Seven Trumpets

Christ lived and died, and the Christian religion was proclaimed to the world all within the confines of the Roman Empire; therefore it is only reasonable to expect that the downfall of Rome, which was so closely connected with the history of Christ’s church, should be a subject of prophecy.BHB 119.13

The first four trumpets deal with the breaking up of western Rome; the last three, with the overthrow of eastern Rome.BHB 120.1

• Numbers 10:9. Trumpet ancient summons to war.BHB 120.2

• Revelation 8:2. Seven angels given charge of this prophecy.BHB 120.3

• Revelation 8:6, 7. Hordes of barbarians of N. Asia on account of trouble with China turned westward and poured into the Roman territory.BHB 120.4

The Goths, under Alaric and two other organized bodies of barbarians, led the raids. A.D. 410, Alaric sacked Rome. About 407 A.D., seven barbarian nations had taken their places as follows: Franks, northern France; Vandals, Spain, later N. Africa; Visigoths, S. France and Spain; Burgundians, Switzerland and part of France and Germany; Suevi, Portugal and N.W. Spain; Ostrogoths, Italy; Huns, S.W. Russia. Gibbon’s Rome, chapter 30, 31.BHB 120.5

• Revelation 8:8. From 429 to 468 A.D., Genseric, leading the Vandals of N. Africa, made repeated attacks on the Roman Empire, destroying large fleets of vessels. So terrible was this warfare, that “Vandalism” is still a synonym for ruthless destruction. Gibbon’s Rome, chapters 33, 37.BHB 120.6

• Revelation 8:10, 11. The Huns, led by Attila, made fierce attacks in the regions of the Alps; Chalons was greatest battle. Attila’s raids from 451 to 453 A.D., were finished 15 years before Genseric ceased to harass Rome from the South.BHB 120.7

After Attila’s war, the Heruli settled in Italy, the Lombards in the N. of Italy, and the last of the ten divisions, the Anglo-Saxons, in England, about 471 A.D. Gibbon’s Rome, chapter 35.BHB 120.8

• Revelation 8:12. Sun, moon, and stars rule the day and night. Emperors, consuls, and senators ruled Rome. In 476 A.D., title of emperor ceased; 541 A.D., consulship ended; 552 A.D., under Narses, the senate was set aside. Gibbon’s Rome, chapters 36, 40, 43.BHB 121.1

• Revelation 8:13. Last three trumpets are woe trumpets.BHB 121.2

• Revelation 9:1-11. Rise of the Mohammedan religion. For about 600 years the Arabs were like locusts without a king. Near the close of the 13 th century, Othman founded a government; and July 27, 1299, he entered Nicomedia,-the first attack of the Ottoman government on eastern Rome. Gibbon’s Rome. They were to hurt men five months,-150 years. July 27, 1299, plus 150 years, equals July 27, 1449.BHB 121.3

• Revelation 9:12-21. The four sultanies of Aleppo, Iconium, Damascus, and Badgered, were the central strength of the Ottoman Empire. In 1449, John Palaeologus, the Greek emperor, died; his brother, Deacozes, would not take the throne without the consent of Amurath, the Turkish sultan. Thus the power of the Turkish Empire was loosed. It was loosed for a day, a month, and a year, or for 391 years, 15 days; they were to have full power. July 27, 1449, plus 391 years, 15 days, equals Aug. 11, 1840. The Great Controversy, 334.BHB 121.4

• Revelation 9:13-21. To save Turkey from being overthrown by Egypt, Turkey accepted the intervention of England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. An ultimatum was drawn up by the great powers which pledged themselves to coerce. Egypt, if Egypt refused to accept the terms. As long as the sultan held the ultimatum, he still maintained his independence; but as soon as the document was in the hands of Mehemet Ali, it was beyond the sultan’s power to control the situation. The document was put into the power of Mehemet Ali, and deposed of according to his orders, Aug. 11, 1840. Since then Turkey has been “the sick man of the East.” The Great Controversy, 334, 335.BHB 121.5

• Revelation 11:14. The 3 rd woe did not immediately follow the 2nd, but came quickly.BHB 122.1

• Revelation 10:7; 11:15. The finishing of the work, or the third angel’s message, which would be finished under the 7th trumpet, began in 1844 A.D.BHB 122.2

Note.-For a full explanation of the woe trumpets, see “Prophetic Exposition,” published 1842, by Josiah Litch; also “An Exposition of the Seven Trumpets,” The Review and Herald, 1875.BHB 122.3