The Revelation of the Seven Trumpets: the Greatest Prophecy Ever Told, Few Can Hear.
The Book of Revelation is rightly called the most prophetic book in the entire Bible. There is no other book in the Bible that has so many prophecies in it. The dramatic events of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and seven bowls will start the last three and half years commonly known as the Tribulation of this world, or the sounding of the seven trumpets. The Book of Revelation encompasses all prophecy from Gen 3:15 to Rev 22:21-22 concerning the coming and return of Yeshua the Messiah of YHVH and the redemption of His people and all mankind.
And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel. (Gen 3:15)
He that bears witness of these says, “Yes, I am coming speedily.” Amein. Yes, come, Master Yeshua! The favor of our Master Yeshua Messiah be with the set-apart ones. Amein. (Rev 22:20-21)
But do we properly understand the revelation of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls? Do we correctly read the prophecy of the seven trumpets, as the Highest has written it?
This study will try to answer the questions concerning the Tribulation period. The present author by no means considers his study on the seven trumpets an accurate and exact presentation of what is written in the book. Neither does he claim any religious authority nor any revelation from the Highest. His work is his humble understanding of what is written. But what will be transpire in actuality when the seven trumpets start sounding and the seven bowls start pouring their plagues on the earth, may greatly differ from what the present author has written below.
Before going any further in the revelation of the seven trumpets and in the events of the Tribulation, we need to first understand how the prophecy was written.
First, we should know that the Book of Revelation was written in a Hebraic mindset, which is very important to keep in mind while reading this study. Then, we should also note that the prophecy of the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls with their plagues was written from two perspectives: (1) from the heaven’s point of view and (2) from the earth’s point of view. What it means is that in the heavens they are announced as prophetic events, i.e., the thunders of the seven trumpets, but here down on the earth they are perceived as a tribulation. Let us begin.
Hebraic mindset vs. Greco-Roman mindset: the key to understand the Revelation of the seven trumpets
The Greco-Roman mind is set to operate in a linear fashion from the beginning to the end in a strict sequence of events. The Hebraic mindset, however, is less concern with the sequence of events, but more with how the events relate to each other.
For example, a westerner would describe his day more or less like this: getting up at 6, breakfast at 6:30, and drive to work. Work from 8 to 12, lunch break from 12 to 12:30, and work until 4:30. Then back to home, dinner at 7, and go to bed by 9. A Hebrew would have a different way to describe his day. He would wake up at 6 and go to bed by 9; breakfast at 6:30, lunch at 12, and dinner at 7; travel back and forth between work and home.
The difference we see is that while the westerner would describe his day in sequence of events in a strict timeline, the Hebrew would do it in what is known as “block thinking” or “block writing.” In each block he would group together events by similar characteristics.
The Book of Revelation is a typical example of “block writing” in which the prophecy of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls that have the same or nearly the same characteristics are grouped together to form separate blocks. So, we find the seven seals grouped in Chapter 6, the seven trumpets in Revelation 8-9, and the seven bowls of plagues in Revelation 16.
Each of these blocks is written in a manner to group together similar events, i.e., the breaking of the seven seals of the scrolls (one block writing) that hold the judgments that will be poured out onto the earth (another block writing) after the sounds of the seven trumpets (one more block). Just because these prophetic events are written in seven blocks it does not mean that they will be executed in this order.
And as we will see further below, these are not the only “blocks” of prophetic events, as commonly thought, but there are three other prophetic blocks, often overlooked by the commentators of Revelation. These three groups of prophetic events are: the seven thunders, the three woes, and the two sickles. They will be seen in their proper place and order in the larger picture of the prophecy, as we will advance in this study on the seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation.
The Greatest Symphony ever written, few can hear
Let us see ourselves in a concert hall where we will listen to a classical symphony. Symphonies are scored for string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments to sound in harmony. However, our symphony begins as the orchestral musicians play from parts which contain just the notated music for their instrument: first the string group. After the string group ends, the brass section starts followed by woodwind group, and percussions.
At the end of our “symphony” we may have the impression of some form of musical performance, but we feel that there is something wrong. And what was wrong with the symphony? The composition should have been performed the way the composer has written it and we should have listen to the music the way it was meant. But what did we hear? After all did all musicians not play their parts and did we not hear all instruments?
The truth is that our perception of the music is far from what the composer has intended it to sound despite the great performance of the musicians. So, what went wrong?
What went wrong was that the separate section of the orchestra played their parts as they have been written: in scores (blocks). And although each section of the orchestra has its score to play, they should not have been played one after the other (in blocks). The role of the conductor is to read the scores for string, brass, woodwind, and percussion sections in synchrony, as the book he has in front of him is written the way the orchestra should sound: in consonant.
So, what is “symphony?” A symphony is an extended musical composition usually consisting of often four distinct movements. The word symphony is derived from the Greek word symphonia, meaning “agreement or concord of sound.” Or, a symphony is consonance (in the sense of “sounding together”), as opposed to diaphonia, the word for “dissonance.”
The same is true for the Book of Revelation. The events of the opening of the seven seals, the soundings of the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls grouped together by similar characteristics, represent the corresponding prophetic blocks of the larger prophecy called the Revelation.
Unfortunately, the Revelation is interpreted and studied by the prophecy commentators the way “the symphony” sounded above: in blocks. But, we are supposed to read the prophecy of Revelation, and as a matter of fact any prophecy, the way its Author expects us to read it: namely to read it from Hebraic perspectives.
But what do we see today? We see how the Bible commentators seek to decode the prophecy of the seven trumpets from wrong view point: namely by applying a Greco-Roman thinking to a scripture written in Hebraic mindset.
And this is how the Tribulation of the seven trumpets is interpreted for us by the end-time prophecy scholars.
First, they say, the seven seals are open one after the other (one block); then the seven trumpets sound (another block), and finally the seven bowls are poured on the earth. Had the Revelation been interpreted in that way, i.e., each of the seven sets of prophecy had been interpreted as a separate block of events, then as a result the whole prophecy would have sounded in dissonance.
This dissonance in the traditional interpretation of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, is caused by the misunderstanding or lack of any understanding that he Book of Revelation must be interpreted from a Hebraic point of view, not from a western Gentile point of view. Just because the prophecy is written in blocks of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, does not mean that it should be interpreted in that order.
For instance, in all traditional Christian commentaries, there is serious lack of explanation as to why the seven seals should be open one after the other; why the seven trumpets should sound one after the other, etc. And neither is it given any explanation what naturally binds the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls together.
Why should the seven bowls as a group come immediately after the seven trumpets, and the seven trumpets after the opening of the seven seals? The traditional interpretations do not give any answer and cannot give any answer, because in them there is no natural and logical cohesion between the three groups of prophetic events. As a whole we see a tribulation, but we fail to see it in its proper context, as it was meant to be understood.
Therefore, we should agree that the prophecy of the Revelation must be interpreted from Hebraic perspectives, not from Greco-Roman ones.
Had a Rabbi had to interpret the prophecy of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, or had he had to interpret Jacob’s troubles, he would come up with the most natural Hebraic interpretation, namely that they should be interpreted in synchrony. And this would be the most natural way for a Hebrew reader to interpret a prophecy.
Yochanan who penned the prophecy was clueless as to the meaning of what it was revealed to him but not because he could not see the connection between the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and seven bowls as groups (it was natural for him being a Hebrew to see the block thinking), but he could not possibly comprehend it because he saw something he could not explain.
And as no conductor in the world would conduct his orchestra in such an unwise manner, each score for string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments played one after the other, why should we expect from the Creator anything more different, but harmony in the heavenly orchestra? And if we read the Book of Revelation in its proper context, we will see the harmony in the sounding of the seven trumpets with the seven seals and the seven bowls.
As the Revelation is commonly interpreted, we may have some kind of impression of prophecy, but our perception will be far from what its Writer has intended to sound. The composition of prophetic events should have been interpreted the way the Writer has written them and we should read them the way they are meant to be read. YHVH has written (see Rev 1:1) His last prophecy in blocks which we know as the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls. He wrote His heavenly symphony, but it is up to us to hear the sound of the seven trumpets. And we can hear them, if we can only listen.
In a similar manner the classical composers wrote their symphonies in musical scores for each individual group of instruments. They were written in scores (musical blocks), but in the composers’ mind they all sounded as harmonious compositions. And performed as harmonious compositions.
But, as we desire to listen to a symphony, as it is meant to sound (as one harmonious composition), so we should read and interpret the prophecy of the Book of Revelation in agreement of sounds or of prophetic events grouped together in seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. In other words, we should read and interpret the Revelation as a consonance, not dissonance.
As we noted above there are three other prophetic blocks of events, often overlooked by the Revelation commentators. These three groups of prophetic events are: the seven thunders, the three woes, and the two sickles. They will be seen in their proper place in the larger picture of the prophecy as we advance in studying the Tribulation period.
And although, the prophetic events are written after the manner of block writing, they must be interpreted in the most logical way of interpretation.
And this way of interpretation is like this: the first seal is opened, then the first trumpet sounds with the first thunder, then the first bowl with plagues is being poured out on the earth. Then the second seal, the second trumpet with the second thunder sounds, and the second bowl is being poured out on the earth, etc., for all seven rounds of prophetic events.
And when the time for the fifth round of prophetic events comes, we see the fist woe is announced: the fifth seal is open, the fifth trumpet with the fifth thunder sounds, the first woe is announced, and then the fifth bowls with plagues is being poured out on the earth. The sixth and the seventh rounds follow swiftly.
Here is the place to say that in general YHVH’s prophecy is not given as one-time continuous revelation, but different pieces of the main theme of the prophecy were given to His prophets. And our obligation is to put the pieces together in order to see His entire revelation as it was intended from the beginning. And the beginning of the prophecy began in Genesis 3:15. Therefore, the prophecy is more like a puzzle: the pieces of the puzzle are to be put together in order to restore the entire picture and harmony.
The reader will find in this study links to other articles and chapters of present author’s book The Reckoning of Time. He wants to encourage the reader to refer to them for more insight of this complex picture, because the Book of Revelation is not just a prophecy, but the focus of many prophecies previously foretold concerning the tribulation period before the coming of the Day of YHVH. The day when His Messiah will return to put an end of the tribulation and bring justice and peace on the earth. But this will come to its fulfilment only after the revelation of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls.
Two perspectives of reading the Revelation: from Heavens and from Earth
And last but not least, in order to properly understand the prophecy of the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, we need to say that it is written from two perspectives: from the heaven’s point of view and from the earth’s point of view.
Or, in other words, a prophetic event, i.e. the sounding of the seven trumpets, can be perceived from both perspectives: in Heaven they sound as a sound of trumpets, but on the earth they are heard as thunders; one prophetic event but two seemingly different perceptions. Likewise, the pouring of the seven bowls in heaven is perceived as seven curses of plagues by the inhabitants on the earth.
For instance, it is clear that YHVH spoke out the Words of the Covenant at Mount Sinai, because all the people heard them. There were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain. And a voice of a horn, like the voices of the seven trumpets, was very strong, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
And all the people saw the thunders, the lightning flashes, the voice of the shophar, and the mountain smoking. And the people saw it, and they trembled and stood at a distance, (Exo 20:18)
But all the people also heard the thunders, but more particularly ‘saw the thunders,’ hence we draw the conclusion that words can be spoken but also perceived as thunders. The giving of the Covenant on Mount Sinai is also an example of the block writing we talked about above: in Chapter 19 all events of before and on the day of the revelation of the Covenant and are grouped together to form one block, while in Chapter 20 all Words of the Covenant were grouped together to form another block.
This epic episode of the Bible is a perfect illustration of what would happen in the Tribulation. The announcements of the seven seals would be spoken by the Messiah; in heaven they would sound like seven trumpets, but on the earth they would be heard by all the people like seven thunders; and the seven bowls with the seven plagues would be the aftermath on the earth.
The seven trumpets that will shake the last three and half years of tribulation
Below we will read the Book of Revelation in a parallel with a structure of a classical symphony for a better illustration of what the present author sees. Although a formal musical training would be a plus, it is not necessary to understand the prophecy. We should not be surprised, if we notice some similarities between the heavenly and the classical symphonies.
The first movement of a classical symphony is a fast and strong theme. It is usually in a sonata form, a musical form that has three parts: exposition, development and recapitulation.
The first part is a strong theme whose purpose is to introduce, or expose, the main idea of the symphony.
The second part is softer, quieter and more lyrical theme.
In the final part, the main idea is reintroduced in the same order as at the beginning: first the strong, powerful theme and then the quieter, more lyrical one. The composer restates these themes in a slightly different form, as this section is called the recapitulation.
The first movement of the heavenly symphony has likewise the same structure: exposition, development and recapitulation. The main idea is introduced in Heaven as a strong theme of a war between Michael and his messengers and satan and his messengers. As outcome of this war satan is thrown out of the Presence of the Highest down to the earth with which the Tribulation begins.
Once thrown down to the earth, he will know he has little time to accomplish his goal, namely, to deceive as many as possible. This theme of fighting of good and evil we will see restated throughout the whole book.
From Heaven’s perspective
And there is a war in the heaven: Michael and his messengers fight against satan and his messengers but satan was not strong enough, nor was a place found for them in the heaven any longer. And the great dragon was thrown out of the Presence. He was thrown to the earth with his messengers. “The Woe” to the earth and the sea, is foretold, the Tribulation of three and half years begins, for satan has come down, having great wrath, knowing that he has little time, Rev 12:5-14.
The second part of the first movement is given from Earth’s perspectives in which satan establishes the last eighth empire that will serve his purpose. This part is “quieter” as satan works behind the scenes until he builds it.
From Earth’s perspective
And satan once thrown onto the earth, establishes the last eighth empire on the earth, which is different from all others preceding it. He creates the ten-horned beast, the New World Order (NWO), represented by ten political and economic unions.
He gives them his power to rule over the world, to speak against the Most High, Dan 7:17-25, and for forty-two months of tribulation to persecute the faithful, Rev 13:1-7.
For more insight on the New World Order and some common misconceptions related to it, refer to chapter “The Ten-horned Beast of the Last Days.” of the present author’s book Reckoning of Time.
And another beast (two-horned) exercises all the authority of the world governance and causes the earth to worship it. And the two-horned beast does great signs to deceive many and gives spirit to the image of the New World Order to both speak and kill as many as would not worship its image. And the two horned beast deceives many to receive the mark of the name of the beast, or the number of its name, 666, without which no one is able to buy or sell (Rev 13:11-18).
False messiahs and false prophets arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive even the chosen ones (Mat 24:24).
Consequently, the ten-horned beast removes three of them and assumes their authorities and the years of the remaining are swift and two of them perish.
In the final part of the heavenly symphony called recapitulation, the main idea is reintroduced in the same order as at the beginning: first the strong, powerful theme and then the quieter one in a slightly different form.
When the middle time of the kingdom (the middle time of the Tribulation) approaches: four unions will be kept until their end begins to approach.
But in the last days, after another falls, three great unions remain and have the dominion of the earth. The greater among the three expires and the remaining two, whom the Highest has kept to their end, will accomplish their iniquities. At their end one shall devour the other, but it itself shall fall under the sword (2Es 12:11-30).
After the strong and fast first movement the second movement of a symphony is usually slow and lyrical.
The second movement of the heavenly symphony sounds thus:
From Heaven’s perspective
And a messenger flying in mid-heaven, holding the everlasting Good News announces to those dwelling on the earth,
“Fear Elohim and give esteem to Him, because the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea, and fountains of water.”
And another messenger follows, saying,
“Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her whoring.”
And a third messenger follows them, saying with a loud voice,
“If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is poured out undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he shall be tortured with fire and sulphur before the set-apart messengers and before the Lamb. (Rev 14:6-11)
And a voice out of the heaven proclaims,
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Master from now on.” (Rev 14:13)
From Earth’s perspective
The coming of the New World Order is according to the work of the satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all deceit of unrighteousness. And for this reason, the Highest sends a delusion for the inhabitants of the earth to believe the falsehood, in order that all should be judged who did not believe the truth but have delighted in the unrighteousness (2Th 2:9-12, Deu 13:1-3).
The rulers of Israel make a covenant with death for guaranteed peace (see article “The Dividing of the Land, the Covenant of Death, and the Judgement“). But soon the covenant of death will be annulled when an overflowing scourge passes through and in trembling the rulers of Israel understand the message, Isa 28:14-19.
From that moment on until everything is restored will be 2,300 days, Dan 8:13-14.
The turmoil and the wrath of Elohim are about to begin with the soundings of the seven trumpets. The Tribulation begins.
With this, we come to the third movement which is fast and usually consists of three sections. The third movement of the heavenly symphony likewise follows suit with the strong theme of wrath of Elohim.
The first section of the heavenly symphony is:
From Heaven’s perspective
And a door in the heaven is opened and One sits on a throne and a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. And around the throne are twenty-four thrones and twenty-four elders sitting on them. And out of the throne come lightnings, thunders, and voices. And seven lamps of fire are burning before the throne, which are the seven Powers (Spirits) of Elohim, Rev 4:1-5.
He who sits on throne has in His right hand a scroll, having been sealed with seven seals. And the scroll is given to the Lamb as no one in heaven or on the earth was found worthy to open and read what was written in it but the King Messiah who by His own blood has redeemed His people to the Highest, Rev 5:1-12.
And the seven messengers with the seven trumpets stand before Elohim ready to blow. And the seven messengers who are holding the seven trumpets prepare to sound. And with the sounding of the first trumpet, the tribulation period commences.
Another strong messenger having in his hand a little scroll opened cries out the Seven Thunders that will speak their words with the sounding of the seven trumpets. They will announce the secret of Elohim that shall be ended in the days of the sounding of the last seventh trumpet (Rev 10:1-7):
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last (seventh) trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”, 1Co 15:52, “and the nations shall be co-heirs, united in the same body, and partakers together”, Eph 3:3-6.
From Earth’s perspective
And another sign in the heaven, great and marvelous: seven messengers having the seven last plagues, for the wrath of Elohim is ended in them. And another messenger comes holding a golden censer, and much incense is given to him. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the set-apart ones in heaven, goes up from the hand of the messenger. And he takes the censer and fills it with fire from the altar, and throws it to the earth.
And there are noises, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the Dwelling Place of Elohim in the heaven is opened and out of it come the seven messengers having the seven plagues in golden bowls filled with the wrath of Elohim. No one will be able to enter the Dwelling Place from that moment on until the seven plagues are ended (Rev 15:1-8).
Temple Trumpets
The Tribulation of the seven trumpets begins
The second section of the third movement of the heavenly symphony begins with the opening of the first seal. From that moment on the birth pangs of the Messiah begin with the sound of the first trumpet:
From Heaven’s perspective
The First Seal: And the Lamb of Elohim opens the first seal and a white horse, and he who sits on it is holding a bow. And a crown [authority] is given to him and he goes out to subdue. [Mat 24:5]
The First Trumpet: then the first messenger sounds. And the first thunder speaks its words and there is hail and fire mixed with blood [parallels Exo 9:23-26]. They are thrown to the earth and a third of the trees and all green grass are burned up. (also, Joe 2:30)
From Earth’s perspective
The First Bowl with its plagues: and after the first thunder is spoken, the messenger pours out his bowl and evil and wicked sores come on those who have received the mark of the name of the world governance, or the number of his name, 666. (See also Exo 9:8-10)
In the midst of Purim, the true face of the NWO is revealed when satan through his proxy exalts himself in Jerusalem above everything and Elohim showing himself that he is mighty (2Th 2:3-4). Israel rejects him. As a retaliation, the set-apart city is given to the nations to trample it for forty-two months (Rev 11:1-3, Zec 2:1-2). From that time until the end of days [of Sukkot] are 1,290 days (Dan 12:11).
From Heaven’s perspective
The Second Seal: And when He opens the second seal, a red horse goes out to take the peace from the earth, and that the people will slay one another. And a great sword is given to him. (See also Mat 24:6) The third world war is about to begin.
The Second Trumpet: and the second messenger sounds. And the second thunder speaks its words and what looked like a great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea becomes blood, and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships are destroyed.
From Earth’s perspective
The Second Bowl with its plagues: and when the second thunder finishes, the messenger pours out his bowl and the sea becomes blood, as of a dead one, and every living creature in the sea dies. On Rosh HaShanah Elohim sends two witnesses standing before Him [Eliyahu and Enoch] to prophesy 1,260 days. If anyone wishes to harm them, fire comes out and consumes their enemies. They possess authority from now on to shut the heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy to turn the waters to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they wish (Rev 11:3-6 and Mat 24:14).
From Heaven’s perspective
The Third Seal: And when the Lamb opens the third seal, a black horse and he who sits on it is holding a pair of scales [that is judgment] in his hand to set the day’s wage [that is scarcity of food]: a quart of wheat and three quarts of barley, and is told not to harm the oil and the wine (see also Mat 24:7 and Exo 9:1-7)
The Third Trumpet: and the third messenger sounds. And the third thunder speaks its words and a great star, Wormwood, falls from the heaven, burning like a torch, on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water, and many men die from the waters, because they have been made bitter [scarcity of water]. And after the third trumpet sounds, the sun suddenly shines in the night and the moon thrice in the day. And then he, who no one has expected, shall rule.
There shall be riots and violence in the world. Fire shall be sent out from heaven, and the wild beasts shall change their places, and menstrual women shall bring forth monsters. Fresh waters shall become salt waters and friends shall be against each other; then wisdom shall cease (2Es 5:4-9)
From Earth’s perspective
The Third Bowls with its plagues: and after the third thunders, the messenger pours out his bowl and the rivers and springs of water become blood (see Exo 7:17-25) and they are given them blood to drink (those who have received the mark or the number of the New World Order) because they have shed the blood of the faithful and prophets.
The covenant with death which “Babylon” facilitated between the Arabs and Israel is annulled. Israel is blamed for breaking the accords of “Land-for-Peace agreement.” “Babylon” punishes Israel with a military strike. In these days and at that time, all Israel is called to return home (see Jer 30:11, Jer 46:28, Jer 50:8, Mic 4:10).
The time window for the escape is short, between the time of the massacre and the time of utter destruction of “Babylon” (Jer 51:49-51). But the escape is not in haste for Elohim will lead His people and guard them, Isa 52:11-12. See Appendix G of the book The Reckoning of Time: The Greater Exodus of Israel.
From Heaven’s perspective
The Fourth Seal: And when the Lamb opens the fourth seal, a pale horse and he who sits on it has the name Death, to whom is given the authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword, hunger, and death, and by the beasts of the earth.
And the seasons are shortened and the seed on the fields is tardy. The rain is kept back and the harvest comes backward and not grows in its time. The moon alters its order and not appears at due time and the sun is seen in the evening in the west shining more brightly. Many major stars alter their orbits and not appear at due time and this is hidden from the sinners and they shall be wrong concerning them and take them to be gods (Enoch 80:2-7).
The Fourth Trumpet: and the fourth messenger sounds. And the fourth thunder speaks its words and a third of the sun, of the moon, and of the stars are struck so that a third of them are darkened. And a third of the day does not shine, and likewise the night. And there are signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves are roaring (Luk 21:25).
The three woes to those dwelling on the earth are announced in heaven before the remaining trumpets of the last three messengers.
From Earth’s perspective
The Fourth Bowls with its plagues: and the messenger pours out his bowl on the sun causing the solar activities to burn men with fire and men are burned with great heat. The earth is utterly broken, shaken, and staggers.
And in that day the Highest punishes on the earth the rulers of the earth. And they shall be gathered together and be punished after many days. And the moon will be turning red and the sun dark from that moment on. (Isa 24:19-23) The solar blasts cause the Earth’s magnetic field to wobble and even the poles to disappear or shift. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts take place all over the globe, as a result of the weak magnetic field. Nation rises against nation and there are scarcities of food, deadly diseases, and earthquakes in places (Mat 24:7). (See Appendix L)
From Heaven’s perspective
The Fifth Seal: And when He opens the fifth seal, under the altar the souls of those having been slain for the Word of Elohim [the dead waiting to be resurrected at the seventh trumpet], are given to each one a white robe. And the chief messenger Uriel tells them that they will rest until both the number of their fellow servants and their brothers, who will be killed in the tribulation as they were, is completed (2Es 4:35-37).
And there are signs in the heavens and on the earth: blood and fire and columns of smoke, the sun is turned into darkness (possible total solar eclipse), and the moon into blood (possible total lunar eclipse), before the coming of the great and awesome day of Elohim. And everyone who calls on the Name of Elohim will be delivered. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be an escape and among the remnants whom Elohim calls (Joe 2:30-32).
And Elohim says to a messenger, “Go through the midst of Jerusalem [on Pesach (Passover)] and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry because of all the abominations that are done.” And to the others, “Go after him through the city, and slay utterly old and young, but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary (Eze 9:1-6). Because it is time for judgment to begin from the House of Elohim (1Pe 4:17). “Blessed is he who is waiting and comes to the 1,335 days” (Dan 12:11-12, Mat 24:8-26).
And after that, four messengers stand at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth. A messenger comes up from the rising of the sun, holding the seal of Elohim cries to the four messengers to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, “Do not harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel.”9 (Rev 7:1-4)
The Fifth Trumpet and the First Woe: and the fifth messenger sounds. And the fifth thunder speaks its words and a star from the heaven, whose name is Avadu, after he fell on the earth (see also Eze 28:16 and Luk 10:18), opens the pit of the deep out of which smoke goes out. And smoke like of a great furnace goes up out of the pit. And the sun and the air are darkened.
And out of the smoke locusts (Amo 7:1-3) come on the earth (see also Exo 10:13-15) and authority is given to them not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green, or any tree, but to harm for five months (and Exo 10:21-23) only those who do not have the seal of Elohim on their foreheads. And their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings a man. And in those days men shall seek death and shall not find it. And they shall long to die, but death shall flee from them.
And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, and on their heads were crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. And they had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots of many horses running into battle (Rev 9:1-9).
A messenger flying in mid-heaven announces to the earth, “Fear Elohim and give Him esteem, because the hour of His judgment has come.”
And a second messenger followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen.”
And a third messenger followed them with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, shall drink of the wrath of Elohim.
Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones guarding the commands of Elohim and the faith of Yeshua. And a voice out of the heaven saying, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Master from now on.’ (Rev 14:6-13)
From Earth’s perspective
The Fifth Bowl with its plagues: and the messenger poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his reign became darkened. And they gnawed their tongues from pain and blasphemed the Elohim for their pains and their sores and did not repent of their works (Rev 16:10-11).
When the inhabitants of Jerusalem see the abomination that lays waste, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, set up in the set-apart place, flee to the mountains on the day of the Unleavened Bread to a place which will be a safe haven for the next 1,260 days until the end, on Sukkot (Rev 12:6, Mat 24:15-20).
The travail of Israel (Ya’akov’s Trouble) begins. See Appendix F. And immediately after the distress of those days the sun is darkened, and the moon does not give its light, and the stars fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens are shaken (Mat 24:29 and Isa 13:10). The sun goes down at noon and darkens the earth on a day of brightness (Amo 8:7-9).
Fire is sent on Moab (The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) and it dies amid uproar, with a cry and with the sound of the trumpet, Amo 2:2. In that night the entire Jordan has been laid waste for its arrogance against Israel’s borders three years earlier (Isa 5:1, Isa 16:6-14, and Zep 2:8-10).
The third section of the third movement of the heavenly symphony is about the hidden remnant spared from the seven plagues.
The Hidden Remnant spared from tribulation
“Elohim knows how to rescue the reverent ones from trial (2Pe 2:9). All you meek ones who have done His right-ruling, seek righteousness; seek meekness that you are hidden in the day of wrath, Zep 2:3. Because you have guarded My Word of endurance, I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth, Rev 3:10.
And he who is left in Tsiyon and he who remains in Jerusalem is called set-apart, everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem. Fly into the wilderness to your place where you are nourished for 1,260 days from the presence the oppressor. O Moab, in the middle of the day, make your shadow like the night, hide the outcasts, do not betray him who escapes. Let My outcasts dwell with you; be a shelter to them from the face of the ravager, Isa 16:3-4. Because Moab (Jordan) is destroyed due to pride, arrogance, and rage within three years since Jordan has boasted against the building of the alter in Jerusalem . They are utterly smitten by the masters of the nations in the year of their punishment (Isa 16:6-14, Jer 48).
Go, my people, enter your rooms, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, for a little while, until the displeasure is past, Isa 26:20. Like hovering birds, Elohim protects Jerusalem. For I am to her a wall of fire all around and for esteem I am in her midst (Zec 2:5).
Whatever will then befall will befall the whole earth; all who live will experience them. For at that time I will protect only those who are found in those self-same days in this land. The earth also shall yield its fruit. And those who have hungered shall rejoice and behold marvels every day. For winds shall go forth from before Me to bring every morning the fragrance of aromatic fruits, and at the close of the day clouds distilling the dew of health. And the manna shall again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years, because they have come to the consummation of time (2Baruch 29).
To him who overcomes I shall give some of the hidden manna to eat (Rev 2:17).
But as for you, if you prepare your hearts, so as to sow in them the fruits of Torah, it shall protect you in that time in which the Mighty One is to shake the whole creation (2Baruch 32).13 And I protect the rest of my people who will be found in the place that I have chosen. And the set-apart land shall have mercy and it shall protect its inhabitants at that time. For the rest of my people, he shall deliver with mercy, those that have been preserved within my borders, and he shall make them joyful until the coming of the Day of Judgment,” 2Es 12:13-34.
The fourth movement, Finale, is the fastest movement of the symphony as it shows the prowess of the orchestra. It may have exposition, development and recapitulation, like the first movement, a loud and forceful theme and a quieter and lyrical theme, followed by recapitulation. The finale may have one theme performed over and over again, alternating with something contrasting.
The fourth movement of the heavenly symphony, Finale Grandiose, begins:
From Heaven’s perspective
The Sixth Seal: Then the Lamb opens the sixth seal, and a second great earthquake came to be. And the sun becomes black (possible total solar eclipse), and the moon becomes as blood (possible total lunar eclipse). And the stars of the heaven fall on the earth and heaven departs like a scroll and all hide themselves in the caves and in the mountains because of the fear of Elohim for His wrath has come in the great day when He arises to shake the earth (Isa 2:19-21).
And when the sun and the moon become dark and the stars withdraw their brightness, Elohim gives forth His voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and earth shake, but He is a refuge for His people (Joe 3:15-16, Mat 24:29).
The Sixth Trumpet and the Second Woe: and the sixth messenger sounds. And the sixth thunder speaks its words and a voice from the altar commands the four messengers, who are bound at the great river Euphrates prepared for the hour and day and month and year, to release the two hundred million armies from the East to kill a third of mankind by fire, smoke, and sulphur.
And after three and half days, the two prophets are resurrected to heaven in the hour of the great earthquake. A tenth of Jerusalem falls and seven thousand killed. The second woe is past and the third woe is coming speedily (Rev 11:3-14).
Jerusalem becomes a threshold of reeling to all the nations when they gather against it in the siege of Israel. And it is throughout all the land that two thirds are cut off and die, and one third is left. And He brings the third into fire and refine them as silver and gold are tried. And they call on His Name, and He answers them, ‘This is My people,’ while they say, ‘YHVH is my Elohim.’ (Zec 13:8-9)
When the Highest begins to deliver the nations to fight each other, then the Messiah is revealed. And when all the people hear His voice, they cease the wars between them and gather together to fight Him. But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Zion. (2Es 13:29-35)
From Earth’s perspective
The Sixth Bowl with its plagues: and the messenger pours out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and its water dries up, in order to prepare the way of the rulers from the east. And the New World Order releases three evil resolutions (three evil spirits) to summon the world leaders to the battle of Armageddon (Joe 3:2, Zep 3:8, Rev 16:12-14).
The siege of Jerusalem begins and nine months later the city is taken, and the women ravished. Half of the city goes into exile, but the remnant of the people is not cut off. In that day the leaders of Israel say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are a strength to me, through YHVH of hosts, their Elohim.’ And He shields them and seek to destroy all the nations. And the inhabitants of the city look on the Messiah whom they had pierced, and they mourn for Him greatly (Zec 12:2-11). Then they call on the Name for deliverance.
And after three and half years of witnessing, the two prophets are killed three and half days before the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the 3rd woe (Rev 11:7-14).
Armageddon. The final battle for Jerusalem begins
A Northerner comes up against Israel, strong, and innumerable (see chapter “Two Scenarios for the War of Gog“). The land is laid waste. The offerings are cut off from the altar. The priests set apart a fast; call an assembly, gather the elders, all the inhabitants of the land, at the altar, and cry out (Joe 1:6-20). All the land shakes at the sound of his strong ones. They devour the land, Jerusalem and those who dwell in it; the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and they have not been saved (Jer 8:16-20).
A coalition of nations invades the land from the far north. And at the time of the great earthquake the mountains are thrown down. They are judged with pestilence and blood, and rain down flooding rain and hailstones, fire and sulphur (Eze 38:3-22). “Babylon” falls for the slain of Israel and for the abomination in the set-apart place. “You who have escaped the sword, go away and let Jerusalem come to your heart” (Jer 51:49-51, Rev 18:8).
From Heaven’s perspective
The Seventh Seal: And when He opens the seventh seal [the seal of the Highest] there comes to be silence in the heaven for about half an hour, for Elohim is coming out of His place, and coming down to tread on the earth. Mic 1:3, Isa 26:21, Mat 24:30-31.
“I am coming and shall dwell in your midst. Hush, all flesh, before YHVH, for He has roused Himself out of His set-apart dwelling!” (Zec_2:10-13)
And on every high mountain there shall be rivers, in the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall. And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Elohim binds up the breach of His people and heals the wound of His blows (Isa 30:25-26).
The Seventh Trumpet and the Third Woe: In the seventh month, on Yom Teruah, the seventh messenger sounds to accomplish the revelation of the seven trumpets. And the seventh thunder speaks its words and loud voices in the heaven say,
“The reign of this world has become the reign of our Master, and of His Messiah”.
And the Dwelling Place of Elohim is opened in the heaven, and the Ark of His covenant is seen. And there come to be lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail. And on a white cloud is the Son of Elohim, having in His hand a sharp sickle.
(The First Sickle: gathering the resurrected). And another messenger comes out of the Dwelling Place, crying with a loud voice to the One sitting on the cloud,
“Send Your sickle and reap, because the hour has come for You to reap, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
And He thrusts His sickle on the earth, and the earth is reaped and a great crowd of all nations, in the twinkling of an eye, is standing before the throne dressed in white robes. He descends from heaven and the dead in Messiah rise first. Those who are alive are caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet Him in the air (1Th 4:16-17).
And another messenger comes out of the Dwelling Place holding a sharp sickle.
(The Second Sickle: judging the world). And another messenger comes out from the altar, having authority over the fire, and cries to him,
“Send your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth because her grapes are ripe.”
And the messenger thrusts his sickle into the earth and gathers the vine of the earth and throws it into the great winepress of the wrath of Elohim (Joe 3:12-13 and Rev 14:14-20). The wrath has come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the reward to the prophets and to the believers, and to those who fear His Name, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.
And the Lamb stands on Mount Tsiyon with 144,000, having His Father’s Name written upon their foreheads, not defiled with women, redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to Elohim and to the Lamb. (Rev 14:1-4)
From Earth’s perspective
The Seventh Bowl with its plagues: and the messenger pours out his bowl into the air and a loud voice come out of the Dwelling Place, “It is done!” And there are noises and thunders, and lightnings, and a third great earthquake never seen since men have been on the earth.
And the great city Bavel is divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fall. And every island flees away, and the mountains disappear. And exceedingly great hail from the heaven falls on men.
Elohim makes the Mount of Olives split from east to west by a great [third] earthquake causing it to move to north and south. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem who are still in the city flee into this valley which has been formed by the splitting of the Mount of Olives. And in that day known to YHVH, there is no light, but darkness, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light (Zec 14:1-7).
This allows many at the noise of the rumbling, Isa 33:2-3, to use this passage to flee and survive. The earth opens and swallows up the pursuers (Exo 14:19-23, Rev 12:13-17). They have all the night to escape and join the remnant in Moav (Jordan). The path through the valley reaches a place Atsal in the mountain east of Jerusalem, providing a dry passage to Moab (see Isa 15:1-9).
And He leads them in paths they have not known. He makes darkness light before them, and crooked places straight (Isa 42:15-16, Mic 2:12-13, 2Ki 2:1-9).
In that day YHVH plagues all the nations: their flesh decays while they stand on their feet, their eyes decay in their sockets, and their tongues decay in their mouths. And a great confusion from YHVH shall be among them. And Israel shall fight at Jerusalem, as well (Zec 14:12-14).
And the heaven opens and the armies in the heaven follow Him on white horses, and He treads the winepress of wrath of Elohim (Rev 19:11-16). He sends out of His mouth a blast of fire, a flaming breath, and sparks and storms, all mixed together fall with violence on the multitude which is prepared to fight, and burn them up every one, so that nothing remain but only dust and smell of smoke, 2Es 13:9-11. Armageddon is in its culmination.
The world governor and the co-ruler are seized and thrown alive into the lake of fire and the rest are killed (Rev 19:19-21). And a messenger comes down from the heaven, having the key to the pit of the deep and a great chain in his hand, seizes satan and bound him for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-2).
The Year of Jubilee
The turmoil of the seven trumpets has ended.
And after that the remnant returns (Isa 10:21) into the land carrying the Tabernacle, the alter of incense, and the Ark of the Covenant that have been kept hidden in Mount Nebo in Moab (2Ma 2:1-8) until the time of the re-gathering. Then in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the low country, and in the cities of the South, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, those who have entered the land once again pass under the [final] counting of Israel (Jer 33:7-16).
And the shofar is blasted on Yom Kippur in the 49th year to announce the impending arrival of the 120th Yovel Year (Jubilee) to proclaim release throughout all the land. And each one returns to his possession and to his clan (Lev 25:8-13).
And on the fifteenth day of this seventh month, Sukkot, the Millennium Kingdom of the Messiah is announced.
And after the great war, Israel buries the corpses of the foreigners for seven months until they bury them in the Valley of the multitude of Gog, in order to cleanse the land before the commencement of the Millennial Kingdom (Eze 39:9-15).
We studied in Chapter “Two Scenarios for the War of Gog” the land is to be cleansed after the war of Gog for seven months for the burial of Gog’s armies and seven more years for the cleansing of the land in the aftermath of the war. Only when the war is over and the land is cleansed from all impurities therein, only then everything will come to completion and the Messianic Kingdom will be ushered.
And on Rosh HaShanah of year 6001, begins the Millennium Kingdom when the new Temple is built by the Messiah (Zec 6:12) on the first day of the first month and dedicated for eight days, Eze 43:18-27, Eze 45:18-20.
“And I shall make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all and let them no longer be two nations. And they shall be My people, and I be their Elohim, while David My servant is king over them. And they shall all have one shepherd and walk in My judgments and guard My laws and shall do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Ya’akov My servant, where your fathers dwelt, and My servant David be their prince forever.” (Eze 37:22-25)
After a thousand years
And at the end of the thousand years, when the Messiah delivers up the Kingdom to Elohim the Father, when He has brought to naught all rule and all authority and power, until He has put all enemies under His feet. And when all are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself shall also be subject to Him who puts all under Him by rendering back to YHVH the office and authority which he had received at His hands, in order that Elohim be all in all (1Co 15:24-28).
When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him … when you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him. Sanhedrin 98a
When you see many great nations fighting each other, look toward the footsteps of Mashiach. Bereishit Rabba 42:4
For more insight on the end-time prophecy of the seven trumpets, please, visit Prophecy Insight and Part II The Last Kingdom of the present author’s book Reckoning of Time.
Navah
May we merit seeing the coming of our Mashiach speedily in our days.