LESSON TWENTY-TWO

---

“And there was WAR IN HEAVEN, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.” Revelation 12:7-8

Scripture to Read: Revelation 8 & 9

Calendar: Trumpets (pink)

Lord’s Feasts: Rosh Chodesh Elul - 30 days of reflection and preparation (pink)

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and MEASURE the TEMPLE of GOD, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is WITHOUT the TEMPLE leave out and MEASURE it NOT; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Revelation 11:1-2

Just before the Great Tribulation is to begin, John is instructed to measure the "temple of God" but to leave out the outer court. What John is asked to measure is not a physical Jewish temple but the temple of God that dwells within believers. 

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

I believe that this process of measuring will be done prior to the start of Rosh Hashanah. The point of this season is to reflect back on how you have spent the previous year. If you waited until days before the Rapture to get right, you will be like the person in thorny soil – green stalks but no corn!  You can’t plant the seed two days or even a month before you need the fruit to be eaten.  It has to be in the ground long before. The point is that we are to live each day in light of tomorrow as spoken by the Messiah in Matthew 25.

So with that in mind, this chosen "temple of God" will consist of the true believers who receive a special sealing before the tribulation period begins; this measuring is intended to identify them for the Rapture. Those without the "Holy Spirit" will be rejected.

Because the Bible indicates that a third temple will not exist until Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom on earth, we must speculate on what constitutes the "holy place." If the One World Religion is indeed the abomination to be established, it must refer to a location outside the Temple Mount. In Christianity, the term "holy place" encompasses various sacred locations; consequently, it could represent all physical churches that serve as institutions for this political-religious framework. 

"I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast" Revelation 13:3

If not, it may be related to the Antichrist’s miraculous recovery from a fatal wound. This event could lead the Jewish people to conclude that their Messiah has finally arrived, resulting in his image being erected on the Holy Mount in Jerusalem. Others interpret this verse as a symbol of the fall of the Roman Empire, with the "healing" referring to the Empire's eventual revival. 

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two CANDLESTICKS standing before the God of the earth.” Revelation 11:3-4

As John measures, he is reassured that a replacement will also be provided at this time. Two anointed lampstands (church leaders) will be given power and protection for 42 months. While the identity of these two witnesses remains undetermined, many believe they will be either Elijah, Enoch or Moses.  Enoch and Elijah both were born, lived and skipped physical death by being taking home to heaven, making them true examples of the New Testament concept of a rapture without dying. 

"And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets." Revelation 8:1-2

It is at this time that the scroll's seventh seal is broken, and heaven takes a deep breath. The 1,260-day tribulation period begins with the sounding of the first trumpet, as the heavenly continual sacrifices are taken away by the growing global religious-political movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). 

"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast." Revelation 17:12

As the world unites religiously, the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and ten European Muslim countries, guided by a strong political leader, brings hope for stability in the Middle East. These periods of 1,260 days or 42 months are based on the prophetic monthly calendar described in Daniel 12 (highlighted in sage green). 

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them (God’s people) which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” Matthew 24:15-16

In Biblical prophecy, a 30-day month is often interpreted as part of a 360-day "Prophetic Year," consisting of 12 months of 30 days each. As shown on the calendar highlighted in dark green, the 2,300 days in Daniel 8 (based on the Daniel 12 timeline) confirm that the abomination will be set up exactly 140 days later. When God’s people in Judea see this abomination being established, they are warned to flee with the reassurance that they will be protected. 

“And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” Zechariah 13:8-9

As God informed Zechariah, only a third of the Jewish people will survive; this may represent the number who chose to heed the warning and flee with the saints. 

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Daniel 12:1

God’s preparation of heaven for His Son’s bride commences with the dismantling of Satan’s kingdom, triggering a war in heaven between the forces of good and evil. Although some believe Michael already led a war in heaven and removed Satan in the past, Daniel 12 informs us of a final battle at the end, where everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered. Revelation 12 also confirms this event occurs in the last days.

There are both symbolic and literal events within the Trumpets. The term "literal" describes something understood exactly as stated, without additional interpretation; it refers to the concrete, straightforward meaning of the words. In contrast, "symbolic" refers to symbols representing ideas that may not be immediately apparent. These representations often convey deeper emotions or abstract concepts. Thus, we see that while a spiritual war rages in heaven, a physical catastrophe is about to unfold on earth. 

“The FIRST sounded, and there was HAIL AND FIRE mixed with BLOOD, and it was hurled to the earth; and a THIRD of the earth was burned up, and a THIRD of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:7

1st Trumpet - Hail and fire mixed with blood destroy a third of the earth, trees and all the grass. There are 25,000 miles stretching around the edges of the Pacific Ocean called the RING OF FIRE, home to 75% of the world’s most active volcanoes and tectonic plates. The shifting of these tectonic plates will cause massive earthquakes and awaken the volcanoes along this Ring of Fire. The sheer concentration of volcanoes means that millions of people live in constant proximity to these natural giants. Even a single volcano in the Ring of Fire can have planet-wide effects in mere hours. 

This catastrophic event will result in the first four trumpets, and the long-term effects will result in the bowl judgments. The level of destruction would not only cripple world food and livestock supplies, but it would also disrupt economics and destabilize society. Could the placement of the most powerful countries on earth along this Ring of Fire be coincidental? 

In the Bible hail or fire are used to symbolize God’s judgment. This hail and fire depicted in the first trumpet reflect God’s power and judgment to come on Satan’s kingdom and those on earth.

“The SECOND angel sounded, and something like a GREAT MOUNTAIN burning with FIRE was hurled into the sea; and a THIRD of the sea became blood, and a THIRD of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a THIRD of the ships were destroyed.” Revelation 8:8-9

2nd Trumpet – A third of the sea turns to blood; marine life dies and ships are destroyed. Volcanoes near or under the ocean can create shock waves causing tsunamis that race across entire seas. The impact of the fishing and shipping industries will be catastrophic. This could also start a breakdown of our atmosphere as ocean plant life produces oxygen.

“Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. And his TAIL swept away a THIRD of the STARS of HEAVEN and hurled them to the earth.” Revelation 12:3-4

In the Bible, a mountain symbolizes a kingdom, and stars represent angels or messengers. The great mountain hurled into the sea symbolizes one-third of the angels, who, having chosen to fight alongside Satan, are cast out of heaven. 

“The THIRD angel sounded, and a GREAT STAR fell from heaven, BURNING like a torch, and it fell on a THIRD of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The star is named Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter.” Revelation 8:10-11

3rd Trumpet – A third of rivers and springs become bitter, poisoning mankind. Acid rain from volcanic emissions can damage crops and poison rivers. Acid rain can kill by altering the chemical balance of water, making it harder to disinfect and corrosive. It can leach heavy metals like copper and aluminum from soil into runoff and drinking water, making it toxic.

This great star “Wormwood” falling from heaven symbolizes Satan, once a mighty angel, being cast out of heaven to embitter the souls of mankind with his sinful nature.

“I saw a STAR FROM HEAVEN which had fallen to the earth; and the key to the shaft of the abyss was GIVEN to him. He opened the shaft of the abyss, and SMOKE ascended out of the shaft like the smoke of a great furnace; and the SUN and the AIR were DARKENED from the smoke of the shaft.” Revelation 9:1-2

An angel is given the key to the shaft of the abyss, which he opens, releasing locust-like creatures. Because this angel is given a key, we must assume that he is instructed by God to open the shaft. The symbolic smoke released from the abyss into the air causes the literal darkening of the sun and sky. This occurs simultaneously with the blowing of the fourth trumpet in preparation for the fifth trumpet. 

“The FOURTH angel sounded, and a THIRD of the SUN, a THIRD of the MOON, and a THIRD of the STARS were struck, so that a third of them would be DARKENED and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.” Revelation 8:12

4th Trumpet – When volcanoes erupt, their ash clouds can reach altitudes where commercial airplanes fly. This ash isn’t just dust; it’s sharp, abrasive, and can destroy in seconds. Sulfur Dioxide in the air creates a layer of particles that reflect sunlight, darkening the skies.

“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, 'WOE, WOE, WOE to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” Revelation 8:13

An eagle then warns the inhabitants of the earth about the last three trumpets, known as the 'three woes.' This indicates that these final, destructive events are not natural disasters. 

“The FIFTH angel sounded, then out of the smoke came LOCUSTS upon the earth, and POWER was GIVEN them, as the SCORPIONS of the earth HAVE power. They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but ONLY the PEOPLE who do NOT have the SEAL of GOD in their foreheads. And they were NOT permitted to KILL anyone, but to TORMENT for FIVE MONTHS; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a person. And in those days people will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death will flee from them!” Revelation 9:1-6

5th Trumpet – God gives locusts power to torment for five months those without His seal (the Holy Spirit) on their foreheads. Their torment, like a scorpion's sting, won't kill but will be so agonizing that people will long for death. This is the first woe...

Locusts are short-horned grasshoppers that sometimes form large, hungry swarms that can destroy 300 million pounds of crops in a single day. These swarms are known for feeding on agricultural crops, trees, and other plants, leading to famine and starvation in communities. Locusts have been a pervasive plague throughout history. Locusts typically live for about 3 to 5 months, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and food availability. Knowing this, we must assume that these locusts are not literal but a symbolic army. Their lifespan of five months will play a part in calculating the timeline, so keep that in the back of your mind.

These locusts are given an unusual power to torment. Scorpions are a type of pest related to spiders, ticks, and mites. They give painful and potentially life-threatening stings. They have a flexible tail with a stinger on the tip. Beside the stinger are two glands that hold venom. When a scorpion stings you, it injects venom under your skin. Most stings aren’t serious, and less than 5% will need medical attention. Death from scorpion stings is very rare in people over 6 years old. So basically, a scorpion sting is more of an agonizing torment than a death sentence. This is why the locusts are given this symbolic power. 

As I began the lessons for Revelation, the Holy Spirit directed me to the book of Joel. It was there that I found the answers to the fifth trumpet, and I was amazed to find the same reference to an army of locusts. 

“For a NATION (locusts) is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the TEETH OF LIONS, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. It has made my vine a waste and my fig tree a stump. It has stripped them bare and cast them away; Their branches thereof are made white.” Joel 1:6-7

At the beginning of our study on Revelation, we read Joel's detailed summary of what the last days will entail. In the first chapter, Joel describes the locusts as a literal plague that devastates the Earth's agriculture. 

“…a GREAT PEOPLE and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Their appearance is like the APPEARANCE of HORSES; And like WAR HORSES, so they run. Like the NOISE of CHARIOTS on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a STRONG PEOPLE set in BATTLE ARRAY. And the Lord shall utter his voice before HIS ARMY: for his camp is very great: for HE is STRONG that executeth HIS WORD: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” Joel 2

In the second chapter of Joel, the locusts are described in military terms, likened to an unstoppable army, symbolizing God’s judgment and the consequences of sin. By understanding Joel’s symbolic army, the identity of these locusts in Revelation becomes clear. 

“And the shapes of the LOCUSTS were like unto HORSES PREPARED unto BATTLE; and on their HEADS were as it were CROWNS like GOLD, and their FACES were as the faces of MEN. And they had HAIR as the hair of WOMEN, and their TEETH were as the teeth of LIONS. And they had breastplates, as it were BREASTPLATES OF IRON; and the sound of their wings was as the SOUND OF CHARIOTS of many horses running to battle.” Revelation 9:7-9

First, consider the description of this massive force: crowns like gold signify authority, honor, and divine favor. Faces like men and hair like women indicate the army consists of both genders, while teeth like lions and breastplates of iron signify they are unstoppable destroyers.

“And they had a KING over them, which is the ANGEL of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is ABADDON, but in the Greek tongue hath his name APOLLYON.”  Revelation 9:11

Now, here is the interesting part: everyone has assumed that this angel is a demon because he is shown falling from heaven, but notice that he is given the key. There is no reference to an angel named Apollyon or Abaddon elsewhere in the Bible; rather, the definitions of these terms are more metaphorical, representing destruction, doom, or "the destroyer." Wouldn't it make sense for this massive army of destroyers to have a General in charge of them? Could this General be considered the rider of the white horse?

“Put on sackcloth and MOURN, you PRIESTS; WAIL, you MINISTERS of the altar! Come, SPEND THE NIGHT IN SACKCLOTH, you ministers of my God, For the MEAT offering and the DRINK offering have been withheld from the house of your God. CONSECRATE A FAST, PROCLAIM A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY; GATHER THE ELDERS and ALL the INHABITANTS of the land to the HOUSE of the LORD your God, and CRY out to the Lord. WOE for the day! For the day of the Lord is near…” Joel 1:13-15

Interpreting Joel's prophecy within the context of the Tribulation, one might argue it describes a massive army of Christians tormenting the world. Yet, this appears to be a deception, given that the locusts are described as emerging from the bottomless pit. This implies that these locusts are by no means pleasing to God and that the true believer will recognize this apostasy.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 17:4-5

Having established that this massive army of men and women possesses divine favor and authority, recognizing themselves as Christians, we find that their true identity is to be considered this pervasive swarm. Because this false religion comprises many ecumenical Christians, could God be timing the sealing to exclude members of this movement? 

“You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you BELIEVED, you were MARKED in him with a SEAL, the promised HOLY SPIRIT, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” Ephesians 1:13-14

The ten nations allied with Israel will begin to realize that the Babylonian religious movement is becoming a global phenomenon that does not align with their beliefs. This implies the coming torment—painful but not deadly—will stem from this ecumenical, political religion, explaining why it will not affect those who are sealed. 

"And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Revelation 17:16

Regarding the timeline, the fifth trumpet sounds 20 months after the establishment of the false religion and 12 months prior to the Rapture. This revelation from the Holy Spirit confirms my previous understanding of the fifth trumpet’s significance. Because the trumpets align with the timeline of the One World religion, it is evident that the fourth and fifth trumpet represent a spiritual war on earth. Thus, the fifth trumpet describes a massive symbolic army (locusts) inflicting a tormenting (scorpion's sting) on a literal group of people (the unsealed). 

“Then the SIXTH angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.' And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would KILL a THIRD of mankind. The number of the ARMIES of the horsemen was TWO HUNDRED MILLION. And this is how I saw in my vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire, of hyacinth, and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire and smoke and brimstone. A THIRD of mankind was KILLED by these three PLAGUES, by the FIRE, the SMOKE, and the BRIMSTONE which came out of their mouths. For the POWER of the HORSES is in their MOUTHS and in their TAILS; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.” Revelation 9:14-19

6th Trumpet - Four cherubs are released from the Euphrates River to kill a third of mankind with an army of two hundred million.

"Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne... and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands (100 trillion)". Revelation 5:11

Again, each trumpet is to be interpreted as both literal and symbolic events affecting heaven and earth. To prepare mankind for their final judgment, God strikes the Earth with a catastrophic disaster that brings death and suffering to those inhabiting the new kingdom of Satan. The plagues of fire, smoke, and brimstone from volcanic eruptions will literally kill a third of mankind. The described army of 200 million horsemen is a symbolic number of angels chosen to fight against Satan. While the fifth trumpet depicts a spiritual war taking place on earth, the sixth trumpet represents a spiritual war in heaven. This will end the second woe...

Jesus fulfilled the spring Feasts of the Lord at his first coming and he will continue fulfillment of the fall feasts at his return. The next feast in the line up to be fulfilled is the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah). During Rosh Hashanah trumpets are blown for 30 days leading up to the feast, and finish with the blowing of "the Last Trumpet." Each day, the shofar served as a wake-up call to repentance and remembrance of the Creator.   

In Aramaic, elul means search, which is appropriate since this is the month in which we are to diligently search our hearts in a time of intense spiritual preparation and drawing closer to the Lord. It is a month set aside for earnest reflection and teshuvah (repentance). The trumpets of Revelation follow this pattern; rather than depicting judgment itself, they mimic the preparation for judgment associated with Rosh Chodesh. Heaven is now prepared for the arrival of the bride and earth is prepared for the bowls of wrath.

While the five-month period in the fifth trumpet is often assumed to reflect the lifespan of a locust, it acts as a clue to the timespan of each of the six trumpets leading up to the final one on the feast day. Each trumpet of the six will last five prophetic months (150 days) for a total of 30 months. These 30 months represent the 30 days of trumpet blowing prior to the last trumpet on Rosh Hashanah. (30 days x 5 months = 150 x 6 trumpets = 900 months/2.5 years)

Observing Rosh Hashanah helps us understand God’s use of trumpets in the prophecies of Revelation and Daniel. On Rosh Hashanah—also known as the Day of Judgment—Jesus, our High Priest, opens and reviews the books. If a person’s deeds are righteous, He writes their name in the Book of Life; if their deeds are wicked, He writes their name in the Book of Death. A third book exists for those who fall between these two categories. 

Just as Daniel 7 depicts the court in session and the books opened, we can see that the trumpets in Revelation reference the same. This confirms that Jesus will fulfill the Fall Feasts and that a rapture is imminent at the blowing of the seventh and "last" trumpet of Rosh Hashanah. 

“The REST of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not REPENT of the WORKS of their HANDS so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not REPENT of their MURDERS, nor of their WITCHCRAFT, nor of their SEXUAL IMMORALITY, nor of their THEFTS.” Revelation 9:20-21

Unbelievers who are not killed by the events of the trumpets still refuse to repent. They show no remorse or indication of a change of mind and heart. They continue to practice idolatry by worshiping demons and manmade idols of gold, silver, bronze and wood. In the Bible, an idol is anything worshipped or given ultimate devotion instead of the one true God, ranging from physical statues (like golden calves) to abstract concepts like money, technology, power, or personal desires (such as promiscuity or gluttony) that replace God in one's heart. Also in the Bible, witchcraft (or sorcery, often from the Greek pharmakeia) refers to practices like divination  (an attempt to gain secret knowledge or power from sources other than God), necromancy (contacting the dead), astrology, and using mind-altering drugs or alcohol. 

Whether in the literal sense of bowing to statues, or the symbolic sense of emphasizing wealth and pleasure above God, idolatry is among the most dangerous and most often condemned sins in Scripture. The plague against the unbeliever is to try and position them on the right side of GOD, but their chances of a rapture are now over. The books will stay open until Yom Kippur and those left on earth will have 10 months to repent before the books are permanently closed.