Chronology and Organizational Structure in the Book of Revelation

You may not understand parts of this page until you read all of it. I doubt that you will have read or heard any of its content any where else. 

I did not receive the following by examining other commentaries. God reveals His truth to me, at times of His choosing, as I pray through scripture. If you wish to break free of the numerous contradictions created by various theologies, I prayerfully suggest that you prayerfully read on. The incompatibility of popular teachings with the actual language of the book is what led me to prayerfully meditate on the book to receive understanding.

Express statements within the book of Revelation, define how it is rigidly organized. As you prayerfully read down the page, you will see.

So, I prayerfully admonish you to pray before you continue.

(Pause for prayer)

Letters, Seals, Trumpets, Thunders, Woes, Bowls and Signs

The book of Revelation contains visions seen by the apostle John when he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (Revelation 1:10). The visions are presented in the form of seven letters, seven seals, seven trumpets, three woes, three signs, seven thunders and seven bowls, generally presented in that order. The trumpets are presented within the seventh seal. The three woes are the last three trumpets. The thunders, signs and bowls are presented within the seventh trumpet. The seven bowls are the third sign. The locations of these visions in the book of Revelation are shown in my outline which is near the middle of this page.

We do not know the content of the seven thunders, since God has chosen not to reveal that to us (Revelation 10:4).

The rapture, Armageddon, the millennial kingdom, the destruction of the great harlot, the great white throne judgement and the New Jerusalem are other visions within those visions.

The visions are snapshots and videos of events, past and future. Past and future from John's perspective in the first century AD. Events may be present in more than one vision, but no single vision contains all events. So, visions display across other visions. Therefore, to see a more complete picture and resolve numerous contradictions created by linear reading, one must overlay one vision over another. Clues are given in the text to show where to attach one vision to another. One such clue is described in the critical section below titled, "The Hub of the Wheel". Linear reading is discussed later in this page.

As one example of one vision overlaying another, the second sign overlays the first six seals. But the end of the second sign, 14:14-20, occurs after the end of the sixth seal. A second example is that the trumpet and bowl judgements overlay each other. For a third example, the trumpet and bowl judgements partially overlay the seals. These two series of judgements begin in the sixth seal, 6:12-17, as promised in 6:9-11, the promise being that judgment will begin after a certain number of martyrs have died for the word of God. On reading 6:12-17, it is obvious that judgement is occurring in that passage. Also, the afflictions on the sun, moon and stars (6:12-13) correlate with the sun, moon and stars being the object of wrath in the fourth trumpet judgement (8:12). And the movement of every mountain and island in 6:14 correlates with the seventh bowl judgement on every mountain and island in verse 20 of 16:17-20. So, it is clear that the trumpet and bowl judgements partially overlay the seals.

As I said before, the visions are snapshots and videos of events which, from the apostle John's perspective, include both past and future events.  

The following visions are snapshots:  

• seven letters 
• first sign 

The following visions are videos:

• seven seals
• seven trumpets
• three woes
• second sign
• third sign
• seven bowls

Please observe the abundance of sevens and threes.

Regime Change

The book of Revelation is about regime change for the entire world. WHEN HE COMES, He will rip the rule of the earth out of Satan's hands and establish the rule of Christ forever. The regime change visions are organized in sevens and threes: Seven trumpets, seven bowls and seven thunders in the seventh seal. Three sevens in the seventh of seven. The book of Revelation includes the same pattern as the battle of Jericho. The battle of Jericho also had three sevens in the seventh of seven. In the battle of Jericho there were seven priests, seven trumpets and seven marches around Jericho on the seventh day.  Three sevens in the seventh of seven. This will be explained in greater detail at the bottom of this page in the section titled, "Revelation, Sevens and the Battle of Jericho".  The battle of Jericho was about regime change in the promised land.  The book of Revelation is about regime change for the entire world!

Seven Year Tribulation

Many periods of tribulation are presented in the book of Revelation. They add up to much more than seven years. Do they take place sequentially or concurrently? Are they in our future or in our past? Near the bottom of this page I will assimilate the various time periods presented in the book of Revelation to reveal how the length of the great tribulation is determined.

Summary

The visions are snapshots and videos of events which, from the apostle John's perspective, include both past and future events. Some visions partially or completely overlay other visions and there are visions within visions... and the general structure of the visions is patterned after the regime change in the battle of Jericho.

You will experience confusion if you attempt to assimilate the visions. In my experience, confusion is removed over time by the Holy Spirit through prayer, meditation and suffering. For me, this has been occurring for over half a century. If God had intended to provide a clear time table of the future He would have done so. But He didn't. We live by faith. James 1:2-4 reveals that suffering brings about endurance and perseverance... in other words, suffering brings about faith that does not fail. Suffering brings about faith that knows no fear, if we "let" it (V 4). So, suffering results in greater faith. And greater faith results in greater understanding of the words of Jesus (Matthew 16:6-9). Click here to learn more about this.

Confusion

Confusion occurs when we read a scripture which contradicts our beliefs.  When that occurs, do this: With regard to your belief which contradicts the scripture, ask, "Where does it say that?" What scripture proves your doctrine which is in contradiction to the scripture? Ask your pastor or seminary professor. Look in a commentary. When asking the question, "Where does it say that?", I have been shocked at the absence of convincing scriptural proof for much of what I have been taught. In that case, I have set aside what I was taught and accepted the clear meaning of the scripture. I suggest that you do the same. Click here to learn how to understand scripture. Click here to learn how to read scripture. As I wrote this book, I have endeavored to present the scriptural proof for my interpretations. If you don't find the proof you need, click the question link in the very top right corner of any page and ask me for proof. I have prayed for you and all others who read here... to hear the scripture. Please contact me!

How to Identify the Structure of the Book

The book itself tells us how to organize the visions. I will give you two examples:

Example 1) 

In chapter 10, in the section of the sixth trumpet, we are told that "the mystery of God is finished" in the days of the seventh and final trumpet (10:7). Well, it is clear that 11:15 is the beginning of the seventh trumpet because of these words: "the seventh angel sounded". But the book does not expressly state where the sounding of the seventh trumpet ends. So, how do we identify the end of the seventh trumpet? Well, we know that the three signs and seven bowls are presented after chapter 10. And they reveal additional mysteries. So, they must be included in the seventh trumpet, since "the mystery of God is finished" in the days of the seventh and final trumpet.  This corrects the error of some who place all of the content of the signs and bowls chronologically after the trumpets. 

By the way, it is important to know which verses are part of the sounding of the seventh trumpet because prophecy has told us that the rapture occurs in the last trumpet. And the seventh trumpet is the final trumpet. Once we understand which verses represent the sounding of the seventh and final trumpet, we know where to expect the rapture in the book of Revelation. Click here for more on this topic.

Now, lets look at a second example showing that the book of Revelation tells us how to organize the visions.

Example 2)

We know that the seventh bowl continues until 20:15 because of two statements in the book of Revelation. First, the wrath of God is finished in the seven plagues of the seven bowls (15:1,1-7). Second, no one may enter the temple until the seven bowl judgements are finished (15:8). Those two conditions are fulfilled in 20:15. Wrath continues until 20:15. That verse is the last verse of chapter 20. Entrance into the temple does not occur until the next chapter, chapter 21, when "the tabernacle of God is among men" (21:3), when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (21:1-3). Living in the temple of God's presence, in the visual presence of God in the New Jerusalem is described in 21:1-22:5. There is no physical temple in the New Jerusalem because God and Jesus are its temple (21:22). When the seventh bowl judgement is finished in 20:15, we may enter into the visual presence of God, the temple of the New Jerusalem.

So, 20:15 fulfills both conditions, the end of wrath and entrance into the temple. Those two conditions define the end of the seventh bowl judgement.

Linear and Non-Linear Visions

The book of Revelation contains numerous visions revealed to John in the first century... visions of events to take place in his past and his future. The visions are not like chapters in a history book. A history book reveals events chronologically, in a linear fashion. In other words, the order of presentation is also the order of occurrence. But in John's visions, the order of presentation of a series of prophecies is not necessarily the order of fulfillment of the prophecies. The fulfillment of a prophecy presented late in the book may be fulfilled before a prophecy which was presented early in the book. We must prayerfully and tenaciously follow express statements in the text which communicate chronology. The three woes contain clear, chronological language. As I wrote before, some visions overlap other visions. Mysteries prophesied in a vison which occurs late in the book may actually come to pass before mysteries that were prophesied in a vison presented earlier in the book. As you begin reading, you may think that it is revealing the future in a linear fashion... until you read further and become confused.

I suggest that you will read straight through the book of Revelation, while consulting my outline which is presented farther down this page. Let the outline do the work.

The Hub of the Wheel

The hub of the wheel is 14:6-20 in the Second Sign. The second sign takes us through time, from the birth of Christ to Armageddon. Within the second sign, the rapture takes place in 14:14-16. Then the wrath of God takes place in 14:17-20. The seven trumpet and seven bowl judgements are detailed descriptions of the wrath of God which is taking place in 14:6-20. They are like fourteen spokes of a wheel. The prophecies of the trumpets and bowls take place in the hub, 14:6-20.  Believers are present and Christians are martyred prior to the rapture in 12:1 through 14:13, sections presenting the beast, 666. 

How do we know that the trumpets and bowls occur within 14:6-20?

Revelation 7:3-8 tells us that the earth, sea and trees will not be harmed until the 144,000 are sealed. The first and second trumpet prophesy harm to the earth, sea and trees.  So, the trumpet series can not proceed until the 144,000 are sealed. This sealing appears to have occurred within the second sign at 14:1-5. Therefore, the trumpet judgements can not take place until after 14:5. They can begin at 14:6.The sealing of the 144,000 appears after the appearance of the beast (666) in chapter 13 but before the rapture in 14:14-16. 

Trumpets within Trumpets?

In a previous section, I presented my understanding that the second sign is in the seventh of seven trumpets. In the section titled, "The Hub of the Wheel", I presented my understanding, that the seven trumpets occur within the second sign. So, can the seven trumpets be within second sign, when the second sign is in the seventh of seventh trumpets? How can this be?  

Well, the signs can display across the trumpets and even include periods of time preceding the trumpets. God did not present all of the visions in a chronological, linear order. Some visions include the past. Some visions overlap other visions. God did not give us the book of Revelation to show us exactly what will happen in chronological order. No. The purpose of the book is to reveal Jesus (1:1). The very first verse in the book tells us that it is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ". It is a revelation of Jesus as deliverer, judge and executioner... in the context of... the persecution of the offspring of God... by Satan and his offspring. And Matthew 24:44 tells us: 

"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 24:44).

Content and Chronology

In the book of Revelation, prophesy is organized in seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls. Do the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls occur chronologically? In other words, do "the days" prophesied in seal one come before "the days" prophesied in seal two... seal two before seal three and so on? 

Well, we know that "the days" of the sixth trumpet occur before "the days" of  the seventh trumpet. Revelation 10:7 is within the sixth trumpet, the trumpet sounded by the sixth angel. 10:7 says... "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished". Since the mystery is finished in the seventh trumpet, we know that the seventh trumpet is the last trumpet. Since the mystery is finished not in the sixth, but in the seventh trumpet, we know that the mysteries of the seventh trumpet pertain to days after the mysteries of the sixth trumpet. We also see from 10:7 that text in one trumpet may reveal a mystery to occur in another trumpet.

We also know that the days of the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets are chronological because of the chronological language in the three woes, which correlate with the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets. This is explained in a section roughly half way down this page titled, "Three Woes". I will also show that the trumpets and bowls occur as pairs... the first trumpet occurs with the first bowl, the second trumpet occurs with the second bowl, etc. So, the bowls are in chronological order as well.

Are the days of the seals before the days of the trumpets and bowls?

As to the first five seals, yes. The sixth and seventh, no. The first words of the book of Revelation read:

• "This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon... for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:1-3).  

The first five seals are conquering, war, famine, death and martyrdom. Those things have been happening since the book of Revelation was been written. 

By the way, these things did happen "soon" after the book was written and have been happening "soon" for the generation of God for the thousands of years since the prophesy. The generation of God includes those who know God as their Father,  across all centuries, from the beginning through eternity future. The generation of Satan includes all who know Satan as their father, across all centuries, from the beginning through eternity future. This is explained in the chapter titled, "What Does Matthew 24:34 Mean? This Generation Will Not Pass". Click here to read.

As I wrote above, the first five seals appear to occur before the seven trumpets and seven bowls.  The trumpet and bowl judgements begin in the sixth seal, 6:12-17, as promised in 6:9-11, the promise being that judgment will begin after a certain number of martyrs have died for the word of God. The seventh seal presents the seven trumpets and seven bowls.

Do the days of the trumpets occur before the days of the bowls?

In the book of Revelation, the seven seals are presented first, then all seven trumpets are presented followed by a presentation of the seven bowls. In a  cursory reading one might think that the seven bowls all occur after the seven trumpets because that is the order in which they are communicated in the book of Revelation. But a thorough reading reveals that can not be the case for two reasons: content and chronology. 

Content

The primary object of wrath in the first trumpet and first bowl are the same.  The primary object of wrath in the second trumpet and second bowl are the same. The pattern continues for all seven trumpets and bowls. So, the first trumpet and first bowl must be viewed as a pairs, presenting mysteries which occur together. All seven trumpets and bowls must be viewed as pairs. 

Here is the content of each pair according to the object of wrath.

Object of Wrath by Pair:

1st Trumpet and Bowl: Earth

2nd Trumpet and Bowl: Sea

3rd Trumpet and Bowl: Rivers and Springs

4th Trumpet and Bowl: Sun

5th Trumpet and Bowl: Throne of Beast

6th Trumpet and Bowl: Euphrates River

7th Trumpet and Bowl: Air*

*Air refers to that which Satan has power over as Ephesians 2:2 states: 

• "you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience."

When God's wrath is poured out on the air in the seventh bowl (Revelation 16:17), the attack is on Satan's domain, the kingdom of the world. God takes the kingdom of the world away from him and gives it to Christ in the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15).

Here again is the content of each pair according to the object of wrath

1st Trumpet and Bowl: Earth

2nd Trumpet and Bowl: Sea

3rd Trumpet and Bowl: Rivers and Springs

4th Trumpet and Bowl: Sun

5th Trumpet and Bowl: Throne of Beast

6th Trumpet and Bowl: Euphrates River

7th Trumpet and Bowl: Air

The presentation of the bowl judgements make it very clear that the above represents the primary object of God's wrath in the bowl judgements. See the following relevant scriptures presenting the bowl judgements from Revelation 16:1-17:

1 "I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!" 

2 "The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth..."

3 "The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea..."

4 "The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water..."

8 "The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun..."

10 "The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast..."

12 "The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates..."

17 "The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!"' (Revelation 16:1-17)

Here, for a third time is the content of each pair according to the object of wrath

1st Trumpet and Bowl: Earth

2nd Trumpet and Bowl: Sea

3rd Trumpet and Bowl: Rivers and Springs

4th Trumpet and Bowl: Sun

5th Trumpet and Bowl: Throne of Beast

6th Trumpet and Bowl: Euphrates River

7th Trumpet and Bowl: Air

Now I will show that the object of wrath in the seven trumpets are exactly as shown above. See the object of wrath in the seven trumpet judgements from Revelation 8:2-11:19.

8:2 "I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them..."

8:7 "The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burned up..."

8:8 "The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood... "

8:10 "The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters..."

8:12 "The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck..."

9:1 "The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him... 2 smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is "Abaddon", but in Greek, he has the name "Apollyon"..."

Prayerful comment: 

This correlation of the fifth bowl and fifth trumpet is less absolute than the others. But nevertheless, there is some correlation. In the fifth bowl, wrath is poured on the throne of the beast (16:10). The fifth trumpet passage above mentions a king of the abyss and smoke coming out of the abyss. This king could be the beast, since 17:8 tells us that the beast comes out of the abyss. The smoke coming from the abyss in the fifth trumpet could be caused by the wrath being poured on the throne of the beast from the fifth bowl. So, there is a strong connection. And, when considered along with the more clear connections between all other trumpets and bowls, the similarities appear conclusive enough to link the fifth bowl to the fifth trumpet.

9:13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!".....

11:15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord...18 ... your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed" (Revelation 11:15-19)

Prayerful Comment:

In the seventh trumpet, the kingdom of the world is taken from Satan and it becomes the kingdom of Christ. The judgement occurs, saints are rewarded and the temple is opened (New Jerusalem). These are the end of the age. This correlates with the seventh bowl judgement. In the seventh bowl judgement, wrath is poured on the Air, which is Satan's domain. Then a loud voice proclaims "It is done!" (Revelation 16:17). The first six bowl judgements can't come after the seventh trumpet since the kingdom of the world has already been taken from Satan to become the kingdom of Christ in the seventh trumpet. No, the seventh trumpet and seventh bowl occur together... the kingdom of the world is taken from Satan in the seventh trumpet and  wrath is poured on the Air, which is Satan's domain with a loud voice proclaiming "It is done!" in the seventh bowl (Revelation 16:17). The seventh trumpet and bowl occur together.

All seven trumpet judgements correlate with all seven bowl judgements, sequentially. The trumpets and bowls must be seen as pairs. The object of wrath in the first trumpet and the first bowl are the same. The the object of wrath in the second trumpet and the second bowl are the same and so on... for all seven. 

The trumpet judgements are judgements in response to the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:1-6). The bowl judgements complete the wrath of God (Revelation 15:1). So, we have two express statements of scripture, to explain why judgements on each object of wrath are presented twice, presented first in the trumpets and second in the bowls. That is why the trumpets and bowls are presented separately. The objects of wrath which we saw above are earth, sea, rivers and springs, sun and etc. Judgements against a particular object of wrath, in response to the prayers of the saints, are presented as trumpet judgements. Judgements against that same object of wrath, to complete God's wrath against that particular object of wrath, are presented as bowl judgements.

The trumpets and bowls are presented as pairs, depending on the object of wrath. And the first trumpet and bowl pair occur before the second trumpet and bowl pair. The second before the third and so on. They are chronological. More on that in the section titled "Chronology" below. But before that is explained, I must explain, in a little more detail, why the seven trumpets and bowls are presented separately. 

Wrath Divided into Trumpets and Bowls

As I said before, the trumpets are judgements in response to the prayers of the saints. The bowls complete the wrath of God. The introduction to the seven trumpets is in Revelation 8:1-6. 

• "When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, then threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed. 6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound" ( Revelation 8:1-6).

So, the introduction to the seven trumpets reveals this: In verse three, prayers are added to incense on the golden altar before the throne. In verse four, the prayers go up in smoke before God. Then in verse five the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar, and throws it to the earth. This is the wrath of God in response to the prayers of the saints. The martyred saints prayed for judgement for their blood in the fifth seal (Revelation 6:9-11).

The introduction to the seven bowl judgements is in Revelation 15:1-8. 

• "I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished" (Revelation 15:1)

Revelation 15:8-16:1 makes it clear that the seven plagues are the seven bowls. In the seven bowls, the wrath of God is finished. 

The trumpets and bowls are paired judgments. But they are described separately because trumpet judgments are judgments in response to prayers of the Saints for sins against the Saints (6:9-11). But the bowl judgments finish the wrath of God. Since judgement for sins against the saints did not finish the wrath of God, apparently the bowl judgements are for sins against God. 

Chronology

It is impossible for the seven bowls to come after the seven trumpets because the events of the seventh trumpet take place after the event of the sixth bowl. In other words, the sixth bowl clearly occurs before the seventh trumpet, so the interpretation that the seven bowls follow the seven trumpets is incorrect. 

Let me explain in greater detail, from the scriptures. 

In the seventh trumpet, Christ receives the kingdom of the world (11:15), begins to reign (11:17), judges the dead (11:18), rewards the saints (11:18) and destroys those who destroy the earth (11:18). In the sixth bowl (16:12-16) , Jesus said "I am coming."  Well, chapter 16 comes after chapter 11. But the event described in chapter 16 precedes the event described in chapter 11. So, the sixth bowl precedes the seventh trumpet. Jesus says "I am coming" in the sixth bowl and comes in the seventh trumpet.  So, the sixth bowl precedes the seventh trumpet... because the trumpets and bowls occur as consecutive pairs. The first trumpet and first bowl occur together. Then the second trumpet and second bowl occur together and so on.  

Review

The trumpets and bowls are pairs of judgements, occurring together. The mysteries of the first trumpet and first bowl occur, then mysteries of the second trumpet and second bowl occur, and so on, in the same way, for all seven. But there is one additional scripture you must see. This scripture makes it absolutely clear that the seven bowls do not come after the seventh trumpet. It is additional evidence that the trumpets and bowls are to be heard as pairs. 

"but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets" (Revelation 10:7).

The "seventh angel" in 10:7 is the seventh trumpet. Revelation 10:7 is presenting the sixth trumpet and speaks of the seventh trumpet. The bowls are not presented until chapter fifteen. So, Revelation 10:7, revealing the sixth trumpet judgement, says that the mystery is finished in the seventh trumpet. The mystery could not be finished in the seventh trumpet if the seven bowls come after the seventh trumpet. So, even though the seven bowl judgements are presented after the seven trumpet judgements, the seven bowl judgements do not come chronologically after the seven trumpet judgements. The first trumpet and bowl judgements occur together. The second trumpet and bowl judgements occur together and so on. 

Now for another issue of timing. Do the events of the seventh bowl occur after the events of the seventh trumpet? No. They occur together. Revelation 10:7 above said that the mystery is finished "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel". So, the mysteries of the seventh bowl occur with the mysteries of the seventh trumpet, but not necessarily after the mysteries of the seventh trumpet. The mysteries of the seventh bowl occur "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel"... because there is no mystery left after "the days of the voice of the seventh angel". 

Three Woes

The three woes are announced at the end of the fourth trumpet in 8:13. We are told that the three woes will come from the next three trumpet blasts. 

• "I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, 'Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!"' (Revelation 8:13).

So each woe is associated with the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpet blasts, respectively. The first woe is the fifth trumpet, "the first woe is past" (9:12). The second woe is the sixth trumpet, "the second woe is past" (11:14). I will show you these scriptures...

Chronology of Trumpets is Established by the Three Woes

• "¹² The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this. ¹³ And the sixth angel sounded..."  (Revelation 9:12-13).

• "¹⁴ The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly. ¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded" (Revelation 11:14-15).

Verse 9:12 finishes the message of the fifth angel. Verse 9:13 makes this clear. You can see that verse 9:13 is the sounding of the sixth trumpet ("And the sixth angel sounded"). 

Verse 11:14 finishes the message of the sixth angel. Verse 11:15 makes this clear. You can see that verse 11:15 is the sounding of the seventh trumpet ("And the seventh angel sounded"). 

These passages make it clear that the first woe is in the fifth trumpet and the second woe is in the sixth trumpet. They also make it clear that the first woe precedes the second woe chronologically and that the second woe precedes the third woe chronologically. 

The Third Woe

The third woe is the seventh trumpet (11:14)… And also the seventh bowl (18:10,16,19). Revelation 18:10,16,19 are bowl judgments on Babylon. Those passages repeat the phrase "woe, woe". Babylon is also subject to the trumpet judgement in the seventh trumpet (14:8).

According to 8:13, the third woe is brought on by the seventh trumpet. So the blowing of the seventh trumpet brings about the woes of the seventh trumpet and also woes in the seventh bowl. So, the blast of the seventh trumpet brings the seventh trumpet judgment and the seventh bowl judgment. This is additional evidence that the trumpet judgments and bowl judgments are pairs.  

The trumpets and bowls are paired judgments. But they are described separately because trumpet judgments are judgments in response to prayers of the Saints for sins against the Saints (6:9-11). But the bowl judgments finish the wrath of God. Since judgement for sins against the saints did not finish the wrath of God, apparently the bowl judgements are for sins against God. 

Three Signs in Heaven

The three signs in Heaven are revealed in 

• 12:1-2
• 12:3-14:20 
• 15:1-20:15

There is no gap or interlude between the signs. The second begins where the first ends. The third begins where the second ends. 

The first sign is the birth of Christ. 

The second sign is:

• Satan's attempt to kill Christ (12:4), 
• 3.5 years of protective nourishment after the ascension of Christ (12:5), 
• protection of the New Covenant Jerusalem Above (new covenant saints), possibly the period ending with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), 
• Satan's attacks on God's people (12:17), 
• appearances of the resurrected beast (13:1, 17:8) whose name calculates to 666 (fits Nero Caesar), 
• 3.5 years of the beast killing saints (13:5,7,15,16,18), 
• conversion of 144,000 Jews (14:1-5), 
• the spreading of the Gospel (14:6-8), 
• warning (14:9-11), 
• the rapture (14:14-16), 
• reaping of judgement at Armageddon (14:17-20). 

The third sign is the seven bowl judgements. 

So, the first sign is looking backward (from John's viewpoint in the first century) to the birth of Christ. The second sign is like a video beginning with the birth of Christ until Armageddon. 

As one reads about the trumpets from 8:2 through 11:19, one has become accustomed to a chronological presentation. The reader expects this to continue but it doesn't. In 12:1-2 we see a sign "in heaven" of a woman giving birth, the first sign. The next verses reveal that the child is Christ (because He is to rule the nations with a rod of iron and was caught up to God and His throne in the ascension). So, at 12:1-5, the reader sees that signs can picture the past. Immediately it is apparent that the words that follow may not be a step by step revelation of chronological future events coming after the days of the sixth trumpet. The second sign begins at 12:3 and reveals events that were in the past at the time the book of Revelation was written (for example, the birth of Christ). The second sign "in heaven" also reveals other events that, for us, may be in our past, future or both. It continues from the birth of Christ, through 666 to Armageddon (14:20). So, it is like a video starting with the birth of Christ and continuing to events that are in our future. So, the second sign can display across the seven trumpets, even to the birth of Christ which occurred before the seven trumpets.

So, when we see that the third sign "in heaven" (15:1-8) is the seven bowls (16:1), we can be open to the bowls behaving differently in respect to time... different from what we would have expected before we read the first sign. And the bowls do behave differently. The bowls do not come chronologically after the trumpets. They come chronologically along side the trumpets as trumpet and bowl pairs. We know this by their content. We know this by the chronology of the three woes. The pairing of the trumpets and bowls was shown earlier in this page.

Summary: Pairs of Judgements in the Seventh Seal

The trumpets and bowls are pairs of judgements.  The trumpets are judgements of wrath on behalf of the saints, in response to the prayers of persecuted saints, said wrath being against Satan's kingdom for attacks on the saints. The bowls are judgements of God on behalf of God... the completion of the wrath of God. The seven pairs of judgements are included in the seventh SEAL. 

Outline 

Here is my outline of the book of Revelation to reflect the pairs of judgements within the seventh seal along with the other visions. I will provide the scripture reference for each trumpet judgement and corresponding bowl judgment, followed by the primary object of wrath for each pair. TR stands for trumpet. B stands for bowl. Words within this outline in non-black text are links to additional information. Please remember that visions may overlap other visions.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

1) Salutation (1:1-8)

2) Messages to the Seven Churches (1:9–3:22) 

3) John in the Throne Room (Ch 4)

4) Scroll with Seven Seals(Ch 5)

5) Six Seals: Apocalyptic Overview* (Ch 6-7)

6) Seventh Seal: Apocalyptic Detail (8:1-20:15)

7 Paired Judgements: Trumpets and Bowls

Introductions: TR (8:1-6), B(15:1-8)

1st: TR 8:7, B 16:1-2, Earth

2nd: TR 8:8-9, B 16:3, Sea

3rd:  TR 8:10-11, B 16:4-7, Rivers, Springs 

4th:  TR 8:12-13, Bowl 16:8-9, Sun

5th:  TR 9:1-12, B 16:10-11, Beast's Throne

6th:  TR 9:13-11:14**, B 16:12-16, Euphrates

7th:  TR 11:15-22:21***, B 16:17-20:15, Air

Visions within the 6th Trumpet

Release of 4 Demons ^{TR 9:13-21}
7 Hidden Thunders ^{TR 10:1-10}
2 Witnesses ^{TR 10:11-11:14} (3.5 or 7 Yrs)

Visions within the 7th Trumpet and Bowl

TR 7 Overview: Regime Change ^{TR 11:15-19}

B 7 Overview: Completion of Wrath^{B 16:17-21}
War Against Jerusalem Above ^{TR 12:1-17
(Vision spans from the birth of Christ into John's future)}
666 Rules 3.5 Years ^{TR 13:1-14:13. See 13:5,7,18}
2nd Coming, Resurrection to Life, Rapture and Armageddon ^{TR 14:14-20}

Destruction of Great Harlot, 2nd Coming and Armageddon ^{B 17:1-19:21}

Resurrection to Judgement, Final Revolt and Lake of Fire ^{B 20:7-15}

7) New Jerusalem 21:1–22:5 

8) I am coming: blessing and warning 22:6–21 

The three signs are presented within the seventh trumpet. They are: 

• 12:1-2
• 12:3-14:20 
• 15:1-20:15

* The sixth seal (6:12-7:17) appears to be a preview or summary of events in the days of the seventh seal and the New Jerusalem. Remember, the seventh seal contains the seven trumpet and bowl pairs. So, the events previewed in 6:12-7:17 occur in the remainder of the book of Revelation.  Here are some examples: 

• The earthquake previewed in 6:12 occurs in 8:5. 
• The affliction of the Sun previewed in 6:12 occurs in 8:12 and 16:8.
• The day of wrath of previewed in 6:16-17 occurs in 14:19-20 and etc.
• The sealing of the 144,000 on their foreheads previewed in 7:3-4 occurs in 14:1.
• The preview of coming out of the great tribulation (7:14) occurs in 14:13 and in the rapture (14:14-16).
• The preview of the multitude before the throne in 7:9-10,15 occurs in 22:3-4 and possibly in 19:6. Specifically, 7:15 occurs in 22:1-4, especially 3-4. Verse 19:6 may be the fulfillment of 7:9-10.

The sixth seal appears to be a summary of the remainder of the book: Judgement of the wicked. Salvation to believing Jews. Salvation to believing Gentiles. The remainder of the book provides great detail to the summary of the sixth seal.

** The seven thunders are revealed to John in 10:3-4, in the sixth trumpet. But John is instructed to not write them, so they are withheld from us (hidden).

*** The seventh trumpet extends to the end of the book and includes other visions. This is explained in the last paragraphs of the next section titled, "Organizational Rhythm".

Organizational Rhythm

The book quickly and clearly establishes that it is RIGIDLY organized. It is organized in sevens and threes. There are three signs and three woes. After seven messages to seven churches, there are seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls, presented in that order... seals, trumpets and then bowls. Seven thunders are also mentioned but the contents were not revealed. So, the book of Revelation is not a complete revelation!

The three signs are in the seventh trumpet. The third sign is the seven bowls. The three woes are in the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets.

Here is the order of the presentation:

Seven seals are opened (revealed). The seventh seal reveals seven trumpets. The seventh trumpet reveals three signs, the third of which reveals seven bowls. So, 7 in the 3rd of the 7th of 7. There are seven bowls in the third sign of the seventh trumpet, in the seventh seal. The first, second and third woes are revealed in the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets.

God revealed the book in sevens and threes. If you will not see the book as a book of sevens and threes, you will not understand the book. You will not see how it is organized.

Remember this:

There are seven bowls in the third sign of the seventh trumpet, of the seventh seal.  So, 7 in the 3rd of the 7th of 7.

There is simpler way to see the organizational structure: 

Three sevens in the seventh of seven. In the seventh seal are seven trumpets, seven bowls and seven thunders. Three sevens in the seventh of Seven. This is significant because it correlates with the conquest of the city of Jericho. Regime change for the land of Canaan came through three sevens in the seventh of Seven. Regime change for the entire world as presented in the book of Revelation will come through three sevens in the seventh of seven. This will be explained in the section at the bottom of this page titled, "Revelation, Sevens and the Battle of Jericho".

At this point, I will focus on the seals, trumpets and bowls. I will first present the structure within the seals, trumpets and bowls. Then I will present the larger structure connecting the seals, trumpets and bowls.

Structure within Seals, Trumpets and Bowls

The first four trumpets are very short.  The first five seals and bowls, are also very short, establishing a clear rhythm and organizational structure to understand how the material is organized. 

Here is how the material is organized. I will use the seals as an example for all three, since our Lord presents the seals first. Revelation 6:1 tells us that there are seven seals. So, the reader is expecting to hear about seven seals. The description of the first seal is then presented in Revelation 6:1. Next, the description of the second seal is presented. Then the third, fourth and fifth. By the time you have read the first five seals, you realize that the text of the first continues until the second. The text of the second continues until the third. The third continues until the forth. The fourth continues until the fifth. The fifth continues until the sixth. All five are contained in just eleven verses, 6:1-11. If you will read them, you will see that this is very simple and straight forward. 

Why is this relevant? 

The sixth seal, the sixth trumpet, the seventh trumpet and seventh bowl are very long. This creates a problem for some. I will explain the problem by example. There is some content occurring between the beginning of the sixth seal and the beginning of the seventh seal which some commentators think is incompatible as a part of the sixth seal. The location of that text, if it is a part of the sixth seal, may be incompatible with the commentator's theology. Or the commentator may not be able to make sense of that material as a result of being unaware of the paired nature of the trumpets and bowls as explained in the "Content and Chronology" section above. 

But, for what ever reason, and in spite of the rhythm established in the text of the first four or five of each series, that the text of each continues until the next begins, some commentators have treated certain portions in the text of the sixth seal as an "interlude" or parenthesis... as content which they don't consider to be part of the sixth seal, even though it is clearly presented between the beginning of the sixth seal and the beginning of the seventh seal. They do the same with the sixth trumpet. This allows as many various interpretations as the imagination is capable of.

In Revelation 5:1 and 6:1, the text tells us that there are seven seals. So, the reader is expecting to hear about seven seals. We are not told that there are seven seals and something else which is not a seal. 

Then at 6:1 the first seal is broken and the content is read.

At 6:3 the second seal is broken and the content is read.

At 6:5 the third seal is broken and the content is read.

At 6:7 the fourth seal is broken and the content is read.

At 6:9 the fifth seal is broken and the content is read.

At 6:12 the sixth seal is broken and the content is read.

At 8:1 the seventh seal is broken and the content is read.

The sixth seal has three contiguous parts, 6:12-17, 7:1-8 and 7:9-17. The words "after this" in 7:1, at the beginning of part two and "after these things" in 7:9, at the beginning of part three don't indicate that the text to follow is not a part of the sixth seal. To the contrary, the phrases "after this" and "after these things" tie the three parts together. 

I will explain. After part one (6:12-17) it says "after this" (singular). Then after part two (7:1-8) it says "after these things" (plural). Since part two comes after part one it says "after this" at the beginning of part two. The singular case is used because part two follows part one and part one is singular, being one. Since part three (7:9-17) comes after parts one and two, and since parts one, two and three are to be grouped together as the three parts of the sixth seal, it says "after these things" at the beginning of part three. The plural is used because the third part follows two parts (plural), part one and part two. The fact that the plural is used indicates that the three parts are connected, being three parts of the sixth seal.

Since God said that there were seven seals and then proceeded to announce each seal, one by one, in order... second, third, fourth and so on. Who has the right to declare that what was said between the opening of the sixth and the opening of the seventh seal is not a part of the sixth seal?

As explained at the end of the outline above, the sixth seal appears to be a preview or summary of the remainder of the book:

• Judgement of the wicked (6:12-17) 
• Salvation to believing Jews (7:1-8)
• Salvation to believing Gentiles ( 7:9-17)

 The content of all three parts occurs at some point later in the book.

What I have written about the seals applies to the trumpets. God said in 8:1-2 that there were seven trumpets. So, the reader is expecting to hear about seven trumpets. God then proceeds to announce each trumpet, one by one, in order... first, second, third, fourth and so on. Who has the right to declare that the text occurring between the opening of a certain trumpet and the opening of the next trumpet is not a part of that certain trumpet?

What I have written about the seals also applies to the bowls. God said  in 15:1-16:1 that there were seven bowls. So, the reader is expecting to hear about seven bowls. God then proceeds to announce each bowl, one by one, in order... first, second, third, fourth and so on. Who has the right to declare that the text occurring between the opening of a certain bowl and the opening of the next bowl is not a part of that certain bowl?

Structure Connecting the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls

Immediately after the seventh seal is opened in Revelation 8:1, the seven trumpets are introduced in 8:2. So, there is no interlude between the seventh seal and the first trumpet. So, the content progresses directly from the seals to the trumpets, without interruption. With the consistent organization we have seen so far, one would reasonably expect that consistent organization and rhythm to continue. It does. 

At 8:7 the first trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 8:8 the second trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 8:10 the third trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 8:12 the fourth trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 9:1 the fifth trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 9:13 the sixth trumpet sounds and its content is read.

At 8:7 the seventh trumpet sounds and its content is read.

We know that the content of the first trumpet ends with the sounding of the second. The content of the second ends with the sounding of the third and so on until the seventh trumpet. Since there is no eighth trumpet, the end of the seventh trumpet it is not quickly apparent. But Revelation 10:7 tells us that "the mystery of God is finished" in the seventh trumpet. And since mysteries are presented through the very end of the book, the seventh trumpet must take in the remainder of the book. In that way, the three signs, the seven bowls, the New Jerusalem, the blessing and warning are all within the seventh trumpet. 

Revelation 11:15-19 provides a summary of the days of the seventh trumpet: When the kingdom of the world became the kingdom of Christ, regime change. The three signs and seven bowls show how that came to be... so they reveal events and realities prior to and after that regime change. This can be confusing. Although the signs and bowls reveal part of the days of the seventh trumpet, they also reveal days before and after. Signs and bowls may display across the other visions.

So, how can one tell which portion of the signs and bowls are the days of the seventh trumpet? By their content. 

The persecution of God's children by Satan in chapter 12 continues through all seven trumpets. The persecution of God's children by Satan in 13:1-14:13, the rapture in 14:14-16 and Armageddon in 14:17-20 is in the days of the seventh trumpet. The first bowl judgements, 15:1-16:16 align with the first six trumpet judgements and precede the seventh trumpet. The seventh bowl judgement, 16:17-20:15 occurs in the days of the seventh trumpet. The New Jerusalem, 12:1 - 22:21 are in the days of the seventh trumpet.

The seventh trumpet begins in 11:15 and continues through the end of chapter 14. The bowls are then introduced in the very next verse  (15:1). So, the seventh trumpet covers some 3.5 chapters. That may seem long but.. it too is very organized. 

At the risk of making the book complicated beyond comprehension, we should view "the days of the voice of the seventh angel" (the seventh angel being the trumpet) as extending through the end of the book, since 10:7 tells us that "the mystery of God is finished" in the days of that voice. In other words, since all the remaining mysteries are in the seventh trumpet, the seventh trumpet must take in all the remaining mysteries... extending the "days of the voice of the" seventh trumpet to the end of the book. In that way, the three signs, the seven bowls, the New Jerusalem, the blessing and warning are all within the "days of the voice of the" seventh trumpet. 

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is consistent with this: "I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed." So, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised incorruptible. The seventh and last trumpet of the book of Revelation sounds in Revelation 11:15, but rapture is in 14:14-16 and the resurrection to life for saints ("dead will be raised incorruptible") does not occur until Revelation 20:4-5, with the resurrection to judgement in Revelation 20:13-14 as explained in the section titled, "What is the Last Day" which may be read by clicking here. In other words, the last trumpet sounds in 11:15, which, according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, brings on the resurrection to life, but  rapture is mentioned three chapters later and the resurrection to life is mentioned near the end of the book, in 20:13-14. So, "the voice of the seventh" trumpet is still speaking through the end of the book.

The great confusion here is that some of what is spoken after 11:15 contains content of events prior to the seventh trumpet (like the birth of Christ in 12:1-5 and the first six bowls in 16:1-16). Perhaps part of the judgement of the seventh angel is to speak of the past... connecting the dots of the past... while also executing the seventh judgement. I am still praying about this.

Seventh Bowl of Wrath

 Summary

The two conditions, context and access into the temple, as established in 15:1-8, clearly show that the seventh bowl is not finished until Revelation 20:15. Both conditions clearly and directly point to Revelation 20:15 as the end of the seventh bowl.

Seven Year Tribulation?

Much has been written about the seven year tribulation in Daniel's seventieth week in the Old Testament (Daniel 9:24-27). There is a seven year period, divided into two periods, each being three and one half years... written in mystic prophet language as time, times and half a time. The time, times and half a time are thought to mean 3.5 years. In Daniel there are also periods in prophesies that are closely or roughly equal to 3.5 years: 1290 days and 1335 days in Daniel 12:11-12. 

But, according to Luke 21:20-22, the Old Testament writings were fulfilled by the time Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. This appears to include Daniel's 70th week. Click here for more information.

But the book of Revelation also presents periods of time. All but one seems to represent 3.5 years. Here they are, with their location in the book of Revelation and the vision they are presented in:

• 5 Months (9:5, 5th Trumpet)
• 42 Months (11:2, 6th Trumpet)
• 1260 Days (11:3, 6th Trumpet)
• 1260 Days (12:6, 1st Coming)
• Time and Times and Half a Time (12:14, First Coming)
• 42 Months (13:5, 7th Trumpet)

So, we have 5 months in the fifth trumpet, two 3.5 year periods in the sixth trumpet, two 3.5 year periods at the first coming and one 3.5 year period in the seventh trumpet. (Click here, then scroll to the bottom of that page and read the section titled, "Exegesis of Revelation 12" to see why I allocate two of the periods to the first coming of Christ.) 

So, how do we calculate the length of the tribulation?

The two 3.5 year periods in the sixth trumpet could be sequential, resulting in 7 years, or concurrent, resulting in 3.5 years. As far as I can tell, the text doesn't say. So, this period within the sixth trumpet is either 3.5 or 7 years. Then we also have the 3.5 year period in the seventh trumpet and the 5 month period in the fifth trumpet. 

So, we could calculate the time period in two ways:

1) The tribulation period may include 5 months in the fifth trumpet, 3.5 years in the sixth and 3.5 in the seventh for a total of 7.5 years. This calculation assumes that the two 3.5 year periods in the sixth trumpet occur concurrently.

2) The tribulation period could include 5 months in the fifth trumpet, 7 years in the sixth and 3.5 in the seventh for a total of 11 years.  This calculation assumes that the two 3.5 year periods in the sixth trumpet occur sequentially.

I don't see that the text proves one calculation or the other.

But, in either case, tribulation takes place within the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets, the period described in the scriptures as the three woes which you read about above. It does seem appropriate that the period designated as "the three woes", would be the great tribulation. Regime change occurs in the days of the seventh trumpet.

Participants Identified with Sevens

Jesus is seen in John's vision as a Lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes. The seven eyes are the seven Spirits of God (5:6). The great red dragon has seven heads, seven crowns, seven mountains and seven kings (12:3, 13:1, 17:3,7,9,10).  The Great Harlot has seven names:  Great Harlot (17:1), Woman in Purple and Scarlet (17:3,4), Babylon the Great (17:5), The Great City (17:18), Jerusalem (11:8), Sodom (11:8) and Egypt (11:8). She sits on the red dragon which has seven heads.

Participants and Equivalents

Various verses in the book of Revelation expressly state that certain participants are identified with multiple names. The Great Harlot and Jesus are examples from the previous section. So, a particular person may be mentioned in one place by a particular name and in another verse by different name. You may see these equivalents if you will click here... then you may understand who is whom. 

Without knowing who is whom, you can not understand what the book of Revelation is saying. You can't put two and two together. 

Revelation, Sevens and the Battle of Jericho

In the conquest of Jericho, when God gave the promised land to the children of Israel, seven priests blowing seven trumpets marched around Jericho for seven days. In the seventh day they marched around the city seven times, blew their trumpets and... with the shout of all the people of God, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. God tore Jericho and eventually the land of Canaan from the enemies of God and gave it all to His people.  

To summarize, they marched around the city once per day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times. So, we see six, followed by a seventh. And the seventh contained seven. The seventh day actually contained three sevens: Seven priests, seven trumpets and seven marches around the city. So, in the regime change of Jericho, there were three sevens in the seventh of seven. As was presented above, the book of Revelation is organized in the same way: Three sevens in the seventh of seven. The seven trumpets, seven bowls and seven thunders are in the seventh seal. 

The book of Revelation includes the same pattern as the battle of Jericho.  Three sevens in the seventh of seven. The battle of Jericho was about regime change in the promised land. And the book of Revelation is about regime change for the entire world.

WHEN HE COMES, He will rip the rule of the earth out of Satan's hands and establish the rule of Christ forever.  

"The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15).

"He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:1-5)..

How to Use this Information

Keep the structure in mind as you pray through the book of Revelation. Remember how the signs work!

The first sign (12:1-20) is the birth of Christ, looking backward (from John's viewpoint in the first century) to the birth of Christ . The second sign (12:3-14:20) is like a video beginning with the birth of Christ until Armageddon and so it overlays across all seven seals. The third sign (15:1-20:15) is the seven bowl judgements which display across the seven trumpets.

God did not intend to lay out a clear road map. He purposefully withheld the seven thunders from us. Understand your adversary and your place in the struggle. Ask God to multiply your faith 1000 fold and 1000 fold and 1000 fold, again and again and again... so you will have no fear... so you will not be afraid to give your life in testimony.

"They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death" 

(Revelation 12:11). 

Jesus said... 

"Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come." 

(Matthew 24:44)

Click here so you will be ready when He comes... 

Click here to learn how to pray...