THE FIFTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT

Preface

This study is designed to search out a portion of the wisdom that God has written into the seven trumpet judgments that we find in the Book of Revelation. This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as is the entire Bible, however the Book of Revelation addresses events of the last days or the Church Age with a great emphasis on the events immediately preceding the second coming of Christ. To understand the magnitude of what is actually taking place during these seven trumpet judgments, one must first realize that these plagues are spiritual in nature. Having said that, we dare not conclude that physical parallels to these spiritual plagues will not correspond simultaneously; they very well may. We know from many passages throughout Scripture that the earth will be destroyed at the last day. However, this physical destruction might well begin right along with the spiritual destruction of the corporate church, or another way of saying it - the temporary silencing of the Gospel. Secondly, it is essential to realize that all of these trumpet judgments are unquestionably one and the same judgment, with the exception of the seventh and last trumpet; that being Judgment Day itself. These seven trumpet judgments begin at the time of the end; near or during what Scripture declares to be the great tribulation (see Matthew 24; Luke 17 and 21; and Mark 13). In studying these seven plagues or judgments, please note that each one corresponds in similarity to the others and are repetitious in nature. All are characterized by one objective: the destruction of the “third part.”

FIRST TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The destruction of the third part of the trees, (Revelation 8:1).

SECOND TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The destruction of the third part of the sea, (Revelation 8:8).

THIRD TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The destruction of the third part of the rivers and waters, (Revelation 8:10).

FOURTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The destruction of the third part of the sun, moon, and stars, (Revelation 8:12).

FIFTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The fifth trumpet judgment seems to contain and embody the other trumpet judgments and identifies the source of this great destruction as Abaddon in Hebrew and Apollyon in the Greek (Revelation 9:11), which means Destroyer, and can only be in reference to Satan himself. At the sounding of the fifth trumpet, Satan is loosed upon the earth as he was in the Old Testament Era. The fifth trumpet judgment begins at Revelation chapter nine.

SIXTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT: The destruction of the third part of mankind, (Revelation 9:13).

The Book of Revelation is not written in chronological order just as these seven trumpet judgments are not given in chronological order. In fact, there is no specific order or sequence to these events since these pictures are all describing one great event, only from different perspectives or angles. These seven trumpet judgments seem to be depicted in allegorical form, in which much of Scripture is written. God is presenting these seven plagues in the form of a parable or allegory with much symbolism and the manner in which they are presented can be likened, as an example, to a fire: one alarm sounds, indicating that the above roof is in flames. Another alarm sounds, warning of smoke. Yet another alarm sounds when the downstairs windows are blown out. Still another alarm warns of the toxic fumes given off as a result of the flames. Nonetheless, the overall picture and catastrophic event is still the fire itself. In much the same fashion, God has given this warning in Scripture that has been preserved with the test of time; a warning that the true church of Jesus Christ will be attacked and corporately silenced throughout the world near the end of time. God will spare all who are truly saved from this spiritual deception, of course, as He states in Matthew 16:18: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” However, the preaching of the true doctrines of God, which is accomplished through those of the church, will be thoroughly curtailed to such a degree that any congregations wishing to remain true and faithful to the whole Word of God will be sporadic and extremely scarce in the best of circumstances. Some, on the other hand, insist that all congregations of the world will be destroyed by the Abomination of Desolation. God always leaves a witness upon this earth, and as Satan stands and rules within the global church of Jesus Christ, God’s elect will be alive and well outside of the corporate and global church, now desecrated.

The number seven helps to strengthen the fact that these seven trumpet judgments are in actuality one complete judgment of God. The number seven in Scripture, much of the time, represents God’s spiritual perfection and completeness. Some examples to note are: God having created the world and rested on the seventh day. Joshua was commanded of God to take the Ark of the Covenant, along with his army, and circle the city of Jericho once each day for seven days. On the seventh day they were to circle the city seven times while seven priests were to blow seven trumpets. With the sound of the trumpets and a great shout of Joshua’s army, the city of Jericho fell. All this being an historic parable pointing to a spiritual truth in that at the last day of this earth’s existence, according to Scripture, and at the sound of the last trumpet (the seventh trumpet) this earth should be destroyed. At this time all people will be resurrected, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:12).

As we examine the early chapters of the Book of Revelation, we find God addressing this portion of Scripture to the seven churches that are in Asia (Revelation 1:11). One can only conclude, upon studying these seven letters to the seven churches, that they indeed represent the one true church of Jesus Christ throughout history; past, present and future and having been adopted and contained by seven local churches that existed at the time that the Book of Revelation was penned through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We also must note that these seven churches, representing the one true church of God - the Church of Jesus Christ- are depicted also as seven golden candlesticks (Revelation 2:1). God is removing the natural and physical barriers that man is bound by and allowing John a glimpse of the spiritual realm. In the midst of these seven candlesticks, John is allowed a glance at Christ Himself, as we read in Revelation 1:16: “And he held in his right hand seven stars …” These stars are the angels or messengers of the seven churches, (Revelation 1:20). This is God’s own completed Church signified by the number seven.

God’s completed Word, the Bible, is equated in Revelation 5:1 to: “…book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” This means that there is no room for man’s additions in this supernatural book, for God has completed it, represented by the seven spiritual seals.

As we look at Romans 11:4 we see that God uses the number seven to again symbolize His true Church. “I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” These seven thousand, of course, typify every born again believer and cannot harmonize with the rest of Scripture if taken literally.

We have looked at six of the seven trumpet judgments, but what of this last trumpet judgment? The seventh trumpet signifies the completeness of God’s judgment as we read from Revelation 10:7-

SEVENTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT: “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”

At the sounding of the seventh or last trumpet, the Last Day according to John chapter six and 1 Corinthians 15:52, the mystery of God will have been completed with the resurrection of all; some to eternal darkness and others to the resurrection of eternal life. This is the time of the destruction of the earth and the heavens as II Peter 3:10 declares: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat he earth also an the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

End of Preface