The trumpets of history sounded to alert people of the final judgments;
their trumpet blast was to call people back a into covenant relationship with their God.
They were designed to call people to repent but "they repented not of their sins." The Book of Revelation reveals Christ working out the provisions of God's Covenant in the Last Days. It also reveals Christianity's Response to that Covenant
2nd Trumpet, And the Fall of Rome
Fulfilled:
Announces the fall of Rome, that great empire that persecuted the Christians and later helped combine paganism with Christianity. In the first centuries of the Christian era, the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people, was the Roman Empire. Thus it is the Roman Empire which receives the next judgment.
Like a great burning mountain the mighty Roman empire fell as the barbaric tribes came in waves leaving blood shed and confusion in their wake.
It is noteworthy that the century of disasters upon Rome (378-476) happened after Rome had professed to accept Christianity. Constantine, in 312, converted. He and his successors turned Rome into a (supposedly) Christian empire.
Yet, for the most part it was an illusion; the pagan worship styles being converted to Christianity were destructive religious delusions that simply brought paganism into the church. Again the judgment fell on professors who had the knowledge of Christ, but refused the life changing truths of the gospel. They were not authentic Christians. Indeed, history shows that the standards of public morality did not improve with the Christianizing of the empire.
Biblical symbolism used:
The "sea"in Biblical symbolism represents large centers of people. (The beasts of Daniel and Revelation rose out of the sea)
A great many people were dependant upon Rome, Rome ruled the western civilized world. When Rome fell, it let down multitudes, sending them adrift in a sea of confusion.
The "mountain"in symbolism represents a great nation.
In Jeremiah 51, the immediate reference is to the oppressive kingdom of Babylon which is compared to a "destroying mountain", and which will be thrown down. Yet, in the New Testament times the term "Babylon" was used for Rome.
* Jeremiah 51:55 "Because the Lord spoiled Babylon and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, …the spoiler came upon her."
* Jeremiah 51:64 "Thus shall Babylon sink…
Rome destroyed Jerusalem.
Rome persecuted the Christians.
Rome combined their paganism with Christianity
But Rome received her judgment.
The "fish"of the sea, are individual people, the living "schools" of fish in the sea of humanity."
*Jer. 16.16 "Behold, I will send for many fishers, says the LORD, and they shall fish them;"
The shipsof the sea are a symbol of merchandize and wealth, trade and commerce.
Thus it is the Roman Empire which receives the next judgment.
Just like in Jeremiah 51 the one who destroyed Jerusalem is now facing her own judgment of destruction.
The first destruction of Jerusalem was by Babylon -- and ancient Babylon's destruction was symbolized by a burning mountain.
Jere. 51:24 And I will render unto Babylon...51:25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
Likewise -- like a great burning mountain the mighty Roman Empire fell as the barbaric tribes came in waves leaving bloodshed and confusion in their wake.
It is noteworthy that the century of disasters (378-476) happened after Rome had professed to accept Christianity. Again the judgment fell on professors who had the knowledge of Christ, but refused the life changing truths of the gospel. They were not authentic Christians. Indeed, history shows that the standards of public morality did not improve with the Christianizing of the empire.
Future issues:
Do not look to any great nation for your salvation.
Interesting parallels of Jeremiah 51's symbolic connections to the second trumpet now draw ones attention to Rev. 18-- for the similarities are rather striking.
The merchants
The mighty city Babylon,
Sea trade
A Mighty angel taking a huge stone and casting it into the sea, saying, thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more.
Rome too foreshadows a time when government will pass religious laws and "those who honor God's law are accused of bringing judgments upon the world, ...and Satan will excite to still greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution." (GC 614) But God will pour out judgment upon those who oppress His people.
