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The Trumpets Sound

THE TRUMPETS SOUND

Revelation 8

In Revelation 8 we see the “breaking of the 7th seal.”

But now in chapter 8 we find the opening of the 7th and final seal.

Now, like I said, out of this 7th seal will come the 7 trumpets.

That is what these trumpets will be used for.

So, let’s look at chapter 8: 1  And when He broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Notice the “silence in heaven”.

That is what this silence is…it is the silence that exists before God brings forth His judgment on Rome.

But why would God delay in His judgment on Rome?

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation;

Our God cares even about the aggressors…the wicked…and when He delays an action He does so with the hope and desire that some will repent and be saved.

So, John says:  And when He broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God; and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar(the altar is where worship took place…where sacrifices were offered up to God)…

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Now, remember here what the saints have been praying for: Chapter 6: 10-12.

4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

5 And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

Notice the four elements mentioned here…thunder, sounds, flashes of lightening and an earthquake.

6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.

The moment for warnings has arrived.

7 And the first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

Notice the “hail and fire.”

And notice that the “hail and fire, mixed with blood” are thrown to the earth.

And notice, only 1/3 of the earth was burned up.

And he says that “1/3 of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned.”

God will use natural disasters to affect the earth…and these things will aid in the fall of the Roman Empire.

Look at verse 8:

8 And the second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood; 9 and a third of the creatures, which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Notice here he says that “something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea.”

And notice again, only a third of the sea is affected…and only a third of the creature die…and only a third of the ships are destroyed.

And notice he says that a third of the sea became blood.

All of these things…the maritime disasters…the attack on Rome’s commerce…the attack on food sources…will aid in the fall of Rome.

Now, here is just a note of interest.

I don’t know for sure that Mt. Vesuvius’s eruption was a fulfillment of what is said here.

God can…and has…and will use natural disasters to warn people of their need to repent…and He can and has and will use those same things to bring His judgment on a people and nation.

And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters;

Notice where this “great star” fell from.

And notice what is affected…a third of the rivers and the springs of water.

11 and the name of the star  is called Wormwood;

 Vs. 11  ….and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

When there is no water to drink…and when there is no fresh water for the crops and livestock…it can have devastating affects on an economy…as well as on people themselves.

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were smitten, so that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.

Here is again is prophetic speech.

13 And I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven(indicates divine nature of  the destruction). , saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth(This is the ungodly. In chapter 3:10, 4:10, 13:8, 12, 14; 12:12; 13:6…the saints are seen as dwelling in heaven. This judgment comes on those on the earth.)

13 And I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

So, God will use natural disasters…He will attack the earth and the food sources it produces.

All of this as a result of the prayers of the saints…all because of Rome’s mistreatment of God’s redeemed.

Let me close with this brief comment.

When this judgment comes on Rome, many of the faithful will suffer and even die.