The Drama of the Trumpets

Rev. 8:6-13

Introduction:  The trumpet is one of the great instruments in the Bible which is used regularly.  We learned Thursday night it was used for several things in the nation of Israel.  There was the sound of judgment and the sound of warning.  It was also used to sound an alarm to the people.

You may enjoy the sound of the trumpet now in orchestras or even as solos; however, during the Tribulation Period it will be a sound of judgment.  The trumpet will sound the alarm that Satan is pouring out judgment on the earth.  Chapter 8 gives us four trumpet sounds and in chapter 9 there will be three woes and more trumpets.

I. The first trumpet vv. 6-7

A. The presentation vv. 6-7a

1.  God used seven angels again v. 6-they were prepared to do God’s bidding.

2. The first one sounded his trumpet as God had directed him.

B. The description v. 7b

1.  God’s judgment is orderly and most effective. First four affect nature and the environment-the last three affect man.

2. Hail and fire mingled with blood goes back to the 7th plague in Egypt.Ex. 9:18-19; 25-Joel 2:30 promised blood and fire in the last days.

3. Plant life is first created and now it is first destroyed.

4. Green vegetation dries up and disintegrates-possible with all the nuclear warfare of the day.

NOTE:  “A years ago the preachers were saying that the world is coming to an end and the scientists were laughing at them.  Now the scientists say that the world is coming to an end and the preachers are laughing at them.” (unknown)

5.  All vegetation will be destroyed and one third of the trees destroyed-this will affect the balance of nature as well as have a dramatic affect on the food supply.

6. Vegetation feeds both man and animals-food for mankind and cattle will die-little if any meat available.

7. Trees will be affected-woods for shelter, homes, trees for oxygen, food, prevent soil erosion—third of the trees and green grass burnt up-dramatic effect on our world.

II. The second trumpet vv. 8-9

A. Instrument of judgment v. 8a

1.  The authority for the trumpet to blow originated with God.

2. A literal burning mass was cast into the sea-it is easy to see how nuclear fission and atomic power could cause this.

B. Effect of judgment vv. 8b-9

1.  Three things are affected

a.  One third part of the seas turned into blood-echoes Ex. 7:15-22-plague

Polluted water will have a dramatic impact on ecology and staggering problems

b. One third of marine life dies-death of so many will affect the balance of animal life in nature and further contaminate the polluted waters-this means food supplies and job loss

c. One third of ships will be destroyed-maybe closest to the impact of the judgment-food, travel, and jobs all suffer from the destruction of a multimillion-dollar industry-today there are 56,500 ocean-going merchant ships with over 100K vessles are various stypes of container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers-some of these ships costs over 200 million just to build-worldwide shipping industry is 2.2 trillion dollars in 2021 and by 2031 will be 4.2 trillion dollars-90% of the world’s goods are carried on ships

d. World supplies will be devastated-food and nature will be dramatically changed.

 III. The third trumpet vv. 10-11

A. The instrument of judgment v. 10a

1.  A burning star fell into the atmosphere and now destroyed fresh water-one third is affected.

2. Rivers and wells of water are now touched by God’s wrath.

3. This star must fall apart when it enters our atmosphere because if it struck the earth, it would destroy our planet.

B. The effect of judgment vv. 10b-11

1.  Wormwood is a tree which has a strong bitter taste if eaten.

2. Symbol of sorrow and great calamity Jer. 9:15; Amos 5:7

3. People who drink from these polluted waters will die.

IV. The fourth trumpet vv. 12-13

A. The instrument of judgement v.12-ehcoes the night plague Ex. 10:21-23

1.  Heavens are affected dramatically

a.  Third part of the sun darkened

b. Third part of the moon darkened-perhaps an eclipse?

c. Third part of the stars darkened.

2. Third part of the day and third part of the night

B. The effect of judgment v. 13

1.  Moon and stars will change the signs and seasons in some way.

2. Sun is used for warmth, energy, light-without everything will freeze

3. Moon affects the graveity of the earth.

4. Probably the day will be shortened to a 16 hour day-will change the night/day cycle.

5. This will alter the health of mankind and growth cycles.

6. Probably human nature will take advantage of the long darkness and much wickedness will increase Joel 2:1-2

7. Yet with all of this terrible judgment, an angel announces that there are three trumpets left-these are introduced as woes which speaks of greater intensity.

Conclusion:  God is reminding us that when His judgment must be poured out, it is done for a reason and with a purpose.  We must win the lost before it is too late and be ready for His coming.