Study No. 10 – Woe, Woe, Woe to the inhabitants of Earth
Trumpets 5 and 6 … and 7 thunders … and a little book. Chapters 9 and 10.
We have noted that the events described in the seven sealed scroll cover a period of seven years. I have attempted to illustrate this in the ‘vertical’ chart. The top of the chart represents the beginning of the seven year span of time. In the second column I have recorded the description of the seven trumpets and their corresponding judgments of God upon the earth. These are taking place at the same time as the opening of the seals.
So what we should understand is this; A seal is opened ... a major event on earth is noted. After another seal or two is opened, a trumpet blast is heard. (probably only heard in heaven) and then a judgment of God hits the earth ... aimed at the non-believers. Are believers being 'judged' by the result of the trumpet blast? No, believers are not judged by God in this way. They are shielded from judgments of God.
In our last study we talked about the first four trumpets. The following verse separates these last three from the first four.
Re 8:13 And I looked, and I heard an angel1 flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"
1 Note – the NIV replaces the word Angel with Eagle. Possibly the translators are using an alternate Greek text, because the most common texts use the word 'messenger'.
Trumpet 5 – (1-11) Some of this wording is symbolic. The rule of thumb is, try to take things literally unless symbolism is obvious. In 9:1 a star falls to earth… but the star has a key. The key is to the bottomless pit. How much is symbolic? Because there is no real elaboration regarding details we have several choices in the way that we can understand this. If I take the star to be a meteorite hitting the earth, it would have to be big enough to make a huge hole, big enough to release some kind of vicious scorpions from the bottomless pit.
I take the star to represent an angel, literally opening the abyss. The creatures described here are likely unique. They are called locusts. They have the ability to sting like a scorpion. The green grass has grown back by now, and the locusts are not permitted to hurt it nor any trees.
By divine command they cannot hurt anyone with the ‘seal of God’ on their forehead. Who has this seal? We know that 144,000 Israelites have the seal.
Christians also are sealed.
Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2Co 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2Ti 2:19 ¶ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
The timing of this event is about 4 ½ or 5 years into the tribulation. By now, as in any era in which the church was persecuted, many will have been coming to Christ. No doubt many also have been dying because of the antichrist’s war against the people of God.
Re 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This will be a very trying time for believers. Not only do they have to endure a planet that has undergone terrible changes, not only will it be difficult so see unbelieving neighbours suffering terribly, but their own earthly existence is threatened, by famine (not being able to buy or sell) and by martyrdom.
Trumpet 6 – (13-21)
Four angels … good angels(?) with immense power, had been waiting. Notice the language is in reverse to how we normally would say it. We would say, The angels had been prepared for a year, a month, a day, … yes, for the very hour and second, to perform God’s will. I don’t know that there is any significance to this. But what we have to notice is the specific language. God is prepared. Ahead of time.
This is a horrific judgment.
At the opening of the fourth seal (6:7) one quarter of the population of the earth died. They did not all die in a war or a single catastrophe. Some did. Others starved to death. Some died by rampant disease. And some even died ‘by beasts of the earth’. It would seem even the animal kingdom has been upset by all of the changes happening in the earth, to the extent the balance of nature seems to be upset.
The present population of the earth is 7.3+ billion. One quarter of that is 1.8 billion! When have we ever heard of a death toll in proportions anywhere close to this?
Now, at the sounding of the 6th trumpet one third of the earth dies. The population had been reduced to 5.5 billion. Now 1/3 of the remaining population dies (1.8 billion). This leaves 3.7 billion. (These are sample figures based on the present population.)
The four angels are in charge of an army of 200 million. The description of the army is beyond reason. What we can learn from this is, that death was not by famine or disease, but rather, it was directly connected to this army. This army is not human. In other words, this is not China moving over the earth and destroying a lot of people. We can know this by verses 20 and 21. It is clear that these are designed to bring repentance.
To recap – the fifth Trumpet signalled the judgment of locust/scorpions released from the Abyss. They do not have the power to kill, but to torment for 5 months. The people affected will wish they could die.
This is the first Woe.
The sixth trumpet signaled the coming of a non-human army of 200 million. These have the power to injure but also to kill. One third of the earth (unbelievers) die.
This is the second Woe.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet will bring the third Woe.
In preparation for the sounding of this last trumpet we are given a description of a mighty angel descending to earth. 10:1 gives the description.
Verse 2 says
- he has in his hand a little book.
- he sets one foot on the sea, the other on the earth.
- He issues a tremendously loud cry.
- Seven thunders speak, almost as if in response to the cry.
John would have been able to write what they said. He was told not to. Believe it or not, quite a number of commentators have speculated regarding the message of the thunders. We are merely told that it is sealed up and not for us to know. (3-4)
What is the purpose of the angel’s coming to earth? (5-7)
He makes the most sobering and important announcement that it is possible to make. Several translations say it this way, … “there will be delay no longer”. Other translations say there will be no more time.
The original Greek word for ‘delay’ or ‘time’ is chronos. Usually this word does mean time. The word ‘delay’ is not a translation as much as it is an explanation. It is not incorrect. However, “Time shall be no longer” sounds like the end of time and the beginning of eternity. We know that is not so, because there will be at least another thousand years of time for this earth. What it really means is, ‘Time is up’. This marks the end of the day of salvation for every responsible human who has been called to repentance but has refused. They have only one thing to look forward to … the great day of the wrath of God.
These are the ones (as we will discover in a later chapter) who have ultimately taken the mark* of the beast and taken a stand against the God of Heaven.
So the angel has just announced, “Time is up”
We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (10) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
(11) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
The lines of separation between unbelievers and the believers will be clear. Sometimes today it is not so clear. But at that time there will be no middle ground. The gospel will be presented. Those who refused it … will be given a strong delusion. They will no longer be drawn by the Holy Spirit to repentance.
In the words of an old hymn; “There’s a line that is drawn, for rejecting our Lord,
Where the call of the Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along, with the pleasure-mad throng,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?”
The angel has just said, “Time is up”
Next we read that he says, when the seventh angel … begins to sound the trumpet …(Why does he emphasize the exact moment of the trumpet sound? Simply because up to this point, each of the seals and trumpets contain a description of a series of events that happen between one trumpet and the sounding of the next one. The message we are supposed to get here … we will be reading about something that happens the instant the trumpet blasts. What is it that will happen in that instant?
Well, there are a number of things we can read about later that happen at this moment. But all we read about here is: The mystery of God is finished (brought to a close NIV). What mystery? The one he explained to the apostles. When did God do that?
Eph 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ro 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
The Angel has sounded the last trumpet. The melding together of Jew and Gentile into one body is now finished and complete. There is much more to say about this in a later study, but we will end this one with the following scripture.
I Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—--
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
John is told to take the book out of the angel’s hand … and eat it. He does so. He finds it sweet to his taste. Then he suffers indigestion after it reaches his stomach. This seems to be a short break for John. He has been so involved with watching and writing. Now he has this short experience and then the words that he would end up testifying before many thousands of people over the whole world. This sounds like a reference to the John’s work in faithfully recording this whole book. The theme? The Lord is coming! The end is near! Eternity is at hand! But before the sweet fellowship with Jesus … expect (and be prepared for) some difficult times.
* The question can be asked, can people at first take the mark and then later repent? John McArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in California believes so. Is it possible that the emphasis here is not so much on simply receiving the mark, but upon receiving it, worshiping the beast and remaining in that mode. It is hard for us to know. Believers will especially have a crisis of faith as they live through this time. But there will be victory! Re 15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
So what we should understand is this; A seal is opened ... a major event on earth is noted. After another seal or two is opened, a trumpet blast is heard. (probably only heard in heaven) and then a judgment of God hits the earth ... aimed at the non-believers. Are believers being 'judged' by the result of the trumpet blast? No, believers are not judged by God in this way. They are shielded from judgments of God.
In our last study we talked about the first four trumpets. The following verse separates these last three from the first four.
Re 8:13 And I looked, and I heard an angel1 flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"
1 Note – the NIV replaces the word Angel with Eagle. Possibly the translators are using an alternate Greek text, because the most common texts use the word 'messenger'.
Trumpet 5 – (1-11) Some of this wording is symbolic. The rule of thumb is, try to take things literally unless symbolism is obvious. In 9:1 a star falls to earth… but the star has a key. The key is to the bottomless pit. How much is symbolic? Because there is no real elaboration regarding details we have several choices in the way that we can understand this. If I take the star to be a meteorite hitting the earth, it would have to be big enough to make a huge hole, big enough to release some kind of vicious scorpions from the bottomless pit.
I take the star to represent an angel, literally opening the abyss. The creatures described here are likely unique. They are called locusts. They have the ability to sting like a scorpion. The green grass has grown back by now, and the locusts are not permitted to hurt it nor any trees.
By divine command they cannot hurt anyone with the ‘seal of God’ on their forehead. Who has this seal? We know that 144,000 Israelites have the seal.
Christians also are sealed.
Eph 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2Co 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2Ti 2:19 ¶ Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
The timing of this event is about 4 ½ or 5 years into the tribulation. By now, as in any era in which the church was persecuted, many will have been coming to Christ. No doubt many also have been dying because of the antichrist’s war against the people of God.
Re 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This will be a very trying time for believers. Not only do they have to endure a planet that has undergone terrible changes, not only will it be difficult so see unbelieving neighbours suffering terribly, but their own earthly existence is threatened, by famine (not being able to buy or sell) and by martyrdom.
Trumpet 6 – (13-21)
Four angels … good angels(?) with immense power, had been waiting. Notice the language is in reverse to how we normally would say it. We would say, The angels had been prepared for a year, a month, a day, … yes, for the very hour and second, to perform God’s will. I don’t know that there is any significance to this. But what we have to notice is the specific language. God is prepared. Ahead of time.
This is a horrific judgment.
At the opening of the fourth seal (6:7) one quarter of the population of the earth died. They did not all die in a war or a single catastrophe. Some did. Others starved to death. Some died by rampant disease. And some even died ‘by beasts of the earth’. It would seem even the animal kingdom has been upset by all of the changes happening in the earth, to the extent the balance of nature seems to be upset.
The present population of the earth is 7.3+ billion. One quarter of that is 1.8 billion! When have we ever heard of a death toll in proportions anywhere close to this?
Now, at the sounding of the 6th trumpet one third of the earth dies. The population had been reduced to 5.5 billion. Now 1/3 of the remaining population dies (1.8 billion). This leaves 3.7 billion. (These are sample figures based on the present population.)
The four angels are in charge of an army of 200 million. The description of the army is beyond reason. What we can learn from this is, that death was not by famine or disease, but rather, it was directly connected to this army. This army is not human. In other words, this is not China moving over the earth and destroying a lot of people. We can know this by verses 20 and 21. It is clear that these are designed to bring repentance.
To recap – the fifth Trumpet signalled the judgment of locust/scorpions released from the Abyss. They do not have the power to kill, but to torment for 5 months. The people affected will wish they could die.
This is the first Woe.
The sixth trumpet signaled the coming of a non-human army of 200 million. These have the power to injure but also to kill. One third of the earth (unbelievers) die.
This is the second Woe.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet will bring the third Woe.
In preparation for the sounding of this last trumpet we are given a description of a mighty angel descending to earth. 10:1 gives the description.
Verse 2 says
- he has in his hand a little book.
- he sets one foot on the sea, the other on the earth.
- He issues a tremendously loud cry.
- Seven thunders speak, almost as if in response to the cry.
John would have been able to write what they said. He was told not to. Believe it or not, quite a number of commentators have speculated regarding the message of the thunders. We are merely told that it is sealed up and not for us to know. (3-4)
What is the purpose of the angel’s coming to earth? (5-7)
He makes the most sobering and important announcement that it is possible to make. Several translations say it this way, … “there will be delay no longer”. Other translations say there will be no more time.
The original Greek word for ‘delay’ or ‘time’ is chronos. Usually this word does mean time. The word ‘delay’ is not a translation as much as it is an explanation. It is not incorrect. However, “Time shall be no longer” sounds like the end of time and the beginning of eternity. We know that is not so, because there will be at least another thousand years of time for this earth. What it really means is, ‘Time is up’. This marks the end of the day of salvation for every responsible human who has been called to repentance but has refused. They have only one thing to look forward to … the great day of the wrath of God.
These are the ones (as we will discover in a later chapter) who have ultimately taken the mark* of the beast and taken a stand against the God of Heaven.
So the angel has just announced, “Time is up”
We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (10) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
(11) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
The lines of separation between unbelievers and the believers will be clear. Sometimes today it is not so clear. But at that time there will be no middle ground. The gospel will be presented. Those who refused it … will be given a strong delusion. They will no longer be drawn by the Holy Spirit to repentance.
In the words of an old hymn; “There’s a line that is drawn, for rejecting our Lord,
Where the call of the Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along, with the pleasure-mad throng,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?”
The angel has just said, “Time is up”
Next we read that he says, when the seventh angel … begins to sound the trumpet …(Why does he emphasize the exact moment of the trumpet sound? Simply because up to this point, each of the seals and trumpets contain a description of a series of events that happen between one trumpet and the sounding of the next one. The message we are supposed to get here … we will be reading about something that happens the instant the trumpet blasts. What is it that will happen in that instant?
Well, there are a number of things we can read about later that happen at this moment. But all we read about here is: The mystery of God is finished (brought to a close NIV). What mystery? The one he explained to the apostles. When did God do that?
Eph 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ro 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
The Angel has sounded the last trumpet. The melding together of Jew and Gentile into one body is now finished and complete. There is much more to say about this in a later study, but we will end this one with the following scripture.
I Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—--
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
John is told to take the book out of the angel’s hand … and eat it. He does so. He finds it sweet to his taste. Then he suffers indigestion after it reaches his stomach. This seems to be a short break for John. He has been so involved with watching and writing. Now he has this short experience and then the words that he would end up testifying before many thousands of people over the whole world. This sounds like a reference to the John’s work in faithfully recording this whole book. The theme? The Lord is coming! The end is near! Eternity is at hand! But before the sweet fellowship with Jesus … expect (and be prepared for) some difficult times.
* The question can be asked, can people at first take the mark and then later repent? John McArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in California believes so. Is it possible that the emphasis here is not so much on simply receiving the mark, but upon receiving it, worshiping the beast and remaining in that mode. It is hard for us to know. Believers will especially have a crisis of faith as they live through this time. But there will be victory! Re 15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.