If you’re unfamiliar with the study of the end times, I recommend you first read the introduction for this threat.
The end times or Tribulation period’s defining subject is the judgements that are poured out upon the earth.
Judgement Overview
The book of Revelation lists a total of twenty-one judgements, broken into three groups: Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls (or Vials).
Generally, the judgements are thought to occur sequentially, with the next set being contained within the 7th of the previous (the 7th Seal contains all 7 Trumpets, and the 7th Trumpet contains all 7 Bowls). I’ve also heard some say that they believe that the Trumpets and Bowls are describing the same judgements (not necessarily in the same order), and that they occur during the 6th seal (the 6th is a summary of the rest of the judgements).
For brevity, I’m only going to summarize here. A detailed study of the judgements is beyond the scope of one article, but this article will give a good overview of them with their effects which is what most people are interested in ultimately. I recommend you research this subject in detail yourself.
Seal Judgements
| Verses | Seal Judgement | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 6:1-2 | White Horse – Conquest – Conquers by diplomacy. |
| 2 | Revelation 6:3-4 | Red Horse – War – Peace is removed from the earth (a world-wide war). |
| 3 | Revelation 6:5-6 | Black Horse – Famine – a day’s wages will buy enough grain to make a small loaf of bread (enough to feed one person). The rich will be largely unaffected. |
| 4 | Revelation 6:7-8 | Pale Horse – Death – ¼ of the world population dies as a result of the first three seals. |
| 5 | Revelation 6:9-11 | Persecution – mass persecution / murder of Christians & Jews |
| 6 | Revelation 6:12-17 | Day of Wrath – Great earthquake that moves every mountain, sun blackened, moon as blood, stars fall to earth. “Heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up”. |
| 7 | Revelation 8:1-5 | Ending – Silence for half an hour. Then burning censer is sent to earth. |
The first four are what are commonly referred to as the “four horsemen”. They are generally thought to occur during the first half of the tribulation period.
The 5th Seal is generally thought to occur after the mid-point in the tribulation.
The 6th Seal is viewed by many to describe a nuclear holocaust. It’s viewed by those with a Pre-Wrath rapture view as being when the rapture occurs and the beginning of “God’s wrath” on earth.
Trumpet Judgements
| Verses | Trumpet Judgement | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 8:7 | Hail and fire mingled with blood. 1/3 trees & all grass burned. |
| 2 | Revelation 8:8-9 | Great mountain of fire cast into sea. 1/3 sea becomes blood, 1/3 sea creatures die & 1/3 ships destroyed. |
| 3 | Revelation 8:10-11 | Wormwood “star” (comet or asteroid) falls. 1/3 fresh waters turned bitter & undrinkable. |
| 4 | Revelation 8:12 | 1/3 sun, moon & stars darkened. |
| 5 | Revelation 9:1-3 | 1st Woe – Star (angel) falls from heaven and releases demons/monsters from abyss to torment unbelievers for 5 months. |
| 6 | Revelation 9:15 | 2nd Woe – 4 angels let loose, ⅓ of all mankind killed |
| 7 | Revelation 9: | 3rd Woe – Heaven opens. Great earthquake & hailstorm. |
Unlike the Seal Judgements that were mostly caused by man, these are all natural or supernaturally caused (caused directly by God Himself). These are all generally viewed to occur after the 6th Seal, and progressively become worse as they go.
Bowl (or Vial) Judgements
| Verses | Bowl (Vial) Judgement | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 16:2 | Sores on everyone with the Mark of the Beast. |
| 2 | Revelation 16:3 | Sea turns to blood and all sea creatures die. |
| 3 | Revelation 16:4-7 | Rivers turn to blood |
| 4 | Revelation 16:8-9 | Sun scorches with fire |
| 5 | Revelation 16:10 | Darkness and pain |
| 6 | Revelation 16:12 | Euphrates dried up to prepare a way for the “kings of the east” |
| 7 | Revelation 16:17 | “It is done”. Largest earthquake ever. Jerusalem split in 3 parts. 100lb hailstones. Babylon the Great destroyed. |
These are a continuation or worsening of the Trumpet Judgements (or the same events described in a different context).
This series ends with the Battle of Armageddon and Jesus establishing his earthly kingdom for 1000 years.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.