Interpreting the seven trumpets of Revelation

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The Seven Trumpets

The Creation Concept

Charles D. Alexander
Herbert W. Armstrong
William Barclay
Gregory K. Beale
James B. Coffman
John Darby
A. C. Gaebelein
George Gifford
David Guzik
E. W. Hengstenberg
H. A. Ironside
B. W. Johnson
Alonso T. Jones
Jack Kelley
William Kelly
Don Koenig
Gordon E. Ladd
Clarence Larkin
Francis Nigel Lee
David B. Loughran
John MacArthur
Henry Madison Morris
Robert H. Mounce
John H. Ogwyn
David C. Pack
Jon Paulien
J. Dwight Pentecost
Peter Pett
Bob Pickle
Vern S. Poythress
John H. Pratt & Edward B. Elliott
Ken Raggio
James Stuart Russell
Tyconius
John Walvoord
Ronald Weinland
James White

Peter Pett

1st trumpet

This whole picture suggests a procession of great storms, their devastating effects resulting in pestilence and death, and the mention of fire and brimstone stresses that they are to be seen as a judgment of God. Possibly, but not necessarily (it is apocalyptic language not to be taken literally) to be seen as connected with volcanic action. The mention of blood over against pestilence in Ezekiel refers to 'death' and includes the storm's effects as it causes death and destruction (see also Ezekiel 14.19).

2nd trumpet

the description may be of a meteor or asteroid crashing to earth producing great devastation and even changing the colour of the sea. Because it hits the sea its worst effects are avoided, but it still causes great devastation around it. The sea was always seen by the Israelites as an enemy, for they had few ports and little to do with it.

3rd trumpet

... this judgment has in mind the punishment of God for disobedience to His law and to His word and the bitter experiences that result. Because people reject His word they will 'drink' bitter and deadly water, in other words they will experience bitter things, including death, resulting from heavenly activity.

There may be here an intended contrast with the 7.17 where the fountains of waters of life are spiritual. Thus, as it was with the exiles, the wormwood and bitterness may largely be seen as spiritual and not physical, a bitterness of mind and heart, resulting from bitter experiences. But it is illustrated by the pollution of their water supplies.

As with the second trumpet it is always possible that we have here the fall of a heavenly body and its subsequent effects. Many strange things have happened through history which have been unaccounted for, and some such events as this may therefore have taken place, affecting a good part of a particular area. (It seems very probable that John himself was aware of stories of falling heavenly bodies which caused devastation). But as falling stars are regularly angels in Revelation that must seem probable here.

Thus it is more likely the case that we are to see in this the activity of a fallen angel, described partly in terms reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt. If this be so it may again be seen as happening over a period of time. That is that a fallen angel comes down and continues to bring about certain effects resulting in bitterness in men's spirits.

4th trumpet

History is sadly strewn with activities of men that have made it seem to those affected as though the very heavens were being affected (it is apocalyptic language). It may deepen as time goes on. But once again we are reminded that it is part of the judgments of God on a sinful world, and a continual call to repent. The whole creation still groans and travails in pain waiting for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8.18-23).

It could also refer to periods when climactic conditions have caused such phenomena so that nature appears to have run amok. The idea is then of unnatural periods of light and darkness, as in the plague in Egypt. We can compare the darkness at the crucifixion (Mark 15.33). The description is exaggerated for effect and describes things as seen on earth.

5th trumpet

It is probable that the anguish is to be seen as spiritual rather than physical, torment in the mind and spirit rather than in the body, although such anguish often produces, or results from, physical consequences. 'Like the torment of a scorpion' describes piercing pain which makes a man writhe in anguish. As a result men will want to die, but they will be so ill that they will be unable to find that way out. People with certain illnesses, physical, mental and spiritual, have suffered such torments, and when this occurs on a large scale, as it has for example in the Plagues with their distressing mental and spiritual effects, it may well be seen in these terms.

 The locusts, invisible to mankind, are a mixture of strength and false piety. Their pseudo-golden crowns imitate the twenty four elders, their pseudo men's faces imitate the living creatures, long hair on men would be connected with the dedication to God of the Nazarites (Numbers 6.5). Thus they represent the anti-Heaven and their dedication is to Satan. But really they are like fearsome war horses, they have lions' teeth, they wear breastplates as of iron, they sound like the rushing of chariots and they have the sting of scorpions. In other words they have great power and are damaging to man.

6th trumpet

The mention of the River Euphrates suggests the sphere of their operations which is the Mesopotamian region.

The area has always been noted for its bloody wars. In John's day the Parthian menace lay beyond those borders, ever threatening the security of the Roman Empire, later it was the centre of the hordes of Islam, and they continue today with different nations ever active in bloodshed, and the whole restlessness of the area making it a growing threat as they develop nuclear weapons and germ and chemical warfare. It has erupted again and again with horrific consequences. It is constantly erupting today. Thus the area of the River Euphrates has regularly produced something like this, and we can see in it the activity of Satanic forces.

Like the previous horsemen these have tails which hurt. In this they parallel the flying scorpion-locusts. The evil spirits from the abyss are released under the four fallen angels. And their purpose, unlike that of the scorpion-locusts, is to cause wholesale bloodshed as well as spiritual distress. Once again we are not to see these evil spirits as being seen by men. Men will only be aware of their effects as they see the carnage and distress round about them. But John is allowed to see the real cause of the bloodshed and distress. We notice that God does not carry out the carnage. Evil angels (and evil men whom they utilise) are sufficient cause.

7th trumpet

The church is raptured, the king is crowned and will now immediately exert His authority and judge the world.

The resurrection has been seen from earth's point of view, now it is declared from Heaven's point of view. The third woe is declared, the trumpet sounds, the dead are raised and the church is raptured, an example of which we have seen, and then, in that hour, the third woe actually comes, the judgment, which is carried out on those who dwell on earth. Then they will weep and gnash their teeth for they can no longer hide from His face.

Copyright © 2010 by Douglas E. Cox
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