Lesson 6 - Scenes in Heaven
1. What scene was presented to the prophet, following the vision of the seven seals? Rev. 8:2. — John sees seven angels, and to the seven angels were given seven trumpets.
2. Of what is the trumpet a symbol? Jer. 4:19; 1 Cor. 14:8. Note 1. — Trumpets signify alarm of war, wars of nation, and preparing for battle.
3. Before opening to the prophet’s vision the desolation of war, what view was presented? Do our prayers actually reach heaven? With what are they mingled? Rev. 8:3, 4. Note 2. — Incense is given so that the prayers of all the saints can reach up to heaven. Smoke of the incense ascends up to heaven, and is given to God before the angel’s hand.
4. What followed the sounding of the first trumpet? Where did the desolating effect fall? What was the result? Verses 6, 7. Note 3. — The first angel sounds the trumpet, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood. This signifies the invasion of the Goths in 395 AD. They come from the north, which means when they go down south they are cold, and they attack Pagan Rome.
5. What was seen when the second trumpet sounded? Where was this burning mountain cast? What was the effect? Verses 8, 9. Note 4. — The second trumpet sounded, and it was as if a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea. This signifies the invasion of the Vandals in 428 AD. Vandals come from the south, which is from the sea.
6. What was seen, following the sounding of the third trumpet? Where did this star fall? What was the name of the star? What was its effect upon the waters? Verses 10, 11. Note 5. — The third trumpet sounded, and the star of Wormwood fell upon the third parts of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. This is the invasion of the Huns, in 451-53 AD.
7. What scenes transpired as the fourth trumpet sounded? Verse 12. Note 6. — This is the fourth trumpet, the last one to bring down Pagan Rome. The third part of the sun, moon and stars were smitten, and darkened. The day shone not. This is the invasion of the Heruli, in 470 AD, who attacked and defeated Pagan Rome in 476 AD.
8. What more ancient prophecy was fulfilled in the history of these times? Dan. 7:23, 24. — The prophecy of the fourth beast of Daniel 7, which is the fourth kingdom - Pagan Rome. In v23, it says that it’ll break into pieces. In v24, the beast has ten horns. This shows how Pagan Rome while being weakened from expanding, they had been attacked with the four trumpets, splitting them into ten.
9. After the three kings had been plucked up, what work by the little horn power was to follow? Dan. 7:21, 22. — The little horn is to prevail until judgement.
10. Do papal principles still oppose the truth? Do the kingdoms of divided Rome still exist in our day? For what may we look next? Dan. 2:44. — Papal principals that are still practiced today, they still oppose the truth. The kingdoms of divided Rome do not exist literally, but can be found spiritually its parallel kingdom, the 7th kingdom. We are to look forward for the kingdom of heaven, which shall never be destroyed.
11. What assurance for the times of conflict before us have we in the word of prophecy, showing God’s overruling hand in history? Isa. 45:9-11; 40:9, 22, 23, 29-31. — We see how God is preparing his people, and how he is showing the signs from past history so that those in the end time can see the signs to prepare for judgement and Jesus’ second coming.