"When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness" (Isaiah 26:9).

"O that men would understand that God refuses to be wearied out with the world’s perversity, and still holds out the hope of forgiveness even to the most undeserving!" –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 357.

Suggested Readings: Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 650, 651.
The Review and Herald, May 13, 1902.

Sunday July 1

a. What instructions were given to Israel with reference to the use of trumpets? Numbers 10:9.

b. What weapons were used by the Israelites in the conquest of Jericho? Joshua 6:4, 20.

c. What strategy did Gideon use in the war against the Midianites? Judges 7:16—20.

"By divine direction a plan of attack was suggested to [Gideon], which he immediately set out to execute. The three hundred men were divided into three companies. To every man were given a trumpet, and a torch concealed in an earthen pitcher. The men were stationed in such a manner as to approach the Midianite camp from different directions. In the dead of night, at a signal from Gideon’s war horn, the three companies sounded their trumpets; then, breaking their pitchers and displaying the blazing torches, they rushed upon the enemy with the terrible war cry, ‘The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!’

"The sleeping army was suddenly aroused. Upon every side was seen the light of the flaming torches. In every direction was heard the sound of trumpets, with the cry of the assailants. Believing themselves at the mercy of an overwhelming force, the Midianites were panic-stricken."–Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 550—553.

Monday July 2

2. THE FIRST AND SECOND TRUMPETS

a. After the revelation of the seven seals, what other series of events was shown to John? Revelation 8:2, 6.

b. What description is given by John as he saw the first angel sounding his trumpet? Revelation 8:6, 7.

"The first trumpet represents hail and fire mingled with blood cast upon the earth. It was fulfilled by the invasion of the Roman empire by the Goths under Alaric, commencing a.d. 395. This invasion is represented by hail, from the fact that the invaders came from the frozen regions of the North. It is further described as fire mingled with blood, because the course of the invaders was marked by slaughter and conflagration." –Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 210, 211.

c. What was the result of the sounding of the second trumpet? Revelation 8:8, 9.

"The second trumpet brings us to a new location and another event. A great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea. The next great invasion of the Roman empire, which shook to its foundation and conduced to its fall, was that of the Vandals under Genseric. The base of his operations was at Carthage in Africa. The date of his career is marked by the years 428 to 468. His warfare was carried on by sea; and his warfare against the Roman empire was well symbolized by a great mountain burning with fire cast into the sea. He ravaged and devastated all those provinces of the Roman empire which lie upon the Mediterranean.

"The frequent reference to the third part, noticed in the trumpets, has allusion to the tripartite division of the empire. Twice it was divided into three parts before its permanent division into Eastern and Western Rome; and when the third part is spoken of in this prophecy, it refers to that division in which the events of the trumpet under consideration were taking place."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, p. 211.

Tuesday July 3

3. THE THIRD AND FOURTH TRUMPETS

a. What was the effect of the third trumpet? Revelation 8:10, 11.

"The third trumpet brings to view another invading chieftain, who, like a comet or a blazing star, flamed over the Roman world. It was Attila at the head of his warlike Huns. The name of this star is called ‘Wormwood,’ as describing the bitter consequences of this invasion and the terrors and miseries wrought by this war-like chief.

"This star fell upon the third part of the rivers and fountains of waters. The scene of Attila’s operations was in the northern part of Italy, the region in which so many streams and rivers have their source."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 211, 212.

b. What happened under the fourth trumpet? Revelation 8:12.

"The fourth trumpet. . . brings to view the blotting out of the third part of the sun, moon, and stars. These are undoubtedly here used as symbols representing the three highest sources of authority in the Roman empire; namely, emperors, consuls, and senators; and the only inference to be drawn from the phraseology of the text is that the abolition of these three offices [is] intended. We have now come to the time when Western empire of Rome was extinguished. The date, as given by Gibbon, is 476 or 479. It was accomplished by Odoacer, who was succeeded by Theodoric, the Ostrogoth; and the events of the trumpet were finally accomplished by Justinian. The Imperial Office, the sun, was extinguished by Odoacer. Justinian abolished the Consulship, the moon; and Narses, the general of Justinian, extinguished the Senate, the stars. Thus the third part of the Roman empire, the sun, moon, and the stars were smitten."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 212, 213.

c. After the description of the blowing of the first four trumpets, what did John hear an angel say? Revelation 8:13.

Wednesday July 4

4. THE FIFTH TRUMPET

a. What did the prophet see as the fifth angel sounded his trumpet? Revelation 9:1, 2.

"A star is first seen falling from heaven unto the earth. The star was Chosroes, the king of Persia. He was overthrown by Heraclius, the emperor of the East. His fall was the key by which the bottomless pit was opened."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, p. 213.

b. What did John see coming out of the smoke from the bottomless pit? Revelation 9:3.

"Chosroes, after [the] loss of [his] empire, was murdered in the year 628; and the year 629 is marked by Mohammed’s conquest of Arabia and the first war of the Moslems against the Roman empire. The locusts that came out of the smoke symbolized the Arabian horsemen, as they went forth to fight what they called the battles of the Lord."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 213, 214.

c. Who was not to be hurt by the powers of destruction shown under the fifth trumpet? Revelation 9:4.

"In every age there were witnesses for God–men who cherished faith in Christ as the only mediator between God and man, who held the Bible as the only rule of life, and who hallowed the true Sabbath."–The Great Controversy, p. 61.

d. How long were men tormented by the "locusts," and what was their torment like? Revelation 9:5—10.

"Their mission was to torment men five months, but not to kill them. . . . This period is doubtless prophetic, denoting 150 years. . . .

"The first invasion of Roman territory by Ottoman took place on the 27th day of July, 1299. Commencing the five months’ torment from this event, they would end 150 years later, in 1449."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, pp. 214, 215.

Thursday July 5

5. THE KING OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT

a. What is written about the king ruling over the host of "locusts"? Revelation 9:11.

"The five months of torment must have taken place under this Ottoman power after its consolidation into a kingly government."–Uriah Smith, Synopsis of the Present Truth, p. 214.

b. What was predicted to come after the first woe? Revelation 9:12.

c. What is the purpose of God in permitting wars and calamities to come upon the earth? Isaiah 26:9 (second part). What lessons should we learn from past history? Isaiah 13:11.

"God keeps a reckoning with the nations. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice. Those who work evil toward their fellow men, saying, How doth God know? will one day be called upon to meet long-deferred vengeance. In this age a more than common contempt is shown to God. Men have reached a point in insolence and disobedience which shows that their cup of iniquity is almost full. Many have well-nigh passed the boundary of mercy. Soon God will show that He is indeed the living God. He will say to the angels, ‘No longer combat Satan in his efforts to destroy. Let him work out his malignity upon the children of disobedience; for the cup of their iniquity is full.’"–The Review and Herald, September 17, 1901.

Friday July 6

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS

1. For what purpose were trumpets used in Old Testament times?
2. Describe the first and second trumpets.
3. What historical figures are introduced by the third and fourth trumpets?
4. What occurred under the fifth trumpet?
5. What is to be understood by the first woe?

Webmaster: Nilson Jones.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO ASD-MR. Copyright 2001.