In this week’s study, I finished up in Chapter 7, beginning with verse 15, than start Chapter 8.
Chapter 8
Now that we have determined that Revelation is not in chronological order, it brings up another interesting question. It has been commonly taught that the 7th Seal is the event that opens the 7 Trumpets. This teaching is in line with the chronological order theory.
But think about it. The 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet happen at the same moment in time. How, then, is it possible for the 7th Seal to open all 7 Trumpets? The answer is simple. It can’t.
The 7 years Chronological Order Theory
The most commonly held theory about the sequence of end time events is that the book of Revelation was written in chronological order. The theory states that end time events will happen in the order they appear in Revelation. “The interpretive approach to understanding Revelation,” it is commonly written, “is to accept the chronological order of the book and its plain sense meaning.
I would like to take the time to look at this theory. Is it true
Does Babylon Fall once or Twice?
Revelation 14:8 on earth
“And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
Revelation 18:2 on earth
“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
In Revelation 14:8 we read “Babylon if fallen, is fallen, that great city.” According to the Chronological Order Theory, Babylon is gone by Chapter 14. It is no more.
According to the Theory, however, Babylon must somehow be rebuilt, because we read that it falls again four chapters later in chapter 18!
Now does Babylon fall twice, or are there simply two accounts of the fall of Babylon
One Earthquake or Five
Revelation 6:12 on earth, this is the 6th Trumpet
“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;”
Revelation 8:5 in heaven, this is the opening of the 7th Seal
“And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Revelation 11:13 on earth, this is in or near the end of the 6th Trumpet.
“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven.”
Revelation 11:19 in Heaven, this is at the beginning of the 7th Trumpet
“And the temple of Elohim was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
Revelation 16:18 on earth, this is 7th Vial
“And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great."
We see that several earthquakes are recorded in Revelation. The first is “a great earthquake,” and it occurs in the 6th chapter.
The second, in Chapter 8, is recorded as “an earthquake.”
“A great earthquake” occurs in Revelation 11:13. Six verses later there is “an earthquake.”
One final earthquake is noted in the 16th chapter.
The Chrononogical Order Theory places 5 earthquakes over 7 years. There is another possible explanation, however. Perhaps there is only one earthquake, with Revelation giving 5 separate accounts of it.
