IN THE LAST TRUMP

        This chapter will be devoted to discussing the relationship of the seals, trumpets and vials to each other. This is especially for the purpose of emphasizing their time relationship. The proper emphasis in the proper places will unlock the general divisions of the book of Revelation, and also the book of Daniel, and will make them much easier to understand. Let us examine these matters very carefully.
        The seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19) is one of the keys to the proper understanding of the end-time, and therefore the book of Revelation. May we observe once more four things of special emphasis that will take place when the seventh trumpet sounds.
        (1). It is not until here that the kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of Christ, therefore it is not until here that Christ begins to reign. This fact is stated twice (verse 15 and 17). This observation is very important and should be kept in mind and associated with the other three to follow.
        (2). Here begins the wrath of God, "And thy wrath is come . . . . and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth" (verse 18). This should make it clear once and for all that the destruction that is visited on the earth through the first six trumpets is NOT the work of God. God does not begin to destroy those who destroy the earth until this seventh trumpet. This also makes it necessary to understand that all seven vials follow the sounding of this seventh trumpet, for they are filled with the wrath of God.
        (3). One of the most significant developments related to this time is the resurrection and rapture of the saints; the finishing of the mystery of God which He has been declaring in all ages past (I Cor. 15:51; Rev. 10:7). The statement "the time of the dead," absolutely must signify the saved dead, for the time of the unsaved dead is not for another thousand years (Rev. 20). Only blindness will cause one, after having these things called to his mind, to say that the mystery that Paul spoke of in I Cor. 15:51-54, and the one of which the angel spoke in Rev. 10:7, are not the same, and are seen in the statement, "the time of the dead."
        (4). The fourth significant development announced under this seventh trumpet is that here is the judgment of the saints. It is now time to reward the prophets and the saints and those who have feared the name of the Lord both small and great. These who are judged are the very ones who are termed as dead. Had they been raised prior to this time they would have been called "living," not "dead." The saints of all ages are included in this number. The prophets shall not be raised and judged until this trumpet. Those who have feared the name of the Lord shall not be raised and judged until this trumpet. The saints shall not be raised and judged until this trumpet. The small and even great shall not be raised and judged until this trumpet. Let these facts resound in our ears.
        Now, let us compare trumpet 7 with seal 6 again (Rev. 11:15-19; 6:12-17). The whole picture seen under the sixth seal is the outburst of God's wrath, which necessitates a number of things. Since this same thing is clearly and emphatically announced under the seventh trumpet, we are obliged to accept the two as dealing with the same time element. Again I will note the similarities between the two.
        (1). When the seventh trumpet sounds, Christ begins to reign, and it is then that the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of Christ (Rev. 11:15-17). This is exactly what is described under the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17). The souls under the altar are told to wait a "little season" (Rev. 6:9-11) before the destroyers of the earth would be judged. When the things described under the sixth seal take place, the "little season" will have been finished, Christ will come in glory to establish again the throne of David, and then destroy them that destroy the earth.
        (2). The wrath of God is most significant under the sixth seal and the same announcement is given almost word for word in the seventh trumpet: "For the great day of his (their) wrath is come" (Rev. 6:17); "and thy wrath is come," (Rev. 11:18). Every passage dealing with God's wrath in all the Bible will harmonize with this analogy.
        (3). The statement, "the nations were angry" (Rev. 11:18) harmonizes with the conduct of the nations as seen in Rev. 6:15-16. The nations are so stripped of their pride that they seek shelter in the dens and holes of the earth. They still do not repent. They still hate God. They still love their sins. They rage against God.
        (4). The seventh trumpet demands that the rapture and resurrection of the saints take place at the time it sounds. This is seen from two statements: First, It is "the time of the dead." Second, This is the time that "the mystery of God should be finished" (Rev. 10:7). For proof that the rapture and resurrection also take place under the sixth seal, we may observe at least three things: First, it is necessary that we see the rapture and resurrection under one of the seals (for proof of this see the discussion on the seals). Second, the answer given to the souls under the altar (Rev. 6:11) demands the resurrection and rapture under the sixth seal. Third, the whole setting of the sixth seal demands the rapture and resurrection at that time. The "day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Rom 2:5) begins under the sixth seal (Rev. 6:17).
        (5). Since the rapture and resurrection take place under the sixth seal, it is necessary that the judgment and rewarding of the saved of all ages past take place at the same time. The rewarding of the saints is clearly seen under the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:18).
        (6). Under seal 6 we are told that the heavens will be rolled together as a scroll, which causes the things in heaven to be open to the view of man on earth (Rev. 6:12-17). When the seventh trumpet sounds the heavens will be opened to view which makes it possible for the temple in heaven and other things to be seen (Rev. 11:19).
        Now, let us look at the relationship between the fifth seal and the sixth trumpet. Although the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet deal with exactly the same time element, such exactness is not necessary in these others. Since the first six trumpets fall under seals 2 through 5, it is needful to understand that the trumpets will transpire faster than the seals. There is one thing that will clearly show the relationship of the fifth seal with the sixth trumpet. Under the fifth seal we see the souls under the altar crying "How long" until vengeance is taken upon those who destroy the earth. The answer is that it would be yet a "little season." Now, turn to Rev. 10:5-7 and mark the relationship. The time that the strong angel stands and speaks falls between the sixth and seventh trumpets, and it is concerning the seventh trumpet that he speaks. The angel swears by the One who created all things that "there should be time no longer." A literal translation is, "there should be no longer delay." There will be no longer delay in what? And what shall happen when the time of the delay is ended? The delay is finished when the seventh angel sounds. When the seventh trumpet sounds the "little season" of the fifth seal is finished. When the revelation of the sixth seal begins to take place the "little season" will be ended. Thus, the fifth seal and the sixth trumpet fall together as to time.
        The angel mentions one special thing that will be accomplished at the blowing of the seventh trumpet. It is the fulfillment of the mystery of God (the resurrection and rapture of the saints), which is, of necessity, connected with the destroying of those who destroy the earth, therefore, we can see the relationship of the mystery with the request which was made by the souls under the altar. The souls under the altar asked for the judgment of the wicked inhabitants of the earth which would necessitate their resurrection, for Paul says that the saints will judge the world (I Cor. 6). The glorified saints will have power over the wicked spirits in an immeasurably greater capacity than the Spirit-filled apostles had following the day of Pentecost. The saints will judge angels (I Cor. 6), which may be included at the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20), but the special time is immediately after their glorification when they are directed by Christ to pour defeat upon the angelic hosts of Satan who are now ruling the globe.
        Little attention has been given by eschatological writers to the principalities, powers, and rulers of this age, which are organized governments and armies of wicked spirits. God, in His infinite wisdom, has granted them permission to engage in battle against the saints in this age, and no doubt in ages past. These wicked spirits will not give up their authorities over the earth without a final life and death struggle. Since the righteous angels of God have been in continual conflict with these armies of evil spirits, it is most reasonable to judge that the righteous angels will participate in the final battle against such wicked forces. Also, since God has granted us the task of wrestling violently with such evil spirits (our power is in the indwelling Holy Spirit), then it is further reasonable to judge that God will also grant us the privilege of participating in the utter and final defeat of such wicked, spiritual forces. The saints will be made one with the Son of God, and will be placed even above the blessed, holy and powerful angels of God (Heb 1:14); yet, together with those mighty ones, the saints will be used to glorify God and Christ in righteously crushing those wicked, spiritual armies of Satan.
        In showing the relationship between the fourth seal and the fifth trumpet there are two significant factors. The comparison will show that the two are closely related as to time, although the reader should remember that the time is probably not exact, but general.
        (1). Under seal 4 it is said that the rider's name is "Death." Under trumpet 5 we find that the king of the locusts had the name of "Abaddon" in the Hebrew, and "Apollyon" in the Greek. The word "Apollyon" means "destroyer," and is closely related to death.
        (2). Observe further that the scripture says that the rider's name is "Death, and Hell followed with him." Now call to mind that the locusts came out of the "bottomless pit" and followed their king whose name means "destroyer." This is very significant, and should be studied carefully. The rider whose name is Death and has hell following along with him is permitted to kill with four things, the last two of which are "death" and "beasts." The word "death" should be here translated "pestilence." These pestilences are evidently the locusts of trumpet 5. The "beasts" are no doubt the beasts we see under the sixth trumpet.
        The first four trumpets fall under the second and third seals generally. We can see the relationship here by the famine described under seals 3 and 4. Some of the primary causes for such a famine are given under the first four trumpets. The Antichrist (or the False Prophet) calls down fire out of heaven and burns up a "third part" of the harvests and fruitfulness of the land. He also calls fire down upon the seas and kills a third part of the creatures of the seas, and destroys a third of the ships of the seas. Many of the ships will be merchant vessels carrying cargos of harvests and other food. Surely no one would argue that such things would not cause a very great famine. This permits the Antichrist to kill with "hunger" those who do not submit to his will.
        We must establish in our minds that neither Christ nor any of the heavenly forces enter in upon the scene until the blowing of the seventh trumpet which is the same in time with the sixth seal. For the day of the Lord to come as a thief in the night, there MUST be no manifestations of the Lord or His judgments from heaven prior to that time. Therefore all that happens under seals 1 through 5, and trumpets 1 through 6, describe the activities of the Antichrist and his forces.
        All seven vials describe the wrath of God which means they must follow (not precede) seal 6 and trumpet 7, for both of them state plainly that the wrath of God and Christ begin with them. These things will harmonize beautifully when we permit the Spirit to teach us. May He bless the meditations of every reader to the glory of the Father and the Son.