The First Six Trumpets of Revelation 8:6-9:21

The six trumpets in 8:6-9:21 (seven total-11:15-19) initiate with the opening of the seventh seal in which results in the “silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” (8:1) The last three trumpets: five, six, and seven are referred to as the three woes. “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!” (Revelation 8:13)

Trumpet 1 (8:7)- Hail and fire mingled with blood falls upon the earth. 1/3 of the trees “was burnt up and all green grass was burnt up.” (v.7)

Trumpet 2 (8:8-9)- Something as a gigantic mountain lit with fire falls into the sea turning a third part to blood. As a result, a third part of the creatures in the sea died and the third of the ships are destroyed. This blood rekindles the reality of the plagues in Egypt when God poured out His wrath: “And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.” (Exodus 7:18) The result of the second trumpet will dramatically affect the water supply.

Trumpet 3 (8:10-11)- A great star falls from heaven upon the third part of the rivers and fountain of waters. The star is named “Wormwood” for it made the waters bitter and many died as a result. (v. 11) Historically some have identified this star figuratively and it’s result of bitterness to possibly be associated with spiritual bitterness. However, it is clearly stated that “Wormwood” falls upon “the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;” (v.10b). It seems more textually appropriate to identify Wormwood as a “star” of nature and characteristically which literally falls into the water.

Trumpet 4 (8:12)- The world is darkened as a third part of the illumination of the heavens is darkened. “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:” (Amos 8:9).

Trumpet 5 (9:1-12)- This would be the first of the three woes “which are yet to sound!” (8:13) The usage of language in chapter 9 contrasts the usage of the star to introduce “Wormwood”. (8:10) The structure of 9:1 seems to emphasize the personification of the fallen star as “to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” Verse 11’s description of the “angel of the bottomless pit” seems to further verify this reality: Satan. (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18). From the bottomless pit are locusts (demonic in nature) and they torture men who do not have the “seal of God in their foreheads” for five months but will not kill them. (9:4-5)

Trumpet 6 (13-21)- The four angels that are bound in the great river Euphrates are loosed for the intention of slaying the third part of men. Furthermore, 200 million horsemen are administered to accomplish this endeavor. All of those who were not killed by the result of the six trumpets refused to repent of their deeds!

2.) Who the two beasts are in 13: 1-18.

Verse one refers to the Babylonian system in Revelation 16:19-17:18. The seven heads and ten horns in chapter 13 are the same “seven heads”……”ten horns” in 18:9-12 which is elaborated further in its true meaning. This is the Satanic system used to operate the world. The dragon of course being Satan (chapter 12) is at war against The Messiah. The beast in 13:1-10 is given power by the dragon and therefore leads to the worship of the dragon (Satan). However, this power results in the worship of the beast as well: “and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (13:4b) He makes war with the saints with great raging. All whose names are not written in the book of life shall worship this beast.

The beast in 13:11-18 exercises the same power as the first beast but uses his effort to cause “the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast”. (13:12) Great miracles are accomplished and wonders to deceive the earth. He constructs a worship that is centric upon the worship of the first beast. All those that do not worship the beast’s image (to which the second beast gives life) are killed.

Commentaries give multiple ideas and theories concerning the idea of the Antichrist. Figurative approaches for Roman Emperors and other explanations appear to provide unclear basis for interpretation. The first beast (who receives his power from Satan) brings worship to Satan and himself. The second beast exercises the same power for the intentionality of exalting the first beast and commanding the world to worship him by the presence of great wonders. Simply, the first beast is The Antichrist (false messiah). The second beast is a false prophet who exalts the first beast and does so by the same ability. This is a false trinity that works by deceit to cultivate the world into Satanic worship.

Works Cited

The Holy Bible: King James Version. World Wide Publications, 1976.