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THE STORY OF THE
"SEVEN TRUMPETS"

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I

      Prelude to the Trumpets

Part II

The 1st Trumpet
The 2nd Trumpet
The 3rd Trumpet
The 4th Trumpet
The 5th Trumpet
The 6th Trumpet
The 7th Trumpet

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Part I

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Trumpets were used extensively in yesteryear to deliver critical messages. The trumpet sound carried further and clearer than the human voice. Therefore it was necessary to use the trumpet to signal what was to be done.

 
    When Gideon defeated the Midianites, he used 300 trumpets in conjunction with a similar number of pitchers and lamps (Judges 7:22). His trumpet message signaled to the enemy that a vast host was charging down upon them, setting them into disarray. The enemy did not know that was all there wasjust three hundred men blowing trumpets. You know the rest of the story.

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Gideon's Band of 300

 

    The trumpet was the means of delivering various messages. This is what the "seven trumpet" messages are all about. The "trumpet" messages are not recorded, so they must be filled in by history. The seventh "trumpet" message is the exception because we have in our time a complete record of the seventh message.
    Revelation carefully records what happens when each "trumpet" message is delivered.

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Revelation 8:2-5 Portrays Christ’s Work
During the Jewish Harvest

A Prelude to the Trumpets

"And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets." Revelation 8:2

    The "seven angels" are the same as mentioned in Revelation 1:20: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." Bible Students generally agree that the angels are Paul (who ascended over Peter as the messenger of the Ephesus period), John the Apostle, Arius, Waldo, Wycliff, Luther and Russell.
    Some might submit a different list, but most Bible Students would agree with this list. While there may be other men who might measure up in some manner to those designated, it is important to pick out men who delivered a message to the Christian world which was heard and which caused reactions and repercussions in the time they were delivered.
    The seven messengers were given "seven trumpets." The messengers either had the ability or were given the ability to blow the "trumpets" provided.
    The "seven trumpets" were divinely provided. This means these "seven angels" were placed in positions by the Lord so that their messages would be effective in reaching the Christian world at the appointed time. The "seven angels" could not deliver their message until provided with the means to do so. The same is true with the "seven last plagues." Before they can be poured out, the Lord has to provide the "seven bowls" for delivering these judgments.

 

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The Incense Altar

"And another angel [messenger, Christ] came and stood at the altar [God’s altar where acceptable sacrifice was offered], having a golden censer [the divine will to sacrifice as a New Creature his full ability].

"And there was given unto him much incense [perfect ability and will, his two hands full, to offer to God], that he should offer it [fulfill his vows of consecration as a New Creature] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar [where New Creatures' sacrifices are made] which was before the throne [the divine authority]."

Revelation 8:3

   This verse pictures Christ at the outset of his ministry presenting himself as our High Priest. In Exodus 30:7, 8 we learn that the High Priest offered incense twice daily when he dressed the lamps. The High Priest also offered two hands full of incense when he went in to make atonement with the blood of the bullock. Since blood is not mentioned, it indicates that this is not the primary focus of the story.
    The lesson is that of acceptable sacrifice before the throne. On the Day of Atonement the High Priest offered "two hands full of incense," showing his total powers being presented. Much "incense" is provided that Christ should "offer with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar."

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  "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand."  
  
Revelation 8:4

 

Our prayers would not be acceptable without the "incense" of Christ’s perfect sacrifice. "All saints" must, therefore, pray in Jesus' name (John 14:13).

The "golden censer" carried the fire needed to offer incense. God provided the trials and the circumstances through which our High Priest offered incense that was totally acceptable to God.

    Because of Jesus’ sacrifice the prayers of Christ’s disciples ascended to God. Starting at Pentecost, prayers of the saints would be heard if they were offered with the "smoke" or memory of Jesus’ sacrifice. They ascended through Christ’s "hand," or power.

"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 8:5

    John the Baptist said of Jesus that he "shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Luke 3:16). Following the outpouring of his Spirit on his servants and handmaidens of the Jewish nation, the fiery judgments came upon the nation leading to the collapse of the Jewish polity in CE 70 and afterward.
   The "voices" (proclamations), "thunderings" (controversies), "lightnings" (illuminations) and an "earthquake" (an earthquake occurred at Christ’s death and cast its shadow before it of the terrible shaking and demise of the Jewish nation) described the work of the Jewish harvest time.

"And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."
Revelation 8:6

    Each of the "seven angels" (messengers) which had been provided with the means to deliver their message are prepared to sound forth their message in their appointed time. What they proclaimed is not stated. However, the history of each period helps us learn of their work and ministry.
    The seven messengers were prepared to sound by having received a message from Jesus, who addressed the "seven angels" of the "seven churches." Jesus, who had opened the "seven seals," knew what conditions would prevail during each successive church, and was thus able to deliver the message through its "angel."

 

Click to go to the following:

 

TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN TRUMPETS:
Prelude to the Trumpets - 1st Trumpet - 2nd Trumpet - 3rd Trumpet
4th Trumpet - 5th Trumpet - 6th Trumpet - 7th Trumpet

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN TRUMPETS:
1st through 6th Trumpet [Revelation 8,9] - 7th Trumpet [ Revelation 11:15-19]

 

         TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN SEALS:
Seven Seals Part I - Part 2
1st Seal - 2nd Seal - 3rd Seal - 4th Seal - 5th Seal - 6th Seal - 7th Seal

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN SEALS:
1st to 6th Seal [Revelation 6] - 7th Seal [Revelation 8:1]

 

TOPICAL STUDY ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES:
7 Churches Topical Study Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea

CHAPTER/VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE SEVEN CHURCHES:
7 Churches Verse by Verse Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea

 

Topical Study Home Page - Chapter Study Home Page  
- Sinaitic Manuscript - Questions - Glossary.

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