Interpreting the seven trumpets of Revelation

Herbert W. Armstrong

1st trumpet

The first four of these trumpet-plagues are described in chapter 8 as winds that blow on the earth, trees, rivers, and seas. You will read that in verses 6 through 12, chapter 8 of the Book of Revelation. The last three trumpets are called WOES, because of the terrible WOE that shall befall the forces of evil on earth. This is stated in the 13th and last verse of chapter 8.

2nd trumpet

3rd trumpet

4th trumpet

5th trumpet

The first WOE, which is also the fifth trumpet, is described in chapter 9, verses 1-11. The power that causes the destruction, this time to men, comes out of the symbolic "bottomless pit." This is interpreted in Revelation 17:8-14. There we learn that a rebirth of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE is the power which emerges out of "the bottomless pit" or abyss -- a condition of underground existence not visible to the world. Verse 7 shows this FUTURE power will be a WAR-making, revived fascist power. It is described in prophecy as a power to the NORTH of the Holy Land, because the prophecies always speak from the focal point of the Holy Land -- to the north, and west.

6th trumpet

The second WOE, with its symbols of horses and horsemen, is interpreted by Ezekiel 38:4, 15, and is also referred to as an event in the DAY OF THE ETERNAL in Joel 2:4. This refers to a tremendous military power -- also to the NORTH -- due north! They come with an army of two hundred million! Think of it -- an army of two hundred million! World events are now moving rapidly to make possible the creation of a Communist Eurasian army of that unbelievable manpower! Yes, it's time to wake up to what's taking place today -- the true significance of the time in which we live, and where it is leading!

7th trumpet

In many other prophecies it is recorded that the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth -- the time of Christ's literal bodily return to this earth -- shall occur at the time of the last trump! The same Jesus who came to earth over 1900 years ago, taught the way of happy living which men rejected, was put to death, resurrected from the dead, and ascended to heaven -- this same Jesus is coming again in almighty POWER and GLORY. He is coming as world RULER -- as KING of all kings -- as LORD of all lords, to rule all nations, and to enforce the way to PEACE!
And His coming shall occur at the last trump. You will find that in I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 24:31.
We know from these prophecies that this last trumpet is the time for the actual appearing of Christ as WORLD RULER! But what else is described? Notice the sounding of the seventh trumpet.
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).
THERE IT IS! It is announced that the WORLD-RULE of Jesus Christ over all nations has arrived. All human government on earth shall fall, under the divine power of Almighty God. Men have never wanted God's rule -- even though it is the only way to peace, happiness and joy. And so the rulers of human governments over mankind are found angry! They shall have been deceived by the false teaching about a secret rapture theory into believing that this is the ANTI-Christ! They shall fight against Christ and His rule over the earth.