Introduction
In case you haven’t heard, the end of this world is coming soon — and it’s not going to be pretty. If you’re still alive during this trying time, you’ll be facing hardships that man has never known [Matthew 24:21]. But here’s a glimmer of hope… it could be worse. That’s because it could last even longer.
Our Messiah’s Promise
Matthew 24:22 — And if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the sake of the chosen ones those days shall be shortened. (The Scriptures)
This word of comfort is also found in Mark 13:20, and is part of a larger end-time prophecy that our Messiah gave, shortly before his crucifixion. Though out of all his words from that speech, it seems that this particular phrase has brought more speculation than the rest. Probably because it’s the most difficult to comprehend.
What Will Shortened Days Look Like?
There’s the spectacular account in the book of Joshua when the Creator caused the sun and the moon to stand still for an entire day [Joshua 10:13]. And rest assured: if he can make time stop, he can also make it run. So is that what’s going to happen with the “shortened” days, perhaps? Rather than standing still, the luminaries are going to kick into overdrive?
“Days shall be shortened” is definitely a curious statement, because we’re also given clear timeframes of months and years for some of the tribulation period; such as 42 months, 1260 days, and other examples…
- For more on that topic, check out: “How Long Is The Tribulation, Really?”
The case I’ll be presenting here is that the prophetic timeframes will remain the same. The 1260 days, for example, will still be 1260 days; but the speed in which they move will be faster.
How much faster, you ask…?
- 33% faster.
… and if you read through to the end, I think you may agree.
Imagine watching a YouTube video at 1.5x playback speed. You can still see and hear everything in the video, though not quite as clearly. But now, that 15 minute video just became a 10 minute one. Wouldn’t it be strange if something similar happened in real life? Well get ready, because that reality is on the way. And it already has a name…
The Fourth Trumpet
Revelation 8:12 — And the fourth messenger sounded, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. And a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. (The Scriptures)
I get it. You’re probably thinking, “Hey man, what does that verse have to do with time?” That’s fair. On the surface it just sounds like the lights of the heavens are going to be dimmed. And actually — they will be. There’s other verses in the Bible that attest to this.
Here’s a couple…
Joel 2:10 — The earth shall tremble before them, the heavens shall shake. Sun and moon shall be darkened, and the stars withdraw their brightness. (The Scriptures)
Revelation 6:12-13 — 12 And I looked when He opened the sixth seal and saw a great earthquake came to be. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. 13 And the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs, being shaken by a strong wind. (The Scriptures)
This is an important end time event, no doubt. One that the book of Revelation speaks of itself. But that being said, I don’t believe it’s the correct interpretation for the 4th trumpet.
In my opinion, the 4th trumpet is one of the very few judgements that may actually be a blessing in disguise. I say that because this verse has a prophetic second witness, but you have to search in order to find it.
The 2 Esdras / Revelation Connection
2 Esdras is an amazing study when it comes to prophecy; and when reading it alongside Revelation, it’s even more powerful. But due to various translations and (possible) additions over the years, it has its quirks. The complete work is broken into 3 parts: 4 Ezra, 5 Ezra, and 6 Ezra. 4 Ezra (chapters 3-14) is the section I’ll be speaking from; and this particular translation comes from Michael E. Stone and Matthias Henze.
4 Ezra 5:1 — Now concerning the signs: behold, the days are coming when those who dwell on the earth shall be seized with great terror, and the portion of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith, and the sun shall suddenly shine forth at night, and the moon during the day. (Stone and Henze)
Here we have another prophecy concerning the sun and the moon; and somehow, the sun will be shining in the nighttime hours. But in reality, isn’t the day marked by the sun? Hmm. So it appears that the sun will be shining earlier than usual, maybe even before the rooster crows. (Boy, there’s going to be some confused chickens.) That’s how I read it, anyway. But it’s this next verse that gives us a little more, well, confusion.
4 Ezra 5:4 — But if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see the earth thrown into confusion after the third… (Stone and Henze)
And then it stops. According to the notes provided by Stone and Henze, the text is uncertain what should come after, or in place of, the word “third.” Which is why they left it blank. Here are some of the various translation options…
- Ethiopic: “three months.”
- Georgian: “third day.”
- Arabic: “three signs.”
- Armenian: “third vision.”
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say which option is the most fitting, because they’re all so different. The New Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha (NRSA) says “third period,” which feels like a better fit. But it’s the King James Version w/ Apocrypha (KJVA) that I find to be the most intriguing.
2 Esdras 5:4 — But if the most High grant thee to live, thou shalt see after the third trumpet that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night, and the moon thrice in the day. (KJVA)
Now we might be getting somewhere. These unusual events, or at least the solar and lunar ones, may be occurring after the 3rd trumpet. And if that’s the case, is it referring to the 4th trumpet? I don’t see why not. The KJVA even says that the moon will shine “thrice in the day.” That may or may not be an accurate translation, but it does contain the number ‘3.’ Just like how the sun, moon, and stars will be struck by a “third” during the 4th trumpet.
Are you seeing a connection?
Combining The Sources
I’ll admit, my thesis requires a few assumptions in order to work. The assumption that the 4th trumpet is alluding to something more than the brightness of the heavens. The assumption that “after the third trumpet” is the correct translation in 2 Esdras, when it could just as feasibly be one of the other ‘3’ options. But when you put it all together, doesn’t it feel right?
Check it out…
First, our Messiah said that the “days shall be shortened.” Then, we have Revelation 8, which says that the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened by a “third,” so that a third of the day and the night will not shine. And lastly, 2 Esdras says that the sun and moon will be shining before their allotted times — which may be after the 3rd trumpet.
What does this all mean?
The 16-Hour Day
Because of the way these scriptures appear to intertwine, I believe that the days to come will be sliced by a third — down to 16 hours. Here’s my math…
- 24 hours / 3 = 8 hours
- 24 hours – 8 hours = 16 hours
Needless to say, this is going to require an adjustment. Most people feel that there’s not enough hours in the day as it is now. Just wait, friends. But remember, it’s for our own good. A shortened day is the only way for humanity to survive. If the days were to remain as they are, everyone would die. That’s why I alluded to this earlier…
The 4th Trumpet Is An Act Of Mercy
When the 42 months arrive, I believe we’ll still see the sun rise 365 times per year; but by the end, it will feel like only 28 months have passed.
And if you’ve read my previous prophetic article (“How Long Is The Tribulation, Really?”), you know that I believe the full period for the end time events will last for 70 years. But, I also believe that the trumpet judgments won’t begin until the final 42 years. If that’s true, that means they will only feel like 28 years.
Here’s some more math…
- 42 years / 3 = 14 years
- 42 years – 14 years = 28 years
Assuming, of course, that the 4th trumpet is sounded at the start of the 42 years; which may or may not be the case. But let’s pretend for a moment that it is…
Can you imagine what this will be like? A 16-hour day is going to be normal during that time, because it will continue for 42 years — or 28 years, whichever way you want to look at it. How will that affect our sleeping patterns? Will we age faster than we do now? Will tax day be pushed back to help us out? So many questions come to mind, but only time will tell what those answers will be.
Does Hollywood Know?
When I began studying this topic, I couldn’t help but think about a certain group of movies. Now yes, I do try to separate worldly entertainment from scripture; but at the end of the day I’m still a man, and that separation can be difficult at times. Especially when those connections seem so clear.
Are you aware of the “28 Days Later” franchise? It’s a zombie apocalypse series, with sequels “28 Weeks Later” and “28 Years Later.” I’m not proposing you watch them, nor have I seen them all for myself. But just the overall premise is… intriguing.
First off, I find it interesting that the number “28” was chosen, out of all the numbers they could have picked, now that we see it may play a role in the prophetic timeline. Particularly the “28 Years Later” one. What are the odds of that?
Also, is it a coincidence that the 5th trumpet has some overtones that sound like — I’m just going to say it — a zombie apocalypse?
Revelation 8:1-6 — 1 And the fifth messenger sounded, and I saw a star from the heaven which had fallen to the earth. And the key to the pit of the deep was given to him. 2 And he opened the pit of the deep, and smoke went up out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun was darkened, also the air, because of the smoke of the pit. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth, and authority was given to them as the scorpions of the earth possess authority. 4 And it was said to them that they shall not harm the grass of the earth, or any green matter, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads. 5 And it was given to them that they should not kill them, but to torture them for five months. And their torture was like the torture of a scorpion when it stings a man. 6 And in those days men shall seek death and shall not find it. And they shall long to die, but death shall flee from them. (The Scriptures)
Just focus on that last verse: “death shall flee from them.” Perhaps this is an intro to a future study. We’ll see.
Thank you so much for reading. And until next time… stay in that thin gate.
— Daniel A., Creator of ThinGate.org
