The Seven Trumpets: Who has an Inspired Interpretation?

“On Friday February 18, 2011, Three Angels Broadcasting Network hosted an intensive, three-day Bible symposium focusing on the “seven trumpets” of Revelation 8, 9, and 10. A number of Seventh-day Adventist Bible scholars, evangelists, pastors, lay Bible students, and 3ABN pastoral staff gathered in Studio B for this event, which was the brainchild of 3ABN program development director, Shelley Quinn. The idea grew out of concerns that she and production manager, C. A. Murray, shared with vice president, Mollie Steenson, regarding views on the trumpets that had aired on 3ABN.”

One my ask what was the outcome of this important gathering, did our leading brethren come to a clearer understanding of God’s word? Though carefully worded, it was evident that there were many different opinions voiced and no clear consensus reached. This would be expected when private uninspired opinions are brought to the front without a realization that the church’s greatest need is to humble herself and acknowledge that she needs an inspired revelation to understand this portion of the book of Revelation.  Interestingly, a divinely inspired commentary of this very topic of the 7 trumpets has been in the church for over 75 years since its first publication in a tract entitled “Final Warning” as part of the Shepherd’s Rod tract series of publications. Despite the fact that the majority of the church fails to recognize its need for inspired interpretations of scripture and is content to follow the opinions of the leading men, there are those who recognize their need for more light from God’s Word and take up the challenge to investigate the Rod for themselves and are blessed beyond measure and find that it is the “meat in due season the flock needs now”.  Below please find a copy of the original text on this most important subject of the 7 trumpets.

“Ever since John recorded this imposing symbolization, church history has repeatedly throughout her pages had to make the entry that every attempt made to unlock its mystery has but resulted the more in barricading it with mysticism and confusion. It is necessary, therefore, in clearing the mysticism, first of all to find

The Reason for the Confusion.

The very fact that nineteen centuries of prying at the subject to open it up has only made it the more impenetrable, is the strongest possible evidence that God controls the Scriptures and reveals Them only at the divinely appointed time. The truth of this statement is conclusively substantiated by the angel’s words: “I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your Prince.” Dan. 10:21.

And “when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come,” says Christ, in broader statement of this same truth, “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13.

Having been put forth prematurely and without the prompting of the Spirit of Truth, human efforts have accordingly failed to discover and explain the truth of “the trumpets.” And no scripture ever being unfolded without Inspiration, the expositions of uninspired minds are hence of private interpretation, in forewarning of which the Bible says: “. . . no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet. 1:20.

So before a person can climb the ladder of Truth, he must first of all free himself from erroneous theories, which keep him bound in darkness. And to loose himself from such weights of error so as to reach the top step of the ladder of Truth, he must carefully investigate and “prove all things” in

Open-Mindedness.

“Do not read the Word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the Word, do not try to make the Word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the Word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding.”—Messages to Young People, p. 260.

This prime necessity urgently confronts those who have been disposed to accept, as unquestionable Bible truths, theories which are the results of

Adding To and Taking From the Scriptures.

Any explanation of a prophecy which adds to or takes from any part of relevant scripture in order to harmonize the interpretation, can only be false. When the Spirit of God interprets the Scriptures, He does not in any way need to alter any part of Them in order to make the explanation fit that which is being unfolded. When, moreover, the true interpretation of a prophecy is made, it always contains a lesson of present truth “adapted to the necessities of God’s people” (The Great Controversy, p. 609) at the time the scripture is revealed.” (excerpt from Tract No. 5, Final Warning, pp. 4-7, for the complete text please click the link.)

Tagged as: 3ABN, 7 trumpets, inspiration, private opinions, Revelation, Seventh-day Adventist, shepherd's rod