This page/post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! For more detailed information, please visit our Affiliate Disclaimer page
Do you ever wonder what the seven trumpets in the Bible represent? This post will explore the seven trumpets in the Bible, uncovering the symbolism and meaning behind them. We will untangle the mystery surrounding these trumpets through a deep dive into Bible scriptures, shedding light on the seven trumpets.
Revelation 8:6-9:19 and 11:15-19 provide the description of seven trumpets in the Bible, the “contents” of the seventh seal’s judgment. The angels, summoned by the seventh seal, sound the trumpets, triggering the end times’ tribulation period and the accompanying judgments.
Understanding the extent of these seven trumpets and their personal and collective implications is an important aspect of faith for Christians.
As Christians, it’s important to prepare for the eventual return of Jesus. During this time, there will be a period on earth known as the Great Tribulation. This will be the most horrific and judgmental time in human history, causing unimaginable sorrow and suffering. Be ready, and put your trust in the Lord.
The book of Revelation contains prophecies about the end of days, but its symbolism can make it difficult to understand. Yet by studying and grasping these symbols, the full picture of what will happen in this time of tribulation becomes vivid and clear. For Christians, taking the time to understand Revelation is essential for making sense of the end of days.
Christians often turn to the book of Revelation for insight into the seven trumpets. In fact, these seven trumpets play a prophetic role in the story of the Bible. It’s impossible to explain the seven trumpets in the Bible in a single article comprehensively, but we can provide enough information to prompt further study. Start your exploration by delving into the symbolism and context of each trumpet to gain a deeper understanding of God’s divine plan for us all.
Where Can We Find the Seven Trumpets in the Bible?
For Christians looking for a deeper understanding of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation, chapters 8-11 of the book of Revelation offer a window into the mystery. By taking the time to study these chapters, the symbolism and significance of the Trumpets can be revealed.
When it comes to trumpeters, most of us think of the grand announcements made when a leader or royalty enters a room. But trumpeters symbolize a much different kind of proclamation for Christians: The Seven Trumpets of the Great Tribulation. These trumpets signify the judgments that will befall the earth during the final days of strife.
When Are the Seven Trumpets Blown?
As John beholds the glorious vision of multitudes from every tribe and nation before the throne of God, resounding and triumphant trumpet blasts follow this awe-inspiring sight. The reverberating echoes of the trumpets announce a new reality: The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, has conquered sin and death to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.
“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.”
Revelation 8:1-2 (ESV)
The thunderous silence in heaven after the great roar must have surely been a jolting contrast for John. In the seventh seal of the book of Revelation, seven trumpets are sounded to carry out God’s judgment upon the earth. As each trumpet blows, these judgments become increasingly severe.
When we examine the opening verses of chapter 8 of the Bible more closely, we can see that the blowing of the trumpets was in response to the prayers of the believers: a sign of God’s recognition of their devotion. This serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of prayer and how God opens His ears to His children.
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”
Revelation 6:9-11 (ESV)
God responds to the prayers of His martyred people during the Great Tribulation with a powerful display of judgment and vindication. The Bible refers to the prayers of God’s children as incense, reminding us that God takes pleasure when we cry out to Him in prayer. God brings justice for His people and proves His love in one mighty act.
The 7 Trumpets in the Bible and the Judgments
At the core of John’s visions of Revelation lay the seven trumpets in the Bible released by a separate angel that unleashed a series of divine judgments. These messages reveal God’s warnings, justice, wrath, and mercy. Let’s explore each trumpet’s judgment.
The First Trumpet
The first trumpet brings devastation to the earth itself.
“The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.”
Revelation 8:7 (ESV)
When the first angel sounds his trumpet, Revelation 8:7 predicts an unparalleled judgment of “hail and fire mixed with blood” that will destroy one-third of the earth’s trees and all the grass. This judgment mirrors the seventh plague in Egypt, an event that is still remembered today for its maliciousness and destructive power.
As Christians, it’s vital to recognize the severity of this warning and be prepared for the potential of divine retribution.
Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt. There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
Exodus 9:23–24 (ESV)
The Second Trumpet
The second trumpet is directed towards the seas.
“The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”
Revelation 8:8-9 (ESV)
At the sound of the second trumpet, a terrifying sight is revealed in Heaven: a huge burning mountain thrown into the sea. According to Revelation 8:8-9, this tragic event profoundly impacts the seas and life within it: 1/3rd of the sea is turned to blood, 1/3rd of the ships are destroyed, and 1/3rd of the creatures in the sea die. This judgment is strikingly similar to the first plague God brought upon Egypt. For Christians, this serves as a painful reminder of the power of the Lord’s wrath.
(see Exodus 7:20–21).
The Third Trumpet
The third trumpet of Revelation brings destruction to humanity’s water supply, resulting in the death of countless people. This is a vivid reminder of the often devastating effect of sin, of man’s reckless disregard for God’s laws. The consequences can be irreversible, a solemn truth to which we must all heed.
“The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.”
Revelation 8:10-11 (ESV)
The third trumpet judgment described in Revelation 8:10-11 brings unprecedented destruction to Earth’s freshwater lakes and rivers. A great star, known as Wormwood, falls from the sky and poisons a third of the water supply.
Named after the bitter, poisonous plant of botany, Wormwood brings death and destruction to many. As believers, we must stay faithful in prayer and trust that God’s plan will ultimately bring salvation to His people.
The Fourth Trumpet
The fourth trumpet of the Lord’s judgment brings forth a devastating blow to the sky – the sun, moon, and stars are all shrouded with darkness.
“The fourth angel blew his trumpet, 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 their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.”
Revelation 8:12 (ESV)
The earth, sea, and sky are all affected by God’s first four judgments, the very things necessary for life on Earth. God demonstrates His power and mercy by punishing those who have rejected Him. After the fourth trumpet is blown, a momentary pause precedes the last three trumpets that will end the world.
“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!’”
Revelation 8:13 (ESV)
In the face of justice, God gives us grace. We might think He delights in judgment, but that isn’t the case. He must judge sin to be who He is, yet His heart fills with mercy, offering an opportunity to repent. In His justice and mercy, He allows for a period of additional warning before His judgment comes. This is a chance for us to turn away from our wrongs and turn toward His grace.
As the fourth trumpet judgment comes to a close, a special warning is issued to the inhabitants of the earth: a loud voice from an eagle flying through the air cries out, “Woe! Woe! Woe!” (Revelation 8:13). Thus, the three succeeding angels’ trumpet blasts are referred to as the “three woes.”
Things quickly become dire, as we can see with the first four of the seven trumpets in Revelation. But, heartbreakingly, it only gets worse from here. For the faithful Christian, understanding these trumpets is essential for determining the fate of the world.
The Fifth Trumpet
The fifth trumpet in the Bible brings a ghastly plague upon those who have rejected the Lord: locusts representing Satan’s evil influence. Surprisingly, these demonic forces can torment but not kill – a truly nightmarish experience. Yet, God also provides protection to those with His seal on their foreheads, shielding them from this terrible torture. Such is the power of both the Lord.
A star falls from Heaven at the start of the plague, likely representing a fallen angel with the key to the Abyss. He opens the Abyss and unleashes a horde of locust-like creatures with scorpion-like power. The locusts single out those who have not sealed themselves with God’s mark on their foreheads. For five months, these creatures torment the unbelievers, causing such agony that they will wish for death, though none comes. Unable to kill, the locusts are only allowed to torture them.
In Revelation 9:11, Christians are presented with an uncanny vision of demonic forces known as “locusts,” complete with a “king” in the form of the angel of the Abyss, Abaddon, or Apollyon, meaning “Destroyer.” These creatures, described as “horses prepared for battle,” are decked in golden crowns and boast vaguely human faces.
Their hair is “like women’s” and teeth “like lions’ teeth,” while their wings sound like a battle cry. To add a further touch of horror, these locusts have stings in their tails like scorpions. Speculation abounds as to what these forces could represent—helicopters, barbarian warriors, or a satanically empowered army. We won’t know for sure until it comes to pass.
The Sixth Trumpet
At the sound of the sixth trumpet, four angels were released from the four corners of the earth, bringing with them an army of 200 million demons. These demonic forces wreaked havoc on the earth, killing one-third of its inhabitants.
In the face of such devastating destruction, the remaining people responded in remarkable ways. The survivors turned to God, confessing their sins and worshiping Him in humility. With only one-third of humanity left, the earth now echoed with the prayers and praises of people from all across the land, who had been shaken awake to the reality of the living God.
“The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
Revelation. 9:20-21 (ESV)
Hardened hearts can be incredibly dangerous: instead of repenting and turning to God, people, in the face of great tragedy and death, persist in their defiance and rejection of His love and compassion. This is why, according to the Bible, it is so important to watch out for hardening your heart, as the consequences can be dire.
In spite of the stark reality of the calamities that have befallen them, many on earth still obstinately refuse to repent of their sins. Idolatry, murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft are all rampant among those who have survived the plagues. Even now, when one might expect they have seen enough to feel the need to humble themselves and turn towards God, their evil hearts remain unrepentant.
As the sixth trumpet judgment draws to a close, John sees a heavenly messenger descend with a small scroll in hand. This messenger brings good news, promising that the seventh and final trumpet is soon to sound. For the followers of Christ, this is a moment of divine assurance that the glorious reign of heaven will be fulfilled soon.
“but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
Revelation 10:7 (ESV)
John is called to prophesy further (verse 11). Afterward, a vivid description follows of two powerful witnesses who will preach the word of God in Jerusalem and do marvelous miracles. Ultimately, these two witnesses will be slain, yet God will miraculously raise them to life and take them to Heaven!
(See Revelation 11:1–13).
The Seventh Trumpet
Before the ultimate blow of the seventh trumpet, Revelation 10 and 11 describe a powerful series of events heading toward the climax of God’s judgment. As a Christian, reading these powerful passages to understand what’s to come is important.
According to Scripture, the number seven signifies completion, and the seventh trumpet is no exception. When it is blown, the Bible tells us that a remarkable event takes place. So, what happens when the seventh trumpet is sounded? Here’s the lowdown…
The seventh (the final) trumpet is blown—the third and most intense woe has arrived, and with it comes a reverberating chorus of voices from Heaven proclaiming loudly!
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Revelation 11:15 (ESV)
As this trumpet blows, news of Christ’s reign is spreading, signaling the nearing completion of the Tribulation period. Though the Tribulation is not over when the trumpet is sounded, it is close. For Christians, this signals a time of anticipation and hope. Some major events are left to play out, but we know this trumpet is blown closer to the end of the Great Tribulation.
The twenty-four elders say that the time has come for God to end the destruction of the earth and make it anew. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, a holy temple is opened in heaven, with flashes of lightning, rumblings, thunder, an earthquake, and a severe hailstorm. This is a sign for God’s Christian people that a great punishment is coming for those who have done wrong, and a new and blessed life awaits those who have stayed faithful to Him.
The Lord’s seven trumpet judgments have concluded, signifying that the angels with the bowls of God’s wrath are ready to act. These angels, standing in the open temple, will unleash the final judgments as prescribed by the Lord. For Christians, this serves as a reminder of God’s power and His complete control over our lives.
(See Revelation 15)
When it comes to the seven trumpets in the Bible, there is much to uncover. This article provides a launching pad for further discovery. It offers an overview of the seven trumpets in the Bible and how they relate to the Christian faith, helping to set the stage for a more detailed analysis. Use this as a starting point to learn more, as the topic warrants much more attention than a single article can provide.
If you’re a Christian, fear not in regards to Biblical prophecy and the end times! Our Lord has already promised us victory, so regardless of the circumstances, we can rest assured that the outcome will be in our favor. Rather than dreading these times, look upon them with open eyes and hearts, ready to accept the challenge. Let the words of God encourage and embolden you to journey forward in faith.
The seven trumpets in the Bible depict a powerful story of God’s judgment, through which He seeks to restore peace and order to His beloved people. The message of these trumpet blasts has had a lasting impact throughout history and reminds us that God is the ultimate judge.
His presence is with us and knows our thoughts, actions, and intentions. As believers, it is our duty to strive for natural justice and righteousness in our world and show God’s love and mercy through our words and deeds.
Let us heed the warning of the seven trumpets and strive to bring His peace and justice to the world.
You may enjoy this video on the seven trumpets in the Bible.
You may also wish to dive into one of these recommended resources for further study on the seven trumpets in the Bible.
Seven Trumpets Asounding – Biblical Commentary of the Book of Revelation by D. Earl Cripe
The Seventh Trumpet & The Seven Thunders: God’s Prophetic Plan Revealed by Russell M Stendal
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”