The Tribulation Judgments

Introduction

We now move to our final study of the Tribulation period. After this, we will consider Christ’s Second Coming, the future Millennial Kingdom, and end with a look at the future Eternal Kingdom along with the New Jerusalem.

As for the tribulation judgments, we have already established the fact that these judgment are seen as coming by the hand of the Lord. There are a number of distinct judgment programs. From the moment the Rapture takes place until Christ’s Second Coming, there are three sets of seven judgments that will fall upon the earth. They are divided accordingly in Revelation as the Seal Judgments, the Trumpet Judgments, and the Vial Judgments. As you will see, each series of judgment intensifies in their severity. These judgments do not take place at the same time. Instead, they follow each other in succession. The first series consists of the Seal Judgments followed by the Trumpet Judgments. In turn, the Vial Judgments follow the Trumpet Judgments.

So let’s begin with a look at the Seal Judgments.

The Seal Judgments

Revelation 6:1 KJV 1900

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

It is largely accepted that the four beasts mentioned here are none other than cheribums which are magnificent angels. We see a picture of such creatures in Psalm 99:1

Psalm 99:1 KJV 1900

1 The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Again, we find them in Ezekiel 10:15

Ezekiel 10:15 KJV 1900

15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

Ezekiel 10:20 KJV 1900

20 This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

A quick study reveals that cheribums are portrayed as belonging to the highest order of celestial beings. They are always associated with God’s throne. It is these angels who play a big part in the tribulation Seal Judgments.

As noted in Revelation 6:1

Revelation 6:1 KJV 1900

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

It is Christ, the Lamb, who opens the first seal and it is one of the cheribums that proclaims, “Come and see.” With this action, God’s judgment of wrath begins.

Here is a summary of these seals and their interpretation.

Seal #1 - Revelation 6:2 “2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” - This seal represents the peace movements on the part of men as they seek to establish peace on earth. This seems to be tied to the peace covenant that the Beast uses to establish peace on the earth.

Seal #2 - Revelation 6:3–4 “3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” - This seal represents the removal of peace from the earth and the wars that engulf the earth.

Seal #3 - Revelation 6:5–6 “5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” - This seal represents famine that results from the desolation of war.

Seal #4 - Revelation 6:7–8 “7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” - This seal prefigures the death that follows in the wake of man’s failure to establish peace.

Seal #5 - Revelation 6:9–11 “9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” - This seal reveals the fact that many of God’s saints have died for their faith and how they plead for God’s vengeance.

Seal #6 - Revelation 6:12–17 “12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” - This seal speaks to great convulsions that will shake the entire world. It would seem that the earth shakes so violently that the makeup of islands and continents will be severely altered. Additionally, those who are in power in many nations will lost control and anarchy will reign.

Seal #7 - Revelation 8:1–2 “1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” - The seventh seal marks the end of the Seal Judgments depicted by the “silence in heaven” and the beginning of the Trumpet Judgments.

It is important to note that the Seal Judgments are the beginning of God’s judgments upon the earth. Again, they are successive. However, it must also be noted that many of them may continue throughout the period once they are unfolded. You may have also noted that several of these judgments come through human agency.

Trumpet Judgments

As noted in the last seal, seven angels are handed a trumpet. Thus, we have seven angels sounding trumpets in succession that bring about more of God’s judgment upon earth.

The trumpet is of great significance in Scripture. During the early days of Israel as a nation, the trumpet was appointed by God as call to bring together such groups as the princes of Israel or even the entire congregation. It was also used to pack up camp and to set up camp. Trumpets also played a big part in the many feasts God established for Israel. However, the trumpet’s speciality was its ability to sound the rally for battle. In fact, in Ezekiel 33:1-7, the trumpet was known as the watchman’s trumpet that was blown to deliver all who would heed its warning.

Thus, with the sounding of the trumpets in Revelation, they are sounding the warning of God’s impending judgments.

Now, when it comes to interpreting the Trumpet Judgments, there is wide variance of interpretations. Some theologians and Bible commentators take a very strict literal approach while others swing the complete opposite interpreting them as symbolic. Within those who take symbolic approach, there is a huge array of opinions. We will not deal with those for it matters not to us as we always seek a more literal interpretation.

It must be noted that these Trumpet Judgments can be divided into two segments. The last three are separated from the first four and are called “woe” judgments. Let’s do a quick run down of these judgments.

Trumpet #1 - Revelation 8:7 “7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” - This judgment is cast upon the earth versus the seas. The significance of this judgment is the fact that 1/3 of the earth’s population will die.

Trumpet #2 - Revelation 8:8–9 “8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” - This judgment comes against the seas. Again, with this second trumpet, another 1/3 of the earth’s population dies.

NOTE: Some have suggested that judgment cast “upon the earth” represents the land of Palestine as it often does within the context of Revelation. The seas then represent all the other nations of the world. Thus, these two judgments from God of unimaginable extent fall upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

Trumpet #3 - Revelation 8:10–11 “10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” - This judgment falls upon the rivers and fountains of water.

Trumpet #4 - Revelation 8:12–13 “12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” - In this trumpet, we judgment upon the sun, moon, and stars. There are many who think this represents God’s judgment upon governmental leaders since the sun, moon, and stars are often used to symbolize people in government.

Trumpet #5 - Revelation 9:1-12 - This a lengthy passage. In this first woe judgment, which is also a trumpet judgment, we see an individual (an angel) unlock the bottomless pit and out of it comes all kinds of demonic creatures ready to wreak havoc on the entire world. It is interesting that we see God places limitations on what they can or cannot do in verses 4 and 5. It is also interesting that we see the words “like” and “as,”which are two words often in symbolic language, describing these creatures. The names “Abaddon” and “Apollyon” that are applied to the king over them means “destruction.”

Trumpet #6 - Revelation 9:13–19 “13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with they do hurt.” - In this judgment, which is the second woe judgment, we see an army of 200,000,000 creatures unleashed that cause unbelievable to destruction resulting 1/3rd of the earths population. If you add up the numbers, by this time, one half of the world’s population is killed by the fourth seal judgment and this trumpet judgment. This number does not include all who will die by wars, famines, and diseases during this time.

Trumpet #7 - Revelation 11:15 “15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” - The trumpet announces Christ’s second coming.

We now come to the Vial or Bowl Judgments.

Vial Judgments

This last series of judgments completes the outpouring of divine wrath upon the earth.

Revelation 16:1 KJV 1900

1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Vial (Bowl) #1 - Revelation 16:2 “2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” - Note a “noisome and grievous” sore will come upon men. This affliction will on affect those who worship the beast indicating that there will still be those who are believers having not taken the mark and still living. Obviously, the beast and the false prophet will be helpless to do anything about it or just don’t care. In fact, these sores remain with people continuing to curse God even after the fifth vial is poured out in verse 11.

Vial (Bowl) #2 - Revelation 16:3 “3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” - Here the waters turn to blood. Everything living in the sea will die. In the second trumpet judgment, we saw God judge the seas with a third of the seas creatures dying. This vial judgment totally annihilates all marine life. Imagine the effect upon the entire world with 72% of the earth’s surface being water.

Vial (Bowl) #3 - Revelation 16:4–7 “4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. 7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” - Once again God allows the freshwater supply to be affected. Instead of wormwood, we have it all turning to blood. The clear indication is God’s judgment against those who shed the blood of saints are now forced to drink blood as water.

Vial (Bowl) #4 - Revelation 16:8–9 “8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” - At this time, the sun’s full force is felt upon the earth. All the ozone conspiracies will come to fruition as God removes the ozone allowing intense heat scorch men. What is their reaction? The curse and blaspheme God and do not repent.

Vial (Bowl) #5 - Revelation 16:10–11 “10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” - God goes directly after the beast by causing his whole kingdom be thrust in darkness. This was cause men and women to go mad as they gnaw their tongues and with the same breath continue to blaspheme God.

Vial (Bowl) #6 - Revelation 16:12–16 “12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” - In this judgment, the Euphrates dries up paving the way of the Kings of the East to invade Palestine and setting the stage for the final battle of the Armageddon campaign.

Vial (Bowl) #7 - Revelation 16:17–21 “17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” - Catastrophic and widespread destruction will occur. Along with it comes the cry, “It is done!” An earthquake beyond the Richter scale will take place. It will divide Jerusalem, cause mighty cities to fall, and many islands with many mountains will disappear. Additionally, the mother of all storms will take place as well with hailstones falling that weigh one hundred pounds. The entire world will suffer such devastation that all of man’s greatest achievements will be destroyed in one swoop. Yet still, men and women will continue to curse God.