The trumpets detail the continued destruction of earth. We see the opening blasts taking out thirds, just as Christ warned His disciples they would see. Excerpts from Revelation 8:7-13 KJV are below, with full verses presented in Appendix E.
- Trumpet 1 hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
- Trumpet 2 great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
- Trumpet 3 great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
- Trumpet 4 the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 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 12 tells of warring in heaven between a great red dragon and a woman. That battle then moves to earth.
Dragon Tail Draws 1/3 of Stars of Heaven to Earth
4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. – Revelation 12:4 KJV
Woman Protected 1,260 Days in Wilderness
6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. – Revelation 12:6 KJV
God had a plan. He prepared a place for the woman to be protected for 1,260 days.
Dragon and His Angels Cast to Earth
9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. – Revelation 12:9 KJV
Heaven Rejoices, “WOE” to Earth
12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. – Revelation 12:12 KJV
Christ also warned His disciples of this time.
Woe, Time of Great Tribulation as Never Seen Before
Matthew
19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. – Matthew 24:19-21 KJV
Mark
17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. – Mark 13:17-19 KJV
Luke
23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. – Luke 21:23 KJV
Christ told His disciples there would be a time of great tribulation, affliction unlike any since the beginning of creation and great distress.
God also warned His children through the prophecies given to Daniel.
Warring Against the Saints
21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; – Daniel 7:21 KJV
25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. – Daniel 7:25 KJV
24And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: – Daniel 8:24-25 KJV
Jesus warned His disciples they would be betrayed, delivered up to councils and synagogues and killed for their testimony. The forces against them would be so great, the days would need to be shortened for their sake.
Days Shortened for Sake of Elect to Save Flesh
Matthew
22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. – Matthew 24:22 KJV
Mark
20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. – Mark 13:20 KJV
This again is something done for the protection of God’s people, the followers of Christ. These verses display great destruction and warring, but more importantly, they display God has plans for the protection of His children!!