Pete Garcia: Seals, Trumpets, And Bowls

Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls

Pete Garcia

Someone recently asked me to explain why God uses seals, trumpets, and bowls as the symbols for the earth’s final judgments. Since no one had ever asked me that before, I found it intriguing and worthy of investigation. In my brief searching through both my books and online, I discovered that hardly anyone else had bothered to discuss it either. In fact, you are overwhelmed with what these judgments are, but hardly any discuss why these particular symbols are used. I was able to find some descriptions in Clarence Larkin’s book on the book of Revelation so I will lean some on his work. So here we go.

Books in ancient times came in the form of scrolls. It wasn’t until the time of Julius Caesar (circa 30BC) that books were put into different forms resembling what we come to think of as rectangular-shaped books we have today. However, this particular scroll (book) contains the Title Deed to the earth. It was the inheritance that Adam forfeited when he sinned against God. Adam had been given dominion over the earth (Gen 1:26, 28), but when he willingly disobeyed God, he forfeited that over to Satan (Gen. 3:17-19, Luke 4:5-6).

Thus, the sealed scroll represents the Title Deed to the earth that Adam lost, and God regained, and now in Revelation 5, will be opened by its rightful owner. This is why we see the angel ask, “Who is worthy to open the book and loose its seals?” As Revelation 5 goes on to show, only Jesus was worthy to do so. Jesus is both God and Man and accordingly, the only capable and worthy Kinsman Redeemer in all of existence (Lev. 25:23-34, Ruth 4:1-12). Regarding this worthiness, the great Clarence Larkin wonderfully points out,

In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus. He is the Son of David; the Son of Abraham; the Son of Man; and the Son of God.

1. As the Son of David, He has title to the Throne of David.

2. As the Son of Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine, and all included in the Royal Grant to Abraham.

3. As the Son of Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.

4. As the Son of God, He is the Heir of All Things.

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