THE SEVENTH SEAL AND THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

PROCLAMATION

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  And I saw the seven angels stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.”  Revelation 8:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eighth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1 and 6:1-17)  After seeing the 144,000, the martyrs, the Jews, and the Gentiles in heaven, John saw The Lamb of God open the seventh seal and then he saw seven angels who were given seven trumpets. (Revelation 8:1-2)  The first angel sounded the trumpet and there came hail and fire and blood down upon the earth.  One third of the grass and trees on earth were burned. (Revelation 8:7)  The second angel sounded the trumpet, and a huge burning mountain was thrown into the sea.  The sea turned to blood and one third of the creatures in the sea died. (Revelation 8:8-9)  The third angel sounded the trumpet, and a great burning star fell from heaven and landed on one third of the rivers and springs causing them to turn bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)  The fourth angel sounded the trumpet and one third of the sun, the moon, and the stars went dark. (Revelation 8:12)

 

APPLICATION

After the wrath of God has begun in the Great Tribulation period and one fourth of the people on earth have been killed, there is more death and destruction coming.  Initially only people were killed, but after the trumpets sound, plants, and animals along with more people will be destroyed. (Revelation 8:7-11)  These are things which have yet to happen but must take place. (Revelation 4:1)  The good news for the church is that the rapture will have already occurred before these things begin.  Do not be alarmed by the destruction of the earth.  The Lord has promised us a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13) and the Apostle John was given a glimpse of this in his vision. (Revelation 21:1)  This new earth is something which only believers will see.