Revelation Part 33
Throughout the Bible, trumpets are used to announce important events, including the approach or arrival of danger, war, or a significant moment. In Revelation, the trumpets announce the next steps in God's judgment upon humanity and the evil forces under Satan's influence.
The seven trumpets introduce the next stage of God's judgment during the Day of the Lord. A trumpet is essentially a call to attention. The Hebrew expression Simu Lev means to pay attention or take notice. Throughout the Bible, trumpets are used to announce important events, including the approach or arrival of danger, war, or a significant moment. In Revelation, the trumpets announce the next steps in God's judgment upon humanity and the evil forces under Satan's influence. The first four trumpets focus primarily on physical effects upon the earth, while the final three are called “woes” and have greater spiritual implications, particularly in Revelation 9, where power is released from the bottomless pit.
The trumpet judgments give us a summary of events associated with God's judgment during the Day of the Lord. The remainder of Revelation provides additional details about what takes place during this period. The first four trumpets are specifically associated with plagues that affect physical creation. The final three trumpets are described as woes, indicating an escalation in the severity and consequences of the judgments.
Before the trumpets sound, Revelation 8:3 introduces another important scene:
“Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.”
The angel is given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before God's throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rises before God.
These prayers can be understood as the cumulative prayers of God's people throughout history. God's people have repeatedly prayed for His Kingdom to come, for Satan's influence to be ended, for sin and its effects to be defeated, and for God's righteous judgment and government to fill the earth. The prayers represented at the altar are therefore connected with the fulfillment of God's plan.
The altar of incense corresponds to the altar used in the tabernacle and temple outside the Holy of Holies. Luke 1 provides a picture of this practice when Zacharias is serving as priest. Only the priest assigned to that day entered to offer the incense, while the multitude of people remained outside praying. This imagery provides a connection between the prayers of God's people and the coming intervention of God.
In Revelation 8:5, the angel takes the censer, fills it with fire from the altar, and throws it to the earth. The result is “noises, thundering, lightning, and an earthquake.” Throughout Scripture, thunder, lightning, and earthquakes are associated with God's presence, power, and judgment. The prayers of the saints are followed by divine action. What God's people have been praying for is now beginning to take place.
Revelation 8:6–7 records the sounding of the first trumpet:
“The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth.”
The result is devastating. A third of the trees are burned up, and all the green grass is burned up.
This judgment connects with other biblical descriptions of the Day of the Lord. Joel 2:30–32 describes signs in the heavens and on the earth before the great and awesome Day of the Lord. God has repeatedly revealed through His prophets what He intends to do, consistent with Amos 3:7, which teaches that God reveals His plans to His servants the prophets.
The exact mechanism of this judgment is not specified. The fire and destruction could involve human weapons and warfare, or they could be supernatural acts of God. Modern warfare has demonstrated how large-scale destruction can affect enormous areas through missiles, drones, fire, and other weapons. At the same time, the language of Revelation allows for a supernatural fulfillment that goes beyond anything human beings can produce.
The physical consequences would be enormous. The destruction of vegetation would affect food supplies, animal life, the environment, and the availability of resources. Trees provide food, shelter, fuel, building materials, and protection against erosion. Their destruction would therefore create consequences extending far beyond the initial fires. The first trumpet demonstrates that God's judgment will affect the physical earth itself, and it begins a progression that will intensify as the remaining trumpets sound.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
