Here is the link to Part 1 for those who haven’t read it.
It Goes from Badness to Worse!
- The Seven Trumpet Judgments (Revelation Chapter 8):
- Trumpet Blast #1: Hail and fire followed, mingled with blood. They are thrown to the earth, and one-third of all trees are burned up, and all green grass is burned. And you thought the continual fires in California were bad. Ecological and economic disaster upon the earth, animals, vegetation, and humankind.
- Trumpet Blast #2: Something like a great mountain burning with fire (huge asteroid?) is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea becomes blood, a third of the living sea creatures die, and a third of ships are destroyed. More ecological and economic disaster upon the earth, animals, vegetation, and humankind.
- Trumpet Blast #3: A star falls from heaven, burning like a torch (another asteroid? maybe a comet?). It falls in such a manner that it causes total contamination of one-third of all freshwater. There is likely significantly more trouble than just the water, but the emphasis of the verse is on the water. Even more ecological and economic disaster upon the earth, animals, vegetation, and humankind.
- Trumpet Blast #4: A third of the sun’s light, a third of the moon’s light, and a third of stars’ light out are blocked from shining on the earth. This is likely the result of all the soot, dust, particles, debris, vaporized water, ejecta, etc., thrown up into the atmosphere that occurs in the first three trumpet blasts. Those on the earth will despair because of the implications to the earth, its animals, its vegetation, its ecology, and humankind. More disaster.
- Dang! Then there is a supernatural angel flying through heaven announcing that if one thought it was already bad, there are three more angels ready to blast their trumpets, and what they bring is worse than what humankind has already experienced. Think of the horrific psychological impact on humankind as they have opportunity to ponder and obsess over what is still to come. Woe! Woe! Woe! Too bad and too sad to be you living on the earth during The Great Tribulation period!
- Trumpet Blast #5: An angel of great destruction (literally, his name means the Destroyer) opens the bottomless pit from which an army of viciously demonic locust-like entities fly out and cover the earth and terrorize and torment all of humankind for five months. The torment is so agonizingly miserable that those people living through the Great Tribulation period will wish to die in an effort to find relief, but death is not granted. Suffering is the order of the day. The Innumerable Host of Rev 7:9-10 likely suffers this ordeal.
- Trumpet Blast #6: Another four angels are released, and they were granted power and authority to destroy one-third of humankind via the means of a 200-million demonic army that comes spittin’ fire, smoke, and brimstone. Worldwide war, destruction, death, and slaughter is an ugly business. Yep! Possibly our Innumerable Host of Rev 7:9-10 is snared in this scenario.
- Trumpet Blast #7: Here’s where I stop detailing the outcomes of this trumpet. You’ll need to read beginning at Revelation 11:15 if you wish to discover what happens when the seventh trumpet blast is sounded. And, oh my, the stuff hits the fan! If our Innumerable Host made it to this seventh trumpet, then they are no longer on earth and now collectively stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, which is the scenario laid-out in Revelation 7:9-10.
Why do I stop detailing the horrors?
Well, back during the Sixth Trumpet blast in Revelation 9:21, we see that the earth-dwellers who survive the fire, smoke, and brimstone of that 200,000,000 demonic army did not repent of their sins, murders, sorceries, sexual immoralities, or thefts. These people have become so hardened, so seared in their minds and hearts, they have lost the ability to repent or have given up the ability to repent and to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. They are in no position to trust our Lord Jesus or to receive the beautiful life-transforming power of His grace.
The individuals of the Innumerable Host, as seen in Rev 7:9-10, are seen before the throne of God and before the Lamb, praising Him for His salvation. Something good and positive has happened to them. Somewhere “early on” in the midst of the Tribulation, they have heard the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and turned to Him. They have repented of sin, unbelief, and rejection of our Lord Jesus Christ. They have experienced a change of heart and called upon the life-changing, soul-transforming power of our Lord Jesus Christ. They have decided to choose our Lord Jesus and to abandon and forsake the gods of this world, including denying the god of human self. They came to know and trust and have faith in Jesus Christ as Savior before humans, in general, lost the ability or surrendered the ability to repent and to turn away from evil, and to turn to and to call upon the Lord Jesus.
Since our Innumerable Host repented, that indicates to me, the individuals of our group likely never made it as deep into the Tribulation as trumpet #6 when we see people have lost or have given up the ability to repent.
In my opinion, Trumpet Blast #6 occurs around the middle point of the seven-year Tribulation period (some refer to the middle of the Tribulation as the beginning of the “Great” Tribulation). This is about the same timeframe the Mark of the Beast and many other events will begin to find fulfillment.
Another argument from silence. In Rev 7:9-17, there is no mention of the Mark of the Beast. This Mark is a significant turning point of the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation period. In fact, scripture is clear that if one accepts and receives the Mark of the Beast (Rev 14), one may never turn back in repentance to trust our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no mention in Rev 7 of the individuals of the Innumerable Host threatened with the Mark. The passage in Rev 7:9-17 is silent. In my opinion, since this key Mark of the Beast event is not mentioned, then likely these individuals passed into the heavenly realm before the Mark became an issue for them. Perhaps the Mark was looming, perhaps the stage was set, but based upon the text of Rev 7, it doesn’t yet come across as a primary issue.
Another indicator that the individuals of the Innumerable Host likely did not encounter the Mark of the Beast or make it as far as halfway through the Tribulation is the manner in which they died. In Revelation chapter 20:4, we read about another group of “late” Tribulation Believers who will encounter the Mark of the Beast. This group refused the Mark, and they were beheaded for their witness to our Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God, and because they did not receive the Mark of the Beast, or worship the beast’s image.
Rev 7:9-17 describes the individuals of the Innumerable Host suffering and dying from other extreme conditions, but it makes no mention of them having been beheaded. The Mark of the Beast is too key, too significant of an event. The Mark cements a place in human history when each person decides forever one’s own eternal destiny. Those who choose the Mark of the Beast choose a place of endless torment in the Lake of Fire. The Mark’s absence in relation to the Innumerable Host signals that they died earlier in the Tribulation period.
Still another reason why the individuals of the Innumerable Host are not the same group as those who rejected the Mark of the Beast is the timing when the two different groups are judged. The individuals of the Innumerable Host (Rev 7:9-10) are judged at some “early” point in the midst of the Tribulation Period, as they are already before the throne of God and of the Lamb. These individuals find their disposition and place of future service by the Lamb at His throne (Rev 7).
Per Rev 20: 1-4, those Tribulation Believers who are beheaded because they rejected the Mark of the Beast are judged when the Tribulation period ends and just after the dragon, the serpent of old who is the Devil and Satan, is imprisoned for 1,000-years. These faithful Mark-rejecting believers are judged just before Christ’s millennial kingdom begins as they are granted resurrection and to reign with Christ for 1,000-years.
One more difference between the individuals of the Innumerable Host and those who rejected the Mark of the Beast is who sits in judgment. In Rev 7, the individuals of the Innumerable Host are already before the throne of God and of the Lamb, ostensibly having already been judged by the Lamb.
In Rev 20:1-4, those souls beheaded for rejecting the Mark of the Beast and rejecting his worship, stand before multiple thrones and are judged by multiples judges who sit on the multiple thrones. Based upon the text of Rev 20, it’s hard to know for certain who the multiples judges are who sit on those thrones, but I take the position it’s likely the 24-elders who represent glorified Church-Age Believers, Age-of-Grace Believers, who in their capacity as kings and priests are ruling and reigning with our Lord Jesus. The task of judging this remarkable segment of late-stage Mark rejecting Tribulation Believers is delegated to us.
What Happened? Why Did the Innumerable Host Repent, and When Did It Happen?
Our Most High God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is at work during the Tribulation period. He has already ordained that preachers of His righteous life-transforming message will appear on the scene at the very beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period. These preachers of righteousness will loudly and boldly herald His message far and wide for people on the earth to hear. These preachers will proclaim the Way of salvation, that there is still a Hope for them, that it’s not yet too late. Time is quickly growing short. The door of opportunity to lay hold of salvation is quickly closing, but one may still slip through the door into eternal safety. At this very initial stage of the Tribulation period, one may still call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him for salvation, but the opportunity for that hope is rapidly slipping away.
The 144,000 Male Virgin Jews (Rev 7).
I believe this group is converted to follow our Lord Jesus Christ in the very early stages of the Tribulation period, the Great Tribulation period, literally at the onset of this time period. I think the 144,000 will travel the earth speaking a unique message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to Jewish people, a message that also calls Jewish people home to the geographical territory of Israel. I think the peoples of the world will also hear this message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and many millions of people will also respond, choosing to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusting Him for salvation. Many will call upon the name of our Lord Jesus to save them from eternal damnation.
It’s no coincidence to me that those of the Innumerable Host in Rev 7:9-10 show up in heaven after we first see 144,000 male Jewish virgin servants of the Lamb in Revelation chapter seven. The Innumerable Host appears in heaven when it does because the 144,000 did such a good job of evangelizing the world.
BTW: I think those four angels we also saw in Rev 7, who were granted power and authority to harm the earth, the sea, and the trees also played a role, or they helped to facilitate a positive outcome. Since they appear in chapter seven just before the 144,000 Jewish male virgins and just before our Innumerable Host appears before the throne of God and before the Lamb, I think whatever those four angels did played a role to incentivize each of them to trust God and His Word, and to believe in the Lord Jesus and to call upon Him for salvation.
I don’t know what they specifically did or its impact on the Innumerable Host of Rev 7:9-17. But the fact that this cluster of angels and Jewish male virgins and the Innumerable Host appear together in the same chapter is no coincidence. I believe all three are connected and the Lord Jesus, our Most High God orchestrates the outcomes for His glory and for the benefit of all the humans involved.
The Two Witnesses Speak from The Rebuilt Jewish Temple (Rev 11).
These two unique, supernaturally ordained heralds will also appear on the scene at the initial onset of the Tribulation period. They will seize the world’s attention with their message of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, their actions, and the supernatural nature of their presence. The whole world will see them and hear their message. And they will bring torment upon Christ-rejecting individuals and Christ-rejecting nations of the world. These Witnesses will offer many convincing signs and wonders to back their message of the gospel. Resultantly, many people, Jewish and Gentile, will call upon the Lord Jesus to save them. Many will place their trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Three Angels Who Circumnavigate the Globe with Incredible Warnings and Messages (Rev 14).
Once again, it’s hard to know the timing of the events of this chapter. I believe some events happen early in the Tribulation period. Some may begin early and continue for an unknown duration. Other events seem to happen around the mid-point of the Tribulation period, the Great Tribulation. And other events seemingly happen toward the end of the Tribulation period.
Angel #1: this one comes early in the Tribulation period preaching the everlasting gospel to all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. Very likely, this message coincides and overlaps with the voices of all the other messengers and is echoed for some duration to all earth-dwellers. I believe this angel’s message also plays an important role in convincing the individuals of the Innumerable Host to repent and call upon our Lord Jesus and to trust in Him alone.
Angel #2: this one likely appears about the mid-point of the Tribulation period, the Great Tribulation, and heralds the destruction of the false religious system of Babylon. Up to this point, earth-dwellers were allowed to worship whatever false god they wished, but the Anti-christ, the beast, destroys the false religious system and makes himself the sole focus of worldwide worship.
Angel #3: I think this one appears about the mid-point of the Tribulation period in close proximity to the Mark of the Beast event but before the Mark is made mandatory by the False Prophet, and is potentially echoed for some unknown duration. For this angel’s warning to have true value and meaning, it must occur before the Mark event, and people must possess full understanding of the warning and its eternal consequence.
Let’s Revisit Seal #5, Martyrdom (Rev 6).
We’re told of a mass of people who are slaughtered because they trusted the Word of God and because of their testimony. We see this mass of people in heaven, under the altar of God.
I think the slaughter of these people begins early in the Tribulation period. And we also note in the passage that it’s apparently a process. Some are purged and slain early, and some are purged and slain later. Those who are slain and purged early are given white robes and told to rest and wait until the full number of those who will be purged and slain is completed.
Our Most High God knows the full duration of this period of martyrdom and slaughter represented by the Fifth Seal. He knows how it parallels and runs through the Tribulation. Our Most High God knows who dies first among this group, and He knows which one dies last.
I think this seal judgment of martyrdom includes those individuals of the Innumerable Host that we see standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb in Rev 7:9-10. When their full number is complete, then they will stand as a group before the throne of God and before the Lamb. They will rejoice and give the Lamb praise for their salvation. The Lamb’s mercy and grace pursued them even in their intractable hardness toward Him until they were convinced to let go of their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ and to finally call upon Him for salvation.
The Innumerable Host Hears the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Responds
The individuals who comprise the Innumerable Host of Rev 7:9-10 will hear the message of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that is delivered and preached at the onset of the Tribulation period. These individuals will choose to place their trust in God and His Word. They will put the pieces together and will know there is something better for them. These individuals will likely recall the events leading up to and including the Rapture when millions were supernaturally evacuated from this world. The evacuated just disappeared. They will know the unique feature of the evacuated millions was the fact that each one was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, that each one had previously called upon the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and trusted the Lord Jesus to save them. And He literally saved them via the Rapture.
These individuals will see and understand the troubles, hardships, and injustices being forced upon them by wicked, demonically energized, and motivated leaders who will govern the nations in those days. They will know and understand the huge nature of the deceit, lies, and supernatural deceptions that assault them at every turn. They will choose and trust the Word of God. They will resist what the wicked leaders are trying to foist upon them. And the systematic, wholesale slaughter of the individuals who will comprise the Innumerable Host will begin.
This slaughter will take on many forms. It will likely include detention camps or camps to reprogram their minds and purge Bible-focused beliefs. These individuals will find themselves bereft of most life- sustaining amenities. They will hunger and thirst and suffer the heat of the sun. They will suffer from extremes and despair of life. They will be prevented by people and businesses from participating in the normal ebb and flow of community: buying and selling, food and drink, caring for one’s family, denial of medical care, employment, etc. They will be targeted in their communities and will fall under attack. It will include the outright murderous slaughter of many.
Wherever individuals of the future Innumerable Host live, they will flee in an effort to escape the never-ending assault and violent purge that targets them. Where possible, they will escape the cities and flee into the countryside. Here they will likely find some brief respite from the relentless assault, but now they are without necessary resources and are more exposed to the extremes of weather and the increasing calamities.
And while they wait for their full number of slain to come to completion … they will remember those who dwell on the earth (Rev 6, Seal #5). They will remember how the earth-dwellers treated them with injustice and extreme cruelty, how the earth-dwellers cut them off from the resources of everyday life and directly or indirectly caused the slaughter of untold hundreds of millions.
Before the individuals of this Innumerable Host are called to their final place of rest before the throne of God and before the Lamb, as a group they will cry out to our Most High God. They demand vengeance on the earth-dwellers who killed them and inhumanly caused their deaths and slaughter (Rev 6, Seal #5).
But in their despair, they will call upon God and trust His Word. By God’s grace, they will secure a place to stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb and to praise Him for their ultimate eternal salvation. They have finally come out of the Great Tribulation.
End of Part 2 in this 3-part series.
If you would like to see a chart comparing second-best outcomes to optimal outcomes, you can email me at: jray810@msn.com