I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      The seventh trumpet, like the seventh seal, was somewhat different from the other six.

                                                             1.      For the most part, the first six trumpets, like the first six seals, released plagues upon the earth, which symbolized God’s judgment against the persecutors of His people, the Roman Empire.

                                                             2.      The seventh trumpet, like the seventh seal, gave a different kind of revelation.  In the case of the seventh trumpet, we will see that it sounded the fulfillment of God’s mystery.

B.      Before the seventh trumpet sounded, there was an interlude in which John saw other signs.

                                                             1.      Similar to the interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, this interlude revealed the victory of God’s saints over their enemies.

                                                             2.      Keep in mind that the events signified by the trumpets were likely concurrent with the events signified by the seals.  These sets of sevens (seals, trumpets, bowls) in Revelation indicated different aspects of the judgment of God against the Roman Empire.

II.      THE STRONG ANGEL AND THE LITTLE BOOK

A.      A strong angel had a declaration about the seventh trumpet (Rev. 10:1-7).

                                                             1.      The description of this angel indicates the importance of his message.

a.       His appearance was described in glorious terms (cloud, rainbow, sun, fire).

b.       He stood with one foot on the land and one on the sea (his message was for the whole world), and he spoke with a loud voice like a lion (all should hear his message).

c.        In his hand was a little open book or scroll, which John would receive.

                                                             2.      As the angel spoke, “seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.”

a.       John began to write the words revealed by the thunder, but he was told not to write.

b.       These were things that the early Christians and we were not meant to know.  They were probably further details of God’s judgment, but we can only speculate.

                                                             3.      The message of the angel was that the mystery of God would be finished at the seventh trumpet.

a.       In Revelation 6:10, the plight of persecuted Christians on earth was represented by the cry of the slain saints for God’s vengeance against their murderers.

b.       The strong angel gave the answer: “There shall be delay no longer.”  The sounding of the seventh trumpet would affect the vengeance of God on the unrepentant Roman Empire.

c.        Let us consider what it means that the mystery of God would be finished.

i.         This mystery had been preached to God’s servants the prophets.  Therefore, the mystery pertained to unfulfilled prophecies.

ii.        The scene of verses 5-7 and the following context are very similar to Daniel 12:7.  Much of Daniel’s prophecy pertained to the establishment of God’s kingdom and the destruction of the “fourth kingdom” from Babylon, namely, the Roman Empire (Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome – see Dan. 2:36-45; 7:1-28).

iii.      Therefore, within the context of the book of Revelation, the mystery of God from prophecy would be finished with the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the destruction of the Roman Empire.

B.      The little book in the hand of the angel represented the prophecy that John would reveal (Rev. 10:8-11).

                                                             1.      Unlike the scroll that the Lamb took from the hand of God, this scroll was not sealed.  Certainly, it had been opened by Christ who commissioned John for this revelation (Rev. 1:19).

                                                             2.      This little book represented the truth revealed for John to write in the remainder of Revelation.

a.       John was told to eat the book and that it would be sweet in his mouth (pleasant for John to receive) but bitter in his stomach (unpleasant effects).

b.       Jeremiah and Ezekiel recorded very similar experiences regarding their reception and deliverance of the word of God (Jer. 15:15-18; 20:7-18; Ezek. 2:1-3:3).

III.   THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

A.      As a sign of God’s protection for His people, John was told to make certain measurements (Rev. 11:1-2).

                                                             1.      In this symbolism, John was required to measure God’s temple (in heaven – Rev. 11:19) as well as the altar (in heaven – Rev. 8:3) and the worshippers.

a.       Twice in the Old Testament, prophets saw visions in which things were measured.

i.         Ezekiel saw a man who measured the temple as a sign to Judah to separate the holy from the profane (Ezek. 40-43; notice 22:26; 42:20; 43:10-11).

ii.        Zechariah saw a man who measured Jerusalem as a sign to Judah that God would protect them (Zech. 2:1-5).

b.       John’s measurements conveyed the same message as these two Old Testament prophecies – God would separate and protect His holy people.  This was the same message conveyed by the sealing of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:1-8) and was intended to comfort those Christians who would live during God’s judgment against the Roman Empire.

                                                             2.      Those who were not measured would “tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.”

a.       The protection of God (measurement) was not offered to the world (outer court).

b.       The “holy city” that would be trampled (persecuted) was a figure of the church (later called the “beloved city” – Rev. 20:9).

c.        The figure forty-two months is especially significant in Revelation.

i.         This span of time is the same as twelve hundred and sixty days in verse 3 and the figurative time of three and a half years used by Daniel (“a time, times, and half a time” – Dan. 7:25; 12:7).  See also Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5.

ii.        Whereas seven was a symbol of perfection, three and a half (half of seven) was a symbol of incompletion and failure.  Therefore, a period of three and a half years was symbolic of a failed period of persecution against Christians.

B.      During the time of this oppression, God’s witnesses would prophesy with powerful signs (Rev. 11:3-6).

                                                             1.      These two (number for strength) witnesses would be clothed in sack-cloth (figurative of mourning) and would prophecy concurrently with the persecution.

                                                             2.      The figure of two olive trees and two lampstands is reminiscent of Zechariah 4.  There the figure represented God’s anointed ones (Joshua and Zerubbabel) through whom God blessed Judah.

                                                             3.      The power of the two witnesses was similar to that of Elijah (1Ki. 17-18) and Moses (Ex. 7:20).

C.      When the witnesses’ testimony was complete, the beast would overcome and kill them, but God would vindicate them (Rev. 11:7-14).

                                                             1.      Upon the completion of their testimony (full revelation of God’s word), the beast (figure for the Roman Empire – see Rev. 13) would appear to have victory for a time.  This was symbolic of the overwhelming persecution Christians were about to suffer when John received this revelation.

                                                             2.      The great city in which their bodies would lie represented Rome (not Jerusalem).  It was characterized by Sodom (immorality), Egypt (bondage), and Jerusalem (rejection of Christ).

                                                             3.      After three and a half days (incomplete period), God would vindicate His witnesses by bringing them back to life and exalting them to heaven (a figurative resurrection representing their triumph).

a.       The great city would be smitten.  Some of those who rejoiced at the witnesses’ deaths would be killed and the rest would fear and glorify God.

b.       This would complete the second woe (sixth trumpet) intended to make them repent.

D.      The seventh trumpet announced the rule of the kingdom of God and the fall of the Roman Empire (Rev. 11:15-19).

                                                             1.      The meaning of this trumpet was revealed by the strong angel in chapter 10.  It is not a vision of the end of time, but rather it is a vision of the fall of the Roman Empire.

                                                             2.      The voices in heaven and the twenty-four elders declared the full history of these happenings:

a.       Christ began to reign (His kingdom was established – Acts 2:22-36).

b.       The nations were enraged (the world, especially Rome, persecuted the church).

c.        God’s wrath came (He judged the spiritually dead and destroyed those who destroyed the earth, i.e., the Roman Empire – see Dan. 7:23-27).

d.       God rewarded His bond-servants the prophets and the saints (the slain saints were vindicated – ref. Rev. 6:10).

                                                             3.      The opening of the temple of God in heaven revealed the ark of the covenant, a sign that God had kept His covenant with Christians.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      This completes the first part of Revelation, which reveals the conflict between Christians and the world.

B.      The rest of the book reveals the main characters involved in this conflict and their destinies.

*** In the next lesson, we will consider the woman, the dragon, and the beasts (12:1-13:18).***