Revelation 8-11: The Seven Trumpets
1. The First Six Trumpets (8:2-9:21)
a. Introduction to the Trumpets (2-6)
i. Seven angels are given seven trumpets and prepare to sound.
ii. The prayers of the saints are presented on the altar with incense.
iii. Fire from the altar is thrown to earth: thunder, lightning, earthquake.
b. The First Trumpet: Vegetation
i. Hail and fire mixed with blood is thrown to the earth.
ii. A third of the earth, trees, and green grass are burned up.
c. The Second Trumpet: Sea
i. Something like a great mountain on fire is thrown into the sea.
ii. 1/3 of sea became blood, 1/3 of creatures died, 1/3 ships destroyed
d. The Third Trumpet: Waters
i. A great star fell, burning like a torch, on the rivers and springs.
ii. Star is called Wormwood; 1/3 of waters became bitter and men died
e. The Fourth Trumpet: Stars
i. 1/3 of sin, moon, and stars were darkened; day and night disrupted
ii. “Woe, woe, woe because of the three remaining trumpet blasts.”
f. The Fifth Trumpet: Locusts
i. Locusts released from the bottomless pit by a fallen star
ii. Torment the men not sealed with the mark of God for five months
iii. Frightful appearance; Their king is angel of pit: Abaddon/Apollyon
g. The Sixth Trumpet: Army
i. Four angels released at the Euphrates to kill 1/3 of mankind
ii. They bring an army of 200 million cavalry: Fire-breathing lion heads
iii. The rest of mankind still did not repent of idolatry and wickedness.
2. The Little Book (10:1-11)
a. A mighty angel with a little book; Seven thunders sound, do not record
b. When the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery of God will be finished
c. John eats the book: sweet then bitter; “You must again prophesy.”
3. The Temple and the Witnesses (11:1-14)
a. The Temple is Measured (1-2)
i. John is told to measure the temple, altar, and those who worship in it
ii. The court is excluded and is overrun with the holy city 42 months
b. The Two Witnesses Prophesy (3-6)
i. Two witnesses prophesy in sackcloth for 1,260 days
ii. They are the two olive trees and two lampstands before God
iii. They are protected by fire and have power to bring plagues
c. The Two Witnesses are Killed (7-10)
i. The beast from the abyss makes war with them and kills them.
ii. Their bodies lie in the street of the great city for 3 ½ days.
iii. Those who dwell on the earth rejoice in their death.
d. The Two Witnesses are Resurrected (11-14)
i. God revives them and then carries them to heaven in a cloud.
ii. An earthquake collapses 1/10 of the city and 7,000 die.
iii. The rest of the people are terrified and give glory to God.
4. The Seventh Trumpet: Temple (11:15-19)
a. “The kingdoms of earth belong to the Lord and Christ; They reign forever!”
b. “You have reigned; the nations were angry; You have brought judgment.”
c. The temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of the covenant appeared.