Interpreting the seven trumpets of Revelation

David C. Pack

1st trumpet

Comment: The four initial trumpet plagues will affect one-third of: All trees and vegetation; oceans and seas; freshwater streams and lakes; and natural light.

Why will each of these elements be destroyed or diminished by one-third? Certainly, God could diminish all of these elements as much as He determined necessary. The reason these initial trumpet plagues are of measured intensity, short of what God could easily carry out, has to do with His giving various peoples and nations the opportunity to repent upon seeing God's restrained punishment on mankind.

2nd trumpet

3rd trumpet

4th trumpet

5th trumpet

The first two woes--the fifth and sixth trumpet plagues--involve all-out warfare between the European Beast power and a large confederation of "the men of the east" (Russia and China and various bordering nations)... For people to be painfully afflicted for five months could point to some form of chemical or biological warfare. Note from verse 4 that the weaponry referred to has no damaging effects on vegetation. This verse also shows that those who have the seal of God in their foreheads (those having God's Spirit) are protected from this woe. The "king" over the Beast power orchestrating these attacks is the "angel of the bottomless pit" (Rev. 9:11), known in Hebrew as Abaddon ("a destroying angel") and in Greek as Apollyon ("a destroyer"). Both names unmistakably point to Satan the devil.

6th trumpet

This Sixth Trumpet Plague is essentially a counterattack by the hordes of the east against the Beast power of Europe. Much of the symbolism of the first and second woes describes some of the weaponry of modern warfare. John portrayed what he saw using the language and analogies of his day (e.g., attack helicopters could resemble scorpions). To better understand this counterattack, carefully read Revelation 9:13-19. This appears to be a full-scale nuclear attack against the Beast power of Europe and her allies, killing one-third of mankind. God will allow the enemies that destroyed modern Israel to turn on each other. Yet, a significant number will survive this onslaught and unite to oppose Christ at His Return.

7th trumpet

This final trumpet plague and final woe represents the full wrath of God against those who refuse to repent! ... This marks the most crucial juncture in the history of mankind--the Return of Christ, and the First Resurrection. Verse 19 shows that another earthquake occurs, accompanied by a great hailstorm.