Presents the Tell it like it is! series of studies:

Revelation 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,

 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

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Now here is our revised study of: Christopherson's Revelation chapter 3

REVELATION

Chapter 8

"Opening of the Seventh Seal, The Seven Trumpets of God"

Revelation 8:1 "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."

We see here the opening of the seventh seal; for then it will start the sounding of the seven trumpets. Though the seals are not in chronological order, However, the trumpets are sounded to do an action. The trumpets are actions that are in order, and acted upon at the sounding of each of the trumpets.

Though the white horse of the first seal [Antichrist's arrival] is stated first as a seal, it is the sixth trumpet that sounds his arrival in person upon the earth. 

The seventh seal is the final seal and also the seventh trumpet. This first "half an hour" will be completed in the eleventh chapter. This is the hour of temptation; the first part of that hour.

This hour is when the Satan the false-christ is on earth, and he is the "son of perdition", which will be discussed in Revelation 17, which includes each of the first six seals. 

Jesus spoke to His disciples about each of these seals in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, as He sat on the Mount of Olives just prior to his death.

The seventh seal of Jesus' warning has to do with the "parable of the Fig Tree".

When you observe this tree, it will bring forth leaves, and not fruit.

Our generation is told that when we observe this, the re-establishment of the Jews back in Israel, the prophecies of the the end times would all take place, and that generation would observe them all. 

That generation started in May of 1948, when the Nation of Israel was established. 

It's not difficult to understand, when you see what the seven trumpets are. 

Revelation 8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."

John witnessed these seven angels being given their trumpets.

Revelation 8:3 "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden senser; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne."

This makes a total of eight angels standing before the throne of God, that are the main actors in this chapter. Seven of the angels hold trumpets, and one will hold the golden censer. The eighth angel is important, for he will use the incense of the golden censer to be offered with all the saints prayers on the altar of God, that is before the throne of God. These prayers are offered to God as part of God's promise to fulfill all prayers that are within God's will. This eighth angel's action is the first of the eight angels to come to pass.

Revelation 8:4 "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand."

Only the saint's prayers are in this vial. God was reminded instantly of all these prayers, with the incense offered to Him by these saints. They include all the prayers of vengeance on behalf of the saints. They are all going up before God.

Revelation 8:5 "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."

What is this fire? God is a consuming fire; it's God's glory. God's glory and response to these prayers are going to shake many people up. If you are a true minister of God, telling people the truth of God's Word, it will shake people as the conviction of the truth of God's Word reaches their hearts and minds. 

It's impossible to be loved by the worldly minded when you preach the justice of God, along with God's love. Everyone loves to hear of God's unspeakable love, but when your sins are in focus, they're shaken.

Revelation 8:6 "And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."

As the Word goes forth, and heaven is silent, the trumpets are about to sound.

Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth [and the third part of the earth was burnt up]: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."

Your flesh, as in all mankinds, exists for only a few years [70 on the average], then it goes back to the dust or elements from which it came. 
Then It's finished.
However, your soul is eternal 
when it is covered under the blood of Christ.
The concern, then, by the Christian needs to be focused on the condition of their soul, and this is spiritual.
It is God's Spirit [the Holy Spirit] that will pour out on this earth, as never before. 
That Spirit is God's will, and control over all things.

it is God's will to give Satan the authority to act as the spurious messiah and do the things that he shall do, as we will see in the next chapter.
This false-christ, Satan, will come to this earth and do his deeds so that all the people on the earth can and will be tested
The movement to the religous one worldism will be total.
All the "green grass" will fall to that world wide Satanic system.

I Peter 1:24, 25 "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

Right now the pastures are green with the gospel, however those pastures of God's holy Word are drying up.
In the end we will see where Antichrist and his system will burn up.

Revelation 8:8 "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;"

Revelation 8:9 "And the third part or the creachers which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed."

To understand this sea, and the waters it contained; Revelation 17:15 defines it for us. "And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are the peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues [languages]."

This deals with the Harlot, "Mystery Babylon" [the false religious system]; the ten kings, or powers of authority that give their authority to the beast [Antichrist and his system]. The system where this whore is sitting upon includes the nations of the entire world, which is the waters. The sealed of God are the only exceptions to this system.

Now back to Revelation 8:9.

These "creachers" that had life and died, that were in the sea, are the men and women living on the earth that have become and are part of Antichrist's, Satan's, world wide system. They are the ones who were deceived by Antichrist and his world government. The "death" is a spiritual death of the soul, when they take up the worship and work for Satan's system. They are the ones putting their faith in the Rapture doctrine, and all those other doctrines that will lead their flocks, their families, and friends to the false-christ, Satan. They will do it in ignorance, for they have not studied and do not know Gods Word.

How could a great mountain fall into the sea? 

This mountain is a great nation, and when it allows itself to be taken over by these waters of people [the one world government], they will sap the strength right out of that great nation.

When it takes the industries, and removes trade barriers, the commerce of that nation is "burnt up". 

Revelation 8:10 "And a third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp [torch], and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;"

This is the sounding of the third trumpet of God. Remember Luke 10:18, "And I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven." Satan is called "the morning star" in Isaiah 14:12-16. This falling star is the devil, the "son of perdition". Satan reflects as a illuminated lamp, his "Illuminati" shining it's lies out to the world, and is drawing his world wide system together.

Do you see it happening today? If you don't, you're either blind, or in a convent. The news from all the media today covers only what is promoting the agenda of the United Nations, then it is so distorted and full of lies it isn't worth the time to watch.

The "shining ones" from the United Nations, which is part of the Illuminate, are given whatever authority of credit they need to carry on their murder, thievery, and attacks on the public at large.

The "rivers" are waters, or nations, whereas the "fountains" are in reference to "the fountains of the living waters", which are the Christians whose fountains of living water flows from our Lord Jesus Christ. This burning by Satan comes through deception, and many Christians will be deceived by Satan because they do not know the difference between the morning star [Satan], and the Morning Star [Jesus Christ the Messiah]. All except God's elect, are going to be deceived.

Revelation 8:11 "And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."

Satan may look like Christ and offer fountains of blessings, but his fountains will give only bitterness. You think it is clean, fresh and pure water, but when you taste of that water its bitter. When you drink of it and digest it, it becomes poison to your very soul. This is why Satan is called "Wormwood" [a poison]. One third of the world will become part of Satan's system, and drink freely from the Antichrist waters. Will you? Are you prepared to know the difference, or are you trusting your soul to a pack of Kenites.

Many church denominations today are allowing changes to take place in their doctrines to allow for compromise with the world, and Satanic doctrines. They allow for abominations such as sodomy to enter their house of worship and call it of God. The chief shepherd of their Luciferian dogma is the "World Council of Churches". When this wormwood doctrine is allowed to happen, those churches lose total sight of Our Lord's teachings. They become part of the type of Churches that we saw at Ephesus and Pergamos, from chapter two.

Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

The first three trumpets are well under-way and this is the fourth trumpet sounding. The false teaching; the falling of a great nation; The bitterness of Wormwoods [Satan's doctrine] in bring down churches everywhere; and these events are becoming more final with each passing day. When the true Christ comes, the entire world will be consumed by his authority and power; however with wormwood [Satan], only one third will be consumed by him.

When Satan arrives darkness will appear; and the darkening in the heavens will be exactly as you expect it to be when Jesus Christ returns to earth. The universe will even announce both comings. Notice, though, Satan will cause only one third of the effect, whereas our Lord's return will be complete and total.

Revelation 8:13 "And I beheld, and heard an angel [eagle] flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound."

In the original text the word "Angel" should read "Eagle"; for the word in the Greek reads "Aetos". Why is this? Their is an urgency to this eagle's cry of "Woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth", by reason of the voices from the other trumpets. This is why the last trumpets are called the "woe trumpets". This is not woe to those in heaven, but woe to those who are living on this earth. It is aimed at our generation, and to you and me specifically, if you are a Christian. This woe is directed to those who are not doing their Bible study, and preparring themselves for what is coming.

 American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: We are going to stop here in this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" study to review some commentary chapter 8 in an earlier study we published on the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that did and will take place may prove helpful in our understanding of Jesus' revelation. Also, our introduction #9300 was taken from this earlier study so keep your eyes open for study tips and rules to help simplify your grasp of Jesus' end time revelation    

We have completed 6 Seals and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is still in heaven looking on as the Lamb of God now opens the 7th and final seal, which completes the unsealing of the scroll (remember 7 is the number of spiritual perfection or completeness) .

Now observe what happens!

Something is about to happen. The 7 Trumpets are about to blow! But before they do, there is a period of quietness, of silence, that transpires. Let's call it silent meditation, or the calm before the storm.

Remember: The Seals are KNOWLEDGE that we must have in our foreheads in order to escape the "hour of temptation" that Christ spoke of to the church of Philadelphia in chapter 3 verse 10:

The 7th Seal is to KNOW when that "hour" is upon us, or as Christ would say "when all these things are fulfilled". Let's read what He told us just following the 6th Seal in Mark 13:

Let's ask some questions.

Q.) What are these things which come to pass?

A.) The other 6 Seals that He just gave us AND the planting of the fig tree!

A.) The subject is the fig tree, so the answer is "the generation of the fig tree"!

Q.) When did that begin?

A.) May 15, 1948.

Q.) How do you know?

A.) To understand the (live link to)-parable of the fig tree (a comprehensive study reserved for another time) you must begin at the beginning, in the fig grove of the garden in Eden, and understand who the "children of disobedience" are, that they are the "seed" of the serpent, the "tares" of the Parable of the Tares in Matthew 13, the sons of Cain (kenites). This you must do in order to understand who the "bad figs" of Judah are spoken of in Jeremiah 24, which describes the setting forth of both the good and bad figs in Judea, in Jerusalem. Then you will KNOW that the United Nation's sanction of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948, planted the fig tree.

People are often shocked when they hear that statement, and not so much by the fact of the event itself, but by the connection to the Bible, i.e. by the identifying of a "modern event" with scripture, with the fulfillment of prophecy. It's as if they didn't know the Bible had any relevance to today except for its moral teachings. They have the mentality of "back in Biblical times", and it is no wonder when they hear the archaic, oh so holy, monotone style of the "selection from the Bible", "our scripture reading for today" that they hear when they attend church. You see, there's deception even in the way they read the Bible. Who communicates, who talks like that in the "real world"? Not you, not me.

Well, guess what? The Bible is not only relevant to today, but the prophecies contained therein are coming to pass almost daily. And so it fits absolutely perfectly that the next words Christ would say are:

The Seals have now been removed and each and every one of them was opened by the Lamb of God Himself. The detail which He gives us sometimes seems overwhelming, but it is greatly appreciated by those who seek to know all the things that He has foretold us, and He has foretold us all things.

I suppose we could "sum up" the Seals in just a few words: They are to understand the powers and dark forces of the Four Hidden Dynasties (the 1st 4 Seals), what happen(s)(ed) to those who teach the true Word of God and confront the rider of the horses and the worldwide testimony of God's elect soon to be delivered up (5), to understand the Two Tribulations and the work (sealing) that must take place before the four winds blow (6), and to understand the parable of the fig tree and the season when all these things come to pass (7).

If you understand those 7 Seals, revealed to you by Jesus Christ, then you have eyes to see and ears to hear, and the scroll, His Word, will unroll before your eyes and you can read with understanding the marvelous mysteries of our God. There is nothing like it in the entire universe! It will turn your heart to Him with such love that you cannot contain it.

All sealed? Good, we're ready for the 7 Trumpets.

Note: Be prepared, for in the next few chapters we will encounter much symbology, but "not to worry" or "be frightened" as those are who would try to read a scroll that's still sealed. As we learned in the very first chapter of this great book, the symbolism is clearly defined and it produces vivid pictures in our minds which we will "see" clearly and understand that which is taking place.

And again, if we begin at the beginning, in the Book of Genesis, by the time we get to the Book of Revelation we will have learned much and seen most of the symbolism used in Revelation. For instance we would know that God is a consuming fire.

Will the fire that this angel takes from the altar of God, from Him, hurt you and me? Not on your life! We know that fire purifies Gold, but it consumes that which is stubble, like straw. So in like manner does He, the consuming fire, our Father.

It is fascinating how eager people are to understand the Book of Revelation, which by the way is the last book in the Bible. Some want to know because they are curiosity seekers, some sense it could be true, and others want to know what is going to happen so they can "live it up" and then repent just in time to "make it" (as if they could 'pull one over' on God).

What are trumpets and how are they used anyway? Well, trumpets are loud horns and militarily speaking, when the trumpets blow, the troops begin to move into position to do battle, and then the final charge is sounded by the final Trump.

Again, and it bears repeating, if you are familiar with God's Word then you will have encountered trumpets many times before you get to Revelation, as well as most all of the symbolism in Revelation, which you will see.

For example, if you've read Exodus you will remember that it was Jo-shua (the same name as Ya-shua, i.e. same name as Jesus) who led our people into the promised land. Well guess what? We are about to enter into the promised land again, the Millennium. Do you recall what God instructed Joshua to do to take the city of Jericho? March around the city 6 days + the 7th. And on the last day, they compassed the city 7 times and blew the 7 Trumpets and at the "shout", the walls of the great city came tumbling down.

The same thing is about to happen to that great city, Babylon the Great, which we will soon read and learn about and how it falls. Have you read in 1 Thes. 4:16 how Christ returns?

So here's where we are in Revelation. We are all "sealed up" and we are about to go to war against the oppressor, you know who. And what did God command the PRIESTS to do when going to war? Blow the TRUMPETS, sound the ALARM!

The Seventh month! (That's not July either. Remember the 1st day of the first month always begins on the Spring Equinox.) So when will the final Trump blow? Who knows, but don't you think the 7th month would be a good season to watch?

Now here it is, God's command to blow the trumpets:

Also, before we begin the trumps, be prepared to encounter much symbolism, the purpose of which is Paint a PICTURE in your mind. Remember back to our first few lessons in Revelation, and our discussion about pictures? First SEE the PICTURE. The meaning is contained in the picture not in the individual words themselves, which are used to paint the picture. Do you understand?

Finally, keep in mind the 4 Hidden Dynasties (the first 4 Seals), which are used to deceive the people and bring about the New World Order, the One World "Beast" System, as we read about the first 4 Trumpets. We have already read in verse 5, Rev. 8:5, that the angel took "fire" from the altar of God and cast it into the earth. Remember from Heb. 12:29 that our Father is a consuming fire. That "fire" from the altar is His truth, His Word, and it "burns" alright, and it causes shakings and quakings even among individual households.

When the first 4 Trumpets sound, the Word of God is going to be cast, mixed even more, with the 4 Hidden Dynasties and things will really begin to "heat up". The first 4 trumpets, as were the first 4 Seals, are also grouped apart from the last three which are Woe trumpets to the inhabiters of the earth. Yesireee! Woe, woe, woe!

Let the action begin!

A "third part" is an expression meaning "not all of", i.e. only of portion of. We'll document that when we get to the 12th verse, but it's kind of like we say "wait a minute", which doesn't mean wait exactly one minute (except to a friend of mine who is so compulsive he'd probably start his stop watch.)

Have we ever seen hail and fire before in the Bible? Of course! Remember the judgments poured out upon Egypt?

And now, here's the rest of the story.

And now the second Trump.

You have just seen the effect of God's Word as it is cast into the sea of people and encounters the opposing forces of the oppressor! Let us document.

First of all, and once again, this symbolism and terminology is not new, nor strange, to a student of His Word. Let's see, where have we seen a "burning mountain" before? ...... Aha! Yes, oh my goshen, do you realize that our people have "actually seen" a burning mountain? Go to Deuteronomy and read the whole story. Here's two clips:

Again, and I will keep repeating this for those whose eyes are just starting to open, these things were examples of the spiritual application for the end times! The waters and the seas and the rivers are PEOPLE. Here again is the documentation:

We are now studying the famous 7 Trumpets of Revelation. If you are a student of God's Word, and if you understand the 7 Seals which we've just covered, then these trumpets will make a lot of sense. If not, I hope you like scary movies!

The Trumps of God commence the action of the final events of this flesh age, culminating at the 7th and final Trump on the Day of the Lord, the return of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, when every knee shall bow. As the first four trumpets blow, adding "heat" to the 4 Hidden Dynasties, the world begins to become hotter and hotter, reaching the boiling point when Satan arrives in person on the first "white horse" and the battle for the souls of men rages full in the darkest hour EVER of human history.

We had come to the second trumpet which caused the "burning mountain" of God to be cast into the sea of people. That will heat things up for sure! The infusion of the true Word of God "polarizes" and causes those who love Him to love Him more, and those who oppose Him to actively oppose Him more! As an example, just mention "God" to the ACLU and they are "stirred" to remove Him from all aspects of society.

Let's continue with the 2nd Trumpet having sounded:

Now, what are these "ships" which are destroyed? The Greek word for "ships" means "vessel" as in "shipping vessel". These ships symbolize commerce, as in the ships of Tarshish, and there is much commercialism in all four of the 4 Hidden Dynasties. So I use the saying that governments and big business operate on the principle of "The Golden Rule", meaning that "The Guys With the Gold Make the Rules."

Do you remember when the Word of God was "poured out" unto Pharaoh through Moses? Did it not stir Pharaoh to oppress God's people even more? Remember, there's nothing new under the sun! Pharaoh was a type of Satan. Let's read it.

Christ told us of this same falling star in Luke:

lampo :- give light, shine.

astrapto :- lighten, shine.

And so the lamp is Satan's light, his "truth", which most people of the world will accept as true.

So we see in this 3rd trump Satan, "the star", begin to fall from heaven.

The word "darkened" is skotizo and it means to "obscure". And that about describes it! People today cannot see the light of truth, for it has been "obscured" by the traditions of men, nor can they reckon the signs of the times nor the seasons for which the sun and the moon and the stars were created (Gen. 1:14), nor can they see the invisible horses which have ridden hard through the night, to and fro upon the earth.

But you "ain't seen nothin'" yet!

There are three trumpets yet to blow and they are Woe Trumpets! Woe to whom? Woe to earthlings!

So while the sun and the moon and the stars are partially darkened now, the entire sun and entire moon will soon be darkened when  the false-christ, Satan himself, appears in person at the 6th Trump. We will soon learn that he deceives the "whole world" (Rev. 12:9), i.e. there will be "darkness" over all the earth. Do you understand?

This may help. You may recall from the history of not too long ago that the "light of truth" was almost "snuffed" out. During that period of time in order to read the scriptures you first had to obtain a license (which in my experiences always means pay a fee), and then you had to show yourself approved to your confessor (and you better not be trying to start a reformation). Note: If you haven't read "The Letter to the Reader" by the translators of the King James Bible, then by all means you must. Here's a link you can go to LetterToTheReader It will document that which was just stated.

Now, do you know what that period of history is called to this very day? The DARK AGES!

But again, you "ain't seen nothin'" yet!

Now to complete chapter 8:

This word translated "angel" is aetos and should be translated "eagle" as Dr. Moffat has it in his translation. Have you ever heard the shrill of an eagle's cry? Imagine that shrieking caw as the "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth!"

Webster's dictionary says of the eagle: "eagles are known for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight. Our Father likens His protection of His children in Deut. 32, the Song of Moses, to the outstretched wings of the great and powerful eagle.

Next we will read of the 5th Trump and learn of a great locust army to come against our people. Those without the gospel armour on (Eph. 6) are going to get devoured, those with it on and in place will squish locusts like little pesky bugs.

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Rhine Publishing Co.
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