We broke into the Trumpet Judgments, and studied the first four — God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth. The 144,000 preachers of the gospel of the kingdom from Revelation 7, have been sealed and sent out to spread the gospel of the kingdom. (Matthew 3:1-3, 4:17, 10:5-7, 24:14; Acts 1:6; Revelation 7:3-9)
There is silence in heaven for 30 minutes, in preparation for the pouring out of God’s wrath upon his own creation, for the purpose of bringing man to repentance. God unleashes attacks upon the essential areas that man relies upon for food and water. Crops are destroyed, the water is made bitter and undrinkable. This falls right in line with Seal #3 — famine!
When you see how things unfold in the tribulation, you begin to understand the importance of the Abomination of Desolation to how it all plays out. Everything is seemingly fine until the daily sacrifice is taken away by the antichrist in Daniel 9, 11, & 12. The two witnesses show up (Revelation 11), then the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15) is revealed and the blindness of the Jews (Romans 11:25-27) is removed. They flee into the wilderness, Jesus instructed them to do in Matthew 24. Re-read Revelation 12:6-14.
The 4th Trumpet reveals something concerning time, and how 1/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night are affected. Jesus makes mention of this in the Olivet discourse in Matthew 24:21-20 & 29. The purpose of God affecting the day and night, is to make sure that the elect (Isaiah 65:8-9), and those who seek to protect them (Matthew 25:32-46) are saved. We know that the tribulation is 7 years long and the great tribulation is the 2nd half. Daniel 9, 11, and 12, as well as Revelation 12 tell us that the great tribulation is 1,260 days or 3 1/2 years. Understanding this, we realize that the actual days are shortened in some supernatural manner by the 4th Trumpet.
I would never propose that I fully understand what this means, but I want you to know that I believe it! That is what is so exciting about studying the Word of God. It is an incredible journey of discovery!