Tremors and the Trumpets in the Book of Revelation

Question:

I am sure that you have have been following the news and heard about the phenomenon starting in 2011 until now, of the sounds that some are calling the trumpets from the book of Revelation. Scientists are calling this phenomenon “tremors of the earth”. What do you think about these things? What could this be? Could these be the trumpets of Revelation? From studying Revelation, I understand that there are several important things that must take place before the angels begin to sound the trumpets. Is this true? I would appreciate your help.

As you have said, before the 7 trumpets of Revelation are sounded there are other things that must take place, and specifically, the breaking of the 7 seals. (see Revelation 6-8).

We also have to keep in mind that the book of Revelation was revealed to the Apostle John through signs. The expression “communicated it” in verse 1 of chapter 1 is originally the Greek word “semaino” which directly translated is “sign”.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place ; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, (Revelation 1:1)

This does not mean that we can interpret what is written any way that we desire. We gave a great responsibility when reading and explaining the book of Revelation.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book : if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book ; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22)

All of the symbolism used in the book of Revelation has its interpretation in the context of the Bible. Trumpets were used in the Old Testament to make a public notice or announcement.

1 The LORD spoke further to Moses, saying, 2 “Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out. 3 “When both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 4 “Yet if only one is blown, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall assemble before you. 5 “But when you blow an alarm, the camps that are pitched on the east side shall set out. 6 “When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are pitched on the south side shall set out; an alarm is to be blown for them to set out. 7 “When convening the assembly, however, you shall blow without sounding an alarm. 8 “The priestly sons of Aaron, moreover, shall blow the trumpets ; and this shall be for you a perpetual statute throughout your generations. 9 “When you go to war in your land against the adversary who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the LORD your God, and be saved from your enemies. 10 “Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings ; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the LORD your God.” (Numbers 10)

In the book of Joel, we have this expression “sound the trumpets” used two different times. This first usage is a warning about something dangerous that is coming.

1 Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain ! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming ; Surely it is near, (Joel 2)

The second time the expression is used, it is used as a call to repentance.

15 Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. 17 Let the priests, the LORD’S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God ?’ ” (Joel 2)

Taking what we have learned so far, it seems as if the trumpets mentioned in Revelation 8-11 announce certain events that are about to take place. (there may not necessarily be a sound on the earth because the trumpets are blown in heaven)

After the first trumpet sounds, one third of the earth will be burned (Revelation8:7)

After the second trumpet sounds, one third of the sea becomes blood (this seems to be all of the salty water on the earth, both the seas and the oceans). One third of the creatures which were in the sea died ; and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:8-9)

After the third trumpet sounds, one third of the rivers and on the springs of waters (fresh waters) became bitter and many men died from the water. (Revelation 8:10-11)

After the fourth trumpet sounds, the sun and the moon and the stars will lose one third of their shining power. (Revelation 8:12)

After the fifth trumpet sounds, the people on the earth who are not sealed by God’s mark were to be tormented by locusts who have the power to sting like scorpions. This will take place for 5 months. At that time, people will seek death as a relief but will not be able to find it. (Revelation 9:1-12)

After the sounding of the sixth trumpet, one third of the population on the earth will be killed because of three plagues; fire, smoke, and brimstone (sulfur) (Revelation 9:13-21). The Beast (Anti-Christ: II Thessalonians 2; Daniel 7; 9:24-27; 11:36-45) murders the 2 witnesses who will testify for three and one half years in Jerusalem.

After the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the wrath of God is announced. The Beast sits in God’s Temple and declares himself to be God. People are forced to receive the mark of the beast and to worship the beast as well as the image of the beast. The people of the earth will do this and it will be carried out by the False Prophet. He will deceive the people into worshiping the Beast. (Revelation 13)

None of the above mentioned things have yet to happen on this earth, so the sounds that the scientists are calling the tremors and trumpets of the book of Revelation cannot be the tremors and trumpets which are written about in the book of Revelation. It is a case of false labeling.

Translation by: Erik Brewer