Two-Edged Sword Ministries
Remember, that only after Seal six was released, was there first mention made of Gods’ wrath. Altogether, God’s wrath consists of seven Trumpet and seven bowl judgments that occur within the latter three and a half years of the Tribulation.
When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. [ Rev 8 : 2 – 6 NIV]
We know that the seven trumpet judgments follow on after the seal judgments as immediately after the release of the seventh Seal; the seven angels appear before God and are each given a trumpet. Lets very briefly list the main points of each trumpet found in Revelation, chapter 8,9 and latter parts of 11.
Notice how quickly the bible reveals the first four trumpets are released. Immediately after the release of the seventh seal; the first five trumpets follow rapidly. Although the last three trumpets are so severe; that even the bible calls them the "woe" trumpets. Notice specifically with the first four trumpets that one-third of the earth, water, ships, day and night is taken from the earth or destroyed.
Those that believe, including ourselves, that the release of the sixth seal is "nuclear fallout", realize that all of this can quickly following a nuclear war. Even if this is not the case; for our planet not to receive one-third of its day or night; this would mean we would have to have moved out of orbit.
Those that believe, including ourselves, that the release of the sixth seal is "nuclear fallout", realize that all of this can quickly following a nuclear war. Even if this is not the case; for our planet not to receive one-third of its day or night; this would mean we would have to have moved out of orbit.
The mighty earthquake and the falling rocks from the sky; confirm that the earth is no longer in a place where it used to be. But we also know that the first five trumpets occur in rapid succession due to information released in the release of the fifth trumpet.
This star that falls to the earth, is not just another rock or meteor as some might suggest. We know this as it is given a key and no impersonal object can receive something. Many people believe that this is finally Satan himself that is cast down to earth. Do not get confused here; because although initially Satan was cast out from the presence of God; he has not yet been cast down to the earth. That is why he is often referred to as the principle and power of the air. We are also told later in Revelation 13:5; that Satan has authority on the earth for a period of 42 months or 3 1/2 years - The last part of the tribulation.
We are also told later in Revelation that Satan is chained down in the "abyss/pit" for 1 000 years; whilst Jesus reigns on earth during this period. We also see that Satan opens up the abyss and fire and smoke emerges with millions of locusts; its ruler being abbadon, which means "the one that brings destruction".
Lets quickly highlight the description of these locusts:
We are also told later in Revelation that Satan is chained down in the "abyss/pit" for 1 000 years; whilst Jesus reigns on earth during this period. We also see that Satan opens up the abyss and fire and smoke emerges with millions of locusts; its ruler being abbadon, which means "the one that brings destruction".
Lets quickly highlight the description of these locusts:
Locusts appeared like armed horses
Gold crowns on their heads
Human faces with long hair
Teeth like a lions
Armour was made of iron
Wings roared like an army of chariots in war.
They had tails that stung like scorpions.
Now there are a few viewpoints who these locust type creatures are. Some believe that these are literal locusts perhaps with mutated genes from all the wars, others believe that these are demonic forces, whilst others believe they are demonic forces that take on a physical appearance. We know that they are no ordinary locusts; because unlike the swarms that Pharoa experienced for failure to let Moses and the Jews leave Egypt; these locusts ate no grass, trees or vegetables (Rev 9:4), cannot be destroyed by fire or smoke from the Abyss and are ruled by a king - Abaddon (Rev 9:11). Incidently, earthly locusts don't have a king.
However, the biggest clue as to who these locusts are lies in the fact that people are fearful of them. People will seek death during this period; but will not find it. These locusts defintely have physical attributes; in other words, they are capable of being seen, unlike demons.
Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa
Copyright © May 2003 [ T.E.S. Ministries ]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
All rights reserved.
First revision, November 2006 [2.0]
Second Revision: March, 2009 [3.0]
Scripture quotations marked " NIV " are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by Permission of Zondervan Publishing house [5]