The Fourth Trumpet
A.D. 1530 to A.D. 1730
12And the fourth angel sounded, and a third part of the sun was smitten, and a third part of the moon and a third part of the stars, so that a third part of them was darkened; and a third of the day shone not, and the night likewise.
13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three other angels, which are yet to sound!"
· In Luther Age; only 1/3 of the gospel (The Doctrine of Justification) was brought to light, and the third part of the sun, moon and stars being darkened symbolized the uncovered truth that is to be revealed in the next trumpet ages.
· In the Wesleyan Age; 2/3 of the gospel (The Doctrine of Holiness/Sanctification) was brought to light. This age would usher in a period of where the Holiness Revival brought in great spiritual awakening stirring God’s people to a deeper consecration to things of God.
· In the Warner Age; 3/3 of the gospel (The Doctrine of Justification, Sanctification, and the Unity of God’s people) was brought to light.
This trumpet marks the rise of the protestant Reformation, when folks protested against the bondage of Catholicism. However, this reform actually began working in dissatisfied and hungry hearts some years prior to 1530. For example;
John Wycliffe of the little group of Christians known as the Waldenses (named after Peter Waldo A.D. 1160, by those who opposed the truth he defended) translated the Bible into English, with the circulation of copies, the Word of God spread.
John Huss of Bohemia came in contact with some of the Wycliffe writings and being enlighten he began preaching judgment and declaring gospel truth. In Bohemian “Huss means goose. He was eventually burned at the stake in 1415 and while burning prophesied that although they could roast a goose, in 100 years God would send a swan they could neither roast nor boil.
Martin Luther was that swan, a catholic priest. He cried out against indulgences and relics, as a means of pardoning sinners from their sins. He preached justification by faith through Bible repentance. He led the protestant reformation in Europe.
Justification was the truth that came to light during the end of the dark ages. Luther denied the supremacy of the Pope, teaching that the “just shall live by faith”, that every man must have a personal contact with God. It was 1530 when his resume’ of Protestant doctrines was presented at the Diet of Augsburg, known as the Confession of Augsburg. This marked the closing of the dark papal night and the cloudy day of sect making begin.
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