Revelation: Chapters 8:6 – 11:19

The Seven Trumpets

Revelation 8:6-11:19 – Allusions to the OT  Exodus 7:14-11:10 (plagues on Egypt)  Joshua 6 (Jericho narrative)

Revelation 8:6-13 – The First Four Trumpets/Transition  The trumpets, introduced earlier in chapter 8, are the next sevenfold vision cycle.  This cycle also follows a general grouping of 4, 2, interlude, 1: the first four trumpets as plagues similar to Exodus, trumpets five and six with an intensified description as two of three “woes,” an interlude with the scroll and two witnesses, and finally the third “woe” and the final trumpet.  This cycle focuses more on judgment against unbelievers rather than specifically on trials that seems to impact believers and non-believers alike.  The first four trumpets should be seen as a unit. The first three in particular appear to all share qualities of famine as the plagues attack sources of life.  They mirror the Exodus plagues of hail, the Nile turned to blood, and darkness.  It should be noted that the trumpet plagues here are intensified from that of the horsemen (one third of the earth affected rather than one quarter). However, this still means two thirds of the earth is safe. This also means that this is not the final judgment and opportunity for repentance remains.  The appearance of the eagle in verse 13 marks a transition point demonstrating the heightened nature of the final three trumpets.

Revelation 9 – The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets  The fifth trumpet finds similarities and differences to the plague of locusts in the Exodus. Here the locusts are to touch only non-believers, not crops which would have already been affected by the first four trumpets.  The fifth trumpet is a good place to note the symbolic and non-literal understanding of the visions (note the repeated use of the word “like” in the descriptions of the locust army.  This trumpet vision shows God’s rule and plan even over demonic forces. (restraint from the grass).  The Destroyer is surrounded by creatures that are a false and mishmash of beings from the created order. The worshippers of demons are now tormented by the false gods they worship.  The sixth trumpet continues the theme of war upon unbelievers, with a countless army permitted to kill a third of humanity.  This is similar to how God used evil nations to enact justice upon others in the OT prophets.  Also, note verses 20-21. There is opportunity for repentance by the unbelievers, but it is rejected. There is justice in the wrath of God, but wrath alone does not bring unbelievers to repentance. Revelation 10:1-11:14 – Interlude/The Scroll and the Witnesses  The interlude begins in chapter 10 with a vision of an angel and a scroll. The martyrs ask in chapter 6 “how long?” Chapter 10 and 11 change to answering a question of “why” God would delay his ultimate justice (Koester, 488). God’s wrath alone did not lead “the rest” of the unbelievers to repentance (9:20).  The angel with the scroll announces a pause before the final judgment where God’s mystery will be accomplished. Where we would expect the seven thunders to announce the final judgment, they are not to be disclosed.  John is then recommissioned to speak God’s words again. This is similar to Ezekiel’s call in Ezekiel 2 and 3 where he is told to eat a scroll and to prophesy. The message is sweet (God’s coming kingdom) and yet turns bitter (the witness and suffering of the church).  John’s timing in 11:2,3 draws from Daniel 12 (three and a half years or 42 months or 1260 days).  The image of the two witnesses has allusion to many OT passages – The twin olive trees representing Zerubbabel and Joshua in Zechariah 4, Moses and Elijah (power of water to blood/plagues and to shut up rain from the sky), Jeremiah (prophetic witness like fire), etc.  The two witnesses can be interpreted to mean the church and its witness. They are given powerful testimony and are protected, only to then be apparently defeated and then humiliated by the beast and the “earth dwellers.” They are however ultimately vindicated after another Danielic time (three and a half days). The church shares/participates in the story of Jesus. This leads many of the unbelievers in the end to glorify God. This is the message John is to prophesy to the various groups in 10:11.

Revelation 11:15-19– The Seventh Trumpet  The seventh trumpet (and consequently the third “woe”) is the final reign of God and Christ over the entire world.  The hymns draw allusion to Psalm 2, where the nations rage against the Lord and his Anointed (Hebrew – Messiah, Greek – Christ).  Verse 18 demonstrates the “third woe” aspect of the reign of God – namely the final judgment wherein the saints are rewarded and those who destroy are themselves destroyed.