Book of Revelation:  The 7th Trumpet
Scripture: Revelation 11:15-12:6
Date: 05292022
Bible Version: NKJV

The word revelation means ‘the unveiling’.

How Revelation Book is Broken up:
Section 1: The things that you have seen (Chapter 1)
Section 2: The things that are (Chapters 2-3)
Section 3: The things that will take place after this (Chapters 4-22)

Chapter 1: Is the Revelation of the glorified Christ.
Chapters 2-3: We see the entire scope of Church History
Chapters 4-5: We see the Church taken up to Heaven for a seven-year honeymoon.
Chapters 6-19: We see the Tribulation
Chapter 20: We see the Millennium.
Chapters 21-22: We see the new Heaven and the new Earth

BOTTOM LINE: During times of great difficulty, God is our great provider.

Vs. 15

Then the seventh angel sounded - Finally the seventh trumpet sounded.  This trumpet will announce the arrival of Christ’s imminent reign.
There were loud voices in heaven - With the sounding of the seventh trumpet John notes that there were loud voices in heaven.

The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. - These loud voices would declare that Christ will reign forever over this world.

He will not come all the way down to earth in therapture.  He will only do that at the second coming, when he will be accompanied by the saints. —Tony Evans

Vs. 16

The twenty-four elders…fell on their faces and worshiped God - These are the same twenty-four elders that we were introduced to back in Revelation 4:4.  They  got up, left their thrones and fell onto their faces and worshiped God. This is an incredible picture of true, authentic worship.

Vs. 17

Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. - John now explains why these twenty-four elders fell on their faces to worship God.  They did so because God has great power and he reigns.

Never forget that our heavenly Father has great power and He reigns.

Vs. 18

The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come… - The nations were rejoicing when the two witnesses were killed.  Now they are angry. God has provided the nations every opportunity to turn to Him, yet they are angry. They are angry because the most basic core component of sin is the desire to have it your way.

The world wants anything but the reign of God. —David Guzik

These nations (like us) want it their way, not God’s way.

This belligerent attitude will finally cause the nations to unite to fight God at the great battle of Armageddon. —Warren Wiersbe

And should destroy those who destroy the earth. - It is interesting to note that we are called to steward all that God has given us, even creation.

How ironic that these people live for the earth and its pleasures, yet at the same time are destroying the very earth that they worship! —Warren Wiersbe

Vs. 19

The temple of God was opened in heaven - The beginning of this chapter referred to the temple on earth, now this chapter will conclude with our attention on the temple in heaven.

The ark of His covenant was seen in His temple - The site of the ark would indicate the presence of God.

Vs. 12:1

A great sign appeared in heaven. - At this point in this book, we will now see the second half of the tribulation unfold through the eyes of the dominant characters.  This will be the first of seven signs that we will see.

A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. - We are told that this woman is a sign. She would be clothed with the sun, and have the moon under her feet. This is not a physical human, this woman represents Israel.

On her head a garland of twelve stars. - The twelve stars represent or symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Seven Signs:
1. The Woman : Representing Israel
2. The Dragon : Representing Satan
3. The Man-Child : Representing Jesus
4. The angel Michael : Head of angelic host
5. Offspring of the woman : Gentiles who come to faith during the tribulation
6. Beast out of the sea : The Antichrist
7. Beast out of the earth : False prophet who promotes the antichrist

Vs. 12:2

Being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth - John indicates that this woman is pregnant and would experience labor pain.  We will see in Rev. 12:5 that this child is Jesus.  The labor pain would describe the historic oppression that Israel faced during the time of Jesus’ birth and His time on earth.

Vs. 12:3

Another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon. - John reveals the second sign to us, a fiery red dragon.  This second character is none other than Satan. The color red is associated with death and this dragon represents his nature and character.

Seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. - The seven heads represent mountains (Rev. 17:9), and the diadems represent kings (Rev. 17:12).  Together, these would represent this dragon’s great power and claim to royal authority.

Never forget that Satan does not have power or authority over God.  He was created and is not the creator.

Vs. 12:4

His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. - This sweeping away of a third of the stars describes how Satan brought one third of the angels (from Heaven) with him. He has taken leadership in a rebellion against God. Satan still has access to heaven but is unable to dethrone Jesus.  His primary focus now is to persecute God’s people.

The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth. - This dragon stood before the woman.  I would add that his posture was a posture of opposition.  The would describe the antagonistic environment Jesus would face during His time on the earth.

To devour her Child as soon as it was born. - During the tribulation, Satan will try to destroy Israel and her child.

If there is no Israel, there can be no triumphant return of Christ  and Satan will rule the earth. —Tony Evans

The world system and Satan have a flaw in their reasoning.  God has already won.

Vs. 12:5

She bore a male Child. - This verse would describe (briefly) Jesus’ time on this earth.  

Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. - This refers to the millennial reign of Christ (as we will see in Revelation Chapter 21).  

Caught up to God and His throne- This would describe how Christ fulfilled His purpose.  Not only did He come to this earth, but he fulfilled His purpose to the point where we see His ascension and exaltation. (Phil 2:5-11).

Vs. 12:6

Then the woman fled into the wilderness. - This illustrates that God will protect the woman during this time.  The dragon will persecute her, but she will be protected by God. It will be during this time that many Jewish people will receive Christ as their savior.

She has a place prepared by God - God will have a place prepared for this woman. This shows the loving nature of our Father.  He carefully planned ahead to take care of her.

Just as God has prepared a place for this woman, He has prepared a place for you.