The Trumpets

The Trumpets of Revelation

(From Revelation 8–11)

The seven trumpets in Revelation signal escalating judgments upon the earth, highlighting God’s sovereignty, justice, and call to repentance. Each trumpet introduces a specific event or series of events, culminating in the final establishment of God’s kingdom.

1. Overview of the Seven Trumpets

The trumpets follow the opening of the seventh seal and are divided into two parts:

  • Trumpets 1–4: Affect the natural world.
  • Trumpets 5–7: Known as the “three woes,” they directly impact humanity and intensify God’s judgment.

2. The Seven Trumpets

A. First Trumpet: Hail, Fire, and Blood (Revelation 8:7)

“The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.”

  • Judgment:
    • Affects vegetation: one-third of the earth, trees, and grass are destroyed.
  • Symbolism:
    • Hail and fire signify divine judgment (Exodus 9:23-25; Ezekiel 38:22).
    • The destruction warns of the frailty of human reliance on the earth’s resources.

B. Second Trumpet: Burning Mountain Thrown into the Sea (Revelation 8:8-9)

“Something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

  • Judgment:
    • Affects the sea: one-third of the ocean becomes blood, killing marine life and destroying ships.
  • Symbolism:
    • The “burning mountain” may represent a volcanic eruption, political upheaval, or divine intervention reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt.

C. Third Trumpet: The Star Wormwood (Revelation 8:10-11)

“A great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water… The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.”

  • Judgment:
    • Affects freshwater: one-third of rivers and springs are contaminated, leading to death.
  • Symbolism:
    • “Wormwood” signifies bitterness and sorrow (Jeremiah 9:15; Lamentations 3:19), symbolizing poisoned resources and divine retribution.

D. Fourth Trumpet: Darkness (Revelation 8:12)

“A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.”

  • Judgment:
    • Affects celestial bodies: one-third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, reducing light on earth.
  • Symbolism:
    • Darkness symbolizes chaos, judgment, and the removal of God’s favor (Exodus 10:21-23; Amos 8:9).

E. Fifth Trumpet: First Woe—Locusts from the Abyss (Revelation 9:1-12)

“The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.”

  1. The Star:
    • Likely an angel (fallen or divine), given authority to open the Abyss.
  2. Locusts:
    • Demonic beings resembling locusts emerge from the Abyss, tormenting those without God’s seal for five months.
  3. Judgment:
    • Affects humanity: People are tormented but not killed, experiencing intense suffering.
  4. Symbolism:
    • Locusts symbolize destructive forces (Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 1:4), but their description as demonic highlights spiritual judgment.

F. Sixth Trumpet: Second Woe—Four Angels and the Army (Revelation 9:13-21)

“The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God.”

  1. Four Angels:
    • Bound at the Euphrates, they are released to kill one-third of humanity.
  2. Army:
    • Two hundred million mounted troops unleash destruction through fire, smoke, and sulfur.
  3. Judgment:
    • Massive loss of life as humanity faces divine judgment.
  4. Symbolism:
    • The Euphrates often represents a boundary of significant judgment (Isaiah 8:7; Jeremiah 46:10).

G. Seventh Trumpet: Third Woe—The Kingdom Proclaimed (Revelation 11:15-19)

“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’”

  1. Transition to the End:
    • Declares the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
  2. Worship:
    • Heavenly voices praise God for His sovereignty and judgment.
  3. Judgment:
    • The temple in heaven is opened, and lightning, thunder, an earthquake, and hail signal the final stages of judgment.

3. Themes of the Seven Trumpets

A. Escalating Judgment

  • The trumpets increase in intensity, transitioning from natural disasters to spiritual and personal affliction.

B. God’s Sovereignty

  • The judgments are under God’s control, demonstrating His authority over creation and history.

C. Call to Repentance

  • Despite the judgments, humanity largely refuses to repent (Revelation 9:20-21). This highlights God’s justice and humanity’s stubbornness.

D. The Role of Prayer

  • The trumpets are introduced in the context of the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3-5), emphasizing the connection between intercession and divine action.

4. Reflection Questions

  1. What does the escalating severity of the trumpets teach about God’s justice and mercy?
  2. How does the call to repentance in these judgments challenge your understanding of God’s patience?
  3. What role can prayer play in aligning your heart with God’s purposes during times of trial?

5. Application

  1. Remain Faithful:
    • Trust in God’s sovereignty and ultimate victory, even amid chaos or suffering.
  2. Proclaim the Gospel:
    • Use the warnings of judgment as a reminder of the urgency to share Christ’s message of salvation.
  3. Pray Continuously:
    • Just as the saints’ prayers are intertwined with divine action, commit to fervent intercession for the world.
  4. Hope in God’s Kingdom:
    • The seventh trumpet reminds believers of the coming eternal reign of Christ. Let this hope sustain you.

6. Conclusion

The seven trumpets of Revelation illustrate God’s righteous judgment and call humanity to repentance. They reveal the escalating consequences of sin while pointing to the ultimate victory of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. As believers, the trumpets challenge us to trust God’s sovereignty, remain faithful, and proclaim the hope of the gospel.