الرؤيا ٨:٦

sound--blow the trumpets.

We have already seen what occurred upon opening six of the seals; we now come to the opening of the seventh, which introduced the sounding of the seven trumpets; and a direful scene now opens. Most expositors agree that the seven seals represent the interval between the apostle's time and the reign of Constantine, but that the seven trumpets are designed to represent the rise of antichrist, some time after the empire became Christian. In this chapter we have, I. The preface, or prelude, to the sounding of the trumpets (Rev 8:1-6). II. The sounding of four of the trumpets (Rev 8:7, etc.).

8:2–11:19 The second cycle of judgments is structured around seven trumpets. Like the first cycle (6:1–8:1), this one contains an interlude (10:1–11:14; cp. 7:1-17) and ends with a glimpse of God’s eternal Kingdom (11:15-19; see 7:9–8:1). • The trumpet judgments are reminiscent of the ten plagues of Egypt (Exod 7:14–11:10) and have the same purpose—to show the powerlessness of earthly gods (or satanic powers) and to demonstrate beyond doubt the power and sovereignty of God.