At the opening of the seventh seal of the Lamb’s scroll in Revelation 8:1-2, we see seven angels with seven trumpets. This series of trumpets is the only series of trumpets described in scripture associated with eschatological events. It follows, then, that it is the same series of trumpets that both Paul and Jesus Himself referred to in the gospels and the prophetic writings of the epistles. Throughout chapters 8 through 11 of Revelation we experience the sounding of the various trumpets and the drastic consequences these trumpet soundings have upon the earth.
It is beyond the scope of this book to delve into the unfolding of the events of the specific trumpets. We will look, however, at a very peculiar passage that takes place between the sounding of the sixth trumpet and the sounding of the seventh, i.e., last trumpet.
Just prior to the sounding of the 7th and last trump, we witness an incredible event. The sixth trump has just sounded. But then afterward we see in Rev. 10:5-7:
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
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.
Please note: Some clarification might be required here to clear up this passage in the minds of some readers. We use the King James version of the Bible throughout in this book, and sometimes the KJV can be a little difficult to render into contemporary language. Verse 6 in the passage above contains just such an instance.
(The phrase “there should be time no longer” does not mean that God is going to do away with the concept of “time” but rather that there should be no further delay.
Here is verse 6 in the New King James:
and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer
And in the NIV:
And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay!”)
Look again at verse Rev. 10:7 Here we see a very interesting event. Prior to the sounding of the 7th, or last trump, we see an angel proclaiming that, with the sounding of this imminent last trump, the mystery of God would be finished, as he has declared to His servants the prophets. None of the prior trumps that sounded were heralded in such a prominent way. The angel is drawing special attention to the importance of the final trump even before it is sounded. So what could be so profound that it merits such special unique attention? What happens at the sounding of the final trump?
Let’s look at Rev. 11:15-19:
15 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.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And 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.
Pay special attention to verse 18. Aren’t the things described therein precisely what we the church have been hoping and waiting for throughout the decades since the ascension? These words accurately convey the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. This describes none other than the return of Christ in power and glory. It is no wonder the sixth angel heralded the sounding of the seventh trump.