is also interesting to compare other verses in Revelation to assess if hail is used in a figurative or literal sense. Just prior to the outpouring of the plagues and after the seventh trumpet has sounded –Revelation 11:19 describes an earthquake and great hail:
Revelation_11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
And when the seventh vial is poured out at the end of the plagues a great hail falls from heaven:
Revelation_16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.In all references in Revelation the hail is literal, just as the earthquakes are literal. They signify the beginning and end of God’s judgments.
Investigating how often hail is mentioned in the Bible we find that the word hail is used 38 times in 34 verses. Within 26 or 76% of those verses hail is used in a literal sense. That sense being hail that comes from the sky at God’s command. One verse in that literal group states:
*[[Job 38:22]] KJV* Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,*[[Job 38:23]] KJV* Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
It is a well known theme throughout the word of God – He who created the earth, its inhabitants, its atmosphere and weather patterns utilizes the natural forces of His own creation as judgments, hoping that mankind would realise, before it was too late, that He is their creator and deserves their worship.
Hail and fire were the fifth plague in the land of Egypt:
*[[Psalms 105:32]] KJV* He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
*[[Psalms 148:8]] KJV* Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
It was demonstrated to the Egyptians that the earth is under the control of the living God, that the elements obey His voice, and that the only safety is in obedience to Him. PP 269.3
A number of other references to hail being used as a judgment include:
*[[Joshua 10:10]] KJV* And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. *[[Joshua 10:11]] KJV* And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
*[[Haggai 2:17]] KJV* I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.
*[[Psalms 18:13]] KJV* The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.*[[Psalms18:14]] KJV* Yea, he sent out
his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
The next passage from Isaiah refers to when the spirit is poured from on high. This is a reference to the latter rain.
Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isaiah 32:16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Isaiah 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Isaiah 32:19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
What is shocking about this passage is Verse 19. God’s people will dwell safely when the hail comes down on the forest and the city will be devastated by the impact of the hail - it shall be made low – or brought down or abased. This one verse describes the hail of the first trumpet impacting the forest and refers to the seventh plague when cities will be laid low and destroyed. At this time in the future, the safety of God’s true followers is sure. They dwell in quiet resting places and peaceable habitations. This passage is truly a promise for those living in the time of the end.
The hail is mingled with fire and BLOOD. The question is asked: ‘If the hail and fire are literal is the blood literal too?’ It is interesting to note that the very word used for blood in Revelation is:
h1. G129
Transliteration: *aima*
Phonetic: *hah'-ee-mah*
*Thayer Definition*:
# blood
## of man or animals
## refers to the seat of life
## of those things that resemble blood, grape juice
# blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder
This term can be used in both a literal sense, or in other words actually be blood, however the word can be used to describe those things that resemble blood. Because the trumpet is a future judgment of God the actual scientific composition of the blood will be totally at His discretion. The concept of blood rain is not new and throughout history events have been recorded where blood like substances have fallen from the sky. For further information on this topic check out:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_rain
From our study of the first trumpet we have come to the following conclusions:
· Our creator God is going to judge the modern gods of this world as He did to the gods of Egypt – with fire, floods, plagues and earthquakes.
· When God pours His spirit out (the latter rain) there will be seen: wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
· Even our pioneers changed their understanding of prophecy when the Bible and spirit of prophesy revealed to them truth and light.
· The majority of texts in the Bible referring to hail –refer to literal hail.
· God has used literal hail in judgments throughout the Bible and has an armoury or treasures of natural elements that he has reserved for the time of trouble.
· The blood which comes down with the fire and hail will appear to be blood and may be literal or a substance resembling blood.
· The first trumpet warning of hail, fire and blood is going to be a literal event similar to the plagues that fell on Egypt.
The first trumpet will herald the soon return of Jesus Christ. God is merciful and restricts its impact to a third of the forests. It is time to recognise that there truly is a God. The creator God desires that his children worship Him and obey Him.
*[[Revelation 14:7]] KJV* Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
SIX MORE TRUMPETS ARE YET TO SOUND!
GET ALL THE TRUMPETS IN ONE FREE BOOK - HIT THE 7 TRUMPET IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD A BOOK THAT WILL OPEN YOUR EYES AND REVEAL WHAT IS SOON TO TAKE PLACE!
|
|
| trumpet_one.pdf |