The Seventh Trumpet/Third Woe
“And 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 for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
When the seventh trumpet was sounded, it was the beginning of the third woe which consisted of the seven vials or bowls of judgments to be poured out upon the people of the earth. The seventh seal ushered in the seven trumpets, and the seventh trumpet introduced the seven bowls. However, there was a lengthy interlude from the sounding of the seventh trumpet until the woe was identified. It began with a preview of Christ’s kingdom on earth. John was given the privilege to see into the future when all nations will bow to Jesus Christ who will reign over His kingdom forever. No devil will be allowed to hassle or harm anyone for Satan, his demons, and all evil will be banished to hell forever.
The description of this interlude is recorded in Chapters 12 through 15 which gives us several details of the conflict between God and Satan, good and evil. Some of the information included are flashbacks of the history of Israel and then a look forward into the future time of tribulation as it pertains to the persecution of God’s people and the entrance of the antichrist. There is much symbolism in these chapters.
In Revelation 15:1, John saw seven angels having the seven last plagues within seven vials or bowls, the contents of which were to display God’s wrath upon the earth. The first vial contained noxious, painful sores which erupted on the skin of all those who had received the mark of the beast and had worshipped his image. The mark of the beast is an identifying mark of those who belong to Satan, who have not repented, not trusted in Christ, and have not been sealed with the Holy Spirit as God’s treasures. It has been speculated today that this mark will be a small computer chip which will be loaded with all the information about a person and surgically implanted in a person’s right hand or forehead. Computer chips are already being placed in pets, so it is not that far from being used on humans. Some have speculated that the COVID vaccine is the mark of the beast, but most do not believe that it is. However, it certainly sounds like a trial run for the actual future worldwide event. It is common for those who desire to control people to use fear as a way to force people to comply with whatever policy those in charge deem to be necessary. Never put your faith in mankind. God is the only One on whom we should depend.
The second angel poured out his vial on the seas and everything living in them died. The third angel’s vial was emptied upon the rivers and waterways, turning them into blood. The sun was the recipient of the fourth angel’s vial causing people to be scorched with fire. Complete and utter darkness over the land was poured out from the fifth vial by the angel. The people were still suffering from the sores and were chewing and biting their own tongues because of the intense pain. The contents of the sixth vial caused the Euphrates River to dry up leaving a dry river bed upon which the invading armies to the east of Israel could cross over. Looking at a modern-day map, it is not hard to figure out which nations could be the invaders of Israel. There are some nations now who publicly state their goal to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The sixth vial also brought unclean spirits like frogs out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These spirits were to gather the kings of the earth to the battle of Armageddon.
The seventh vial which the angel poured out was the final judgment. A great voice came out of the temple of heaven from the throne and said, “It is done”. There were voices, thunder, lightning, and a mighty and great earthquake like none other. Jerusalem was divided into three parts, and the nations fell. Every island disappeared as did the mountains. Huge hailstones fell from the sky, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail.
The book of Revelation doesn’t end here. There are many more events that will take place over the seven years of tribulation before Jesus destroys the devil and his demons. I think what astonishes me the most is the brutality, pain, suffering, and afflictions that are brought upon the people of earth, yet they still refuse to repent. But I guess it shouldn’t be so surprising. When I see on television how adamant people are about the government allowing women to murder their babies, and how lawlessness is beginning to take a foothold in our major cities with leaders who seem unconcerned, I can see that people can have the audacity to not repent. I don’t understand it, but sin is very addictive and pervasive in the lives of many who refuse to repent and acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior. I suppose many have been given over to a reprobate mind, a mind which lacks judgment and common sense. Those of us who still can think for ourselves and know right from wrong can benefit from a complete study of the book of Revelation which will open the eyes of anyone who diligently digs into its pages with the help of the Holy Spirit. As stated before, Jesus said that those who read and hear the words of His prophecy and keep them in remembrance are blessed. He also said that “the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3).