Page 14 - Heavenly Signs by Mel Gable

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3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given
to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before
the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s
hand.
5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and
there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.”
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The angels are asked to wait until the bond-servants are sealed. They are sealed from the Wrath of God which
comes at the First Trumpet Judgment. We see parallel statements to this judgment in Revelation 7 and 8.

Revelation 7:3 “saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-
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servants of our God on their foreheads.”
Revelation 8:7 “The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown
to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the
green grass was burned up”
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Trees being burned up at Bitterroot National Forest Fire in Montana (Alaska Fire Service)

Once the angel blows the first trumpet, one-third of the trees and all grass will be burned up on the earth.
However, God will protect His bond-servants who have received His seal. This includes protection from Satan’s
destructive powers in the wilderness or mountains to where they will eventually flee. Remember, Satan has been
thrown down onto the earth and is present when God’s first judgment occurs (“Heavenly Signs – Grand Design for
the Rapture”). What is the heavenly sign for the first judgment? It is an eclipse with the planet Saturn and the
moon with the sun which turns the earth into darkness during the daytime.

12 New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Re 8:2–7). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

13 New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Re 7:3). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.