THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

1. Acts 17:11

a. search all things, prove all things

b. two or three witnesses deut 17:6, 19:15, John 8:17

I fear and tremble for many. I know that the Lord has wrought upon my mind in a remarkable manner. I know that He has given me instruction, and I can not forbear giving it to others. I know that the hearts that are open to receive the light will be strengthened and blessed, and will bear a living testimony to those in darkness. {1888 574.2}

There is a work of sacred importance for ministers and people to do. They are to study the history of the cause and people of God. They are not to forget the past dealing of God with His people. They are to revive and recount the truths that have come to seem of little value to those who do not know by personal experience of the power and brightness that accompanied them when they were first seen and understood. In all their original freshness and power these truths are to be given to the world. {1888 574.3}1

John 6;63, John 1:1, Ephesians 3: 16-22If all of those who come together for meetings of edification and prayer could be regarded as true

worshipers, then might we hope, though much would still remain to be done for us. But it is in vain to deceive ourselves. Things are far from being what the appearance would indicate. From a distant view much may appear beautiful which, upon close examination, will be found full of deformities. The prevailing spirit of our time is that of infidelity and apostasy--a spirit of pretended illumination because of a knowledge of the truth, but in reality of the blindest presumption. THERE IS A SPIRIT OF OPPOSITION TO THE PLAIN WORD OF GOD AND TO THE TESTIMONY OF HIS SPIRIT. THERE IS A SPIRIT OF IDOLATROUS EXALTATION OF MERE HUMAN REASON ABOVE THE REVEALED WISDOM OF GOD. {5T 79.1}

There are men among us in responsible positions who hold that the opinions of a few conceited philosophers, so called, are more to be trusted than the truth of the Bible, or the testimonies of the Holy Spirit. Such a faith as that of Paul, Peter, or John is considered old-fashioned and insufferable at the present day. It is pronounced absurd, mystical, and unworthy of an intelligent mind. {5T 79.2}

God has shown me that these men are Hazaels to prove a scourge to our people. They are wise above what is written. This unbelief of the very truths of God’s word because human judgment cannot comprehend the mysteries of His work is found in every district, in all ranks of society. It is taught in most of our schools and comes into the lessons of the nurseries. Thousands who profess to be Christians give heed to lying spirits. Everywhere the spirit of darkness in the garb of religion will confront you. {5T 79.3}

1 The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials. Ellen G. White Estate, 1987; 2002, S. 574

Daniel and the Revelation:Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light that God has given

regarding Satan’s apostasy in heaven should be given a wide circulation just now; for through them the truth will reach many minds. PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, DANIEL AND THE REVELATION, AND THE GREAT CONTROVERSY ARE NEEDED NOW AS NEVER BEFORE. THEY SHOULD BE WIDELY CIRCULATED BECAUSE THE TRUTHS THEY EMPHASIZE WILL OPEN MANY BLIND EYES. . . . MANY OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BLIND TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VERY BOOKS THAT WERE MOST NEEDED . Had tact and skill then been shown in the sale of these books, the Sunday-law movement would not be where it is today.--Review and Herald, Feb. 16, 1905. {CM 123.1}

In The Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, The Great Controversy, and in Daniel and the Revelation, there is precious instruction. These books must be regarded as of special importance, and every effort should be made to get them before the people.--Letter 229, 1903. {CM 123.2}

The light given was that Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, The Great Controversy, and Patriarchs and Prophets, would make their way. THEY CONTAIN THE VERY [BEGIN P.124] MESSAGE THE PEOPLE MUST HAVE, THE SPECIAL LIGHT GOD HAD GIVEN HIS PEOPLE. THE ANGELS OF GOD WOULD PREPARE THE WAY FOR THESE BOOKS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE . -- Special Instruction Regarding Royalties, p. 7. (1899) {CM 123.3}[1][1] Canvassers should be secured to handle the books, Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, Desire of Ages, Daniel and the Revelation, and other books of like character, who have a sense of the value of the matter these books contain, and a realization of the work to be done to interest people in the truth. Special help, which is above all the supposed advantages of illustrations, will be given to such canvassers. The canvassers who are born again by the work of the Holy Spirit, will be accompanied by angels, who will go before them to the dwellings of the people, preparing the way for them. --Manuscript 131, 1899. {CM 88.1}2

7 Trumpets – future? Rev. 9:13; DAR 477.2

He was standing before the golden altar in the holy place of the sanctuary. The cloud of incense with the prayers of Israel was ascending before God. Suddenly he became conscious of a divine presence. An angel of the Lord was "standing on the right side of the altar." The position of the angel was an indication of favor, but Zacharias took no note of this. For many years he had prayed for the coming of the Redeemer; now heaven had sent its messenger to announce that these prayers were about to be answered; but the mercy of God seemed too great for him to credit. He was filled with fear and self-condemnation.  {DA 97.3}  

Christ is in the Holy Place and not Most Holy Place during the sixth trumpet = they are not in the future

GC AND THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TRUMPET

[1][1]White, Ellen Gould: Colporteur Ministry. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953; 2002, S. 1232White, Ellen Gould: Colporteur Ministry. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953; 2002, S. 88

In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. Two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent, published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown "in A.D. 1840, sometime in the month of August;" and only a few days previous to its accomplishment he wrote: "Allowing the first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Deacozes ascended the throne by permission of the Turks, and that the 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at the close of the first period, it will end on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power [BEGIN P.335] in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case."--Josiah Litch, in Signs of the Times, and Expositor of Prophecy, Aug. 1, 1840. {GC 334.4}[1][1]

At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian [BEGIN P.335] nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction. When it became known, multitudes were convinced of the correctness of the principles of prophetic interpretation adopted by Miller and his associates, and a wonderful impetus was given to the Advent movement. Men of learning and position united with Miller, both in preaching and publishing his views, and from 1840 to 1844 the work rapidly extended. {GC88 334.5}3

SEVEN TRUMPETS – TO TAKE DOWN PAGAN AND PAPAL ROME

Jeremiah 4:19 My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

In 2010 3abn gave a symposium on the seven trumpets. John Lomegang puts them in the future as does Ken Cox. Jon Paulein the leading theologian in SDA Church believes different. Ty Gibson believes different than these guys.

web site http://www.adventistdistinctivemessages.com/English/articles.html

The BRI:

Issues in the interpretation of the seven trumpets of RevelationÁngel Manuel RodrÍguez A visionary cycle of Revelation that has proven to be one of the most difficult to interpret is Revelation 8–11, the seven trumpets. The language and imagery are complex; and its application to specific historical events has resulted in a variety of views. This interpretational uncertainty could be confusing to church members and those interested in finding in this apocalyptic prophecy one clear and final interpretation. At the present time such a final interpretation is not available. Perhaps the question we should address is, What can be done to avoid transforming this diversity of opinions into an internal theological struggle? Let me suggest two things. First, we should ask the Lord to strengthen our willingness to work together in a spirit of Christian love and humility in order to build up the church. Second, we should agree on how to approach this apocalyptic prophecy—this is the question of proper hermeneutics.

[1][1]White, Ellen Gould: The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan; Conflict of the Ages, Volume 5; Great Controversy. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911; 2002, S. 3343 The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan; Great Controversy. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1888; 2002, S. 334

https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2012/01/the-seven-trumpets-of-revelationBRI? Or the prophet of God?

Conclusion was SDA's do not really understand what are the seven trumpets

2nd Chronicles 20:20….. Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

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TRUMPET POWERS WERE GIVEN TO CONTROL AND DEFEAT ROME.

Revelation 8:6

Read Daniel and Revelation chapters 8 and 9. – First 4 Trumpets take down pagan Rome

1. First Trumpet

Revelation 8:7

The blast of the first trumpet has its location about the close of the fourth century and onward, and refers to these desolating invasions of the Roman empire under the Goths. {1897 UrS, DAR 478.6}

Alaric and the Goths 395 AD hail, fire, blood=cold region, burned up everything, terrible slaughter

Job 38:22; Deut 4:20; Ezek 29:3 Egypt/Rome = Iron/Dragon

burnt mountain = babylon

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2. Second trumpet

Revelation 8:8

Genseric and Vandals -- The history illustrative of the sounding of the second trumpet evidently relates to the invasion and conquest of Africa, and afterward of Italy, by the terrible Genseric. His conquests were for the most part NAVAL; and his triumphs were "as it were a great mountain burning with fire, cast into the sea." (DAR 481.1)

360 years Rome rules the world – 31 BC-330 AD Western Rome the stronghold

321 first Sunday law (Constantine) national apostasy followed by national ruin

after 330 AD – power shifts to Eastern – Constantinople (weakened of kingdom)

428-468 Genseric and Vandals – navel battles against W Rome

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3. Third Trumpet

Revelation 8:10

In the interpretation and application of this passage, we are brought to the third important event which resulted in the subversion of the Roman empire. It is here premised that this trumpet has allusion to the desolating wars and furious invasions of Attila against the Roman power, which he carried on at the head of his hordes of Huns. Speaking of this warrior, particularly of his personal appearance, Mr. Barnes says:‐ {1897 UrS, DAR 485.1} In the manner of his appearance, he strongly resembled a brilliant meteor flashing in the sky. He came from the East gathering his Huns, and poured them down, as we shall see, with the rapidity of a flashing meteor, suddenly on the empire. He regarded himself also as devoted to Mars, the god of war, and was accustomed to array himself in a peculiarly brilliant manner, so that his appearance, in the language of his flatterers, was such as to dazzle the eyes of beholders." {1897 UrS, DAR 485.2}3

Attila the Hun (from Alpine mountains) 429-451 AD time of Genseric and Vandals in maritime wars

Lam 3:15 Wormwood/bitterness/misery/affliction/being humbled into the dust (rome)

Jeremiah 9:13 experiencing bitter/wormwood for apostasy and rejection/changing law

"'Total extirpation and erasure,' are terms which best denote the calamities he inflicted." He styled himself, "The Scourge of God." {1897 UrS, DAR 487.2}

4. Fourth Trumpet

Revelation 8:12

We understand that this trumpet symbolizes the career of Odoacer, the barbarian monarch who was so intimately connected with the downfall of Western Rome.Western Rome fell A.D. 476. Still, however, though the Roman sun was extinguished, its subordinate luminaries shone faintly while the senate and consuls continued. But after many civil reverses and changes of political fortune, at length, A.D. 566, the whole form of the ancient government was subverted, and Rome itself was reduced form being the empress of the world to a poor dukedom tributary to the Exarch of Ravenna. {1897 UrS, DAR 487.6}

Odoacer 476 AD

Gen 37:9

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"VERSE 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit." {1897 UrS, DAR 495.1} For an exposition of this trumpet, we shall again draw from the writings of Mr. Keith. This writer truthfully says: " There is scarcely so uniform an agreement among interpreters concerning any other part of the Apocalypse as respecting the application of the fifth and sixth trumpets, or the first and second woes, to the Saracens and Turks. It is so obvious that it can scarcely be misunderstood. Instead of a verse or two designating each, the whole of the ninth chapter of the Revelation in equal portions, is occupied with a description of both. {1897 UrS, DAR 495.2} "The Roman empire declined, as it arose, by conquest; BUT THE SARACENS AND THE TURKS WERE THE INSTRUMENTS BY WHICH A FALSE RELIGION BECAME THE SCOURGE OF AN APOSTATE CHURCH; and hence, instead of the fifth and sixth trumpets, like the former, being designated by that name alone, they are called woes. {1897 UrS, DAR 495.3} "Constantinople was besieged, for the first time after the extinction of the Western empire, by Chosroes, the king of Persia." {1897 UrS, DAR 495.4}

This angel is not one of the series of the seven trumpet angels, but simply one who announces that the three remaining trumpets are woe trumpets, on account of the more terrible events to transpire under their sounding. Thus the next, or fifth trumpet, is the first woe; the sixth trumpet, the second woe; and the seventh, the last one in this series of seven trumpets, is the third woe. {1897 UrS, DAR 493.6}

MILLER’S WORKS, VOLUME 2

And I beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying, with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound. {1842 WiM, MWV2 115.2} In prophetical scripture, the sounding of trumpets is always used to denote the downfall of some empire, nation, or place, or some dreadful battle, which may decide the fate of empires,nations, or places. At the fall of Jericho, the trumpet was the instrument, in the hands of the priest of the mighty God of Jacob, which cast down her walls, destroyed the city, and a curse pronounced against the man that should ever build up her walls again. Again, the trumpet was the instrument by which Gideon put to flight the armies of the aliens. And the prophet Amos says, "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?" Therefore we may reasonably conclude that a trumpet is the harbinger of destructive wars, and the dissolution of empires, states, or the earth, as the case may be. The seven trumpets mentioned in Revelation, the three last of which are mentioned in our text, indicate the final overthrow of the powers spoken of in the prophecy. The four first had their accomplishment in the destruction of the Jews and their dispersion, in the fall of imperial Rome, in the overthrow of the Asiatic kingdom, and in the taking away of Pagan rites and ceremonies. The last three trumpets will claim our attention in this discourse; the first four having their accomplishment under Rome Pagan; to the last three under Rome Papal. {1842 WiM, MWV2 115.3}

THREE WOES= 5, 6, 7 TRUMPETS

BRING DOWN DRAGON, BEAST, FALSE PROPHET

Revelation 8:13

3 Woes –

ZECH 11:17 WOE TO IDOL SHEPHERD – PAPACY Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye (dan 7 eyes like a man and mouth speak blasphemies): his arm shall be clean dried up (Rev 16:12 6th plague), and his right eye shall be utterly darkened (Rev 16 5th plague).

EZEK 13:3 WOE ON FALSE PROPHETS – APOSTATE PROTESTANTISM OF AMERICA---- Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that followa their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 5 Ye have not gone up into the gapsb, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: (Matthew 23)

ISAIAH 5:22 WOE TO MIGHTY MEN 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Rev 17:1 mighty men/kings (10 kings) of earth made drunk with wine of romeKings and rulers and governors have placed upon themselves the brand of antichrist, and are represented as the dragon who goes to make war with the saints--with those who keep the commandments of God and who have the faith of Jesus. {TM 38.2}4

Sunday Law Rev 12:17 – 10 Kings

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5. Fifth Trumpet

"Constantinople was besieged, for the first time after the extinction of the Western empire, by Chosroes, the king of Persia." {1897 UrS, DAR 495.4}

First woe – against papal Rome

Revelation 9:1- who are these people?

Acts 7:42 star is a messenger; leader- political or religious - Num 24

Gen 37:22 bottomless pit – wilderness; Jeremiah 2:6 deserts and pits; drought and shadows of death

Jeremiah 4:23 wilderness and desert like region – deep/abyss

Rom 1:16, 17 Gospel is power of God – righteousness of Christ (sun=Gospel)

air= wind or breath John 20:22, 23 Acts 26:19 Light is God/darkness is Satan

smoke darkens true understanding of Gospel – do not know Jesus

aa follow: Heb. walk afterbb gaps: or, breaches4White, Ellen Gould: Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1923; 2002, S. 39

verse 2 – furnace=affliction; bondage Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 11:4 Iron furnace – brings people into bondage

verse 3 who is under bondage? locusts under affliction and satan’s power; in darkness; they would afflict and bring into bondage others under satan’s power

Nahum 3:17 locusts=grasshopper; Judges 7:12 grasshoppers=locusts = children of the east riding camels – great multitude

verse 5 – torment men as scorpions 5 months (trumpets can not go in future = no more time prophecy after 1844); children from the east long beards/face like face of men. Hair like women – 1 Cor 11:14 teeth of lion – fierce, mighty and strong people Joel 1:6 Ezek 23:42 crowns on their head – Sabeans Job 1:14 Sabeans attack asses and oxen – Job 1:1 in the east

verse 9 tail? 1 Kings 12:9-11 – chastise with scorpions (tail) Isaiah 9:14, 15 prophet that teacheth lies is the tail

Genesis 25:1-3 Sheba and Dedan are brothers Isaiah 21:13 Arabia - Dedan father of Sabeans from the east vs 12: Ishmael – mighty men of Kedar Genesis 25:5 (Abraham lived in east country) Genesis 25:12-13 Kedar son of Ishmael; 12 princes Kedar from east

= Islam in Bible Prophecy – backed by Uriah Smith, James White, pioneers – on the chart

Gen 16:10 multiply his seed exceedingly vs 12 wildman (wild=ass) Arabian horse/ass war horses

Jeremiah 2:24 wild ass connected with wilderness - Islam

Job 39:5 who sent out the wild ass? who loosed the bands of the wild ass = God

vs 6 who’s house I have made the wilderness – God has power to loose or band

Mohammad is the star – Islam -

verse 11: King over them: 150 years begins – Othman – Ottoman empire July 27, 1299 July 27, 1449 death and destruction (Abaddon and Apollyon)

The Bottomless Pit. - The meaning of this term may be learned from the Greek , which is defined "deep, bottomless, profound," and may refer to any waste, desolate, and uncultivated place. It is applied to the earth in its original state of chaos. Gen.1:2. In this instance it may appropriately refer to the unknown wastes of the Arabian desert, from the borders of which issued the hordes of Saracens like swarms of locusts. And the fall of Chosroes, the Persian king, may well be represented as the opening of the bottomless pit, inasmuch as it prepared the way for the followers of Mohammed to issue from their obscure country, and propagate their delusive doctrines with fire and sword, till they had spread their darkness over all the Eastern empire. {1897 UrS, DAR 498.1}

After the death of Mohammed, he was succeeded in the command by Abubekr, A.D. 632, who, as soon as he had fairly established his authority and government, dispatched a circular letter to the Arabian tribes, from which the following is an extract:- {1897 UrS, DAR 500.5}

"'When you fight the battles of the Lord, acquit yourselves like men, without turning your backs; but let not your victory be stained with the blood of women and children. Destroy no palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn. Cut down no fruit-trees, nor do any mischief to cattle, only such as you kill to eat. When you make any covenant or article, stand to it, and be as good as your word. And as you go, you will find some religious persons who live retired in monasteries, and propose to themselves to serve God that way; let them alone, and neither kill them nor destroy their monasteries. And you will find another sort of people that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who have shaven crowns; be sure you cleave their skulls, and give them no quarter till they either turn Mohammedans or pay tribute.' {1897 UrS, DAR 500.6}

MILLER’S WORKS, VOLUME 2

Rev. 9:1. "And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth; and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit." After the downfall of Pagan Rome, and the rise of the anti-Christians abomination, Mahomet promulgated a religion which evidently came from the bottomless pit; for it fostered all the wicked passions of the human heart, such as war, murder, slavery, and lust. {1842 WiM, MWV2 116.2}

2nd verse, "And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air was darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit." The figures used in the text are, the bottomless pit, which denote the theories of men or devils, that have no foundation in the word of God. Smoke denotes the errors from such doctrine, which serve to blind the eyes of men, that they cannot see the truth. As the smoke of a great furnace shows the great extent or effect of this error over the world. The sun denotes the gospel, which is the great luminary of the moral world. The air denotes the moral influence on the mind, which is commonly called piety. As air supports or gives to the lungs animation in the physical world, so does the piety of the heart to the moral. {1842 WiM, MWV2 117.1}

This, then, is the true sentiment of this passage. And by reason of the Mahometan errors which would be believed or followed by a great multitude, the gospel and the pious influence of the same would be in a great measure hid or lost to the world. {1842 WiM, MWV2 117.2}

3rd verse, "And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power." By theselocusts I understand armies. See Joel, 1st and 2nd chapters. Therefore I should read this text thus: And there came out from these Mahometan followers large armies, which should have great power to execute the judgments of God on this anti-Christian beast, which had filled the earth with her abominations. {1842 WiM, MWV2 117.3}

4th verse, "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." By grass, green things, and trees, Ps. 72:16, Hosea 14:8, I understand the true church, or people of God. By those men having not the seal of God, etc., I understand the anti-Christian church, or Papal Rome. Then this would be the sense: And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the true church, or people of God, but only the anti-Christian best, or powers subject to her. {1842 WiM, MWV2 117.4}

5th verse, "And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months; and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man." To kill is to

destroy. Five months is in prophecy 150 years. To torment as a scorpion, etc., is to make sudden incursions and irruption into the country, etc. Then this is the sentiment to me conveyed in the text: And the Turkish armies would not have power to destroy the Papal powers for 150 years, but would make sudden and quick incursions into their territories, and harass and perplex the nations under the Papal control. {1842 WiM, MWV2 118.1}

6th verse, "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them." About this time the Greek church, in Constantinople, was so harassed by the Papal authority, that it gave rise to a saying among them, that they "had rather see the Turkish turban on the throne of the Eastern Empire, than the Pope's tiara." And anyone who has read the history of the 14th century, will see that this text was literally accomplished. {1842 WiM, MWV2 118.2}

7th verse, "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were, as it were, crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men." In this verse we have a description of the Turkish armies. In the first place they are represented as being all horsemen. This was true with the Turks, and no other kingdom since Christ's time, that we have any knowledge of, whose armies were all horsemen. They wore on their heads yellow turbans, which can only apply to the Turks, looking like crowns of gold. {1842 WiM, MWV2 118.3}

8th verse, "And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions." They wore long hair attached to their turbans, and they fought with javelins like the teeth of lions. {1842 WiM, MWV2 118.4}

9th verse, "And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle." By their breastplates I understand shields, which the Turks carried in their battles; and history tells us that when they charged an enemy,they made a noise upon them like the noise of chariot wheels. {1842 WiM, MWV2 119.1}

10th verse,"And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months." The Turkish horsemen had each a cimeter which hung in a scabbard at their waist, that they used in close combat after they had discharged their javelins, with which they were very expert, severing a man's or even a horse's head at a blow. And from the time that the Ottoman power or Turkish empire was first established in Bithynia, until the downfall of the Greek or Eastern Empire, when the Turks took Constantinople, was five prophetic months, or one hundred and fifty years. {1842 WiM, MWV2 119.2}

11th verse, "And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." The Turkish government had a king when they began, as before mentioned, and he was a follower of the Mahometan faith, and truly a servant or messenger of this doctrine of the bottomless pit. The name of their first king, who is styled in history the founder of the Turkish empire, was Othoman or Ottoman, from whom the empire took its name, and has been called to this day the Ottoman empire. And great has been the destruction which this government has executed upon the world; and well may this empire be styled Destroyer, in prophecy the signification of Abaddon or Apollyon. {1842 WiM, MWV2 119.3}

12 verse, "One woe is past; and behold, there come two woes more hereafter." This closes the fifth trumpet and the first woe, commencing at the foundation of the Turkish empire in Bithynia, in the year A. D. 1298, and lasting five prophetic months, or 150 years, which carries us down to the year A.D. 1448. When we take into view the object and design of God in sending this judgment or scourge upon the men who have not the seal of God on their foreheads; the anti-Christian beast, who profess to be Christians, but are not; when we compare the history of those times with the prophecy--we have been examining, and the events which have transpired concerning the Ottoman empire, with the descriptive character given of them in this prophecy,--we cannot, I think, hesitate for a moment to apply the fulfilment of this trumpet and woe, to the seevents, time, and place; and must be led to admire the agreement between the prophecy and fulfillment, and to believe this book of Revelation to be indited by the unerring wisdom of the Divine Spirit; for no human forethought could have so exactly described these events, dress, manners, customs, and mode of warfare 1200 years beforehand, except the wisdom of God had assisted him. And if these things are revealed by God himself unto us, surely no one will dare to say that it is non-essential whether we believe this part of the revealed will of God or not. Shall God speak and man disregard it? Forbid it, O Father; and let us have "ears to hear what the Spirit saith to the churches." {1842 WiM, MWV2 119.4}

We shall now follow the revelation of God into the sixth trumpet and second woe; and may we have the Spirit of God to assist us and lead our minds into the truth of these things. {1842 WiM, MWV2 120.1}

DANIEL AND THE REVELATION

"VERSE 10. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." {1897 UrS, DAR 506.1}

Thus far, Keith has furnished us with illustrations of the sounding of the first five trumpets. But we must now take leave of him, and proceed to the application of the new feature of the prophecy here introduced; namely, the prophetic periods. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.2}

Their Power Was to Hurt Men Five Months. - 1. The question arises, What men were they to hurt five months? - Undoubtedly the same they were afterward to slay (see verse 15); "The third part of men," or third of the Roman empire, - the Greek division of it. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.3}

2. When were they to begin their work of torment? The 11th verse answers the question. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.4}

(1) "They had a king over them." From the death of Mohammed until near the close of the thirteenth century, the Mohammedans were divided into various factions under several leaders, with no general civil government extending over them all. Near the close of the thirteenth century, Othman founded a government which has since been known as the Ottoman government, or empire, which grew until it extended over all the principal Mohammedan tribes, consolidating them into one grand monarchy. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.5}

(2) The character of the king. "Which is the angel of the bottomless pit." An angel signifies a messenger, a minister, either good or bad, and not always a spiritual being. "The angel of the bottomless pit," or chief minister of the religion which came from thence when it was opened. That religion is Mohammedanism, and the sultan is its chief minister. "The Sultan, or grand Seignior, as he is indifferently called, is also Supreme Caliph, or high priest, uniting in his person the highest spiritual dignity with the supreme secular authority." - World As It Is, p.361. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.6}

(3) His name. In Hebrew, "Abaddon," the destroyer; in Greek, "Apollyon," one that exterminates, or destroys. Having two different names in two languages, it is evident that the character, rather than the name of the power, is intended to be represented. If so, as expressed in both languages, he is a destroyer. Such has always been the character of the Ottoman government. {1897 UrS, DAR 506.7}

But when did Othman make his first assault on the Greek empire? - According to Gibbon, Decline and Fall, etc., "Othman first entered the territory of Nicomedia on the 27th day of July, 1299." {1897 UrS, DAR 507.1}

The calculations of some writers have gone upon the supposition that the period should begin with the foundation of the Ottoman empire; but this is evidently an error; for they were not only to have a king over them, but were to torment men five months. But the period of torment could not begin before the first attack of the tormentors, which was, as above stated, July 27, 1299. {1897 UrS, DAR 507.2}

The calculation which follows, founded on this starting-point, was made and published in a work entitled, Christ's Second Coming, etc., by J. Litch, in 1838. {1897 UrS, DAR 507.3}

"And their power was to hurt men five months." Thus far their commission extended, to torment by constant depredations, but not politically to kill them. "Five months," thirty days to a month, give us one hundred and fifty days; and these days, being symbolic, signify one hundred and fifty years. Commencing July 27, 1299, the one hundred and fifty years reach to 1449. During that whole period the Turks were engaged in an almost perpetual warfare with the Greek empire, but yet without conquering it. They seized upon and held several of the Greek provinces, but still Greek independence was maintained in Constantinople. But in 1449, the termination of the one hundred and fifty years, a change came, the history of which will be found under the succeeding trumpet. {1897 UrS, DAR 507.4}

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6. Sixth Trumpet / Second Woe

Revelation 9:13

The first woe was to continue from the rise of Mohammedanism until the end of the five months. Then the first woe was to end, and the second to begin. And when the sixth angel sounded, it was commanded to take off the restraints which had been imposed on the nation, by which they were restricted to the work of tormenting men, and their commission was enlarged so as to permit them to slay the third part of men. This command came from the four horns of the golden altar. {1897 UrS, DAR 507.6}

The Four Angels. - These were the four principal sultans of which the Ottoman empire was composed, located in the country watered by the great river Euphrates. These sultans were situated at Aleppo, Iconium, Damascus, and Bagdad. Previously they had been restrained; but God commanded, and they were loosed. {1897 UrS, DAR 508.1}

In the year 1449, John Palaeologus, the Greek emperor, died, but left no children to inherit his throne, and Constantine, his brother, succeeded to it.1 But he would not venture to ascend the throne without the consent of Amurath, the Turkish sultan. He therefore sent ambassadors to ask his consent, and obtained it before he presumed to call himself sovereign. {1897 UrS, DAR 508.2}

Let this historical fact be carefully examined in connection with the prediction given above. This was not a violent assault made on the Greeks, by which their empire was overthrown and their independence taken away, but simply a voluntary surrender of that independence into the hands of the Turks. The authority and supremacy of the Turkish power was acknowledged when Constantine virtually said, "I cannot reign unless you permit." {1897 UrS, DAR 508.3}

The four angels were loosed for an hour, a day, a month, and a year, to slay the third part of men. This period, during which Ottoman supremacy was to exist, amounts to three hundred ninety- one years and fifteen days. Thus: A prophetic year is three hundred and sixty prophetic days, or three hundred and sixty literal years; a prophetic month, thirty prophetic days, is thirty literal years; one prophetic day is one literal year; and an hour, or the twenty-fourth part of a prophetic day, would be a twenty-fourth part of a literal year, or fifteen days; the whole amounting to three hundred and ninety- one years and fifteen days. {1897 UrS, DAR 508.4}

But although the four angels were thus loosed by the voluntary submission of the Greeks, yet another doom awaited the seat of empire. Amurath, the sultan to whom the submission of Constantine XIII was made, and by whose permission he reigned in Constantinople, soon after died, and was succeeded in the empire, in 1451, by Mohammed II, who set his heart on securing Constantinople as the seat of his empire. {1897 UrS, DAR 509.1}

He accordingly made preparations for besieging and taking the city. The siege commenced on the 6th of April, 1453, and ended in the capture of the city, and the death of the last of the Constantines, on the 16th day of May following. And the eastern city of the Caesars became the seat of the Ottoman empire. {1897 UrS, DAR 509.2}

I say it well deserves observation how markedly and strikingly Gibbon attributes the capture of the city, and so the destruction of the empire, to the Ottoman artillery. For what is it but a comment on the words of our prophecy? 'By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the sulphur, which issued out of their mouths.'" {1897 UrS, DAR 512.1}

These verses express the deadly effect of the new mode of warfare introduced. It was by means of these agents, - gunpowder, firearms, and cannon, - that Constantinople was finally overcome, and given into the hands of the Turks. {1897 UrS, DAR 514.2} .

This supremacy of the Mohammendans over the Greeks was to continue, as already noticed, three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days. Commencing when the one hundred and fifty years ended, July 27, 1449, the period would end Aug. 11, 1840. Judging from the manner of the commencement of the Ottoman supremacy, that it was by a voluntary acknowledgment on the part of the

Greek emperor that he reigned only by permission of the Turkish sultan, we should naturally conclude that the fall or departure of the Ottoman independence would be brought about in the same way; that at the end of the specified period, that is, on the 11th August, 1840, the sultan would voluntarily surrender his independence into the hands of the Christian powers, just as he had, three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days before, received it from the hands of the Christian emperor, Constantine XIII. {1897 UrS, DAR 514.4}

It is apparent that just as soon as this ultimatum should be put by the sultan into the hands of Mehemet Ali, the matter would be forever beyond the control of the former, and the disposal of his affairs would, from that moment, be in the hands of foreign powers. The sultan despatched Rifat Bey on a government steamer to Alexandria, to communicate the ultimatum to the pasha. It was put into his hands, and by him taken in charge, on the eleventh day of August, 1840!. On the same day, a note was addressed by the sultan to the ambassadors of the four powers, inquiring what plan was to be adopted in case the pasha should refuse to comply with the terms of the ultimatum, to which they made answer that provision had been made, and there was no necessity of his alarming himself about any contingency that might arise. This day the period of three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days, allotted to the continuance of the Ottoman power, ended; and where was the sultan's independence? - GONE! Who had the supremacy of the Ottoman empire in their hands? - The four great powers; and that empire has existed ever since only by the sufferance of these Christian powers. Thus was the prophecy fulfilled to the very letter. {1897 UrS, DAR 516.1}

From the first publication of the calculation of this matter in 1838, before referred to, the time set for the fulfilment of the prophecy - Aug. 11, 1840 - was watched by thousands with intense interest. And the exact accomplishment of the event predicted, showing, as it did, the right application of the prophecy, gave a mighty impetus to the great Advent movement then beginning to attract the attention of the world. {1897 UrS, DAR 516.2} ______________________________________________________________________________________

7. Seventh Trumpet

Third woe

Revelation 11:15

August 11, 1840 Rev. 10: 1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. [1][1]

[1][1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Re 10:1-7

Daniel 2: 44 And in the daysm of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain withoutn hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. 5

Daniel 7: 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.6

THIRD WOE, OR SEVENTH TRUMPET

Verse 14: "The second wo is past, and behold, the third wo cometh quickly." {1842 JoL, PREX2 223.2}

The second wo ended with the fall of Ottoman supremacy in 1840. At that period the word of God had gained its ascendancy in the world, and is now high in the moral heaven, flying as on the wings of the wind, borne by a mighty angel through the midst of heaven; and the enemies of the Bible see the triumph of the cause; and great fear falls on the infidel world. While the witnesses of Christ lay dead, the nations of Christendom did not suffer them to be buried up out of sight. They at length stood up and ascended up to heaven, or an elevation they never before attained. {1842 JoL, PREX2 223.3}

In 1801 the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed; and from that example, the American Bible Society, and all the innumerable auxiliaries of both. The Bible has since been published by them in about 180 different languages and dialects. In 1799 the Society in England for the promulgation of Christian Knowledge was organized; the Wesleyan Missionary Society about the same time; the London Missionary Society in 1795; Church Missionary Society in 1800; Religious Tract Society in 1799; Sunday School Union in 1803. {1842 JoL, PREX2 223.4}

Having passed through the six trumpets, and the darkness, death, resurrection, and triumph of the witnesses, we stand at the present time on the verge of the great crisis when the seventh trump must sound. That trump is a wo to the world, and a blessing to the saints of God. It introduces the time, not when the world will be converted, and the spiritual reign of Christ be introduced, but the time when the dead shall be judged, all God's servants rewarded, and the destroyers of the earth destroyed. Under the seventh trumpet the seven vials are to be poured out. {1842 JoL, PREX2 224.1}

mm the days: Chaldee their daysnn without...: or, which was not in hands5 The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Da 2:44-456 The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Da 7:21-22

Will the reader carefully examine the following passages, and ask himself if an eternal reign of Christ over the kingdoms of this world, and an eternal exaltation of the saints of God, can be more distinctly and forcibly announced? {1842 JoL, PREX2 224.2}

Verses 15-18; "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying. We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." {1842 JoL, PREX2 224.3}

Is there any millennium and return of the Jews here predicted, as the world has been taught to expect? There is no place found for it! But ETERNITY cometh quickly! {1842 JoL, PREX2 225.1}

More than two years have now elapsed since the second wo passed away, and the voice from heaven, by the mouth of Christ's witness, proclaimed, "the third WO cometh QUICKLY." That period of delay must soon expire, and the seventh angel sound. Then he that is filthy, will be filthy still!! And he that is holy shall be holy still!!! There will be no more change in the moral characters of men. That trump will come with awful suddenness on the world. It will be a twinkling of the eye, and all will be over!! The want of instant preparation and watchfulness will be an awful calamity when that day arrives. {1842 JoL, PREX2 225.2}

Rev. iii. 3: "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee." {1842 JoL, PREX2 225.3}

Does the Savior mean nothing by this? Does he not plainly say that those who will watch for it shall not be taken by surprise? While those who will not believe, and be on their watch-tower, shall be surprised, and not know when he is coming. "But ye, brethren," said the apostle, "are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." Why will ministers of the gospel, and professed Christians, join hands with infidels of all grades, with the profane, licentious, intemperate and abominable of all classes, to plead, "Of that day and hour knoweth no man?" "That it shall come as a thief? "That the world can know nothing about the time?" etc., while they throw away entirely those positive declarations, that at the time of the end the wise shall understand; that the Christian is not in darkness that it should come on him as a thief; that the saints may be as certain, when they see the foretold signs, that it is at the door, as they are that summer is near, when they see the trees put forth! Why will they not believe these declarations? I write these things with strong emotions of grief, not with a spirit of anger or hardness. But I say it in truth and love, but with all plainness, for the purpose of making my dear and beloved brethren, both of the ministry and laity, feel their true position-that they are doing up the work of infidels and devils, in their opposition to this doctrine; for both the one and the other go with them, and use just their weapons. Will they not look at this fact? {1842 JoL, PREX2 225.4}

Unconverted reader, prepare! O prepare for that great event, lest you lie down in everlasting burnings!! Take refuge in Christ without delay, that you may escape all those things which are coming on the earth, and stand before the Son of man. {1842 JoL, PREX2 226.1}

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