SEALS, TRUMPETS, AND BOWLS IN REVELATION
7 Trumpets
(blown by 7 angels)
7 Bowls
(poured by 7 angels)
Hail and fire:
Third of ground devastated
(8:7)
Sores
(16:2)
Mountain of fire into sea:
Third of seas devastated
(8:8-9)
Seas to blood
(16:3)
Wormwood star into rivers:
Third of rivers devastated
(8:10-11)
Rivers and springs
become blood
(16:4-7)
Sun, moon, and stars struck:
Third of skies devastated
(8:12)
Scorching heat
(16:8-9)
5
Martyrs reassured
(6:9-11)
Woe #1:
Monstrous locusts
from the abyss
(9:1-12)
Agonizing darkness
(16:10-11)
6
Earthquake, sun blackened,
moon reddened, stars
falling, mountains and
islands displaced
(6:12-17)
Monstrous cavalry from the
Euphrates which kill
a third of humans
(9:13-21)
Euphrates dried up for the
kings of the east
going to Har-magedon
(16:12-16)
Double Interlude:
Sealing of 144,000 (7:1-8)
Innumerable saints (7:9-17)
Double Interlude:
John eats scroll (10:1-11)
Temple and 2 witnesses
(11:1-13)
(no interlude)
Announcement
of the consummation
of the kingdom
(11:15-19)
Announcement of end;
violent earthquake;
great city split into three;
cities devastated;
islands and mtns displaced;
huge hailstones
(16:17-21)
1
2
3
4
7
7 Seals
(opened by the Lamb)
White Horse:
Rider with a bow
conquers and will conquer
(6:1-2)
Red Horse:
Rider with a sword
takes peace from the earth
(6:3-4)
Black Horse:
Rider with a pair of scales
causes food shortage
(6:5-6)
Pale Horse:
Death and Hades bring
death to a fourth of the earth
(6:7-8)
Silence for half hour
(8:1)
Dr. Jeff Cate, California Baptist University
PLAGUES ON EGYPT
(Similarities to judgments found in Revelation)
Plague
Exodus 7-12
Psalm 78
Psalm 105
Revelation
Nile to blood
Exodus
7:14-24
Psalm
78:44
Psalm
105:29
Trumpet #3 (#2?)
Bowl #3 (#2?)
Frogs
Exodus
7:25-8:15
Psalm
78:45b
Psalm
105:30
Bowl #6?
Gnats
Exodus
8:16-19
Flies
Exodus
8:20-32
Disease on
livestock
Exodus
9:1-7
Sores
Exodus
9:8-12
Psalm
78:50?
Hail and
thunderstorm
Exodus
9:13-35
Psalm
78:47a, 48
Psalm
105:32-33
Trumpet #1
Bowl #7
Locusts
Exodus
10:1-20
Psalm
78:46b
Psalm
105:34-35
Trumpet #5
Dense darkness
Exodus
10:21-29
Psalm
105:28
Seal #6?
Trumpet #4
Bowl #5
Death of the
firstborn
Exodus
11:1-12:28
Dr. Jeff Cate, California Baptist University
Psalm
105:31b
Psalm
78:45a
Psalm
78:51
Psalm
105:31a
Bowl #1
Psalm
105:36
RELATIONSHIP OF SEALS, TRUMPETS, AND BOWLS IN REVELATION
Linear Theory:
Bowl #7
Bowl #6
Bowl #5
Bowl #4
Bowl #3
Bowl #2
Bowl #1
Trumpet #7
Trumpet #6
Trumpet #5
Trumpet #4
Trumpet #3
Trumpet #2
Trumpet #1
Seal #7
Seal #6
Seal #5
Seal #4
Seal #3
Seal #2
Seal #1
The linear theory interprets the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls as 21 consecutive episodes of
judgment with no overlap or repetition. The strength of this theory is that Revelation delineates
three sets of seven judgments. The weakness of this theory is that there is much repetition within
these 21 episodes of judgment. For example, the sun is blackened in seal #6 while later in
trumpet #3 it has reappeared and is darkened only by one-third. Later, in bowls #4 and 5, there is
scorching heat and then agonizing darkness.
Telescopic Theory:
This theory was first proposed by Victorinus of Pettau (ca. AD 300). The telescopic theory
interprets the 7 trumpets as being seal #7 and the 7 bowls as being trumpet #7. The strength of
this theory is the connection between the seven trumpets and seal #7 in Rev. 8:1-2. The weakness
of this theory is that there is no apparent connection between the seven bowls in Rev. 15:1-16:21
and trumpet #7 back in Rev. 11:15.
Recapitulation Theory:
The recapitulation theory interprets the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls as repetitious and nonlinear. The description of divine judgment as three sets of seven judgments is simply an
apocalyptic method of implying impending judgment and was not intended as literal series of
episodes.
7 Seals
7 Trumpets
7 Bowls
Dr. Jeff Cate, California Baptist University
Bowl #7
Bowl #6
Bowl #5
Bowl #4
Bowl #3
Bowl #2
Trumpet #7 = 7 Bowls
Bowl #1
Trumpet #6
Trumpet #5
Trumpet #4
Trumpet #3
Trumpet #2
Trumpet #1
Seal #6
Seal #5
Seal #4
Seal #3
Seal #2
Seal #1
Seal #7 = 7 Trumpets
"TEASING" OF THE END
 In 6:12-17, the massive earthquake, blackened sun, reddened moon, falling
stars, vanishing sky, and displaced mountains and islands typically indicates the
very end (see Mk. 13:24-26)
 In 10:6-7, the huge angel announces, "There will be no more delay, but in the
days when the seventh angel is to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be
fulfilled, as he announced to his servants the prophets."
 In 11:15, after the trumpet of the seventh angel, the announcement is made,
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."
 In 11:19, God's temple in heaven was opened and the heavenly Ark of the
Covenant was seen which typically indicates the very end.
 In 14:7, an angel announces, "Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his
judgment has come. . . ."
 In 14:14-20, the harvest of the earth typically depicts the end.
 In 15:1, seven angels with seven plagues are introduces as "the last, for with
them the wrath of God is ended."
 In 16:7, the seventh angel pours his bowl and a heavenly voice announces, "It is
done," followed by devastating geological upheavals (earthquakes destroying
cities, mountains, and islands).
The end comes in chapters 18-19 when Babylon falls (18:1-24), Christ returns
(19:11-16), and the beast is defeated (19:17-21).
Dr. Jeff Cate, California Baptist University
REPETITION IN REVELATION
Death:
 Seal #4 - Death and Hades bring death to a fourth of humans and animals
 Trumpet #6 - Monstrous cavalry kills a third of humans
Earthquakes:
 Seal #6 (Rev. 6:12)
 Angel flung fire from the altar to earth (Rev. 8:5)
 Tenth of Jerusalem destroyed and 7000 killed after two witnesses (Rev. 11:13)
 Trumpet #7, the opening of God's heavenly temple (Rev. 11:19)
 Bowl #7, violent earthquake devastating cities, mountains, and islands
(Rev. 16:18)
Darkness:
 Seal #6, sun blackened, moon reddened, stars falling (6:12-14)
 Trumpet #4, one-third of sun blackened, moon darkened, and stars falling
(8:12)
 Bowl #5, agonizing darkness (16:10-11)
Hail:
 Trumpet #1, devastating a third of vegetation (8:7)
 Bowl #7, hundred-pound hailstones (16:21)
Salt-Water Cursed:
 Trumpet #2, mountain of fire into the sea devastating a third of seas (8:8-9)
 Bowl #2, seas turned to blood (16:3)
Fresh-Water Cursed:
 Trumpet #3, star named "Wormwood" into the rivers devastating a third of the
rivers (8:10-11)
 Bowl #3, rivers and springs become blood (16:4)
Euphrates:
 Trumpet #6, monstrous cavalry from the Euphrates (9:13-21)
 Seal #6, Euphrates dried up for the kings of the east to come (16:12-16)
Dr. Jeff Cate, California Baptist University