Many teachers allegorize the seals, trumpets and bowls of the book of revelation because natural explanations for some Revelation events do not seem logical to them. Yet, these theologians resort to allegorical metaphysics more convoluted than any literal interpretation. Rather than resorting to spiritual alchemy, it would be wiser to realize that some things written in Revelation are beyond our present understanding or they are supernatural but literal events that have no natural explanation at all.
On the other hand, I remember that Hal Lindsey in his Late Great Planet Earth tried to explain all the Revelation events through wars and other natural occurrences. The seven seals can be explained by wars and other natural events but most of the trumpet and bowl judgments have nothing to do with war or nuclear weapons. Some of the trumpets may be explained naturally in a way that I will later suggest. At least it may seem natural to unbelieving observers of those events. I will make no attempt to explain the bowl judgments naturally because I believe they are supernatural.
Most futurists think the seal, trumpet and bowl events occur over a seven-year period. I think they will play out over at least 10 years and possibly many more.
The first four seals are pretty straight forward. It is the events that bring the Beast/Antichrist into power. He starts by conquering and it turns into a world war. That war brings about the rationing of the third seal. By the fourth seal, there is a revolution occurring over a quarter of the earth.
I believe the most likely explanation for the first four seals is the Harlot that rides the Beast into power does that by continuing her crusades against her historical enemies. The first four seals describe the crusade against Islamic nations of North Africa and the Middle East. This also necessitates the purging of Muslim migrates in Western Europe.
We need to keep in mind that the Beast that will arise will be both a person and a kingdom. The Beast Kingdom starts as the revived Roman Empire. What happened in the past will happen again. The last dress rehearsal for this empire was Hitler. The EU or something that comes out of it will become authoritarian and expand toward the south, east and toward Israel (Dan 8:9).
The persecution at the fifth seal is the continuation of the Harlot’s crusade against those that will not submit to the Rome/Vatican religion. This woman claims to believe in God but she commits spiritual adultery by mixing in humanistic and pagan beliefs. The scriptures tell us that a time will come when people will think they are doing God a favor by killing believers. This is the fulfillment. It is a social justice movement sweeping the globe that has no tolerance for those not obeying the collectivist papal decrees.
We can surmise that those being persecuted are not yet in the last seven years at the fifth seal because the saints are asking the Lord how long before He avenges them. If this persecution started in the last seven years like some suggest, they could just count down the days.
Some incorrectly believe the global religion of the Harlot and the world religion of the Beast are the same. The Harlot of Revelation 17 is “Abrahamic” rooted works based religion led by the Vatican but Beast worship is worship of the son of Lucifer. Nobody will be allowed to worship the God of heaven or his Son after the False Prophet arises and declares that the Beast is God. The Beast will be the son of Lucifer (In Greek paganism, Apollo the son of Zeus fits the bill).
After the opening of the sixth seal the seven-year tribulation begins. There is a great earthquake, the sun is darkened, the moon is the color of blood and meteors fall from heaven. All people will take shelter in the earth because of these events. I think they will see a great comet that is on a path to hit the earth. The electromagnetic forces and gravitational forces will initially cause the crust of the earth to slip. When people experience this everyone on earth will know that the prophesied time of God’s judgment has arrived. The big question at that point will be how people react to it? This will be the time of testing to try all that dwell upon the earth (Rev 3:10).
The comet will not just be a central core, it will contain countless pieces that go into a decaying orbit around the earth. After the initial crust movements there will be an interlude. Before judgment God always sends his prophets. God will send His two witnesses. Who are they? Why is it that nobody is able to kill them until the 1260 days of their testimony is completed? It is clear that these are mortal men, so angels must be supernaturally protecting them from harm. How is it that fire comes out of their mouth to bring judgments as often as they wish? I think that is a figure of speech. I think God’s angels will actually carry out whatever they speak and that is what this passage is saying.
At the sixth seal there also is the mystery of the 144,000 sealed witnesses. They will continue their ministry throughout the seven trumpet judgments that starts right after the opening of the seventh seal interlude. The 144,000 apparently impact the world enough so that a huge number refuse to take the mark of the Beast. In other words, those that believe the message of the everlasting gospel pass the great trial on earth. They refuse to take the mark and receive eternal salvation as a reward.
The first four trumpet events happen in rapid succession. The first trumpet is a fiery hail storm on a third of the landmasses. They start countless grass and forest fires. This probably happens as the smaller particles of the comet impact the earth.
The second trumpet is about a great burning mountain crashing into the sea. It kills a third of the creatures in the sea and destroys a third of the ships. The iron oxide of the comet causes that sea to turn blood-red. It seems likely to me that this occurs on the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean and not just a third of one sea. This is caused by a larger piece of the comet. There is another large piece on its way.
The third trumpet involves a piece of the comet given the name Wormwood (bitterness). It probably explodes in the atmosphere and it makes the water blood red, bitter and poisonous on a third of the landmasses of earth.
By the fourth trumpet, the smoke from the fires block out the sun and the moon on a third of the earth.
Another star falls to earth when the fifth trumpet sounds but the star is not something only related to the comet because the star is called “he” and he has the key to the Abyss. Apparently something physical happens as well because smoke and strange creatures come out of the Abyss. The Abyss is where fallen angels and evil spirits are bound. The king over them is said to be an angel named Apollyon (the destroyer).
One of the great mysteries of Revelation is the locusts that come out of the smoke of the Abyss. The description and what these flying beings with stingers do defies natural explanations. That has made some suggest that they are just evil spirits. The specifics given in the narrative does not allow for such interpretation. And those claiming that helicopters might fulfill the prophecy also are not following the text.
How are intelligent stringing beings like those described possible? They torment people with their stings for five months and the pain is so great that people will wish they could die but they will not be able to die? Why can’t people die? This is one of those supernatural events in Revelation that simply defies natural explanations. This supernatural event apparently is giving people a five month taste of the torments of Hell so that they will seek salvation.
The sixth trumpet brings a 200 million man army from east of the Euphrates which kills a third of all humankind. That huge number makes many think the army is demonic spirits. Those conjectures also do not fit the description. Demonic spirits do not directly kill people and there is no reason to believe that this many demonic spirits even exist.
There are now over 3 billion people in Asia but it is still difficult to envision any way to put together an army of 200 million. Four bound angels will be released to assist in this great assembly. This appears to be an all out East vs West war using modern weapons. It seems to me that these fallen angels are the spiritual powers behind the four major eastern religions.
I think this army influenced by eastern pagan religions will war against the Harlot riding the rising Beast/Antichrist. The destruction of this eastern army is probably how the Beast/Antichrist gains power over the whole world. After this is accomplished, the ten kings turn on the Roman Harlot and burn her with fire. From that time, until Jesus returns, people are only publicly allowed to worship the Beast.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet brings the seven bowl judgments. These and other events occurring during the 42 months under the Antichrist are not going to have natural explanations. When supernatural beings are allowed to run the world and angels are pouring out God’s judgments on earth most anything becomes possible.
The scripture of people wishing to die but could not die leads to the possibility that humans have mixed with AI or technology not available yet and have become immortal. This could possibly be the mark of the beast? Good times are a coming!
Hi Stephen,
That explanation is not going to fly. Humans are not going to become immortal during the tribulation. The armies coming against Jesus led by the Antichrist and False prophet are slain and blood flows up to the horses bridles. People even still die during the Kingdom Age.
Don, first I thank you for providing your wealth of knowledge to your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Would you please elaborate on how and why people will die during the kingdom age.
Hi Robert,
I am not saying all will die in the Kingdom Age but scripture indicates that some people will die. For example, those that claim to be prophets will be killed and those that die at 100 will thought to be accursed. That is because most people will live to very old ages in the Kingdom age.
Good blog Don. IMO too many “Christians” and all nonbelievers attempt to make the miracles of God appear to be natural occurrences. Someone who has been born again has experienced themselves a tremendous miracle, being made into a “new creation”. That said, many people attempt to make the miracles of the Exodus appear natural events rather than the acts of God. As you point out many attempt to do the same with the events of Revelation. Often, I think (opinion only), because the results of God’s actions are reflected in the natural world, people tend to attribute acts of God to natural events. I think we were told to give thanks in all things and we should remember that the God who created everything can also do everything.
Anyway, I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas season and a blessed new year.
Hi Phil,
Christmas blessings to you and yours and everyone reading as well.
They can appear to be naturally caused events. That probably is the way Egypt was initially deceived. God is even in control of what appears to be natural events. For example, a comet could have impacted the earth in the days of Exodus and may do that again at the end of the age, but before man existed on earth God arranged for that cosmic event to happen. Everything is known by God, so He can make these things seem like natural time and chance events to unbelievers.
reading all those events written in the article makes me think that it will all happen at a later date maybe in the 2050’s i just cant figure out how all those events will happen by the 2030’s. Seems almost too good to be true
Hi Alex,
The real question is how long does it take from the Rapture to the start of the last seven years? The time of witnesses and the end time judgments all occur within a seven year time period because the Bible say it does.
I think all the preliminary events can happen over a few years. Keep in mind that the Rapture and the removal of the restrainer will put the Satanic agenda on fast forward.
The Church is likely to still be here to see an authoritarian state rise again in Europe, just as that has happened before. In fact it looks like this Luciferian state is now taking shape in Europe. In previous times when someone tried to put the Roman Empire back together he failed and was killed. When the restrainer is removed there will be a different outcome.
hey don,
that makes sense, i haven’t really thought of it that way but it sure does seem like all these events are starting to pop up slowly in europe… and its only 2018.
I just wish we could accurately determine how much time has passed from the fall of man considering its very likely 7000 years from the fall to the end of the millenium.
Don,
I am wondering if you believe that the rapture of the Church will happen before the opening of the 5th seal?
Thank you for a very thought provoking article.
Hi Jennifer,
I think the Rapture occurs at Rev 4:1 before any seals are opened. Of course I could have it wrong.
Don, good points about the Beast/False Prophet/Harlot. For the longest time I assumed the Vatican would produce the false prophet. Maybe it still does, however, it seems that he/she/it will be different since it will require the worship of the Beast himself. Also, do you think this will be outright Satan worship or do you think it will be masked by another name? You do see Satanism being more prevelent nowadays with the erection of baphomet satues and such.
Hi Steve,
The False Prophet might be the Pope. He either will not be the same Pope that is leading the Harlot or he can claim that the Beast is the fulfillment of all “sacred” scriptures and turn against all that will not believe him. Supernatural signs and wonders like the Queen of Heaven saying that the Beast is the Son of God could be the change agent.
When we get to the time of Beast Worship, I think fallen angels will aid in the deception that the father of the Beast is God. People taking the Mark will know that they are siding against Jesus and Jehovah. Luciferians who now run the world believe that Lucifer is the most high God. They believe Jehovah is a lessor cruel usurper trying to enslave mankind. In other words, the fallen angels will become the saviors of people that hate God’s eternal law. By the way, the far left is already in that boat. All that do trust in Jesus as their Savior will be deceived by what is claimed.
Thanks Don. I do believe it makes the most sense for the a Pope to be the false prophet. I could see him making those claims, creating a massive schism in the church, then the martyring of the saints for not taking the mark.
Then again, it could be someone like a personal counselor to the Beast or something like that. A spiritual advisor of some sort? Deepak Chopra-esque?
Steve,
Is the False Prophet even mortal during the Great Tribulation? After Jesus returns the Son of Perdition and the False Prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire. Nobody mortal seems to go there until after the second resurrection and the white throne judgment.
Doesn’t the beast rise out of the bottomless pit? Obviously a mortal man cannot do that and even the spirit of a deceased one does not go to such a place. Don wrote about this once before.
Good point Don. So, maybe that answers the question. It will be a fallen angelic being who becomes the False Prophet? One able to perform miracles. Raise the Beast from the dead?
Hi Don,
I had’t thought about it in that way, and as Steve said, you make a good point. I still wouldn’t write the Pope/False Prophet theory off, however, since according to Scriptures, we cannot distinguish an angel from a genuine human if that said angel wishes to conceal his identity. Therefore, the Pope might be a fallen angel disguising himself as a human, and thus qualified to fulfill the “Lake Of fire” prophecy. Not saying I believe this, only that it’s a possibility. Fact is, I have no idea or strong opinion in this matter as I don’t expect to be here when it all comes down the pike.
Hi Don,
I have a quick question. I respect your opinion and would like to know if you think Steve Ashburn’s 40 year end time theory can really be backed up with scripture. He believes the 40 year end time will begin with the next nuclear war in the Middle East. Thank you for your opinion
Hi Teresa,
I never heard of Steve Ashburn. Do you have a link?
I do not think claims like that are learned from the scriptures. Some people with strange theories are claiming to get direct revelation or they cherry pick dates and use numbering schemes that are dubious. I do not know what the case is with this person.
There are a couple of teachers that believe the Rapture occurs 30 or more years before the second coming. I suppose that is possible, but I do not see how the world survives 30+ years with the Restrainer being gone.
Hi Don,
I found two links that might be useful. I didn’t see a website. There are articles by him on RaptureReady. I have linked two below. I have been very sick with a cold this week and haven’t felt like reading but will investigate his claims further when I get better. Thanks for your thoughts. Merry Christmas
https://www.raptureready.com/2017/01/21/chronology-end-times-steve-ashburn/
https://www.raptureready.com/2018/03/23/antichrist-part-1-steve-ashburn/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L3NSB3G/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Hi Teresa,
Thanks, I would not totally discount Steve Ashburn’s views. There is a passage about Egypt being all but destroyed and then restored after 40 years. Some think it was already fulfilled but nothing like that happened literally as written. The big question is are the 40 years completed at the end of the tribulation or a couple decades after the start of the millennial reign?
Whatever turns out to be the case, the seventieth week of Daniel lasts only 7 years. His views would push the 70th week fulfillment to at least 2059-2066. I don’t see how that is possible for many reasons. I will read more of his views when I get time. We should be watching what happens in Egypt because the judgment of Egypt occurs before the Gog invasion. The Sudan and Libya invasion that comes with Gog does not make sense with Egypt in the way.
Hi Don,
I completely agree. I will study the passages about Egypt and be keeping a watchful eye. I don’t see how this world can go on 40+ more years before the 70th week fulfillment. If you look at how much times change in the span of 4 decades it is frightening to imagine the destruction morally and spiritually that mankind will bring upon himself. In my opinion. the exponential growth of technology, immorality, and depraved minds cannot go on another 40 years without God stepping in. The overthrow of Mubarak and the building of the dam by Ethiopia, perhaps, is leading to prophetic fulfillment of Ezekial 29. Do you think Ezekial 30: 2-3 puts the time frame for this prophesy to be during the tribulation? Some believe that this flooding of the Nile and subsequent destruction of Egypt was made possible after the building of the Aswan High Dam in 1967. Maybe 1967 was when Egypt claimed “The Nile belongs to me”? Some have said this prophesy could be fulfilled and Egypt destroyed (perhaps by Israel) by destroying Aswan dam with a nuclear weapon. Liberman said a few years back in front of the Knesset that this dam could only be destroyed with a nuclear weapon. Not sure the resulting destruction is possible now that Ethiopia has built their dam further upstream unless there is enough water in Lake Nassar. Nevertheless, I will continue my study and would love to hear your thoughts
Hi Teresa,
All I know is if this prophecy was not fulfilled in the past, the judgment part will be fulfilled before the second coming. Experts do not agree on this so its best to do your own research and figure out who makes the best case.
You might start with Ken Johnson’s view on this. He claims to get information from ancient writings verified by the dead sea scrolls. I on the other hand, have doubts that some of the scrolls claimed to be be before Christ actually were before Christ.
With regards to Egypt, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another civil war, or just a war with neighboring countries like Libya etc. Maybe the likes of which Syria is seeing now or worse. Perhaps Turkey gets involved and sides with Muslim radicals? Erdogan is pushing hard for a new Ottoman Empire: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/13423/turkey-global-islamic-union
From Gatestone,
“The Egyptian theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi, chairman of the Muslim Brotherhood-linked International Union of Muslim Scholars — known for his advocacy of suicide-bombings — expressed similar sentiments at the IUMS’s general assembly in Istanbul last month:
“Turkey is facing plots by those who don’t like to see this nation [rising] and by the West. They would have succeeded [in their plots] but for Allah’s support for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his brothers. Allah will help Erdoğan to emerge victorious as long as true Muslims are standing by him.”
Also,
“At the first ASSAM conference in November 2017, participants endorsed the aim of “unity of Islam” through establishing the “Confederation of Islamic Countries.” Its declaration was approved by ASSAM and 109 NGOs – seventy of which were from Turkey – from 29 countries.”
“Islamic countries have to unite under one common will and an ‘Islamic Countries Parliament’ which will conduct permanent activities has to be established urgently. [The confederation aims to include] sixty-one Islamic countries… in the Unity of Islam provided they decide in free will and accept the unity terms and conditions.”
“In addition, a model constitution was drafted, according to which the capital of the Islamic confederation is Istanbul; sovereignty “belongs to Shariah [Islamic law]”; and four of the member states — mainly Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia — are expected to be European Muslim-majority countries.”
Hi Steve,
The Arabs can’t get along with the Turks, Iranians, centralized Islam or each other. There is also the Isaiah 19 burden of Egypt to be fulfilled.
Don, good point. Maybe Turkey conquers them? Erdogan sounds alot like Hitler in the 1930’s. Them not getting along could also explain them fighting each other when they come against Israel?
Hi Steve,
I think the revived Roman Empire will take over these areas. Of course Turkey was part of that. And Iran has its own population dispersion to all nations that reads much like the one occurring on Egypt.
Very good analysis Don.
The ten kingdom confederation and the little horn are in power by the time of the confirming of the covenant which in my book defines the beginning of Daniels seventieth week.
A lot of water must pass under the bridge before the Little Horn gains that position. After that, the rest of the seals, trumpets and bowl judgements are said to happen rapidly.
Previous to his gaining power there will be a gap of some years as you say.
Will the Church see these ten kingdoms, or be able to discern the rise of the little Horn???
Will we see the purging of Europe or the fulfilment of Ezekiel 38?
I enjoyed your take, but then I always do 🙂
Hi Brian,
Thanks. I always appreciate your input.
I doubt if the little Horn appears before the Rapture. The original ten kings might, but remember that three of those kings are removed by the little Horn. If the little horn became great before the restrainer is removed, Satan is empowering the little horn to become great before he is free to do so.
Yes agreed; the little horn can’t be known for sure because of the Restrainer etc, but there might be indications. 🙂
whats also crazy is the crispr technology of gene editing.. surely we are close to the end
Don, what’s your take on the Ten Economic Regions set forth by the Club of Rome? I think it was developed in the 50’s? Anyway, do you think these ten kings will be part of the reived Rome, as in kings of nation states, or do you think the UN/CoR regional idea makes more sense?
Hi Steve,
The ten kings could be ten nations, ten zones in the Roman Empire or even ten world zones. Having said that, I think they are ten zones in the revived Roman Empire. I think there are plans to divide the EU into ten zones. That is probably why the globalists are working to break down national borders. We do need to keep in mind that the ten toes in the Daniel prophecy come out of the two legs of Iron. That would be the Western and Eastern division of the Roman Empire.
Don,
Are the horses talked about in Zechariah Ch. 6 the same ones mentioned in Revelation?
Hi Jim,
The horses in Zechariah are angelic beings. There are other passages where chariots and horses are connected with angelic beings. The angelic beings in Zechariah probably have no connection with the four riders of Revelation other than angelic beings could be assisting. In Revelation that would be Satan and his angels assisting events on earth that bring about the rise of their man.