The 7th Trumpet

THE 7TH TRUMPET

INTRODUCTION I understand that there are at least two views concerning the time of the sounding of the 7th Trumpet of Rev 11:15. One proposes that the 7th Trumpet began sounding in 1844 with the opening of the Most Holy Place as Christ passed into it to offer His last ministry for fallen man. The second proposes that this event occurs at the Close of Probation when Christ completes this ministry. I have attempted to study the strengths and weaknesses of these two views and as I am edging closer and closer to a conclusion, I present my interim views on this matter for your prayerful perusal, that if there be any error of which I am unaware, you may lovingly draw me back to the fold of truth. Since I am still in the process of understanding this matter, and since I might not have full understanding of some particulars, I ask that you bear with me in case I do not address this subject as completely and conclusively is required, but I will strive to be as fair as I possible can. I pray that God will provide grace and knowledge that there might be unity in the truth. I have put texts from the Spirit of Prophecy in italics (and some in bold) for easier readability and not for emphasis. Maranatha

1844? I begin by highlighting the traditional Adventist view that the 7th Trumpet began sounding in 1844 when, according to God’s divine plan, the truth about the Sabbath was opened to the understanding of the Adventists of the day [I am however, not sure if I am right in calling this the ‘Traditional Adventist’ view, but it is the one I have heard most frequently]. I present here at least three conclusive quotes from the Spirit of prophecy that talk of the year 1844, and state clearly that ‘to this time apply the words of the Revelator’. This I do lest we imagine that I am ignoring these important and plain words from Inspiration: The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament." Revelation 11:19. The ark of God's testament is in the holy of holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things," this apartment was opened only upon the great Day of Atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. Those who by faith followed their great High Priest as He entered upon His ministry in the most holy place, beheld the ark of His testament. As they had studied the subject of the sanctuary they had come to understand the Saviour's change of ministration, and they saw that He was now officiating before the ark of God, pleading His blood in behalf of sinners. {GC 433.1} "The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of his testament" (Rev. 11:19). The ark of God's testament is in the Holy of Holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things," this apartment was opened only upon the great Day of Atonement for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen points to the opening of the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. {LHU 136.2} As foretold in the Scriptures, the ministration of Christ in the most holy place began at the termination of the prophetic days in 1844. To this time apply the words of the Revelator, "The temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." [REV. 11:19] The ark of God's testament is in the second apartment of the sanctuary. As Christ entered there, to minister in the sinner's behalf, the inner temple was opened, and the ark of God was brought to view. To those who by faith beheld the Saviour in his work of intercession, God's majesty and power were

revealed. As the train of his glory filled the temple, light from the holy of holies was shed upon his waiting people on the earth. {4SP 273.2} I will now examine several reasons why in my understanding the sounding of the 7th Trumpet heralds, not the beginning of Christ’s ministry in the Holy of Holies, but its end.

THE STRUCTURE OF REV 8- 11 Before John is given a view of the trumpets (which represent God’s judgments on those who would hinder His work) God seems to give him an assurance that He will protect His people. He is permitted to view, first of all, Christ ministering His merits before the Altar of Incense, and the smoke of the incense goes up, representing God’s acceptance of the prayers of His people. But a time comes when this ministry must close so that the workers of iniquity are forever annihilated. Therefore Christ fills the censer with fire from off the altar and casts it to the earth. I understand this to mean the Close of Probation, and though there are varying thoughts on this also, it is not my purpose to clarify the reason for my conclusion in this study. Now let us carefully consider what happens when Christ thus ends His ministry. We read from Rev 8: 5: “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire from off the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thundering, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” The ministry of the Angel at the Altar continues during the period of the trumpets (just as the Priest continues to walk amid the candlesticks during the entire period of the Churches) but at some point He ends His ministry. And according to the divine record, when He ends His ministry, there are ‘voices, and thundering, and lightnings, and an earthquake’. We then turn to Rev 11: 15- 19 where we read concerning the 7th Trumpet, but let us skip verses 16- 18 for time’s sake: “And the seventh angel sounded… and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.” It has been noted that the Book of Revelation uses strong textual links to point its readers to the correct ‘keys’ for its symbols. It has been noted, for example, that out of its 404 verses, the Revelation quotes 278 previous verses in other part of scripture almost word for word, thereby giving strong and conclusive clues to its interpretation. Following this lead, I conclude that the two events are one and the same, or put differently, the 7th Trumpet refers to the Close of Probation since it employs the exact same words used for the Close of Probation just a couple of chapters earlier. (By the way, this is one of the ways we link the 1st Angel’s Message to the Sabbath commandment, so it is sound Bible interpretation)

THE ‘GREAT VOICES’ For lack of a better word, allow me to call the speech in Rev 11: 15 the Speech f the Great Voices. We read: “And the seventh trumpet sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” Clearly, the Great Voices in heaven are heard immediately the seventh trumpet sounds. But when the voices are heard they proclaim that the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of Christ, so we can conclude that immediately the seventh trumpet sounds the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of Christ. The Spirit of Prophecy and indeed the Bible, are both clear that the kingdoms of this world only become the kingdom of God and of His Christ after the Second Coming, for it is “when the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.” Matthew 25: 31 We find this important note in the appendix to Patriarchs and Prophets, which, by the way. Uses the exact words of Rev 11: 15-18: TO THE TWELVE APOSTLES THE SAVIOUR SAID, "I APPOINT UNTO YOU A KINGDOM, AS MY FATHER HATH APPOINTED UNTO ME; THAT YE MAY EAT AND DRINK AT MY TABLE IN MY KINGDOM, AND SIT ON THRONES, JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL." LUKE 22:29, 30. FROM MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT OF CHRIST'S PROMISE TO THE TWELVE WE LEARN WHEN IT WILL BE FULFILLED; "IN THE REGENERATION WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL SIT IN THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL." MATTHEW 19:28. IN THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS, CHRIST REPRESENTS HIMSELF UNDER THE FIGURE OF A NOBLEMAN WHO "WENT INTO A FAR COUNTRY TO RECEIVE FOR HIMSELF A KINGDOM, AND TO RETURN." LUKE 19:12. AND HE HIMSELF HAS TOLD US WHEN HE WILL SIT UPON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY: "WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE HOLY ANGELS WITH HIM, THEN SHALL HE SIT UPON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY: AND BEFORE HIM SHALL BE GATHERED ALL NATIONS." MATTHEW 25:31, 32. {PP 762.3} TO THIS TIME THE REVELATOR LOOKS FORWARD WHEN HE SAYS, "THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER." REVELATION 11:15. THE CONTEXT CLEARLY SHOWS WHEN THIS WILL TAKE PLACE: "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." VERSE 18. IT IS AT THE TIME OF THE FINAL JUDGMENT, THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND THE PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED THAT THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST WILL BE SET UP. WHEN ALL WHO OPPOSE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST HAVE BEEN DESTROYED,

THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD AND OF HIS CHRIST. {PP 763.1} THEN CHRIST WILL REIGN, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." REVELATION 19:16. "AND THE KINGDOM AND DOMINION, AND THE GREATNESS OF THE KINGDOM UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH." AND "THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL TAKE THE KINGDOM, AND POSSESS THE KINGDOM FOREVER, EVEN FOREVER AND EVER." DANIEL 7:27, 18. {PP 763.2} Consider also this quote that uses the exact scene in Rev 8: 3- 5 and applies it to the Close of Probation, then indicates that at the Close of Probation when the subjects of Christ’s kingdom have been made up, He is yet to receive the kingdom and reign with the saints: Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received "the seal of the living God." Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done;" and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven," is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. {GC 613.2} This shows clearly that when probation closes, then can the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of Christ. This could not have happened in 1844 since at that time the subjects of His kingdom were not yet made up. The interpretation of some of our earlier pioneers (U. Smith) was that the trumpet sounded in 1844 but since the trumpet covers a period of time, this continues until after the close of probation when the kingdom of this world actually becomes the kingdom of Christ. However, I do not suppose this is right interpretation of the phrase ‘And the seventh trumpet sounded, and there were great voices in heaven saying…’

THE 24 ELDERS We read from Rev 11: 15- 18: “And the seventh angel sounded… And the twenty and four elders, who sat before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying… And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged….”

I wish to pick out specifically the portion which relates to the Anger of the Nations and the wrath of God. I notice particularly that the anger of the nations is put to be in past tense when the 7th Trumpet sounds, while the other events are still future. This tends to mean to me that the Anger of the Nations is not even one of the events that take place when the 7th Trumpet sounds, but it takes place earlier. However, the wrath of God (the 7 Last Plagues), the judgment of the dead, and the destruction of the wicked are all events that follow the sounding of the trumpet. I find it to be more than a coincidence that the Lord chose to address this text in this way, putting events that take place before the Close of Probation in past tense and those that take place after in future tense.

THE OPENING OF THE TEMPLE It would seem that for us to accept that the 7th Trumpet sounds at the Close of Probation we might seem to ignore the Spirit of Prophecy which has very plain and clear statements regarding the time of the opening of the Temple in heaven. But this need not be the case. I have observed that there are other texts where Mrs. White applies the opening of the Temple to a future time. I will share them in a short while. Before that, however, I note something interesting: in all the writings of Ellen White, whenever she spoke of 1844 being the time in which the temple in heaven was opened, she only used Rev 11: 19the other verses 15- 18 were not mentioned. There are other places, however, in which she applied these verses to the future, and in most instances, when she did this, then she included the other verses in the context. I am sure this will be easy to see for anyone who has a searchable version of her writings. The conclusion I draw from this interesting observation is that when she applied Rev 11: 19 to 1844, she was using it to describe what happened in 1844, for it is quite true that the Temple of God was opened in heaven then, and there was received light concerning His holy law. So she is quite in order to use this text to talk about what happened during this period. When, however, she wants to make a statement concerning the 7th Trumpet sounding (although she does not mention the 7th Trumpet itself) she uses some or all of the verses in the context of the text and applies this to the future. Here are the three I found: Influences are to be set in motion that will proclaim to the world the first, second, and third angels' messages. The time has come of which John writes, "The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament, and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail" [Rev. 11:19]. "The ark of His testament"--[this ark contains] the two tables of stone upon which are written, with the finger of God, the Ten Commandments. The ark is a symbol of the presence of God. In clear, steady rays, the light shines from it to the world.

The time has come when the law of God is to be proclaimed with strong, decided utterance. The world is to be warned, and I beseech those who know the truth to do all in their power to sound the warning, "Prepare to meet thy God." The temple of God was opened in heaven in answer to the prayers of His people, and by terrible things in righteousness will He reveal His power. "It is time for Thee, Lord, to work," David said, "for they have made void Thy law." "They have made void Thy law," he says. The well-nigh universal scorn thrown on God's law did not change his sentiments in regard to it. "Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold." David lived many hundreds of years ago, and he thought then that the time had come for God to interfere to vindicate His honor and repress the swelling unrighteousness. Today men have almost filled the cup of their iniquity. The Lord does not execute the death penalty on the transgressors of His law until they have heard the warning and have been given opportunity to see the fallacy of the doctrines they believe. How wonderful is His forbearance and patience! He is putting a constraint on His own attributes. Omnipotence is exerted over Omnipotence... Soon there is to be an awakening of His displeasure, and who then can stay His wrath? {18MR 188.1} A few of the old standard-bearers are still living. I am intensely desirous that our brethren and sisters shall respect and honor these pioneers. We present them before you as men who know what trials are. I am instructed to say, Let every believer respect the men who acted a prominent part during the early days of the message, and who have borne trials and hardships and many privations. These men have grown gray in service. Not long hence they will receive their reward. Writing of the last days, John says: "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. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." When God's temple in heaven is opened, what a triumphant time that will be for all who have been faithful and true. In the temple will be seen the ark of the testament in which were placed the two tables of stone, on which are written God's law. These tables of stone will be brought forth from their hiding place, and on them will be seen the Ten Commandments engraved by the finger of God. These tables of stone now lying in the ark of the testament will be a convincing testimony to the truth and binding claims of God's law.

From every nation, kindred, tongue, and people is to be gathered out a people who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. This is the work to be accomplished in these last days. Since Satan's rebellion in heaven against the commandments of God, he has kept up a continual warfare against these commandments, and he will continue to carry on his work relentlessly to the end. To counteract the effects of the enemy, the Lord desires His servants who have grown gray in the advocacy of truth, to stand faithful and true, bearing their testimony in favor of the law. {20MR 221.5} The Kingdoms of this world are soon to become the kingdoms of our Lord. "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." There is to be a rapid and triumphant spread of the gospel. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." The ark of God's testament, covered by the mercy seat was seen in His temple. What does this ark contain?--The law of God. Moses was directed to make an ark, in which was to be placed the law of God, written with His own finger upon the tables of stone. This law God gave for the guidance of his people, and it was stamped with the assurance, staked upon His almighty power, that He had entered into covenant relation with them. Today God makes a covenant with all who will take their stand as loyal subjects of His kingdom, reverencing the law that occupies so prominent a position, beneath the mercy seat. The ark is a representation of the keeping power of God. In it the law is kept. And today there comes to us John's testimony, "The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament." Battle Creek Letters p. 57 (1928) Note that concerning the judgment of the dead she uses Rev 20: 12 in a similar way: at times applying it to the beginning of the Pre-Advent judgment in 1844, and at times to the Millennial judgment that takes place after Christ’s Second Coming. In some instances, after speaking of the setting of the judgment scene in Daniel 7, she says that Rev 20: 12 speaks of that same scene. Then in other places she applies this verse to the millennial judgment as the context requires. Here are the places where she gives the impression that the scene in Rev 20: 12 refers to the Investigative judgment: The books of record in Heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the Judgment. Says the prophet Daniel, "The Judgment was set, and the books were opened." The Revelator, describing the same scene, adds, "Another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead

were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." [REV. 20:12.] {GC88 480.2} Jude refers to the same period: "The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the great day." And again he quotes the words of Enoch: "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all." [JUDE 6, 14, 15.] John declares that he "saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened;" "and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books." [REV. 20:12.] But if the dead are already enjoying the bliss of Heaven or writhing in the flames of hell, what need of a future Judgment? The teachings of God's Word on these important points are neither obscure nor contradictory; they may be understood by common minds. But what candid mind can see either wisdom or justice in the current theory? Will the righteous, after the investigation of their cases at the Judgment, receive the commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant," "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," [MATT. 25:21, 41.] when they have been dwelling in his presence, perhaps for long ages? Are the wicked summoned from the place of torment to receive the sentence from the Judge of all the earth, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire?" [MATT. 25:21, 41.] Oh, solemn mockery! shameful impeachment of the wisdom and justice of God! {GC88 549.2} And now some quotes where she uses the same verse to refer to the final execution of the judgment on the unrepentant: In the presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and Heaven the final coronation of the Son of God takes place. And now, invested with supreme majesty and power, the King of kings pronounces sentence upon the rebels against his government, and executes justice upon those who have transgressed his law and oppressed his people. Says the prophet of God: "I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." [REV. 20:11, 12.] As soon as the books of record are opened, and the eye of Jesus looks upon the wicked, they are conscious of every sin which they have ever committed. They see just where their feet diverged from the path of purity and holiness, just how far pride and rebellion have carried them in the violation of the law of God. The seductive temptations which they encouraged by indulgence in sin, the blessings perverted, the messengers of God despised, the warnings rejected, the waves of mercy beaten back

by the stubborn, unrepentant heart,--all appear as if written in letters of fire. {GC88 666.1} With just as much assurance you may declare the message of God's truth. Those who believe sacred, eternal truth, must put their whole soul into their efforts. We must be stirred to the very heart as we behold the fulfilling of prophecy in the closing scenes of this earth's history. As our vision extends still further into the glories of eternity--the coming of Christ with power and great glory, and the scenes of the great day of judgment--we should not remain tame and unmoved. "I saw the dead," John says, "stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."--Lt 8, 1895. {VSS 226.1} Soon the world is to be called to appear at the bar of God. John writes, "I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. . . . And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." {RH, April 16, 1901 par. 12} The arm of Omnipotence alone can cleanse the earth from the evil which Satan has brought into it. This He will do by destroying the world by fire, even as He destroyed the old world by a flood. {RH, April 16, 1901 par. 13}

‘TIME NO LONGER’ Last, I wish to examine another reference to the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet found in Rev 10: 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.” My premise is that the sounding of the seventh angel comes after the mystery of God is finished/ completed. The King James Version uses the words: ‘When he shall begin to sound.’ According to Strong’s concordance, G3195 which is translated ‘shall begin’ is ‘a strengthened form of G3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, that is, be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):—about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.’

Indeed, the New King James renders this as: ‘when he is about to sound.’ Young’s literal translation says: ‘But in the days of the voice of the seventh messenger, when he may be about to sound, and the secret of God may be finished, as He did declare to His own servants, to the prophets…’ Based on this understanding, it appears to me that the mystery of God must be completed when the seventh angel is about to sound. The completion of the mystery refers to the union of humanity with divinity in the plan of salvation, and this occurs when Christ is ministering in the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary in heaven. If, according to Rev 10: 7, this must be completed before the seventh angel sounds (and this seems quite consistent with the view that the seventh angel sounds at the close of probation since after the close of probation there is no more atonement) then the trumpet could not have sounded in 1844 for then the mystery of God was not yet completed.

I will appreciate your thoughts and reviews on this; please email me at [email protected]