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I’ve moved a few verses of scripture around and I’d like to show how the first four trumpets, the four angels standing at the four corners of the earth and the 144,000 sealed, are associated. You’ll notice a coherent structure as you read the Scripture below.

A bit of explanation first: The 7 angels have been given their seven trumpets to sound.  The blasting of their trumpets will trigger the 4 angels, standing at the four corners of the earth, to bring God’s wrath on the earth, sea and trees.  (After reading, please compare the earth, sea, tree references with both the 4 angels and the 4 trumpet judgments.  They are mentioned in both readings.) 

However, before the trumpets sound, the angel coming up from the east commands the four angels to wait.  (Consequently, the trumpets have to wait.)  The 144,000 servants of God have to receive a seal on their foreheads first, by these angels from the east.

Then the first 4 trumpets sound – signalling the four angels into action. 

The Word of God:  

‘The First Four Trumpets’:

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” – Revelation 8:2

‘144,000 Sealed’ / ‘God’s people will be preserved’:

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.” – Revelation 7:1

“Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God.  He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: ‘Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ ” – Revelation 7:2-3

Christians are already sealed.  Ephesians 1:13 – “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

This isn’t a physical mark like what the mark of the Beast will be.  It’s a spiritual seal.

‘A Remnant of Israel – 144,000’:

“From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.”  – Revelation 7:5-8

“Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.” – Revelation 7:4

(Chosen Jews were NOT from the Tribe of Dan possibly because of their horrendous idolatry, but I don’t have a definitive answer.  The Tribe of Ephraim is not named – maybe it is represented in the tribe of Joseph – but it was this tribe that led the 10 Northern Tribes into idolatry to begin with, after they divided from Judah and Benjamin.)

‘The Trumpets’:

“Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.” – Revelation 8:6

1st Trumpet:

“The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth.  A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” – Revelation 8:7

2nd Trumpet:

“The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.” – Revelation 8:8-9

Ships are a great source of pride for people, and pride is a sin.

Isaiah 2:11 – “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

3rd Trumpet:

“The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water – the name of the star is Wormwood [poisonous].  A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.” – Revelation 8:10-11

4th Trumpet:

“The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark.  A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.” – Revelation 8:12

Something important to keep in mind: notice how the judgment portion has increased from a fourth portion in the 4th seal to a third portion here with the first 4 trumpets?  This will increase until the full cup of God’s wrath is poured out on the wicked at the 7th Trumpet.  In fact Babylon receives a double portion in Chapter 18.

This also confirms that the 4 seals precede the 4 trumpets.

First Woe:

“And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe!  Woe!  Woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!’ “ – Revelation 8:13

The first woe is warning the earth of the 5th trumpet that will sound later.

First Four Trumpets and the 144,000 scripture

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