SEVEN TRUMPETS The Sixth Trumpet Predicts the Fall of the Ottoman Empire |
The First Four Trumpets
Rev. 10 Events leading to 7th trumpet
Rev. 11 Events leading to 7th trumpet
The seventh Trumpet, the Time of Judgment
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The trumpets of history sounded to alert people of the final judgments, to call them back into covenant relationship. 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 by Ulrike
Following are two articles by Josiah Litch: Advent Shield and Herald, May 1840 Millerite Signs of the Times, Feb. 1, 1840
May 1840 by Josiah Litch “As soon as this decision was formed, I began immediately to write and publish a series of letters, embodying a synopsis of Mr. Millers views, which was published in Lowell, Mass. In a 12 month pamphlet of 48 pages, entitled “The Midnight Cry” or “A Review of Mr. Miller's Lectures on the Midnight Cry”....This pamphlet was circulated to some considerable extent through New England and awakened a permanent interest in many minds.....In addition to this pamphlet, I began also to preach the doctrine wherever I went..... In April I commenced in the preparation of another work, at the same time continuing to lecture wherever the way opened. In that second work, I gave my own, rather than the views of Mr. Miller, as in the first pamphlet. The second book was a volume of 204 pages, entitled, “The Probability of the Second Coming of Christ about A.D. 1843” This was given to the public in June, 1838 . (pp. 55-56) "It was in this work the calculation on the fall of Ottoman supremacy on the 11th of August, 1840, was first given to the world.... This work circulated through New England, and excited something of an interest. The subject rested here, with the exception of a few newspaper articles published in Zion's Herald, of Boston, and Zion's Watchman, of New York, until the spring of 1839. In that year Mr. Miller was invited to lecture....Numbers embraced the doctrine of the Lord's speedy coming. This winter's campaign produced an excitement throughout New England, and raised up friends in almost every town. As the spring opened, and the summer came, the entire community were excited, and expectation on tiptoe, in reference to the 11th of August and its anticipated events, the fall of the Ottoman empire etc. etc. many were the predictions that when that day should have passed by, as it certainly would do, without the event being realized, that then the spell would be broken, and Adventism would die. "But the time came; and it must be confessed it was for a few weeks a time of trial to many....The time came and passed by; and, as a matter of course, the distance from Constantinople could not be passed without consuming some considerable period of time. But when the fact did reach us, it was found that on the very day anticipated, the 11th of August, a transfer was made of the supremacy of that empire from Mahomedan hands. This fact entirely discomfited the hosts of the enemy. The cause again revived, and careered on its way with still greater power than ever before. (p59-60)
February 1, 1840 by Josiah Litch
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up. We have had numerous questions propounded relative to the fall of the Ottoman power within the three last months, both by the friends and opponents of our cause. As we wish to give a full and distinct answer to them all, we present the following article for the satisfaction of that class of our readers. They will not only find all their question's answered, but we hope their faith in the word of God will be confirmed. THE ELEVENTH OF AUGUST, 1840. FALL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. The time and event above named have excited deep interest in the public mind for more than a year past. It is therefore proper that the whole subject should be carefully reviewed, and the exact state of the case presented. Has, then, or has not, THE ORIGINAL CALCULATION IN REFERENCE TO THE 11TH OF AUGUST AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED? The calculations are founded on the 9th chapter of Revelation. Therefore, without entering into a very minute exposition of the chapter, it will be sufficient to give the outline of the views entertained in reference to it. 2. The sixth trumpet changed the nature of the war carried on between the Turks and Greeks from torment to death, political death, which was to take place at the end of the five months, or 150 years.
With these general remarks I will present the
original calculation made on these prophetic periods,
that the reader may have distinctly before
him what we were to anticipate, and compare it
with what has actually taken place. Let it be
borne in mind, this was not written in 1840 and
after the llth of August, and so adapted to
meet the events of that day ; but it was written
in May, 1838, It may be found in a book entitled "It was given after the rise of the Ottoman empire, to torment or harass and weaken men (the Roman empire in the east) five months. If these are prophetic months, as is probable, it would be one hundred and fifty years. But when did that empire rise ? Mr. Miller has fixed on A. D. 1298. Others, among whom is Gibbon, in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1299. He says—-Othman first invaded the territory of Nicomedia, on the 27th of July, 1299. He also remarks on the singular accuracy of the date, a circumstance not often found in the history of those times. He says—" The singular accuracy with which this event, is given, seems to indicate some foresight of the rapid growth of the monster." If we date the origin of this empire in 1299, the hundred and fifty years would end, 1449. During that length of time, the eastern empire of Rome was harassed beyond measure by the Ottoman power, but was,not subjected entirely to it. The year 1448, Amurath, the Turkish Sultan, besieged Coria, one of the strongest cities in the Roman empire. The end of the five months would come the next year. We should naturally look for some great defeat of the Christian emperor's army.- But was it so? So far from it, that after a long summer's seige and a great loss of men, the fall coming on and the rains setting in, the Turks raised the seige and retired. The empire was now left in peace. One would be almost inclined to think the word of prophecy must now fail. But the time came, and the word of God was confirmed by the event. " John Paleologus, emperor of Constantinople, was dead, and his brother, Constantine Deacozes, would not venture to ascend the throne without the permission of Amurath, the Turkish Sultan. He sent ambassadors to ask his consent before he presumed to call himself sovereign. This happened A. D. 1449. This shameful proceeding seemed to pressage the approaching downfall of the empire. Ducas, the historian, counts John Peleologus for the last Greek emperor, without doubt, because he did not consider as such, a prince who had not dared to reign without the permission of his enemy." (Hawkins1 Otto. Emp. p. 113). Gibbon an infidel, is so struck with the singular accuracy of the record of the origin of this empire, that he attributes it to some foresight in the historian, of the rapid growth of the monster. But would it not become Christians better, to attribute it to the superintending providence of that Being who had set a bound for that and other empires, which they may not pass? who had given them power to harass and torment the empire of Constantinople five months; and to kill or subject it to their own sway, an hour, a day, a month, and a year; the whole being five hundred and forty-one years and fifteen days. The sixth trumpet sounded ; and a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, said to the sixth angel which had the trumpet " Loose the four angels which are bound in the great rivet Euphrates." And the four angels were loosed which were prepared for an hour, a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. The four angels denote ministers of judgment. They refer to the four nations of the Seljukan Turks of which the Ottoman empire was composed, located near the river Euphrates, at Aleppo, Iconiom, Damascus, and Bagdad. Up to the period of 1449 they had indeed tormented the Christian empire but could not subject it. When the sixth trumpet sounded, God seems to have overawed the Greek emperor, and all power of independence seems, as in a moment, to have fled. He, in a most strange and unaccountable manner, voluntarily acknowledged that he reigned by the permission of the Turkish Sultan. The Turks very soon after addressed themselves to the work of reducing Constantinople. This they effected, A. D. 1453, four years after the emperor obtained permission to ascend the throne. The last third of the ancient Roman empire was now reduced by Turkish arms. The number of horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand; what this number means, expositors have been at a loss to determine. But I am inclined to believe with Mr. Miller, that it means two hundred thousand twice told, making 400,000, in all.. What makes this probable, is the fact, that the Turks usually had from three to four hundred thousand horsemen in their army. They had, when Constantinople was taken, three hundred thousand, and some say, four hundred thousand horsemen, beside many foot, and a fleet. Since the fifth trumpet sounded, there has been an astonishing change in the arms of the Turks. They, then had breastplates of iron, and were armed with dirks and scimetars. Now the scene is changed, and they are prepared with breast- plates of fire, and of jacinth and brimstone. And out of the mouths of the horses, proceeded fire, smoke, and brimstone. Their power was in their mouth and tail; their tails were like serpents; long, cylindrical instruments like serpents with heads in them (bullets) with which they did hurt. This description has long been considered by- expositors as a description of fire arms and gun- powder. And, indeed, I do not know how any one who knew nothing of such instruments could describe them more clearly. The design of these plagues is stated in the twentieth verse. It was to lead the people on whom these plagues were inflicted, to repent of their sins and break them of devil worship, &c. But they did not re- pent, neither of their murders, nor their sorceries, nor fornications, nor of their thefts. They, like most on whom the judgments of God fall, remain impenitent to this day; and the Turks continue to oppress them. But when will this power be overthrown ? According to the calculations already made, that the five months ended 1449, the hour, fifteen days, the day, one year, the month, thirty years, and the year, three hundred and sixty years; in all, three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days, will end in A. D. 1840, some time in the month of August. The prophecy is the most remarkable and definite, (even descending to the days) of any in the Bible, relating to these great events. It is as singular as the record of the time when the empire rose. The facts are now before the reader, and he must make what disposition of them he thinks best. From the foregoing extract it will be perceived 2. That at the termination of 150 years from that date, the Greeks voluntarily parted with their supremacy and independence, by virtually acknowledging they could not maintain their throne without the permission of the Mahomedans. Thus, from that time the Christian Government of Greece was under Turkish domination and about three years after, fell a victim to Turkish arms. 3. But what termination of Ottoman power were we to expect, in view of the manner of the origin of the Ottoman power in Constantinople? Most certainly, if we reason from analogy, a voluntary surrender of Turkish supremacy in Constantinople, to Christian Influence. 4. What is the history of the Ottoman power for the last year? The Sultan has been engaged in a quarrel with Mehemet Ali, Pacha of Egypt. The Pacha had rebelled against his master, the Sultan, declared his independence, and conquered a considerable portion of the Sultan's dominions, together with his fleet. These he refused to surrender. This conference was composed of England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. The following extract from the same official document above quoted, shows the decision of the conference. The following extract of a letter from a correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle of September 18, 1840, dated Constantinople, Aug. 27th, will answer the question. Let it be understood Rifaat Bey left Constantinople for Egypt, August 5th, with the ultimatum. But was the Sultan's throne in danger from Mehemet, that he needed the support of the great powers, and thus threw himself into their hands for support? Let the following extract from a manifesto he had put forth about the 20th of August and caused to be read in the Mosques, day after day, answer. It is taken from the same letter with the above extracts. In conclusion : I am entirely satisfied that on the llth of August, 1840, The Ottoman power according to previous calculation, DEPARTED TO RETURN NO MORE. I can now say with the utmost confidence,"The second woe is past and behold the third woe cometh quickly." " Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he. walk naked and they set his shame." L*
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