Seventh Seal is a prelude to the seven trumpets

Seventh Seal: Prelude to the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:1-6)

The trumpets announce severe judgment in response to the prayers of the saints. Trumpets are a warning signal and a call for mankind to repent of their sins. The plagues released by the blowing of the trumpets are similar to the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:17-21; 9:21-25; 10:21-23).

The first four affect the natural world and the last three affect the unsaved. Some people believe these calamities are symbolic and not literal. They are seen as repetitive throughout history and intensifying as the age closes.

Revelation 8:1 says before the trumpets there is “silence in Heaven for about half an hour.”

Some say the silence is because they know something big is about to happen. The Bible does not say why there is silence.

First trumpet: (Revelation 8:7) Vegetation struck ee" a third of the trees were burned and all green grass was burned.

Second trumpet: (Revelation 8:8-9) The sea struck ee" a third of the living creatures in the sea died and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Third trumpet: (Revelation 8:10-11) The waters struck _ a third of the waters became wormwood and many men died from the water because it was made bitter.

Fourth trumpet: (Revelation 8) The heavens struck ee" a third of the sun, a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck (so that a third of them were darkened).

In recent years, Bible-believing Christians have been accused of not being ecologically minded. The Bible clearly teaches people are to be good stewards over the earth and natural resources. Christians believe in taking care of the environment and stopping pollution. This ecological mandate originated in the Garden of Eden at the beginning of creation. The Bible also teachers we must not worship nature and the environment, but God alone. In addition, even though many try to take care of our present environment for the sake of their children, a day is coming when this present earth will be destroyed and a new earth established. We are to recognize this present earth is only temporary.