Trumpet #7: False Doctrines Intoxicate
Revelation Time Period #7:
1840 AD - Christ's Second Coming
"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" (Revelation 10:7).
Revelation 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.4 19 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 date of 1840 fits as a start date for a number of reasons:
- 1. The parallel prophecy of the 7 Heads pinpoints the corresponding 7th head as beginning in 1840 (see sections on the 6th and 7th Head for details). The 7 periods of Revelation are parallel, just like Daniel's prophecies were parallel. The 7th Church also operates during the last time period of history to spread the gospel to the entire world.
- 2. The 7th Trumpet follows the 6th Trumpet without delay. The 6th Trumpet included a specific time period of 391 years plus 15 days, which started in 1449 and ended in 1840. Thus, in following the pattern of each Trumpet following one right after another, the 7th Trumpet would immediately begin in 1840.
There is evidence of this seamless transition in the words used to announce the 7th Trumpet: "The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded..." (Rev. 11:14-15). The Greek word translated to "quickly" is "tachu" and indicates a prompt action, one that is done suddenly, shortly or without delay. The same word is used when Mary heard that Jesus had arrived after the death of Lazarus (John 11:29). As soon as she heard Jesus was asking for her, she arose quickly (tachu) and went to Him. As soon as the 6th Trumpet is over, the 7th Trumpet sounds. There is no gap between the seven consecutive time periods, as also indicated by use of the number seven (7 consecutive days = 1 week) (7 consecutive last plagues = God's wrath) (7 consecutive time periods in church history = The 7 Churches). - 3. The Ark of the Covenant is seen. The 7th Trumpet includes a description of the second veil of the sanctuary being opened, which provides a view of the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place (Rev. 11:19). The earthly sanctuary is an illustration or symbol of the heavenly sanctuary where the actual ministry of Christ is occurring in the plan of salvation (Heb. 8:1-5). When Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, He began His ministry in the first compartment, the Holy Place, of the heavenly sanctuary. This is why in John's first prophetic vision, we see Jesus standing among the seven golden lampstands (Rev. 1:12), an article of furniture in the Holy Place. Now, we see the ark of the covenant, an article of furniture in the Most Holy Place, which was only seen in the earthly sanctuary once a year on the Day of Atonement. The heavenly Day of Atonement, a time of judgment (Daniel 7, Rev. 14) or the cleansing of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14), began in 1844 (2300 years after the decree to restore Jerusalem - Dan. 8:14, 9:23-25). The start date for the 7th Trumpet would need to start in 1844 or earlier in order to include the opening of the door to the Most Holy Place so the Ark of the Covenant could be seen. Ellen G. White wrote about this time period in conjunction with Revelation 11:19 and the 7th Trumpet (see also 17LtMs, Lt 123, 1902, par. 12, 15LtMs, Lt 20, 1900, par. 17 and GC 433.1):
"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.' [Revelation 11:19]" (4SP 273.2).
- 4. Jesus receives the kingdom during the 7th Trumpet. The judgment that takes place during the heavenly Day of Atonement (1844 to Close of Probation), results in the verdict in favor of the saints and the proclaimation that Jesus has been given the kingdom. This was revealed in Daniel 7:10-14, as the court scene results in the beast's dominion being taken away and the Son of man being given dominion and an eternal kingdom (though the verdict is issued, Christ's kingdom is not actually put into place until a short time later). This judgment, in which Jesus receives the kingdom (also referred to as the marriage of the Bridegroom), is inseparably linked to the events that occur within the Most Holy Place, which began in 1844 when the bridegroom went in to the wedding. Since the declaration that Jesus receives the kingdom is made during the 7th Trumpet (Rev. 11:15), the start date for the 7th Trumpet would need to start at least prior to the close of probation when the verdict is announced that Jesus receives the kingdom (marriage announced), but more likely by 1844 when the deliberations (wedding ceremony) began and when the bridegroom went in to the wedding to receive the kingdom (Rev. 19:7-9).
- 5. The 7th Trumpet warning parallels the Three Angels' Messages warning. When reading of trumpet soundings that are related to judgments/calamities in the Old Testament, there is an inclusion of warning messages to the righteous to escape the calamity and pending destruction (Jeremiah 6:1, 4:5-6, 6:16-17) and what will happen if the warning is ignored. In the same way, the 7 Trumpet judgments each encompass a warning message. The last warning message is given during the last Trumpet time period. The Bible describes this last warning message in detail as the three angels' messages (Rev. 14, 18). It includes the warning to escape calamity (come out of her my people that you do not receive her plagues). These two symbols (7th Trumpet and 3 Angels' Messages) are linked together, representing the same final warning message. The sounding of the 7th Trumpet would then encompass the last warning message to God's people, the three angels' messages, which began to be preached in the 1840s.
The angel of the Little Book (Rev. 10), when introducing the days of the 7th angel (v. 7), also ties these two symbols together. He reminds us that his authority is from the creator ("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" - Rev. 10:6), in conjunction with the announcement of the end of prophetic time (no more time prophecies after 1844) and no more delay in finishing the mystery of God. Similar wording ("worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters") is used during the 1st Angel's Message (Rev. 14:7) in conjunction with the proclaimation that "judgment is come" also beginning in 1844.
- 6. There are two prophecies given between the descriptions of the 6th and 7th Trumpet that revolve around events occurring between 1789 and 1844. These two prophecies introduce the prominent players, the 7th church and the 7th Head, that operate during the 7th and last time period:
- (A) 7th Church: God's end-time church, identified as those who "prophesy again" after experiencing the sweet book turned bitter (see Revelation 10), and
- (B) 7th Head: Satan's end-time political power, identified as the power behind the French Revolution (see Revelation 11).
- 7. The "days of the voice of the seventh angel" are tied to events surrounding 1844. The descriptions in Revelation 10 (7 thunders, eating the book), time no longer) revolve around events beginning in the 1840s, and are linked to the sounding of the 7th Trumpet in verse 7. The angel of the Little Book prophecy was speaking during the days of the opening of the book (Rev. 10:2), which sets the time frame for this vision and when the angel is speaking, as sometime after 1798 and prior to the finishing of the eating of the book in 1844. The angel makes several announcements from that perspective in time, which reveal a specific time frame for when the seventh Trumpet "shall begin to sound" (Rev. 10:7).
One of the announcements the angel makes is that there would be "time no longer". The time that was to end was not referring to the end of probationary time or earth's history, but the end of prophetic time, or prophetic time periods. The longest time prophecy, the one that reached the farthest into the future, the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, ended in 1844 AD when the cleansing of the sanctuary would begin. Thus, the angel ties the events surrounding 1844 to the "days of the voice of the seventh angel".
- 8. The finishing of the "mystery of God" occurs during the heavenly Day of Atonement. In John's vision of the Little Book, the angel told John that the mystery of God would be finished during the sounding of the 7th Trumpet (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" (Revelation 10:7). Understanding the meaning of the "mystery of God" helps to identify the timeframe of the 7th Trumpet as it is the same work completed during the Pre-Advent Judgement (1844 to the close of probation). Study more info on the Mystery of God.
In some Bible versions, Revelation 10:7 can seem to contradict itself by referring to the days during the sounding of the trumpet in the first phrase, but the time prior to the sounding of the trumpet in the second phrase. This can make a person question if the mystery of God is finished during the sounding of the trumpet or before the trumpet sounds. But, look at how the King James Version translates the verse. The first part is rendered as "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel", and the second part as "when he shall begin to sound" (Rev. 10:7). These are the same time periods. Let's look at the second phrase in more detail.
The phrase "when he shall begin to sound" is translated in various ways in different Bible versions. The word translated to "shall begin" is "mello", and gives the idea of expectation. In other places in the Bible, this same word is usually translated as shall or should. It means when he is expected, or intends, to sound. Thus, the phase could simply be translated as "when he shall sound". A similar meaning is given in many other bible translations, which can be read for further clarification (see the NRSV, NLT, CEB, HCSB, DRA, ESV, PHILLIPS, JUB, TLB, MSG, NLV, RSV, VOICE, WE and WYC Bibles). The second phrase is simply clarifying the first phrase. It is saying that during the days of the seventh trumpet, when he will sound, the mystery of God will be finished. Another way to say it is that "in the days of the trumpet sound, to be blown by the seventh angel, the mystery of God should be accomplished".
The mystery of God is finished during the sounding of the 7th Trumpet. This isn't referring to just the last minute or millisecond of time when the mystery is finished, it is referring to the completion of the last phase of the mystery. The last phase is the cleansing of the sanctuary. The angel who holds the open Little Book after 1798 is saying that the seventh angel is about to blow the trumpet.
Taken to thee thy great power and reigned = The final transition of power to the final (5th) realm (see Dan. 2). Notice that while the courtroom was still in session (Daniel 7:9-14, 27), prior to the 7 Last Plagues, the declaration was made that the realm has been given to Christ (v. 15-17 "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord"). Then, when Jesus returns to earth and gathers the saints to meet Him, the saints are rewarded the realm as heirs with Christ. Jesus and the saints form the final political entity that rules the earth for eternity, starting at the second coming. "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).
Once Jesus receives His kingdom ("taken to thee thy great power"), at the end of the wedding (1844 to close of probation), probation closes and the events in verse 18 commence.
Time of His Wrath = 7 Last Plagues. At the end of Christ's ministry, it is announced that the time of His wrath has come (11:18). This coincides with Babylon and the angry nations being destroyed during the 7 last plagues, which are also described as the wrath of God (16:1) and as judgments poured out on Babylon (17.1). This also coincides with when Michael stands up and the time of trouble begins (Daniel 12). It is at the end of the 7th plague that Christ battles all earthly kingdoms and delivers His people.
The 7 last plagues (thy wrath is come) begin to fall as the restraint of the Holy Spirit on the minds of the wicked is now totally withdrawn from the earth. The serious and irreversible decline of all earthly powers is put in motion at this point. Note: None of God's people will be harmed after probation closes. The plagues destroy the very ones who were destroying the earth (v. 18). The 7th plague includes the appearance of Christ and the destruction of any remaining wicked on the earth. The righteous are raised to life and given immortal bodies (reward given to servants). The 7th Trumpet culminates in and encompasses the time period of the 7 Last Plagues.
The time to judge the dead = Millennium. Verse 18 refers to the "time of the dead" when they will be judged. When Christ's return slays all of the wicked who remain, every wicked person through all time are then dead. This ushers in the time to judge the dead, which occurs during the 1000 years after Christ's return, when the righteous reign with Christ in heaven (Rev. 20:4-6) (see Revelation 20). The sounding of the 7th trumpet ushers in the beginning of the millennium and new reigning power, but doesn't include the millennium, because the time of warning and judgment disaster is over.
Fall of Babylon = Seventh Trumpet. This last Trumpet (7th) is the last warning message and last judgment time period for the last ruling power of the last realm before Christ returns to establish His everlasting kingdom. The last warning message and accompanying judgment found in the Bible are described in great detail in Revelation 14-18. There, the name of Babylon is used to symbolize end-time religious organizations that become too intimate with the political powers of state. This system is said to have fallen, indicating a moral fall that would then be followed by judgments and eventually a complete fall.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:8). "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication" (Revelation 17:1-2).The judgment on Babylon occurs because rulers (kings of the earth) have entered into inappropriate relations (fornication) with apostate religious organizations (whore). As a result, people are intoxicated (drunk) by false doctrines (wine). The situation gets worse and worse as time proceeds:
"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies" (Revelation 18:2-3 KJV).The false doctrines become saturated with spiritualism (devils, foul spirit, unclean bird). The world's economy is also affected by the actions of this last political power. Businesses (merchants) become rich because of the advantages provided by the union between the church and the state. As the evil matures, the judgment that has been restrained is finally unleashed culminating in the seven last plagues.
Babylon is a symbol used in Revelation 17 to describe the confusion and unfaithfulness of fallen Christian Churches. Babylon was first announced as fallen just prior to 1844 when the three angels' messages began to be given (Rev. 14:6-12). Yet its fall is not completed until its true condition is fully exposed and the final warning announcement is made just prior to the second coming (Rev. 18:2-3).
Babylon's fall occurs just like each of the 7 Heads; an entity's moral fall occurs, but people are given time to repent and escape out of it as they experience warning judgments. As the warnings are rejected, eventually the entity's fall is complete and destruction results. The fall of Babylon, from 1840 to the Second Coming coincides exactly with the 7th head. Freemasonry, the 7th political entity (Head) ruling the Roman realm, is ecumenically minded and influenced by a confusion of religions. This is symbolized by Babylon in Revelation 17, where churches (those of the protestant churches who, as daughters, follow their Papal mother) ride the state powers (Freemasonry) of the realm. Revelation 13 predicts that this church and state union will eventually replicate the structure of the middle ages when the church persecuted through state powers.
The unbiblical beliefs that are promoted by Babylon intoxicate the whole world during this time period, except for the Remnant of God described in Revelation. The problem with being drunk is that a person may not realize how bad off they are, or even care. There is still time to turn to God and He will lead the repentant mind into all truth, but it must be done with the whole heart and now, before Babylon's judgment is complete.
Linking the 7th Trumpet and 7th Head
The fall of Babylon (7th Trumpet) is brought about because the churches (harlots) spread the wine of Babylon to all the nations (Rev. 14:8), with the support of the state powers (riding the beast). The state powers during the 7th period are the divided nations of the Roman realm (10 horns) led by Freemasonry (Head #7). Just like the entities in all the other time periods, the apostate churches and Freemasonry experienced a moral fall near the beginning of their Trumpet time period (1840) as they rejected truth. Because they spread false doctrines to all the nations, they experience increasing troubles, their fall is eventually complete and their power is brought to an end during the 7 Last Plagues. The same event (the second coming of Jesus during the 7th Plague) brings about the end of the 7th Trumpet judgment and it signals the final transition of power from the 7th Head to the everlasting realm of Jesus. Learn more about "Linking the 7 Trumpets to the 7 Heads".7th Trumpet Summary
Trumpet #7 = False doctrines intoxicate (1840 to 2nd Coming). This last period of warning and judgment is described in great detail in Rev. 14-18 (3 Angels' Messages and fall of Babylon). False doctrines ("wine") are spread to all the nations (Rev. 14:8). The period encompasses the pre-advent judgment (court scene of Dan. 7:13-14,22-27) that enables Jesus to receive the realm ("kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord" - Rev. 11:15), the unique end-time display of Christ in His church ("mystery of God... finished" - Rev. 10:7, Eph. 5:25-32, Eph. 2:19-3:21, Eph. 1:9-10, Col. 1:24-29), and Jesus' phase of ministry in the Most Holy Place during the heavenly Day of Atonement (Rev. 11:19). It also includes wars and rumors of wars ("nations were angry") and the 7 Last Plagues ("wrath is come" - Rev. 11:18, 16:1, 17:1), and ushers in the post-advent judgment ("the dead...judged").Return to: The 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8-11)
