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Seven Trumpets of Warning (ch. 8 – 9)
Seven Trumpets of Warning (ch. 8 – 9)
The following is a short excerpt from an interesting and informative book, How To Read The Bible Book by Book by Gordan Fee and Douglas Stuart.
The opening of the seventh seal then marks the unveiling of the seven angels with trumpets (Rev 8:1–5). The silence is for effect; note that the judgments about to be revealed are in direct response to the prayers of the saints (6:10).
Preliminary (Temporal) Judgments on the Empire (8:6–11:19)
This first set of woes announces temporal, partial judgments while also anticipating the final one (chs. 16; 18). That is made clear by the fact that the first four are clear adaptations of the Egyptian plagues, which were temporal, not final judgments on Egypt, and the repeated motif of one-third.
The Judgments of the Seven Trumpets (8:6-9:21)
Note how this series of four (8:6–13) picks up the picture of God’s wrath from the sixth seal, but now as trumpets (warning judgments). Watch how John adapts three of the plagues against Egypt to fit Rome, who derives its power and wealth from the sea: hail (#7; Exod 9:13–35); river into blood, split into two parts—sea and freshwater (#1; Exod 7:14–24); darkness (#9; Exod 10:21–29).
The series of two woes (the third is withheld until Rev 18) pictures the judgments in more historical terms, feeding first on Roman fears of the barbarian hordes (9:1–12; men with long hair), but pictured in terms of Joel’s locust plague (Joel 1:6; 2:1–5). This is represented second as a great and decisive battle (Rev 9:13–19). But even though the judgments are of temporal and partial nature, they do not lead to repentance (9:20–21).
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My thoughts with these things in mind: God was about to unleash His wrath in judgment upon those who were persecuting Christians but He gives them another warning and another opportunity to repent.. God is more than fair and patient! The use of trumpets seems to indicate in fact that these are not the judgment but were warnings of the coming judgment. Repentance could have averted such judgment. These further indicate warnings as they repeatedly involve only 1/3 of the various things mentioned.
Being Christians we can rest assured that God will bring judgment upon all evildoers. Though it may be difficult, we simply must stand fast in our faith even if it brings persecution and martyrdom (2:10).
Hugh DeLong
