In chapter 8, we have the opening of the seventh seal which introduces the Seven Trumpet Judgments. We must not be frightened regarding the judgments we have discussed thus far, because from chapter 4 on is the future – “the things that shall be after these things” (Revelation 1:19). We are living in the Church Age; thus, we are living in the “things which are” (present). The “things which are” covered the section dealing with the seven churches of Asia Minor. In chapter 6, we studied the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, and I hope those terrible judgments didn’t frighten you! Remember, the church is gone, for she has been raptured to meet the Lord in the air; and thus, the church has been exempted from the cataclysmic happenings that are taking place on earth (I Thessalonians 1:10). These judgments that God will pour upon the earth will be tremendous, and they are even mind-boggling to read about. We read with interest about the terrible judgments God will pour upon the earth; however, as believers, we know that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and we are assured that He will deliver us to Christ before the Great Tribulation Period!
The Seven Trumpet Judgments that we are about to discuss will reveal the terrible tragedy the world will face. As we enter into this study, we should be motivated to share Christ and the gospel to those we meet knowing that if they enter the Tribulation Period, they will be severely tested! Also, the book of Revelation should serve as a means of comfort to believers because we know that God will judge this world rightly, for it is certainly out of control! God will move in judgment against this world and He will straighten out this sin-cursed world. This same Jesus came to die for you, and rose triumphantly for you; if you will not have Him as your Saviour, then nothing short of terrible judgment awaits you!
As the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8:1), there came to pass a silence in heaven of about a half hour. There is a brief cessation of judgment, a great heavenly pause of action. We are instructed from verse 2, that the Apostle John observed that seven angels were given seven trumpets. The seven trumpets of Revelation chapter 8 are not be confused with “the last trump” of I Corinthians 15.
The “last trump” of I Corinthians 15 will be the Lord’s call for the church to meet Him in the air; whereas, the Seven Trumpet Judgments are judgments that the Lord will pour out upon the earth during the Tribulation Period. In verses 3-5, we are introduced to the fact that an angel stood before the Golden Altar with a golden censer. In the Old Testament economy, the censer was used to carry coals from the Brazen Altar outside the tabernacle to the Altar of Incense inside. The Golden Altar is a place where prayer is offered. In heaven, the incense is a type of the prayers of the saints – prayers which beseeched the Lord to revenge them of their persecutors. In answer to the saints’ prayers, God responds to their prayers by casting judgment upon the earth. The people of the earth, who have rejected the death of Christ for the judgment of their sins, must now bear the judgment for their own sins.
As the first trumpet sounds from heaven, a great judgment of fire is poured upon the earth and one-third of the trees are burned up (v. 7). Along with one-third of the trees being burned, there will be the enormous destruction of all green grass. The people of the earth will experience a terrible time because there will be a scarcity of food. Although one-third of botanical life is affected, the judgment upon the earth will still be tremendous. The flood was used by God in His first global judgment; however, God will use fire as His instrument to judge the earth during the Tribulation Period! This is a direct judgment from God. Judgment falls upon plant life, from the grass to the great trees. The earth is to be purified by fire! In the Genesis account, plant life was the first to be created, and it is the first to be destroyed. After order had been brought into the physical globe, God began with the creation of plant life (Genesis 1:11).
As the second trumpet sounds, the sea, which occupies most of the earth’s surface was severely affected by God’s judgment (vv. 8-9). The literal mass from the volcanic eruption of this great mountain falls into a literal sea, with one-third of the sea turning to blood, and one-third of all living creatures dying. Also, one-third of the ships are destroyed. Many biblical scholars believe that the sea mentioned in these verses refers to the Mediterranean Sea.
With the sounding of the third trumpet (vv. 10-11), a star shall fall and cause waters to be made bitter. God knows the number of stars and calleth them by their names. The name of this star is Wormwood which shall poison the fountain-head of some great sweet water channel. You will note that one-third of the water is contaminated, however, mankind will still be severely affected.
With the sounding of the fourth trumpet (vv. 12-13), the sun, moon and stars shall fail to shine their full strength. An angel (translated an eagle) shall announce some “ominous woes” to the inhabitants of the earth. God is using everything possible to get people to believe!
The remaining trumpet judgments will be discussed in chapters 9:1-21; 11:15-19.
May God Bless!
Rev. Johnny Calvin Smith
