The Gospel in the Book of Revelation Session 10: Seven Trumpets and a Little Scroll (Rev. 8-11) I. The relation between the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls A. Parallels between the trumpets and bowls B. Apocalyptic language in the 7th trumpet and bowl, like the sixth seal C. The 7th trumpet, bowl, and seal depict the very end in three stages, in reverse chronological order 1. 7th Bowl announces “It is done” but also includes the destruction of the city 2. 7th Trumpet describes celebration and the open heaven, God has begun His reign 3. 7th Seal is the silence just before the opening of the scroll
II. The significance of the trumpets and bowls A. The connection with the Exodus B. Patterns within the trumpets and bowls 1. The first four trumpets and bowls 2. The last three trumpets and bowls 3. The three woes
III. The interlude between the 6th and 7th trumpets (Rev. 10) A. The call to prophesy B. The angel with the scroll 1. The coming of the angel (10.1-7) 2. Eating the scroll (10.8-11; cf. Ezek. 2.8-3.4) a. The contents of the scroll b. The symbolism of the eating C. The two witnesses 1. Measuring the temple, altar and worshipers (11.1-2; cf. Ezek. 40-48; Zech. 2.1-2) 2. The symbolism of the two witnesses (11.3-6; cf. Deut. 17.6; 19.15) a. Imagery from Moses and Elijah (cf. Exod. 7.17; Num. 14.2; 1 Kings 17.1; 19.10; 2 Kings 1.10) b. Olive trees and lampstand (cf. Zech. 3-4, esp. 4.11-14) 3. The pattern of faithful witness (11.7-14; cf. Dan. 7.21) a. Death and resurrection (cf. Ezek. 37.5, 10-12) b. Taken to heaven (cf. 2 Kings 2.11; 1 Thes. 4.16-17)
IV. The seventh trumpet (11.15-19) A. Hymns of triumph B. A vision of the ark in heaven (cf. Josh. 3.11-17; 2 Sam. 6.2; Isa. 37.16) C. Symbols of God’s Presence
Session 10—Seven Trumpets and a Little Scroll | 15 The Gospel in the Book of Revelation
Exodus Trumpets Bowls 1. Seventh plague (Ex. 9.18-26). 1. Hail, fire, and blood fall on 1. A bowl is poured on the the earth, one third of which earth. Malignant sores come is burned up. on men who had the mark of the beast and worshipped his image.
2. First plague (Ex. 7.19-21). 2. A blazing mountain falls 2. A bowl is poured on the into the sea. One-third of the seas. They become blood, and sea becomes blood, a third of every living thing in them seas-creatures die, and a third dies. of ships are destroyed.
3. No analogous plague, but cf. 3. A blazing star (Wormwood) 3. A bowl is poured on rivers the bitter waters at Marah falls on a third of rivers and and fountains, and they (Ex. 15.23-27). fountains; their waters are become blood. poisoned and many die.
4. Ninth plague (Ex. 10.21-23). 4. A third of sun, moon, and 4. A bowl is poured on the stars are struck. Darkness sun, which scorches men with results for a third of a night fire. and day.
5. Eight plague (Ex. 10.1-20). 5. The shaft of the pit is 5. A bowl is poured on the opened. Sun and air are throne of the beast. His darkened with smoke from kingdom is darkened and men which locusts emerge to are in anguish. torment men without the seal of God.
6. Since the sixth trumpet and 6. Four angels bound at the 6. A bowl is poured on the bowl are most directly about Euphrates are released, with Euphrates, which dries up for peoples’ death, perhaps there their 200 million cavalry. A kings from the east. Kings of is a connection with the tenth third of men are killed by the world assemble for battle plague, against the firstborn. these. at Armageddon.
7. The seventh trumpet and 7. Loud voices in heaven 7. A bowl is poured into the bowl are not woes, but rather announce the coming of the air, a loud voice from God’s the end of the conflict. So kingdom of God and of Christ. throne announces, ‘It is done.’ there would be no plague Hymn of praise. Temple in Lightening, thunder, and an associated with them. heaven opened. Lightening, unprecedented earthquake thunder, earthquake, and hail occur, and terrible hail falls. occur.
Part of this chart is adapted from G. R. Beasley-Murray, Revelation, pp. 238-239.
Session 10—Seven Trumpets and a Little Scroll | 16 The Gospel in the Book of Revelation DiagramDiagram ofof thethe Book Book of of Revelation Revelation Introduction to the book, the author, and God (Chp. 1) Vision of the Heavenly Christ (Chp. 1) Christ’s message to His Church (Chp. 2-3) Vision of Heaven: the throne, the Lamb, and the scroll (Chp. 4-5)
Chp. 6 Chp. 7 “ere was silence in SEALS heaven” (8.1) 1 2 3 4 5 6 [Interlude 1] 7
Chp. 8-9 Chp. 10-11 “He shall reign forever and ever” (11.15) TRUMPETS W 1 W 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 [Interlude 2] 7
Chp. 12-13 Central vision of the conict Chp. 14 and an introduction [Interlude 3] of the enemies Chp. 14 Angels announce God’s judgment Chp. 15-16 “It is done!” Babylon is BOWLS/ split in three parts W 3 (16.17) PLAGUES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Dragon 2 Beasts assemble kings for bale
Chp. 19 Defeat of Chp. 19 Chp. 17-18 kings and [Interlude 4] Fall of Babylon 2 Beasts Chp. 20 Penultimate Reign of Christ or [Interlude 5]
Chp. 20 Defeat of Dragon/Satan
Last Judgment: Books opened (Chp. 20)
New Heavens, New Earth, New Jerusalem (Chp. 21-22) Epilogue (Chp. 22) Diagram of the Book of Revelation | 3