After Jesus throws down the censer in verse 5, it is forever too late to repent and be saved.  All hell is about to break forth.  Verse 6 tells of the Seven Trumpet Angels as they "prepare themselves to sound."  At this point, man is permitted to do what he wants to do. He has been "chomping at the bit" to engage in warfare.  All these weapons of mass destruction are now released into man's hands, by the four angels.  And they WILL BE USED.  Just think, one submarine can pack more destructive force, than all the bombs dropped during World War II by thousands of planes.  "The nations of the world are eager for conflict; but they are held in check by the angels.  When this restraining power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish.  Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented.  Vessels with their living cargo, will be entombed in the great deep." 7A Bible Commentary 967.

    The Seven Trumpet Angels of this chapter, along with Revelation 9, 10, & 11, are only an announcement of the seven last plagues, found in Revelation 15 & 16.  Remember how Moses and Aaron went before the King of Egypt and announced the plague for the following day?  Same thing once again.  The Bible itself tells us, in Revelation 9:20 where the trumpets are mentioned, referring to them as "plagues".  Also, Revelation 11:6 mentions "plagues", in a Bible chapter dealing with the trumpets. Now does the Spirit of Prophecy also have words of instruction linking the seven trumpets and seven plagues together?  Yes, ever so plainly.  Read Maranatha, page 284.  Also, Letter #55, 1895.  In addition, this quote, "Solemn events before us are yet to transpire.  Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth." Maranatha 237, 3 Selected Messages 426.

    If I were to believe what is taught by 98.8% of the SDA pastors, evangelists, and seminary teachers on the seven trumpets (placing them in the past), I would not be following plain Bible instruction.  Those mentioned above have allowed a past generation to do their Bible studying for them, and that error they have accepted it "hook line and sinker."  A lot of excitement was created when "Dolly", the cloned sheep was introduced.  Well, when man is teaching only from another man's thoughts, this "Dolly" excitement should take a back seat, because man should be returning to the word of God for his marching orders.

    I am thankful that some pastors refuse to present a message on the Seven Trumpets and the Seven Seals, knowing that what has been handed down by a past generation as truth, does not ring true.  They had rather remain silent than to mislead and confuse. I believe heaven can use some of that class and my prayer is that Heaven will use them.

    If we would read from scripture concerning each trumpet, one at a time and comparing each plague, one at a time, we would see that they are almost the same.  Time will not be spent here to do that, but it should be done by you, and you will reap the reward.

    When man launches their stockpile of atomic and hydrogen weapons of mass destruction, what announcement will be the first trumpet angel (messengers) proclaim?  "Hail and fire mingled with blood."  Revelation 8:7.

    Now what is the first plague?  "And there fell a noisome and grievous sore." Revelation 16:2.  That sore is a radiation burn from these weapons.  These plagues will not be universal, because if they were, no flesh would be left alive.  See Great Controversy 628.

    Verse 8, "And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood." Revelation 8:8.  Yes, after man launches atomic weapons it will trigger the volcanoes to blow their top all along this "ring of fire" along the Pacific Rim.  Whole mountain tops are "cast into the sea".  And what happens to "the third part of the sea"?  It "became blood."  Use your own Bible as you compare Revelation 8:8 with Revelation 16:3.

    Now comes the second plague, "And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man and every living soul died in the sea". Revelation 16:3. (See the similarity?)

    The third trumpet and plague tells of the debris that is in the air from weapons and volcanoes, and where the radiation "fall out" lands.  The Bible instructs that it falls on the "fountains of waters." Revelation 8:10; 16:4.  Please use your own Bible to read these verses, don't trust anyone with such vital information.

    We all remember how much dirt and smoke were in the air when Mt. Saint Helens blew her top.  Just picture in your mind, when all the volcanoes spew forth at once.  Will the weather be effected; will the sky be clean and fresh like just after a gentle rain?  Of course not.  "The sun is smitten." Revelation 8:12 (4th. trumpet) "and the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun."  Revelation 16:8 (4th plague).

    But I can hear someone protesting, and saying "God pours out the seven last plagues, don't you know that?"  No, I don't know that, and I don't believe that the Bible teaches it, either. "I was shown that the judgments of God would not come directly out from the Lord upon them, but in this way: They place themselves beyond His protection.  He warns, corrects, reproves, and points out the only path of safety; then if those who have been the object of His special care will follow their own course, independent of the Spirit of God, after repeated warnings, if they choose their own way, then He does not commission His angels to prevent Satan's attacks upon them". Last Day Events 242.

    Some may read that last statement, and surmise, that I am off into the error, that "God does not kill."  No, please, I could never believe that, simply because the Bible does not teach it.  I know and have heard these "polished speakers" who teach this, first, in a subtle way, then boldly, openly.  Yes, they have some success in deceiving the sickly and malnourished.   If you want to study deep when we get to the 5th trumpet, you will plainly see how heaven allows the false shepherd to be dealt with.  Those are the ones that "will seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."  Revelation 9:6.

    Let us return to the 4th trumpet and plague.  Before allowing scripture to explain, there is a signal that the devil cannot counterfeit.  God's remnant will need this signal to encourage them, of how close they are to the very end.  "...and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise." Revelation 8:12.  Twelve hours in a day when there is normal daylight, divided by three, is four hours of total darkness, then four hours of total darkness at night, where not a star or moon can be seen.  Total darkness all over the world will anger those suffering the effects of the previous plagues, those who have the mark of the beast.  When daylight returns, the organized wicked get their heads together to put some "hurt" (Rev. 9:4) on the group who has disturbed their peace in the past.  It is the false shepherds in Adventism they come after.  God's true people at this point are safe and secure, even "calm and composed". Early Writings 283.  The Bible says the same, "...they are at rest, that dwell safely (margin-confidently) all of them..." Ezekiel 38:11.  They are under the protection of Psalms 91, "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee". Psalms 91:11.  Yes, the false shepherds are dealt with during the 5th trumpet and plague by an organized group that can get legislation passed through in a hurry, and get laws signed and on the books.  The law says that they are not allowed to 'kill them,' "but they should be tormented five months." Revelation 9:5.  "The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, "You have not warned us.  You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was raised.  You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us!'  But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God.  Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people." Early Writings 282.

    Some may question the fact that the above quote is talking about Sunday keeping pastors.  No, not when one puts all the pieces together. "Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony.  On their garments was written in large characters, 'thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting'  the angel said, 'These are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up'  I heard them cry with a loud voice, 'We have believed in thy coming, and taught it with energy.'" Early Writings 37.

    Much could be said with scriptural backing to support the truth of the false shepherds being "tormented", during this fifth trumpet, that information will be mailed to anyone on request.  Now let us talk a little about this third group, who are living "confidently", this small "obscure people", (refer to Dorchester Vision, Oct 23, 1850), scattered all over the world in little pockets.  They have the Seal of God in their foreheads (See Revelation 9:4), and none can put any "hurt" on them.  However, "personal affliction will come; but the furnace is closely watched by an eye that will not suffer the gold to be consumed.  The indelible mark of God is upon them.  God can plead that His own name is written there, the Lord has shut them in.  Their destination is inscribed, 'GOD, NEW JERUSALEM.'  They are God's property, His possession". Testimonies to Ministers 446.  But "personal affliction" is just on the horizon for them.  It is their own personal "Jacob's trouble", during the sixth trumpet.  Some event on a world wide scale will call leaders to assembly and agree to put into action a new law, canceling out the one to "hurt" the false shepherds for five months.  "One woe is past." Revelation 9:12.  That previous law is now history (the 5th trumpet), they have something more urgent on their mind.  "Thus saith the Lord God; It shall come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shall think an evil thought." Ezekiel 38:10.  Remember now, Ezekiel 38 is God talking to the wicked after probation has closed, during the seven last plagues.  So the wicked are this group which will "think an evil thought."  The evil thought is to exterminate in one decisive blow all of God's true people.

    "Then I saw the leading men, of the earth, consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy all around them.  I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death".  Early Writings 282, 283.  Heaven, remember, is watching the furnace closely, no one is asleep up there, even God the Father's countenance is changed.  "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog (all the wicked) shall come against the land of Israel (the 144,000), saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face". Ezekiel 38:18.  I am glad to know that God the Father knows how to show anger in His face.  The signing of this law has now triggered something in heaven that "the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." Revelation 16:12.  The Kings of the East are God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, the two dignitaries in heaven. Yes, when Jesus steps out of the most holy place in heaven at the close of probation, He changes His priestly garments to Kingly garments.  Then he lingers there for a short while, knowing that it is His Father's turn to enter into this equation.  Jesus knows the Scriptures where God the Father has spoken from heaven only three times, and He has promised "saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heavens." Hebrews 12:26.

    Even with the death decree signed, and the 144,000 on the earth crying, "day and night they cried unto God for deliverance." Early Writings 283.  God seems never in a hurry, but He is always on time.  When we get to chapter eleven, the time element will be considered for OUR Jacob's trouble, of how long, and when it will end.  But just now, Jesus is lingering, waiting for His Father to do exactly as He has promised.  To anyone not familiar with the way God the Father talks, please listen, He has waited a long time, to say these recorded words, "So will I make my holy name known in the midst of My people Israel; and will I not let them pollute my holy name any more; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.  Behold, it is come and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken". Ezekiel 39:7-8.  "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done." Revelation 16:17. When God speaks from His throne in heaven, it will come "though the open space in Orion, whence came the Voice of God". Early Writings 41.

    To those who may think that the words spoken by God will be said in some corner of the world and they may not hear it.  These words are for that group.  "Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field; and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground." Ezekiel 38:19-20.

    As I look forward to chapter 10, my thoughts return to the Scriptures of chapter 9.  There is so much deception out there which is taught with energy, sweat, mega-dollars, and shoe leather, and most of it does not apply at all.  Oh yes, they are sincere, and their grammar is much better than mine, but it's like their timing gear has a few notches missing, and they are off balance.  When a timing chain jumps a notch or two on a car, it needs to be fixed.  A lot of faulty Bible information out there needs a lot of fixing.
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    Just one more example in this chapter and I will move on.  Verse 16 tells of 200 million assembled for battle.  John heard the number of them.  And it was "two hundred thousand thousand."  Now they are prepared to do some killing.  They know exactly who their prey will be "for to slay the third part of men". Revelation 9:15.  Their timing chain has not jumped a notch, why it's marked right on their world-wide calendar.  The final death decree law will have "a day, and a month, and a year to slay the third part of men."

    But what about the "hour" of verse 15, which these 200 million are "prepared" for?  Heaven also is prepared dear ones, you already knew that didn't you?

    "It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people."  Early Writings 285.  However, will that stop wicked men from using weapons of destruction?  Let us let God the Father answer.  "And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.  Thou shall fall...thou and all thy bands... I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured." Ezekiel 39:4.  Yes, when God the Father speaks from heaven, the "evil thought" that the wicked were thinking, disappears.

    If I move to chapter 10 with out mentioning verse 18, someone may smile, and say, He is deliberately skipping those difficult verses, like verse 18, where the "third part of men were killed".  Friend, believe me, I am more eager to discuss that verse than to have a fresh load of watermelons on a warm July afternoon.  However, you will have to wait for Revelation 11, where we are told, "Read every verse of Revelation eleven.  It is yet to take place". Last Day Events 95.  However, if you cannot wait, lay this book aside and read Zechariah 13:8-9, Revelation 9:15, and Revelation 11:7.

    It is difficult  to close this chapter, where most of the deception is located, when SDA ministers speak or write on the seven trumpets.  There is so much that could be said to show without a shadow of doubt (to the honest in heart) that the seven trumpets are all in the future.  All seven occur after the close of probation for everyone.  The Bible plainly teaches this, man has been the one to turn the sign post around to mislead and confuse.  Sincere SDA ministers have allowed a past generation to do their Bible study for them.  Brilliant authors like Uriah Smith, James White, S.N. Haskell and many others, even down to our generation, have stepped off the platform of truth in their attempt to explain the seven trumpets of Revelation.  College professors like Leslie Hardinge swooned us all into believing this error, that a past generation taught to them.  Then they in turn instructed their students to lean upon man, contrary to the Bible's words, "cease ye from man,"  Isaiah 2:22.

    Was Ellen White side-tracked by their feeble attempts to explain the seven trumpets?  No, not at all, to the contrary her published testimony is 100% in agreement with the Holy Scriptures.  Her written word places the seven trumpets and the seven plagues together, ALL IN THE FUTURE.

    Some may not have access to Letter 59, 1895, so I will tell in my own words, briefly, a story ending with a key quote which will be word for word by Ellen White.

    Over in Australia a hail storm developed suddenly.  Ellen White, Byron and Sister Belden and May Lacy were in a horse drawn carriage speeding to reach shelter.  Almost home, the storm reached it's fury.  Hail became as big as hen eggs, hitting every one.  A young horse had to be comforted or his power would result in damage to himself and the passengers.  The 3 women ran for the house, hatless and bruised.  Baron unhitched the horses and made it to the barn.  After the storm passed, Baron hitched up the horses again to retrieve the scattered blankets, clothes and carriage cushion.  Then Ellen White says the following;

    "This is the sharpest experience I have ever had in a carriage in a storm...I thought of the day when the judgments of God would be poured out upon the world, when blackness and horrible darkness would clothe the heavens as sackcloth of hair...my imagination anticipated what it must be in that period when the Lord's mighty voice shall give commission to His angels, 'Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth'. Revelation 6 & 7 are full of meaning terrible are the judgments of God revealed. The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission.  To them were given seven trumpets.  The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth.  When the plagues of God shall come upon the earth hail will fall upon the wicked about the weight of a talent." Letter 59, 1895.

    Almost in the same breath inspiration places the seven trumpets and seven plagues together, agreeing with the Holy Scriptures.  She was not sidetracked by the polished speakers of her day.  If she was, and she presented printed evidence contrary to scripture, I would be forced to follow Scripture alone.

    Now I am sure that "surface readers" (Testimonies to Ministers 119) are now ready to stop me at the gate. Finally, they are prepared to use Ellen White, to establish the error of the 7 trumpets being in the past.  Of the thousands of places where SDA ministers should use those inspired writings to make their sermons crystal clear, they seldom do.  Now to establish some error, they will quote Ellen White and parade her to the front, not ashamed to quote from "their prophet."

    In the 1911 Great Controversy pages 334 & 335 Josiah Litch made a prediction about the Ottoman Empire falling in August of 1840.  From his calculations (not the prophets calculations) on the 6th trumpet of Revelation 9, his prediction came true almost to the very day.  Many scoffers of the Bible and infidels, became Bible students because of his calculations.  Tell me, were these Ellen White's calculations?  Absolutely not!  She was only quoting history as it unfolded.  Did an angel from heaven instruct her when these additional pages were added in 1888 to the 1884 Great Controversy, suggesting to readers to go contrary to her published work?  Absolutely not!  Every angel in Heaven knows what is written on page 243 of Early Writings. "Prophetic time closed in 1844." The angels in heaven know that the 8th & 9th chapters of Revelation do not contain information for anyone to apply a single verse to the sounding of the 7 trumpets until after probation has closed. (Revelation 8:5)  This day for a year rule is "spoiled manna."  For over 150 years this spoiled manna is still being placed on Seventh-day Adventist tables as nourishment.  Let me ask a humble question.   What’s the reasoning behind Pastors who are standing before their congregations and loved ones, and still allowing this deception to continue?

    Many of the Adventist pioneers were caught up in the excitement to publish books on the 7 trumpets. The prophet  had very little to say on that subject,  however, what she did say, you can take to the bank.   I don't blame those pioneers for making a feeble attempt to explain every chapter of the Bible, with them just being prisoners of time.  But I do blame both the pioneer deceivers and the modern day deceivers for taking a "pen knife" to her writings (See Jer. 36) and for adding their own published material alongside that of the Prophet of God.  May heaven have mercy on such dishonest people.