The Seven Trumpets
Symbols Of War. "The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged." Rev. 11:18.
1. Following the seven seals, under what symbols was the next series of thrilling events shown the apostle John?
“And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” Rev. 8:2.
2. With what do these trumpets deal?
With the wars, commotions, and political upheavals which result in the breaking up and downfall of the Roman Empire,—the first four with the downfall of Western Rome, the fifth and sixth with the downfall of Eastern Rome, and the seventh with the final downfall of Rome in its broadest sense, or all the kingdoms of the world. See Revelation 8 and 9 and 11:14-19. A trumpet is a symbol of war. Jer. 4:19, 20; Joel 2:1-11.
3. Under what figures is the first trumpet described?
“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 trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” Rev. 8:7.
Notes.—“Twice, at least, before the Roman Empire became divided permanently into the two parts, the Eastern and the Western, there was a tripartite division of the empire. The first occurred 311 a.d., when it was divided between Constantine, Licinius, and Maximin; the other, 337 a.d., on the death of Constantine, when it was divided between his three sons, Constantine, Constans, and Constantius.”—Albert Barnes, on Rev. 12:4. [pg 290] To Constantius was given Constantinople and the East; to Constans, Italy, Illyricum, and northern Africa; and to Constantine II, Britain, Gaul, and Spain.