Ellen White on the Seven Trumpets of Revelation

The trumpets in Revelation represent significant historical events and divine judgments, specifically within the context of the history of the world and the destiny of nations20MR 197.1+1.

The Nature and Purpose of the Seven Trumpets

• A Historical Record: The book with seven seals contains the history of the world, and the opening of the seventh seal introduces the seven angels who stand before God to receive the seven trumpets Revelation 8:1-29MR 7.1+1.

• Divine Commission: These seven angels were given trumpets to signal the execution of God's judgments upon the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity Revelation 15:110LtMs, Ms 59, 1895, par. 26.

• The Sixth Trumpet: A specific application of time prophecy is found in the sixth trumpet, where the "hour, day, month, and year" period is understood to terminate Turkish independence in August 1840GC 691.2.

• Intercession During Judgments: While the trumpets sound, another angel stands at the golden altar with a golden censer, offering much incense with the prayers of all saints before the throne of God Revelation 8:3-413LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 23.

The Warning and the Loud Cry

• A Certain Sound: God’s people are called to give the trumpet a certain sound, meaning they must provide a clear and distinct message of warning to the world to prepare for the great crisis aheadRH February 9, 1897, par. 13+1.

• The Third Angel’s Message: This message is described as a trumpet call that all the world must hear, urging people to show the house of Jacob their sins Isaiah 58:114LtMs, Lt 157, 1899, par. 8.

• The Final Warning: As the third angel’s message swells into a loud cry, another mighty angel descends to lighten the earth with his glory, joining the work to fit the people of God to stand in the hour of temptation Revelation 18:1-21SG 193.2.

The Ultimate Trumpet: The Last Trump

The series of trumpets culminates in the appearing of Christ, often referred to as the "last trump" or the "trump of God"7BC 909.2+1.

• The Resurrection of the Just: At the sound of the last trump, the righteous dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and come forth from their graves to be clothed with immortality 1 Corinthians 15:524BC 1143.5+1.

• The Change of the Living: Those who are alive and remain at Christ’s coming will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and will be caught up together with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:16-173SG 17.2+1.

• The Separation of the Righteous and Wicked: When Christ sends His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, they will gather His elect from the four winds, while those who obey not the gospel will be consumed by the brightness of His coming Matthew 24:31GC 37.1+1.

• A Universal Sound: This final trumpet will penetrate the whole earth, from the summits of the highest mountains to the lowest recesses of the deepest mines, and every sleeping saint is currently guarded by God as a precious jewel until that triumphant hour7BC 909.2+2.