LESSON X.—THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (Continued)—THE FALL OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE OF ROME.
(Study for Sabbath, June 4.)
QUESTIONS.
1. To what point did the close of the fourth trumpet bring us?—To the extinction of Western Rome. Henceforward the empire was perpetuated only in the eastern division, to which our attention is now turned.
2. Calamitous as were the times under the first four trumpets, what is said of those to follow? Rev. 8:13.
3. Shortly after the closing events of the fourth trumpet, what power began to gather strength as a scourge upon the remaining or eastern portion of the empire?—Mohammedanism. Note .
4. Describe the view as the fifth trumpet sounded. Rev. 9:1–3. Note .
5. What was the command to these forces? Verse 4. Note .
6. What development was seen in the organization of Mohammedanism? Verse 11, first part. What foreboding of doom to the remaining, or eastern, empire of Rome is implied in the name given this organized force? Verse 11, last part. See margin, “a destroyer.” Note .
7. What definite prophetic period is here assigned to this power? Verse 10, last part. What literal time?—The five months—150 days; prophetic—150 years.
8. Dating from the invasion of Roman territory by Othman, to what time and event does the period reach? Note .
9. What word is spoken at the close of the sounding of this fifth trumpet? Verse 12.
10. What was let loose when the sixth trumpet began to sound? Verses 13, 14. Note .
11. What general view of the conflict was given the prophet? Verses 16–19. Note .
12. How long a period of supremacy was assigned to this power? Verse 15. “An hour” (one-twenty-fourth of a prophetic day, or literal year)=15 days literal time; “a day”=1 year; “a month”=30 years; “a year”=360 years; total, 391 years and 15 days, time of Turkish supremacy, from 1449, when that supremacy was acknowledged.
13. To what date are we brought by the two prophetic periods of this chapter? Ans.—
Date of Othman’s invasion (accurately preserved), July 27, 1299. 1st Period. Verse 10.
“Five months,” 150 years, July 27, 1449.
“An hour,” 15 days
“A day,” 1 year
“A month,” 30 years
“A year,” 360 years } 2d Period. Verse 15.
Total, 391 years, 15 days, added to July 27, 1449—August 11, 1840. Supremacy lost.
14. What occurred at the ending of the period?—Ottoman supremacy and independence ceased. Note .
15. Has the world learned the lesson of history? Verses 20, 21.
16. What follows after the closing of the sixth trumpet on Aug. 11, 1840. Rev. 11:14.
