Seventh Trumpet
The Seventh Trumpet is comprised of three passages (Rev 10:5-7;
11:14-19; 14:1-20). It's
confusing, because unlike the other trumpets, the events associated with the Seventh Trumpet is interrupted.
The Seventh Trumpet is about to sound (Rev 10:5-7);
but, the Second Interlude with the Two Witnesses is presented (Rev 10:8-11:14).
The Seventh Trumpet sounds (Rev 11:14-19); but,
before you learn of its consequences, the Third Interlude is presented (Rev 12:1
- 13:18).
Finally, you learn of the Seventh Trumpet's consequences (Rev 14:1-20).
The Seventh Trumpet heralds the Third Woe. In contrast, unique among the previous seals and the trumpets,
the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet elicits great praise and worship among the heavenly beings.
When the Seventh Trumpet sounds, loud voices in heaven announce that the kingdom of the world, previously
ruled by Satan, has become the kingdom of God and His Son Jesus.
Before His resurrection, Jesus identified Satan as the ruler of the world.
Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
(John 12:31)
The twenty four elders fell on their faces and worshiped God by praising Him for the following reasons:
1. The Seventh Trumpet heralds God's reassertion to rule His creation earth. However, what
is significant is the phrase "the Almighty, who are and who were." Observe carefully that there is no
mention of the triune God in the future tense, which can be seen in contrast with an earlier praise:
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes
around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the
Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come." (Rev 4:8)
2. The Seventh Trumpet heralds the final dispensation of God's wrath of judgment against the
"sons of disobedience" at Armageddon.
3. The Seventh Trumpet opens the heavenly temple of God and revealed the Ark of His Covenant
and allows the seven angels with the seven plagues to come out (Rev 15:5-6).
These plagues are the last of God's judgments, and with them, the wrath of God is finished (Rev 15:1).
4. Three angels flying in midheaven make three pronouncements.
The first angel preaches to the whole world the gospel in a manner that all would understand
and have no excuse (Rev 14:6-7).
The second angel, proclaims the judgment of the secular worldview that denies the existence
of God and sin - the lifestyle that is motivated by pride and power, attracts all cultures and people, and is
intoxicating with pleasurable immorality (Rev 14:8).
The third angel, speaking to all human beings of the world, condemns all those who have the
mark of the beast (Rev 14:9-11).
5. The final result of the Seventh Trumpet is the appearance of the reapers, and the
reaping that occurs is in the figurative sense and reminiscent of the Parable of the Tares
Jesus Christ, sitting on the cloud wearing a golden crown, wields a sharp sickle
(Rev 14:1-16).
An angel, who came out of the heavenly temple, wields a sharp sickle
(Rev 14:18-19).