Revelation Study - Session 16 - The First Four Trumpets

To understand the trumpets, it is valuable to understand: 1) 2) 3) The Timing of the Trumpets Revelation 8:1 - Revelation 11:15-19 - The Purpose of the Trumpets The first four trumpets remind us of the _______________ First trumpet - ___________ plague Revelation 8:7 - Exodus 9:18-26 - Second trumpet - _________ plague Revelation 8:8-9 - Exodus 7:20 - Third trumpet - _________ plague Revelation 8:10-11 - Exodus 7:21- Fourth trumpet - _________ plague Revelation 8:12 - Exodus 10:21-23 What was the purpose of the plagues? Exodus 7:14-17 - - - - Revelation 9:20-21 - The difference between natural consequences and divine punishment Good summary from Revelation: Four Views by Steve Gregg: "What Events Do the Seven Trumpet Judgments Represent? When Do These Events Occur? Historicist Approach: The trumpets speak of a series of invasions against the Roman Empire (Vandals, Huns, Saracens, and Turks). The sixth trumpet brings the fall of Constantinople to the Turks (1453). The little book represents the Bible being made available to the masses of Europe after the invention of the printing press. Preterist Approach: The first four trumpets correspond to disasters inflicted by the Romans on the Jews in the Jewish War (a.d. 66-70). The fifth trumpet probably depicts the demonic spirits rendering the besieged Jews irrational and self-destructive. The sixth trumpet refers to the Roman armies, who destroyed Jerusalem and slaughtered or deported all the Jews. Futurist Approach: Either literally or symbolically, the trumpets represent calamities that will be endured by the unrepentant inhabitants of earth during the coming seven-year Tribulation. These may be supernatural judgments direct from the hand of God or merely the disastrous effects of man's improper stewardship of the earth and his abuse of technology (e.g., nuclear weapons). Spiritual Approach: Catastrophes reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt befall sinful humanity many times in history, demonstrating God's displeasure and, like trumpet blasts, warning of worse things to come upon the unrepentant. Sinful humanity typically absorbs these injuries with defiance, refusing to repent." FALL BIBLE STUDY 2023 - THE BOOK OF REVELATION SESSION 16: THE SEVEN TRUMPETS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 2 | Page