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This study may be freely posted on other bbs' and distributed to others provided this leader remains with the study text at all times. *********** SEVEN SEALS; SEVEN TRUMPETS; WHAT AND WHEN? *********** The book of Revelation speaks of 7 churches, 7 seals on a book, 7 vials of God's wrath, 7 trumpets, and many other sevens. Some of the sevens are explained right in the book of Revelation. There are others that require us to do some studying in order to understand the truth that they portray. There have been many theories advanced by different preachers through the years as to the meaning of the seven seals on the "book", as well as all of the other sevens. Usually when preaching a series on Revelation the Lord leads me to cover the seven SEALS first (and prove their significance and meaning), and then later to deal with the seven trumpets, the seven churches, etc. However, since there are SO MANY areas of Revelation that we will not have space to cover in this book, we will approach this subject in a different manner. It usually takes more teaching to prove all the important points about the seven seals and their symbolism than we can cover here. Since we are only attempting to give the reader some of the basic outlines of the TRUTH in Revelation, then I would like to ask you to PLEASE consider that the following INFORMATION MIGHT be able to be proven correct. If that is the case, then the following study on the seven trumpets will fit the picture and begin to prove the details concerning the "SEVEN SEALS". AGAIN I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER WITH US THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE FOLLOWING COULD BE CORRECT. The seven seals are described in Revelation 5 as being the means used to seal up a "book" (Greek means a scroll) which was written "within and on the backside". This is easy to understand if we picture a scroll that writer has finished being put together in chronological order. It was written upon ON BOTH SIDES of the papyrus. The piece of papyrus which was the LAST in chronological order would be rolled up first. A SEAL was placed upon it in order to prevent anyone from opening and reading it who had no right to do so. After that SEVENTH piece of papyrus was sealed, then the same thing was done with the SIXTH part of the writing (rolling it around the seventh piece); then the fifth and so on until ALL OF THE SEVEN PIECES WERE ROLLED AND SEALED. Once such a manuscript was prepared in this manner, then anyone opening the document would need to break the first seal and would then have immediate access to the FIRST "PAGE" of the writing. After unrolling the first "page", or piece of papyrus, then the next "seal" was exposed to view, and could be broken in order to view the second "page", and so on until ALL SEVEN PAGES WERE OPEN TO READ. There are several "KEYS" in the book of Revelation which help us to determine accurately the symbolism of THE book with seven seals. If the reader will study the 5th chapter carefully, you will notice the following TRUTHS: (1) No one ANYWHERE or in any age was WORTHY to open the seals or to reveal the contents of the "BOOK" except JESUS, symbolized as a "SLAIN" lamb. Therefore, in order to understand WHAT THE BOOK SYMBOLIZES, we must consider that Jesus had to DIE as the "lamb of God" in order to be able to "OPEN THE BOOK". (2) As we read of the opening of the book (Revelation chapters 6-8), the events that are presented in symbolic or allegorical language are a series of events, even as the opening of the seals themselves involved a series of actions on the part of the "LAMB". To better present the picture I am trying to paint, let me stress that the manner in which "books" such as this were put together required that the FIRST SEAL be broken and the first page opened before you could even GET TO the second seal to break and open it (etc.). This definitely symbolizes a consecutive SERIES OF EVENTS. (3) Each time a seal is opened, instead of John saying, "I READ on the page of the "book" and it said SUCH AND SUCH.......", HE STATES AS FOLLOWS: Seal 1 (a) Revelation 6:1-2 "...Come and see.....And I saw....." Seal 2 (b) Revelation 6:3-4 "...Come and see.....(description)." Seal 3 (c) Revelation 6:5-6 "...Come and see.....And I beheld.." Seal 4 (d) Revelation 6:7-8 "...Come and see.....And I looked.." Seal 5 (e) Revelation 6:9-11 ".....I saw......................." Seal 6 (f) Revelation 6:12- "And I beheld when he had opened.." Seal 7 (g) Revelation 8:1- "And I saw the seven angels......." I WOULD LIKE FOR THE READER TO CONSIDER WITH ME THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SEVEN PAGES OF THE "BOOK" EACH REVEAL THE MAIN EVENTS TO TRANSPIRE IN THE REALM OF WHAT IS CALLED "CHRISTIANITY" (BOTH TRUE AND FALSE) IN SEVEN CONSECUTIVE MAJOR PERIODS OF TIME DURING THE NEW TESTAMENT AGE. SOME OF THE REASONS THAT I BELIEVE THIS ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) Only Jesus could OPEN up or give understanding to his followers about events to take place in the church "world". Jesus MUST initially reveal all TRUTH that God gives him to his followers, and then they are to teach it to others (John 15:15, John 16:12, Galatians 1:12, Acts 20:27-28, etc). That is why only Jesus (as the "Lamb") could open (reveal the contents) the book. (2) The emphasis on Jesus being a "slain lamb" in Revelation 5 shows that this book has to do with the NEW COVENANT (testament). (3) As each seal was broken, the emphasis was placed on showing the events to transpire, and NOT upon just reading words on a page of text. (4) I hope the reader will bear with me if I add ONE MORE thought that I will not take time to prove now, but is worth your consideration at least. Since the book was WRITTEN on both sides of the papyrus (and every detail given is important in understanding the symbolism), then we can expect that SOME details of the truth portrayed can be seen looking AHEAD to the future, and SOME OF THE DETAILS OF TRUTH WILL ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD CLEARLY AS GOD'S PEOPLE LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN THE PAST. In order to better understand this statement, please try to picture in your mind the sheet of papyrus as it was held by the reader. Imagine it as a "picture" of certain HISTORICAL EVENTS, portrayed in symbolic words. Seen as a unit, obviously one would have to LOOK AT IT FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS (OR TURN IT OVER....SAME THING AS LOOKING FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTION) if they wanted to FULLY SEE and therefore FULLY UNDERSTAND the picture being presented in the words on the page. Even so, it is necessary for us to understand Revelation as it shows us things which have been, things which are taking place, and things which are yet future. PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS A POSSIBILITY OF BEING TRUTH!!! WE WILL ONLY SUMMARIZE SOME BASIC TRUTHS HERE AND WILL PROVE THEM LATER. PLEASE BEAR WITH US, AS IT WILL BE EASIER FOR THE READER TO UNDERSTAND THE SEAL AGES, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE SEVEN TRUMPETS. ******************************************************************* THE FIRST SEAL PICTURES THE EARLY CHURCH CARRYING ON THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST CONQUERING IN THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE (SYMBOLIZED BY WHITE HORSE) IN ITS EARLY YEARS AND EARNING THE CROWN OF LIFE THROUGH MARTYRDOMS. This seal fits with the first parable of Matthew 13 which portrays Jesus as the "sower" who "went forth to sow". . Matthew 13 gives us 7 parables describing the "kingdom of heaven", which is Matthew's terminology for the NEW TESTAMENT AGE. ******************************************************************* THE SECOND SEAL PICTURES THE PAGAN ROMAN FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM WHICH BEGAN TO BLEND TOGETHER WITH CHRISTIANITY TO FORM A RELIGIOUS/POLITICAL SYSTEM. THIS GRADUALLY PAGANIZED CHRISTIANITY. This seal fits the second parable in Matthew 13 ("tares" amongst the wheat were sown by an "enemy" while men slept). ******************************************************************* THE THIRD SEAL PICTURES THE TOTAL DARKNESS OF APOSTASY (BLACK HORSE) WHICH WAS THE EVENTUAL RESULT OF PAGANISM'S INFLUENCE UPON CHRISTIANITY. THIS OF COURSE WAS A SYSTEM WHICH CONTINUED TO PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIAN IN SPITE OF ITS PAGAN ROMAN WAYS. IT BECAME KNOWN AS (ROMAN) CATHOLICISM. As the third parable in Matthew 13 shows, it eventually became a LARGE TREE, or religious system which was large and had many branches. It attracted the many evil spirits (symbolized by "birds"...Matthew 13:32, Revelation 18:2). ******************************************************************* THE FOURTH SEAL PICTURES THE SICK, FLESHLY CONDITION OF PROTESTANTISM, WHICH CAME FORTH AS AN IMAGE TO THE "BEAST" OF CATHOLICISM. As we shall prove in a later study, Protestantism is well described in the fourth parable of Matthew 13 which shows a "woman" mixing in "leaven" into the bread of life. Matthew 16:6, 11 & 12 show that "leaven" is a symbol of FALSE DOCTRINES. UNLEAVENED BREAD was used to symbolize the spiritual "bread of LIFE" in the Old Testament passover feast. EATING SUCH BREAD SYMBOLIZES God's people "feeding" on the TRUTH without any FALSE DOCTRINES mixed in. ******************************************************************* FIFTH SEAL PICTURES A TEMPORARY "REVIVAL" OF GENUINE BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY WHICH WAS QUICKLY SUBDUED BY THE FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS WHICH CLAIMED TO BE CHRISTIANITY. These TRUE SAINTS of GOD "sold" or in other words, GOT RID OF all of their past false theories of religion in order to get the TRUE TREASURE of the WORD OF GOD (as seen in the fifth parable in Matthew 13). Multitudes of true Christians were martyred once again during this time, and it was not long before false religion once again was in FULL CHARGE of what called itself "Christianity". ******************************************************************* THE SIXTH SEAL PICTURES THE PERIOD OF TIME IN NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY WHEN MOST OF THE DENOMINATIONAL SYSTEMS WERE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE PROTESTANT SYSTEM. As Matthew 13 shows, "Pearl merchants" are buyers and sellers of truth;... PEARLS SYMBOLIZE TRUTH. That is why Jesus said not to cast your pearls (truth) before swine. These "pearl merchants" picture those who understood some truth, but sold all the "pearls" they had (seemingly several "pearls") in order to get ONE SPECIAL PEARL. This was the beginning of the many branches of Protestantism. Men began to take hold of "HOBBY HORSE" doctrines; i.e. they would "sell" their other "little" truths that they understood at one time in order to stand for some doctrine that SET THEM APART FROM ALL OF THE OTHER CHURCHES. For some their BIG pearls were actually fake, but still they were the cause of much DIVISION and SPLITTING of churches. Some people cast aside the truths of "Christian fellowship and unity" for doctrines they felt were the ULTIMATE TRUTH!!! This dreadful condition caused the light and truth that God had begun to revive in the fifth seal to be darkened once again. This is why Revelation 6:12 says the "sun became black as sackcloth of hair". The "sun" or LIGHT of CHRIST was darkened in the sixth seal. The reason that Isaiah 13:10 speaks of the "sun" as a "he", and the "moon" as a "her", is because the "sun" represents Christ, and the "moon" represents the BRIDE OF CHRIST WHICH IS THE CHURCH. In the sixth seal age, the "moon" or in other words, the church, became as blood (ie. BLOOD GUILTINESS imputed to the church because of the divisions and false creeds). ******************************************************************* THE SEVENTH SEAL PICTURES A PERIOD OF TIME WHICH (the early part) THERE IS "SILENCE IN HEAVEN". DURING THIS TIME, "SEVEN TRUMPET ANGELS" ARE PREPARING TO SOUND SEVEN TRUMPETS. THE READER SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN "SEVEN ANGELS" SYMBOLICALLY PICTURED IN REVELATION 1 AS "SEVEN STARS". THESE ARE NOT HEAVENLY ANGELS (AS WE WILL PROVE IN THIS BOOK), BUT ARE THE SAME "ANGELS" OR MESSENGERS THAT WE FIND PICTURED SORTING OUT THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS IN MATTHEW THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER IN THE SEVENTH PARABLE OF NEW TESTAMENT AGE. WE NEED TO STUDY NOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SEVENTH SEAL AGE AND THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVEN TRUMPETS. ******************************************************************* Revelation 8:1-6 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. First of all let us examine the basic trumpet symbol. Revelation 1:10 symbolically pictures Jesus' voice as a trumpet. Revelation 4:1 speaks of a voice like a "trumpet talking" with John the apostle! Thus the usage of the trumpet symbol seems to portray the SOUNDING FORTH of the word of God (note symbolism in I Corinthians 14:6-8)! Possibly one of the best "keys" to the TRUMPET symbol can be studied in Ezekiel 33:1-7. The prophet was told that when he received the word of God and used it to warn the people, it was like a watchman on the wall of the city using a trumpet to warn against approaching danger! Careful study will prove to the reader that blowing the trumpet is a symbol of preaching the word of God. Notice Ezekiel 33: 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 33:3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. The next step of our study is to briefly notice the REASON THERE WERE SEVEN TRUMPETS! Seven is a number used in the Bible to symbolize that which is spiritually complete. God illustrates this to us even in the NATURAL REALM such as in time (7 days = week); music (count - DO - RE - ME - FA - SO - LA - TI - DO; without the repeated "DO" of the octave there are seven steps in a musical scale, WHICH IS COMPLETE!), etc! Revelation speaks of SEVEN CHURCHES though there were several times that many in the first century (A.D.)! these seven were chosen to portray a complete symbolic spiritual picture. In Revelation 5:6, Jesus is symbolically portrayed as a LAMB with SEVEN HORNS AND SEVEN EYES! The "eyes" are said to represent or picture SEVEN Spirits of God, although there is only ONE SPIRIT (Ephesians 4:4-6)! Those eyes symbolize the COMPLETE VISION of the Holy Spirit. Seven trumpets then would represent the COMPLETE TRUTH of God's word being preached! In fact, when the book of Revelation tells us about the trumpets it shows what RESULTS when they sound; NOT WHAT THEY SAY! We have to look to other portions of Revelation's symbols in order to know what the TRUMPETS are actually "saying". In other words, we are shown what takes place in the religious realm when COMPLETE TRUTH IS PREACHED in the last days of the LAST SEAL AGE of the New Testament! Before we get into the main part of our study we must briefly explain what the ANGELS symbolize! The Greek word that is translated "angels" means "messengers"! In fact, the same Greek word that is translated "angels" in the book of Revelation is also translated as follows: 1. "messenger" in Mark 1:2 (speaking of John the Baptist as a messenger or ANGEL), 2. "messengers" in Luke 7:24 (showing that even John the Baptist had his own "messengers" or "angels" and they were other human beings that helped carry his message forth), 3. "messengers" in Luke 9:52 (showing that the HUMAN messengers that Jesus sent before him were "angels" in; the Biblical meaning of the word). 4. "messengers" in James 2:25 (showing that the Israelite spies that Joshua sent into Canaan were HUMAN angels in the true sense of the usage of the word in the Bible). When we realize that Paul was received by the church of God at Galatia as an "angel of God" (Galatians 4:14), it is easy to see that any messenger of God (HUMAN OR HEAVENLY) is an ANGEL OF GOD! John the Revelator kept finding this out the hard way: (a) Revelation 19:10; The angel John falls down to worship is a fellow Christian. (b) Revelation 22:8-9; The angel John falls down to worship is one of God's prophets (one of John's "brethren"). The angel symbol is used to represent a messenger or in other words a MINISTRY! It pictures a UNITED "MESSENGER" whether it be used to represent one preacher declaring the truth OR a group of preachers all standing for the same TRUTH! The seven angels in symbolism portray a complete (united) ministry which is carried out by the SPIRITUAL "body of Christ"; the TRUE CHURCH. It does not signify a certain number of preachers as that would be literalizing the text! WE DO REALIZE THAT WHEN THE SEVEN TRUMPETS SOUND, SEVEN SERIES OF EVENTS TAKE PLACE! However, just as Revelation speaks of seven seal ages that cover the COMPLETE period from the beginning of the New Testament church until the end of that age, SO ALSO the seven trumpets picture the COMPLETE TRUTH being preached! The events described as taking place when the trumpets sound ARE A COMPLETE PICTURE OF EVENTS IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD IN THE LAST DAYS! Several independent groups and also several denominations teach that each of the seven trumpets sound one at a time in each of the seven seal periods. However, this can be proven FALSE in several ways! (1) Isaiah 30:26 30:23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. 30:24 The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. 30:25 And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers [and] streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Many people find this prophecy difficult to understand and most seem to feel it has no meaning for us today, but was fulfilled in the past. However, even though the text is "deeper" than many and requires much more study (to make it clear) than what we can cover in this book, I believe the following thoughts will at least help the reader to begin to comprehend its meaning: (A) As verse 26 shows, this prophecy concerns a time when God would use GREAT LIGHT (understanding of the word of God) in order to "heal" and "bind up" the breach (DIVISION) among HIS TRUE PEOPLE. This thought presented in this verse CAN ONLY be fulfilled in one of two ways: (a) To "bind up" the division between the two branches of the twelve tribes of Israel (i.e. Israel and Judah). This never happened according to the Bible and History. In fact, there are still people today looking for the "10 lost tribes". (b) To "bind up" the division between God's true people in the NEW COVENANT (CHRISTIANS). That DIVISION is the result of the many different denominations and churches brought about by FALSE RELIGION. Although this "binding up" has not taken place it the past, it IS TAKING PLACE TODAY in this seventh seal age of time. If we could add a few hundred extra pages to this book, I would have much more opportunity to greatly DETAIL the meaning of the context of Isaiah 30:26. Since we cannot do that now, I would like to at least present a few thoughts for your consideration in this teaching: > The SPIRITUAL body of Christ is the CHURCH; 1 Corinthians 12. > Jesus fleshly body was not broken; type of CHURCH. John 19:36 > Passover lamb (TYPE) no bones broken; Ex. 12:46; 1 Cor.5:7. > God does not want division in the church; 1 Corinthians 1:10. > DIVISION shows SPIRITUAL BABYHOOD & CARNALITY; 1 Cor. 3:1-11. > God wants the CHURCH to "grow up" SPIRITUALLY; Ephesians 4. > The TRUE SPIRITUAL "BODY" OF CHRIST can NOT exist in its FULL AND COMPLETE FORM UNTIL THERE IS NO DIVISION; NO DENOMINATIONS!!! Since this DIVIDED CONDITION OF THE CHURCH is the result of denominations and the large number of "churches", God is bringing to pass something very special in the "SEVENTH" or last "DAY". Isaiah's prophecy describes the event in common symbolism. SUNLIGHT and MOONLIGHT are both said to be equal, and in fact, ARE TO BE SEVEN TIMES AS "BRIGHT" AS NORMAL! Many people literalize this passage, but it is quite obvious that if the sun were to increase to seven times its intensity, NO LIFE would survive! Isaiah 30:26 shows us that the people of God are healed; NOT KILLED!! Most readers will realize that the SUN is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of JESUS AS "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12). Malachi 4:2 calls Jesus the "SUN of righteousness". Matthew 13:5-6 & 21 will show the reader another picture of the "WORD" (Jesus - John 1) being symbolized by the "SUN". PSALMS 121: 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. (Ever been "smitten" by the LITERAL moon?). Literalists would have to teach that this means a Christian does not have to use lotion to prevent sunburn! However, IT IS NOT LITERAL, and in fact, if it WERE, then TRUE SAINTS do not have to worry about "MOON BURN" either! The SUN pictures Jesus as the "LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12), and the MOON represents the means of REFLECTING the light of Christ to the world (just like the literal moon reflects light from the sun! This "moon" is a spiritual picture of God's true people who are "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" when they REFLECT the light of Christ (the "sun"). (Matthew 5:14)! That is why the stories of God's people in the Bible are "TYPES", or symbolic pictures of spiritual truth. That is also the reason that Christians need to SHINE AS THE MOON TODAY (ie: reflecting the light of Christ)! Friend DO YOU REALIZE WHAT ISAIAH 30:26 IS SAYING? If we summarize its teaching in the light of the entire Bible, we realize the following truths: (A) God's people are separated by a breach (division)! (B) Jesus prayed that we would have TRUE UNITY (Not just union) in John 17:20-23! (C) False doctrines and traditions of men have created FALSE RELIGIONS in hundreds of variations (II Peter 2:1-3; II Timothy 4:2-4; I Timothy 3:1-2; Matthew 7:15-23; Matthew 24:24; etc.). (D) These FALSE RELIGIONS are the cause of the "BREACH" (division) among the people of God, which is forbidden in I Corinthians 1:10! (E) This division has "WOUNDED" the BODY OF CHRIST; THE CHURCH! (F) There is a time that God has foreordained and prophesied, when He would "BIND UP" (close) the "BREACH" and HEAL the "WOUND"! (G) We can know the time of this "HEALING" work of God has begun, by the BRIGHTNESS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIGHT SOURCES AND REFLECTORS (ie: the amount of greater light coming forth from the word of God through the TRUE CHURCH)! (H) The LIGHT will be seven times (COMPLETE) from the SUN. (I) The LIGHT of the MOON (The TRUE CHURCH)BECOMES EQUAL TO THE LIGHT OF THE SUN! The TRUE CHURCH in these last days is to have understanding of the WORD of GOD which is equal to that of Jesus' understanding. (J) The time of this fullness of light is on the SEVENTH DAY, OR AT THE END OF A COMPLETE PERIOD OF TIME (ie: the New Testament day)! This is why Isaiah 30:26 says, "as the light of seven days"! Seven basic periods of events (seven seal "days") make up the New Testament age. Since we live in the last part of the last day, we can expect the LIGHT given by God today to be VERY BRIGHT! (K) The sun and moon are common symbols in the book of Isaiah (and in other scriptures). For example, Isaiah 60 is showing the picture of the change in God's dealings with His people under the New Covenant, as contrasted with the Old Covenant. In the Old Covenant, there was a LITERAL city of God; JERUSALEM. However, Isaiah 60:18 shows the New Covenant city of God has walls of "SALVATION", and gates of "PRAISE". NOTICE the difference in "THE sun" versus "THY sun" and "THE moon" versus "THY moon". This is comparing the LITERAL versus the SPIRITUAL. "THE" sun is literal, and "THY" sun is spiritual. Isaiah 60: 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (New Testament CHURCH). 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:18-20 is a comparison picture. Verse 19 shows the NEW TESTAMENT city of God does NOT NEED THE LITERAL SUN OR MOON FOR LIGHT! Instead, (as verse 20 shows), God's SPIRITUAL city (THE TRUE CHURCH WHICH IS THE NEW "HEAVENLY" JERUSALEM; THE BRIDE OF CHRIST; Revelation 21:2 ,& 9-10), has its own SPIRITUAL SUN AND MOON, which NEVER CEASE TO GIVE LIGHT! This of course refers to the LIGHT of Jesus shining through His word; the light that "REFLECTS" from Christ through the spiritual symbolism of the scriptures; AND THE WORD "LIVED" BY THE TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD! Should someone object to the teaching of the SUN picturing Jesus and the MOON picturing the CHURCH (the BRIDE OF CHRIST), study Isaiah 13:10 where the spiritual symbolism identifies the SUN as a MALE ("his"), and the MOON as a FEMALE ("her")! Someone might still object, by saying that "since the woman in Revelation 12 pictures the church, then the MOON that she is standing on cannot be the church also." THIS IS NOT TRUE! The women is "clothed in the SUN (ie: Jesus Christ), and STANDS ON THE MOON (the CHURCH). Ephesians 2:20 says the Church is built on the FOUNDATION of the apostles and prophets! THEY WERE A FOUNDATION, and ALSO A PART OF THE CHURCH! We too, as Christians can be a part of the Church, but we also help to UPHOLD one another, and help to provide spiritual "FOOTING" or support (foundation) for one another! So we see that Isaiah 30:26 teaches that the time of the "COMPLETE" TRUTH going forth is to be in the SEVENTH PERIOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (GOSPEL) "DAY". Since the SEVEN TRUMPETS picture COMPLETE TRUTH, they must all sound in the seventh seal age! If the reader is still having trouble with the meaning of Isaiah 30, I would like to give you a little more help with the context. Please take note of the following: (a) Isaiah 30:23...speaks symbolically of a time of GREAT blessing when the "bread" is "fat and plenteous" and the cattle "feed in large pastures". Obviously this is a spiritual picture of a time when the BREAD of LIFE is VERY RICH and the PASTURES (the word "pastor" means "pasture") OF SPIRITUAL "FEED" FOR GOD'S "CLEAN BEASTS" will be "large" spiritually (i.e. Large pastures cover a lot of ground and so will TRUE preaching in this last day). (b) Isaiah 30:24...speaks of the "oxen" and the "young asses" (Hebrew word means YOUNG BURDEN BEARERS) eating "CLEAN Provender". This "CLEAN" food comes as the result of winnowing or separating the CHAFF (no life) from the WHEAT (the grain wherein is genuine life). This separating task is the same as illustrated in TYPE in John the Baptist's ministry, and is pictured also in the parable describing the SEVENTH SEAL AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT in Matthew 13. It surely should be evident to the reader that the period of time prophesied in Isaiah 30 is a time of GREAT "FEEDING" and blessing for the people of God (spiritually). I say again; this is the result of the 7 TRUMPETS (complete and full TRUTH) sounding forth in the SEVENTH SEAL AGE. * * * * * * (2) The second proof that all seven trumpets sound in the seventh seal age can be found in our main text! A careful study of Revelation 8:1-6 will show the reader that after the seventh seal age begins, several events take place. Definitely, the preparation and sounding of the SEVEN trumpets are part of those events. * * * * * * (3) The third proof we would like to present to the reader is a means of "COMPARING SPIRITUAL WITH SPIRITUAL". There is one major event in our Bibles that somewhat PICTURES, or is a "TYPE" OF THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVEN TRUMPETS! Although we do not have space enough for "in-depth" coverage in this booklet, we encourage the reader to STUDY THE TYPE IN DETAIL! In Joshua the sixth chapter, God's people are faced with a seemingly impossible battle! The foe was an ungodly city (Jericho) that God wanted torn down! In fact, Joshua said the Lord would CURSE anyone who rebuilt it (Joshua 6:26)! God wanted it left desolate, which strongly reminds us of God's will for another city which was an enemy of God's people in the Old Testament! Literal babylon, which is a symbolic picture of SPIRITUAL BABYLON in the book of Revelation, was to be destroyed and never rebuilt (Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 50:1-3; etc.). This is symbolized in Revelation 18! Before SPIRITUAL BABYLON can be emptied of all (spiritual) LIFE, its walls must be crumbled! God's method for defeating spiritual babylon is illustrated to us in TYPE by the FALL OF JERICHO! It is very important for us to realize that to understand a type, we must pay close attention to things that are mentioned, as well as things that are left out! Notice carefully the following details in Joshua 6: 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour. 6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 6:5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. A) The children of Israel were not able to see the CITY CONQUERED until the SEVENTH DAY! (Jericho was a "type" of SPIRITUAL BABYLON...FALSE CHRISTIANITY which TRIED to live in the PROMISED LAND, but GOD WANTED THEM DRIVEN OUT). B) The SEVEN TRUMPETS were to be carried and blown by PRIESTS! We need to remember that ALL CHRISTIANS are priests (Revelation 1:6; I Peter 2:5-10), but those who were to blow the seven trumpets, were TO WALK AHEAD of the ARK OF THE COVENANT (The ark was a TYPE OF THE CHURCH - It was where God manifested his presence!). To walk ahead of the ARK and ahead of Israel would picture the bearers of the seven trumpets as the LEADERS OF THE "FLOCK"! Everyone else in the "congregation" of Israel is walking and following in their pathway. Like we have mentioned already, the SEVEN does not present a LITERAL NUMBER, but instead portrays a COMPLETE MINISTRY. We have NO MEANS YET of knowing how many preachers will be part of this ministry, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THEY BLOW SEVEN TRUMPETS (ie: FULL AND COMPLETE TRUTH)! C) Joshua the sixth chapter shows us that the trumpets were blown every day (type of truth being given to some degree in every age of the NEW TESTAMENT). However, the command that God gave, was for the priests to BLOW THE TRUMPETS ON THE SEVENTH DAY (verse 4)! It is very important to notice (to understand the type) THAT GOD DID NOT SAY TO BLOW ONE TRUMPET EACH DAY! It was only when the SEVEN TRUMPETS SOUNDED on the SEVENTH DAY, and the walls crumbled to the ground! Today, we live in the last part of the seventh seal age! God wants his true ministry to BLOW THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (ie: PREACH FULL AND COMPLETE LIGHT), so the walls of Babylon will crumble! There have been a few people who have escaped from Babylon, but some people just do not seem to have the courage to climb the walls. We need to KNOCK THE WALLS DOWN, in order to make it easier for people to escape who are timid or weak! THE PROOF THAT A PREACHER IS "SOUNDING THE SEVEN TRUMPETS" (ie: complete truth), will be manifest in the fact that his congregation will grow slowly but steadily as people come to truth and leave the wicked (spiritual) city of Jericho (ie: SPIRITUAL BABYLON)! They will be drawn to a TRUE CHURCH by their hunger for TRUTH! The saints will begin to understand the entire Bible to the extent that even very deep truths (I Corinthians 2:10) will begin to be seen clearly! They will drive many miles if need be, to sit under the sounding of the trumpets! They will have a hunger, yes a CRAVING, for the DEEPER THINGS OF GOD! There will be no need to use counterfeit methods such as gimmicks, shows, singing conventions, and bus ministries, etc.! The sounding of the SEVEN TRUMPETS WILL DO THE JOB! * * * * * * (4) The fourth proof that we offer the reader that the trumpets do not sound ONE IN EACH SEAL AGE, is found in Revelation 16:2. Those familiar with Revelation realize that the SEVEN VIALS are pictures of the wrath of God, poured out upon those who reject the TRUTH sounded forth by the "SEVEN TRUMPETS". Those who reject the first trumpet have the first vial of wrath poured out upon them. The same thing happens with the other six trumpets and vials! Revelation 16:2 shows us that the FIRST VIAL OF WRATH is poured out upon those who have the MARK OF THE BEAST, and who worship his IMAGE! Since the "BEAST" is a symbol of Catholicism (study this entire book carefully and I think that you will agree), and the IMAGE of the Beast is PROTESTANTISM, THEN THE TRUMPET, or portion of truth which results in the FIRST VIAL OF GOD'S WRATH being poured out, MUST SOUND AFTER Catholicism (Third Seal Age) and EARLY Protestantism (Fourth Seal Age) are in existence! This means that the earliest that the FIRST TRUMPET could sound is in the FIFTH seal age. However, as we have already shown, ALL SEVEN TRUMPETS SOUND IN THE SEVENTH SEAL AGE! * * * * * * There is a special lesson for us today that is closely connected with the sounding of the seven trumpets! To begin to understand the lesson, we MUST first realize that God does not do anything by chance or without a purpose! When He inspired the eighth chapter of Revelation, He chose to insert verses three to five (as a kind of parenthesis) in that particular spot FOR A PURPOSE! At first glance it almost appears that the writer was "side-tracked" from his subject! However, that IS NOT SO! Instead, he portrays to us a lesson that if we are not VERY CAREFUL TO STUDY, WE WILL PASS RIGHT OVER! Let us take a good close look at the passage! In Revelation 8:2, SEVEN ANGELS (ie: A COMPLETE MESSENGER OR MINISTRY) are given "SEVEN TRUMPETS" (ie: A COMPLETE MESSAGE or in other words, FULNESS OF TRUTH)! However, not until verse six does this ministry prepare itself to PREACH THE FULNESS TRUTH! God has purposely given us verses three to five to show us WHAT MUST TAKE PLACE BEFORE THIS TRUE MINISTRY CAN PREPARE TO SOUND THE TRUMPETS! Most Bible students will realize that the INCENSE is a picture of the "sweet smelling" intercessory prayers of those who are in right relationship with God (Psalms 141:2 and Revelation 5:8)! In this passage (Revelation 8:3-5), it is easy to see that the "angel" who offers the prayers of intercession with the prayers of God's people IS JESUS CHRIST FULFILLING HIS ROLE AS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN'S "HIGH PRIEST"! Hebrews 4: 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. If we did not have Jesus as our HIGH PRIEST, we could not approach the "throne of grace"! As Christians, we have received Jesus as our "CHRIST" (Same Greek word translated "messiah" from Hebrew language). The title "CHRIST" refers to Jesus' role as our INTERCESSOR or HIGH PRIEST)! The only way we can approach the FATHER is through Jesus (John 16:23-24; John 14:6)! With Jesus as our High Priest, we can come "BOLDLY" to the "throne of grace" TO OBTAIN "MERCY"! All Christians need "mercy" and NOT JUSTICE, whether they realize it or not. The High Priests in the Old Covenant were types of Jesus Christ! They only interceded and offered sacrifice for THE UNINTENTIONAL SINS (ie: sins of ignorance) of ISRAEL! THEY DID NOT OFFER SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE GENTILES (TYPE OF LOST PEOPLE) NOR FOR THE PRESUMPTUOUS SINS OF ISRAELITES. One of the most important lessons SHOWN US IN THE STUDY OF THE SEVEN TRUMPETS is that before a true ministry can "prepare itself to sound", ITS PREPARATIONS MUST BE BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH ABOUT THE COMPLETE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR HIGH PRIEST! Of course, it is also ALSO essential that we are FULLY EXPERIENCING what is pictured to us in Revelation 8:3-5! Thus we can see: (1) The SEVEN TRUMPETS (completed truth) SOUND IN THE LATER PART OF THE SEVENTH SEAL! (2) The SEVEN TRUMPETS can only sound after the TRUE MINISTRY PREPARES ITSELF TO SOUND! (ie: studies and learns the fulness of principles of the depths of scriptural truth)! (3) THIS CAN ONLY TAKE PLACE AFTER THE TRUTHS ABOUT THE FULL WORK OF JESUS CHRIST AS OUR HIGH PRIEST ARE UNDERSTOOD, AS WELL AS EXPERIENCED! Once these conditions are met, God's people will be able to feed upon "ALL THINGS, YEA, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD" (I Corinthians 2:10)!!