Overview of the Seals, Trumpets, Bowls
I. THE 3 NUMBERED JUDGMENT SERIES: 7 SEALS, 7 TRUMPETS AND 7 BOWLS
A. The 3 numbered judgment series are the 3 sets of God’s judgments that are numbered in the Book of Revelation i.e.,
7 Seals (Rev. 6), 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8-9), 7 Bowls of wrath (Rev. 15-16).
B. They describe 21 judgments that will be released against the Antichrist’s empire in the Great Tribulation (3½ years)
by Jesus in partnership with the prayer movement at the same time that the greatest revival in history is occurring. These
21 judgments will each be great historic events.
C. These 21 judgments are part of the Father’s commitment to reveal Jesus’ beauty to His people. The Book of
Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus and therefore, is not an optional subject.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place…
(Rev. 1:1)
D. The Book of Revelation is first about Jesus and His leadership in preparing the nations to receive God’s glory.
It is secondarily a book about End-Time events. If we read the Book of Revelation right, it causes us to adore Jesus.
Teaching on the End-Times is teaching on Jesus’ beauty.
II. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S 3 NUMBERED JUDGMENT SERIES (REV. 6-16)
A. The 3 judgment series are literal events that must not be explained away symbolically or historically. Our method of
interpretation is the plain, literal, common sense approach. The events and numbers in the Book of Revelation are to
be understood in their plain meaning unless they are specifically indicated as symbolic as in Rev. 1:20; 5:6; 11:8;
12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9.
B. The 3 judgment series are understandable. Don’t be intimidated by Revelation. Many are told that it is too difficult
to understand because of the symbols (which are clearly interpreted by Scripture). Revelation was written to be
understood by the illiterate peasants of history.
C. The 3 judgment series are future in terms of their greatest time of fulfillment. Each of the prophetic details will
be fulfilled in the future. They have not been totally fulfilled in history. The principle of judgment: God will use the least
severe means to reach the greatest number of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free will.
D. Three wrong views of these judgments include: The Preterists view sees most of Revelation as having been
fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of Rome (in the first three centuries after Jesus’ death). The
Historicists view interprets Revelation as a progressive unfolding of Church history. Therefore, they usually view
these prophecies as being mostly fulfilled in history yet partly fulfilled in the generation that the Lord returns. The
Idealists view does not see a special End-Time application of the Book of Revelation. They interpret it as a symbolic
picture of the spiritual conflict between good and evil occurring throughout history.
E. The 3 judgment series are offensive without the Holy Spirit’s help. The Book of Revelation is the most offensive
document in history. It is a politically incorrect book. We must not yield to the pressure to explain it away symbolically or
as being totally fulfilled in history. Its message disrupts my future plans, hurts my reputation as I stand for its unpopular
truths and demands my time in requiring diligent study to understand.
F. The 3 judgment series are redemptive in hindering the Antichrist’s empire from spreading evil and persecuting
the saints as they lead many to cry out to Jesus for salvation.
9 God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus (1 Thes. 5:9)
G. They are numbered or released one after the other in a chronological sequence that we might know the order
in which they unfold on earth. For example, the First Seal is followed by the Second Seal which in turns leads to the
third and so on.
H. The 3 judgment series are relevant to the Church who will be on earth releasing them in prayer.
I. The 3 judgment series are progressive in that they increase in intensity as each series is released. The 7 seals
judgment events are surpassed in severity by the 7 trumpets judgments which are surpassed by the 7 bowls of wrath.
For example, 1/4 of the human race dies in the Fourth Seal (Rev. 6:8) yet at a later time this increases to 1/3 dying in
the Sixth Trumpet (Rev. 9:15). Then the Bowls release the fullness of judgment.
1. The Seals alert us of something important to come. They are preparatory in being analogous to the wrapping on a gift
that is removed to receive the contents inside the package. The wrapping anticipates that which is mysterious. The nature
of a seal is to keep private something that is anticipated i.e., the contents of the scroll. The 7 Seals around the scroll must
be broken to open the scroll to release the mysterious contents inside. The seals alert us to something important that is
yet to come. The contents inside of a scroll are always much more important than the seals that secure its privacy.
2. The Trumpets warn us of something more severe to follow. They speak of impending disaster that requires
extreme, desperate emergency actions.
3. The Bowls declare that which is poured out in fullness without delay or hindrance.
J. Each series has 7 events structured in a similar way being divided into 3 parts with the first 4 events belonging
together, the next 2 being clearly grouped together and then the final one stands alone. For example, the four horsemen
form a group of 4 seals and are distinct from the remaining 3 seals. In the same way the first 4 trumpets and bowls are
distinct from the remaining 3 trumpets and bowls. As this structure is understood, we receive more insight into the
judgment events. The gap between the judgment events decreases as does the duration of the judgments. The Seals
cover years (possibly 2 -2½ years), the Trumpets months (possibly 12-18 months) and the Bowls 30 days (Rev. 11:3;
12:6; 13:5; Dan. 12:11).
III. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF UNDERSTANDING THESE JUDGMENT EVENTS
A. God gave us four chapters of strategic information in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 6; 8-9; 16) about the most
severe crisis in history. This information concerns the personal welfare of our families, friends and cities. In other words,
this information is an issue of life or death.
B. God gives us significant information about 21 crisis events coming in the future. The judgments are numbered so
we may know their chronological order. The purpose of the weather service is to gather information to prepare the people
for a soon coming tsunami or hurricane, etc. Imagine if the people had information about the crisis of Sept. 11, 2001
ahead of time.
C. As the leaders of a nation are held responsible for the consequences of ignoring information of a coming crisis,
so the Body of Christ is responsible to act on this information (Ezek. 33:1-9). This info is often trivialized by approaching
it with curiosity as merely an interesting riddle to solve (theological showmanship). Others simply ignore it as being
irrelevant.
IV. PURPOSE OF THE 3 JUDGMENT SERIES: BENEFITS OF UNDERSTANDING THEM
A. The purpose is to glorify Jesus by releasing His power, exposing evil, and removing all that hinders love thus
creating the optimum setting for the following:
1. To make known the fame of Jesus’ Name (Isa. 45:22-25; Phil. 2:9-11)
2. To release the Harvest (including Israel) – allow eternity to bear down on heart
3. To purify the Church – remove what hinders love in the Church
4. To allow evil to be fully manifest – to openly manifest man’s heart
5. To release God’s power – against increased hardness of heart (Pharaoh)
6. To vindicate the righteous – who cry out to God with loyal hearts of love
7. To cleanse creation – removing the old to prepare for the new (Zech. 13:1-6; 2 Pet. 3:10)
B. The benefits of knowing the three numbered judgment series
1. Glorify Jesus: by cooperating with God’s power against the Antichrist (Ex. 9:21-21; Rom. 9:17, 22)
2. Prophetic Church: to know God’s plan so as to prophesy what is next in the End-Time drama
3. Harvest: providing us with ‘apologetics for unbelievers’ as we know the precise order of crisis events
4. Energizes prayer: provides prophetic insight to direct and energize the prayer movement (Dan. 9:2-3)
5. Confidence in God’s love: as many are filled with fear we will have confidence in God’s protection
6. Confidence in Retribution: to manifest judgment on evil men and to destroy the Antichrist’s resources
7. Discredit the Antichrist: showing the inadequacy of his leadership in being unable to solve the crisis
V. THE SEVEN SEALS (REV. 6:1-17; 8:1)
A. The purpose of all 7 seals is to release God’s End-Time judgments on the earth. However, there is a special recognizable
relationship of the first four seals to each other. They each have an essential likeness in releasing God’s judgment on the
human race in an indirect way through man’s unrestrained sin that results in violence (physical, social, political, financial,
spiritual).
B. The points of similarity between the first 4 horsemen and their distinction from the remaining 3 are clear to see in
the same way as the first 4 trumpets and bowls are distinct from the remaining 3. The first 4 seals have other common
characteristics i.e., a horse with a distinct color (white, red, black, pale) with a rider released by a prophetic decree of
one of the living creatures. These 4 horses here are parallel in color to the horses (red, black, white, dappled) seen
by Zechariah (Zech. 1:8-11; 6:1-8). Divine authorization (“was given”) is used of 3 horsemen (Rev. 6:2, 4, 8).
C. The seven seals are released by Jesus not the Antichrist (Rev. 5:5; 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1).
1 I saw when the Lamb (Jesus) opened one of the seals.... (Rev. 6:1)
D. First seal (White horse): Antichrist's political/military aggression (Rev. 6:2)
2 Behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and
to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
E. Second seal (Red horse): Bloodshed and the final World War (Rev. 6:3-4)
4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. It was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people
should kill one another… (Rev. 6:4)
F. Third seal (Black horse): Famine and economic crisis (Rev. 6:5-6)
5 A black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales…6 I heard a voice...saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius,
and three quarts of barley for a denarius…." (Rev. 6:5-6)
G. Fourth seal (Pale horse): Disease and death to 1/4 of the earth’s people (Rev. 6:7-8)
8 Behold, a pale horse. The name of him who sat on it was Death...power was given to them over a fourth of the earth,
to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by beasts. (Rev. 6:8)
H. Fifth seal (Prayer movement): Spiritual atmosphere – releasing God's judgment (Rev. 6:9-11)
9 I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God...10 they cried... saying, "How long,
O Lord…until You judge and avenge our blood…?" (Rev. 6:9-10)
I. Sixth seal (Cosmic disturbances): Natural atmosphere – cosmic crisis (Rev. 6:12-17)
12 Behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black...and the moon became like blood. 13 The stars...fell
to the earth...14 The sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up…15 The kings of the earth...16 said...hide us from the
face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 The great day of His wrath has come…
(Rev. 6:12-17)
J. Seventh seal (Anointed Prayer): Heavenly atmosphere - an angel is given divine incense that releases a great
anointing on the End-Time prayer movement (Rev. 8:3-4) which then causes God’s fire to be cast to earth (Rev. 8:5)
and contributes in releasing the 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8:6)
1 When He (Jesus) opened the 7th seal…3 Then another angel…was given much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all the saints…4 The prayers of the saints ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 The angel
took the censer, filled it with fire…and threw it to the earth. 6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared
to sound. (Rev. 8:1-6)
VI. SEVEN TRUMPETS (REV. 8:2-9:21; 11:14-19).
A. They are supernatural acts of God through nature (first four trumpets, Rev. 8:7-12) and demons (fifth and sixth
trumpet) to destroy the Antichrist’s resources. They are not merely natural or historical acts portrayed in symbolic
language. They are sent as supernatural answers to the prayers of the saints on their persecutors.
B. The saints are not the objects of the trumpet judgments (Rev. 9:4; 7:1-4). They have a 3-fold purpose: judgment
on the Antichrist’s empire, to warn the lost to receive salvation and to signal the certain coming victory for God’s people
in the holy war (like the trumpets did for Joshua).
C. The first 4 Trumpets release God’s judgment on nature with indirect judgment on the natural resources and safety
of the Antichrist’s worshippers (Rev. 8:7-12). Each Trumpet judgment focuses on a different area of life, i.e., food
(vegetation, meat, fish), sea trade, water supply and the environment: light and heat (sun, moon, stars). The last 2
Trumpets release demons in the spirit to touch people in the Antichrist’s kingdom in a direct way to torment and then
kill them.
D. The trumpet judgments will display the Antichrist as inferior to Jesus. God will frustrate his plan by the trumpet
judgments in hindering his economic and military controls and plans. The ten plagues of Egypt (Exod 7–12) are prophetic
types foreshadowing End-Time plagues seen in the trumpets and bowls of wrath that have escalated to the whole world
instead of just Egypt.
E. The limitation of the trumpets to a 1/3 partial judgment gives opportunity for repentance (1/3 is used 14 times in
Rev. 8:2–9:21 (Rev. 8:7[2x], 9[3x], 10, 11, 12[5x]; 9:15, 18).
F. First Trumpet (Food Supply): Burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
7 Hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth…1/3 of the trees were burned up, and all
green grass was burned up. (Rev. 8:7)
G. Second Trumpet (Food Supply): Destroying 1/3 of the earth’s seas with blood (Rev. 8:8-9)
8 Something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and 1/3 of the sea became blood. 9 And
1/3 of the living creatures (fish) in the sea died, and 1/3 of the ships were destroyed. (Rev. 8:8-9)
H. Third Trumpet (Water Supply): Poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
10 A great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch...it fell on 1/3 of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11…and
1/3 of the waters became wormwood (bitter), and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. (Rev. 8:10-11)
I. Fourth Trumpet (Light, Energy): Darkening 1/3 of earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
12 And 1/3 of the sun was struck, 1/3 of the moon, and 1/3 of the stars, so that 1/3 of them were darkened. (Rev. 8:12)
J. Fifth Trumpet (Torment): Releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
1 I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the
bottomless pit...3 Out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth...to them was given power...4 They were commanded
not to harm ...any green thing...but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they
were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. 6 In those days men will seek death and will
not find it...7 The shape of the locusts was like horses...on their heads were crowns...their faces were like...men...
10...tails like scorpions...11 They had as king...the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name Abaddon (Hebrew),
Apollyon (Greek). (Rev. 9:1-11)
K. Sixth Trumpet (Death): Releasing demonic horseman to kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
13 I heard a voice...14... "Release the 4 angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 The 4 angels, who had been
prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of...the
horsemen was 200 million; 17 I saw the horses...out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone...18 By these three
plagues 1/3 of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone... (Rev. 9:13-18)
L. Seventh Trumpet (Defeat): Beginning Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19). The Rapture occurs
at the 7th and Last Trumpet and thus begins the Second Coming procession in the sky. His Kingdom will replace all
other kingdoms on earth and their leadership as He shakes all nations (Heb. 12:26) by soon releasing the 7 Bowls of
wrath (Rev. 15-16).
15 The seventh angel sounded…loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms
of our Lord…" (24 elders) saying: "…You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and
Your wrath has come…" (Rev. 11:15-18)
M. At the last trumpet, Jesus will raise all the saints and give them a resurrected body.
51 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment…at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible... (1 Cor. 15:51-52)
VII. THE SECOND COMING PROCESSION: 3 STAGES (30 DAYS)
A. Jesus’ coming is in context to a “physical” military conflict around Jerusalem. He will come to win the Battle of Jerusalem
which ends the Armageddon Campaign (which lasts for 3½ years).
B. The Second Coming Procession involves a 3 stage process including many events occurring over a 30 day period
which can be seen by comparing the 1,260 day (3½ year) time frame in Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 7:25; 9:27;
12:7 with the 1,290 days of Dan. 12:11.
Stage #1: Jesus’ procession across the sky: to rapture the Church (Mt. 24:30-31; Rev. 1:7)
Stage #2: Jesus’ procession on the land: traveling from Egypt through Jordan (Isa. 63; Hab. 3)
Stage #3: Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem: to the Mount of Olives followed by His coronation
C. This Procession begins in the sky at the 7th Trumpet (Rev. 11:15; 1 Cor. 15:52) with the Rapture and ends on
the earth after the 7th Bowl to end the Armageddon campaign with an astonishing victory over the armies of the Antichrist
at Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 12:1-13:6; 14:1-9).
D. Jesus will be seen by every person (believers and unbelievers), from all the tribes of the earth. This requires a
“global procession” over every inhabited place on earth. This procession will be believable enough (for those not
raptured) to have a very deep emotional response of mourning.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him...and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him...
(Rev. 1:7)
E. After His coming, Jesus will eventually come to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4-5). However, I do not believe this
is His first point of contact with the earth. In my opinion, Jesus will descend to Mt. Sinai in Egypt, also called Mt. Horeb.
Scripture refers to it as The Mountain of God (Ex. 3:1; 4:27; 18:5; 24:13; 1 Kgs. 19:7-8). From Mt. Sinai, Jesus will march
through parts of Egypt then through the wilderness then Jordan (Edom) then He will enter Jerusalem (Mount of Olives).
F. In Acts 3:22, Peter identified Jesus as being the “prophet like Moses” who was to come to Israel (Deut. 18:15-18).
In what sense is Jesus to be understood as like Moses? In the sense that Jesus will deliver Israel from Egypt starting at
Mt. Sinai like Moses (burning bush; Ex. 3) then going through parts of Egypt to manifest power in delivering Jewish
captives (Exod 7-12) only to return again to Mt. Sinai with Israelites to dedicate themselves to God in covenant (Ex. 19).
G. Jesus will come as the “Greater Moses” who will release the 7 Bowls of wrath (Rev. 16), which are similar to
Moses releasing the 10 plagues of Egypt. The miracles seen in Egypt will occur in the End-Times (Mic. 7:15; Isa.
10:22-25; 11:12-16; 30:30; Jer. 16:14-15; 23:7-8; Ezek. 38:22; Joel 2:30). Jesus will enter Egypt as a savior
(Isa. 19:19-25).
H. The bowls will destroy the resources of the armies of the Antichrist as they are poured out over a 30 day
period as Jesus marches up through Jordan to fight the final battle in the Armageddon campaign in Jerusalem and
to rescue the unsaved remnant of Israel (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:1-5).
I. Jesus will march through Egypt delivering the captives of Israel called the outcast ones (Isa. 11:11-16; 40:10-11;
42:7, 22; 49:9, 24-25; Hos. 11:10-11; Zech. 10:10; 14:2; Isa. Ps. 102:20).
J. Jesus’ procession on the land continues through Jordan (Assyria/Edom). Jesus will march through the city of
Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) and Teman killing His enemies on His way to Jerusalem. Their blood will be sprinkled on
His robes (Isa. 34:5-10; 63:1-6; Hab. 3:3-18; Zech. 9:14; Ps. 110:5-6; Deut. 33:2; Num. 24:17-19; Rev. 19:11-16).
K. The final stage of the Second Coming Procession brings us to the high point of world history. Jesus makes His
procession into Jerusalem going to the Mount of Olives then unto coronation on His Throne in the Temple (Ps. 24:7-10;
Zech. 14:4; Jer. 3:17; Zech. 6:12; Ezek. 43:7).
VIII. SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH (REV. 15-16)
A. First Bowl (Sores): Painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist (Rev. 16:2)
2 Poured out his bowl...a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who
worshiped his image. (Rev. 16:2)
B. Second Bowl (Food Supply): Destroying the sea with blood and killing all in it (Rev. 16:3)
3 Poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. (Rev. 16:3)
C. Third Bowl (Water Supply): Poisoning the earth’s fresh water with blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
4 Poured out...on rivers and springs of water and they became blood. (Rev. 16:4)
D. Fourth Bowl (Torment): Scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
8 Poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great
heat... (Rev. 16:8-9)
E. Fifth Bowl (Destruction): Darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
10 Poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their
tongues because of the pain. (Rev. 16:10)
F. Sixth Bowl (Global Guilt): Deceiving the nations to come to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16). Global eschatological
blasphemy against the Spirit occurs as demons lure the nations to come to Jerusalem to fight with Jesus in the final battle
of the Armageddon Campaign. They come under a strong delusion in receiving “The Lie” (2 Thes. 2:11) and thus,
blaspheming the Spirit.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from
the East might be prepared. 13 I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), out of
the mouth of the beast (Antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons, performing
signs, which go out to the kings of the earth…to gather them to the Battle of that great day of God Almighty…16 They
gathered them together to…Armageddon. (Rev. 16:12-16)
G. Seventh Bowl (Annihilation): Shaking by earthquakes and 100 lbs. hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21). The bowl releases
the worst earthquake in history that shakes the cities of the nations with particular focus on the two great cities in
Revelation (Jerusalem and Babylon, 11:8; 14:8; 17:18).
17 Poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice... from the Throne, saying, "It is done!" 18...there was a great
earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great
city (Jerusalem) was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before
God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains
were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent (100 pounds).
Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. (Rev. 16:17-21)
IX. SUMMARY: KEY JUDGMENT EVENTS AGAINST THE ANTICHRIST’S EMPIRE
A. THE SEVEN SEALS (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1)
First Seal (White Horse): Antichrist's political aggression (Rev. 6:1-2)
Second Seal (Red Horse): bloodshed and World War (Rev. 6:3-4)
Third Seal (Black Horse): famine and economic crisis (Rev. 6:5-6)
Fourth Seal (Pale Horse): disease and death to 1/4 of the earth (Rev. 6:7-8)
Fifth Seal (Prayer Movement): spiritual atmosphere – releasing God's judgment (Rev. 6:9-11)
Sixth Seal (Cosmic Disturbances): natural atmosphere – cosmic crisis (Rev. 6:12-17)
Seventh Seal (Anointed Prayer): heavenly atmosphere –an angel is given divine incense to enhance the End-Time prayer
movement that contributes in releasing the 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8-9)
B. SEVEN TRUMPETS (Rev. 8:2-9:21; 11:14-19)
First Trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second Trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the earth’s seas (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third Trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth Trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth Trumpet (Torment): releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth Trumpet (Death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Seventh Trumpet (Defeat): beginning Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19).
The Rapture occurs at the 7th trumpet and thus begins the Second Coming procession in the sky.
C. SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH (Rev. 15-16) i.e., plagues in Egypt (Exod 7-12)
First Bowl (Sores): painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist (Rev. 16:1-2)
Second Bowl (Food Supply): destroying the sea with blood and killing all in it (Rev. 16:3)
Third Bowl (Water Supply): poisoning the earth’s fresh water with blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
Fourth Bowl (Torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
Fifth Bowl (Destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
Sixth Bowl (Global Guilt): deceiving the nations to come to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16)
Seventh Bowl (Annihilation): shaking by earthquakes and hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21)
X. THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH OCCUR IN THE FINAL 30 DAYS OF THIS AGE
A. The 30 day period is clearly seen by comparing the 1,260 day (3½ year) time frame in Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5;
Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 12:7 with the 1,290 days of Dan. 12:11. The events of Rev. 16:12-14 occur in the final 30 day period
that Daniel prophesied of as coming immediately after the end of the 3½ year period that Jesus called the “tribulation
of that those days.”
21 Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time…
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days (1,260 days or 3½ years) the sun will be darkened, and the moon
will not give its light…30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear…and they will see the Son of Man coming on the
clouds… (Mt. 24:21-30)
B. The first event to occur on the day after Daniel’s 70th week is complete will be the death of the Two Witnesses who
prophesied with great power for the 1,260 days of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:3-6). The next event is the sounding of
the seventh trumpet
1 There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was…7 The man (angel)…swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall
be for a time, times, and half a time (1,260 days or 3½ years); and when the power of the holy people has been
completely shattered, all these things shall be finished…11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and
the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one 1,290 days. (Dan. 12:1, 7, 11)
C. The literal chronological sequence of the Book of Revelation clearly shows that the death of the two witnesses
occurs on the first day after Daniel’s 70th week ends or after the 1,260 days of their prophesying. Some believe the
bowls must be completed by the end of the seventieth week, Scripture clearly teaches of additional 30 days
D. There are 8 Scriptures and 4 different phrases that describe the final 3½ years before Jesus’ return. Different
terminology is used so that the meaning is clear and that no one would be able to dismiss this significant prophetic time
frame as symbolic. This time period is referred twice as “1260 days” (Rev. 11:3; 12:6); twice as “42 months” (Rev. 11:2;
13:5); three times as "time, times and half a time” (Rev. 12:14; Dan. 7:25; 12:7); and once as “the middle of the week”
(Dan. 9:27; a Hebrew week was a 7 year period, thus, the middle of it speaks of 3½ years).
E. Compare these following passages to see the different terminology used to describe the Antichrist’s oppress of the
Church and Israel for 3½ years. For example, the Antichrist will be given authority to continue against Israel and the
Church for 42 months. (Rev. 13:5). The Gentiles under the Antichrist’s leadership will oppress Jerusalem for 42 months
(Rev. 11:2).
1. The Two Witnesses prophesy in Jerusalem for 1260 days (Rev. 11:3). The remnant of Israel will be hidden from
the Antichrist in the wilderness for 1260 days (Rev. 12:6) which is also described as time, times and half a time
(Rev. 12:14).
2. The Antichrist will be given authority to continue against the saints for time, times and half a time or 3½ years
(Dan. 7:25). Israel’s strength will be completely shattered after 3½ years or time, times and half a time (Dan. 12:7). The
term “time” refers to 1 year, and “times” refers to 2 years and “half a time” speaks of ½ of a year.
F. After 3½ years of “Great Trouble” the nations see the sign of the Son of Man in the sky (Mt. 24:29-31).
Immediately after this, the Antichrist’s focus will change from persecuting Israel and the Church to rallying the nations
to make war against Jesus (Rev. 17:14; 19:11, 19).
G. Jesus’ sign in the sky will be understood as an open challenge to the Antichrist and all nations to come to war
(Joel 3:2, 9-14). During the 30 days immediately after the Great Tribulation the Antichrist will be focused on seducing
the kings of the East and all nations to come to Jerusalem. This is when Jesus as the “greater Moses” marches to
Jerusalem releasing the 7 bowls of wrath.
19 I saw the beast (Antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him
who sat on the horse and against His army. (Rev. 19:19)