July 13: OPPORTUNITY TO FORSAKE ERROR

And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.” Revelation 8:13

With the rise of secularism toward the end of the Dark Ages, millions who had been deprived of the light of the gospel were unaware. The humanistic approach to life had made an idol of human reasoning. Rationalism and skepticism were part and parcel of the “age of enlightenment”.

In John’s vision, the angel or messenger here takes the form of an eagle or vulture flying through the midst of heaven, a symbol of impending judgments. The final three trumpet judgments are directed at the lost inhabitants of the earth or those who dwell on the earth (3:10; 6:10; 11:10; 13:14; 14:6; 17:8; Luke 21:35). These judgments are called woes, the intention being to impact any lost readers toward gaining the necessary awareness that their rejection of God constitutes an emergency. There is still time to repent and forsake the errors and ways that lead to death.

Just as the opening of the seals began with the set of four horses and their riders symbolizing the condition of the church, the first four trumpet judgments landed squarely upon the opposers of the pure gospel message: the apostate Jewish nation, the Roman Empire, the compromising church, and the apostate church.

The Old Testament refers to woes as particularly harsh judgments (Isaiah 3:11; 5:20; Hosea 7:13). The last three woes of the trumpet judgments, as we will see in incredible detail, are directed at papal Rome and her followers. Because of the deadly influence of her false doctrines and her unwillingness to repent, increasing judgments only increase her rebellion and iniquity. Do not forget that God gave her time to repent (Revelation 3:21), but she refused. Jeremiah foresaw this scenario in his day: We would have healed Babylon, But she is not healed. Forsake her and let us go everyone to his own country; For her judgment reaches to heaven and is lifted up to the skies. (Jeremiah 51:9 – compare to Revelation 18:5)

Currently, a religio-political ecumenical movement for worldly unity is taking shape under the leadership of the papacy. It will be “all-inclusive” with the exception of those who choose to live by the whole counsel (Acts 20:27) of God’s word.

It is important to note that while the trumpet judgments fall upon the soon-to-be-united false belief systems across the world that Satan has worked for so long to establish and maintain, these judgments can have a positive effect upon individuals, bringing them to their senses and showing them their need of the only Savior who has the power to re-create hearts.

The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Psalm 103:17-20 (see also Revelation 22:14)