The First Four Trumpet Judgments

Introduction:

“Have you ever been in a room where a joyful conversation suddenly goes silent? Maybe it was after someone mentioned a serious diagnosis, or news of a tragedy, and in that moment the weight of what was said stopped everything. Now imagine a moment like that—not in a room, but in heaven itself.

So far we’ve seen Heaven is a place filled with unending worship, voices like thunder, and the constant sound of praise… and suddenly, there is silence. What would cause heaven to go quiet? Revelation 8 gives us a glimpse into such a moment. Some say it’s the calm before the storm. It’s the deafening silence before the trumpet blasts of divine judgment.”

Deafening Silence Precedes the Trumpets (vv. 1-6)

Let’s review and think about what we’ve HEARD in Heaven leading up to Chapter 8:

We’ve heard Jesus speak to John and remind Him that He is the FIRST and the LAST, that He holds the keys to death and hell

We’ve heard Jesus relay to John his messages for the 7 churches

We’ve heard trumpet like voices and thunder (Chap 4)

We’ve heard the living creatures proclaim God’s holiness and giving glory, and honor, and thanksgiving to the Lord

We’ve heard strong angels speaking with a loud voice

We’ve heard the voices of MANY angels proclaiming the Lamb’s worthiness

We’ve heard the voices of the creatures around the throne discuss what would happen after the seals were opened

We’ve heard the multitudes from every nation, and language, and people group worshipping God and offering Him praise

But now there is deafening silence.

Notice Revelation 8:1

Revelation 8:1 NKJV

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

There are a couple of popular opinions about what this silence represents:

An atmosphere of awe and anticipation for the severe judgments that are about to be unleashed upon the earth. The “calm before the storm.”

Some see it as a moment of silence before the prayer of the saints are offered...Note Revelation 8:2-4

Revelation 8:2–4 NKJV

And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

Regardless of the reason for the deafening silence we know it only lasts for 1/2 hour. As the prayers of the saints rise like incense before God, the fire from the altar, that fills the angels censer will be thrown to earth and as a result there will be SEVEN trumpet judgments as a part of this SEVENTH SEAL:

Revelation 8:5–6 NKJV

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

I do not believe it to be coincidental that these SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS follow the portrait of the incense rising before the throne, representing the prayers of the saints. We know the martyrs have been crying out for divine vengeance and justice and God is moved to action to bring His judgment and justice on the earth against all those who have rejected His Son and trampled His precious blood beneath their feet.

Now notice Revelation 8:7 “The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.”

Trumpet One: 1/3 of Vegetation Destroyed (v. 7)

As the fire from the censer is thrown down from heaven it is followed by HAIL mingled with fire and blood. Some see this as a type of electrical storm.

This reminds us of the 7th plague on Egypt in Exodus 9:23-25

Exodus 9:23–25 NKJV

And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.

As a result 1/3 of the vegetation is scorched and destroyed. Imagine the immense loss of the food supply that will result. 1/3 of the pasturelands will be destroyed. 1/3 of the fruit trees and farmland will be demolished.

It will be devastating and have devasting results...

Trumpets Two & Three: 1/3 of Water Sources Damaged (vv. 8-11)

In the second and third trumpets the water supply of the earth is affected. The second trumpet seems to affect the salt water and the third trumpet seems to focus on the fresh water. Notice these verses with me:

Revelation 8:8–11 NKJV

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning 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 men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Once again we are reminded of the plagues in Egypt as we think about these judgments:

Exodus 7:14–21 NKJV

So the Lord said to Moses: “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned to a serpent you shall take in your hand. And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness”; but indeed, until now you would not hear! Thus says the Lord: “By this you shall know that I am the Lord. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that are in the river shall die, the river shall stink, and the Egyptians will loathe to drink the water of the river.” ’ ” Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’ ” And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

These devastating judgments will have a destructive effect on the world’s water supply, the shipping industry, the fishing industry, and even humanity. It will result in further ecological and economical collapses.

In the second trumpet the waters will be effected due to a “mountain burning with fire”. Taken literally we would assume this is the result of a giant asteroid, meteor, while some think it could refer to a massive volcanic eruption near a major water source.

Some view this as figurative, relating to the destruction of Babylon. Regardless of the interpretation the outcome is going to be devastating.

The third trumpet clearly mentions a star falling from heaven, burning like a torch and its name is “Wormwood.” It’s ironic that wormwood was the name of a very bitter plant that is associated with poison and calamity.

Trumpet Four: Heavenly Bodies Darkened (v. 12)

Revelation 8:12 NKJV

Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

The fourth trumpet will usher in something that will have an effect upon daylight and darkness. It seems as if daylight will be shortened and nighttime will be darker than usual. Some believe this will also have a tremendous impact upon the temperatures around the globe, resembling a worldwide “Alaskan winter.”

Once again this may be similar to what happened in Exodus 10:21-23

Exodus 10:21–23 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Some believe this may be the ultimate fulfillment of what the prophet Joel saw in...

Joel 2:1–2 NKJV

Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.

While we cannot be sure what will cause such a calamity, whether it be a prolonged eclipse, or something from the previous seals and trumpets continuing to veil the sunlight, we can only imagine how depressing and despondent this darkness must feel among those who have rejected their only hope in Christ and turned away from the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, now living in the darkness they have chosen.

But it seems that in judgment God remembers mercy.

Another Opportunity? (v. 13)

Why 1/3 instead of Total?

In these judgments God could have wiped out EVERYTHING, but rather these judgments effect only 1/3 of the waters, 1/3 of the daylight, 1/3 is a reoccurring theme.

While this may remind us that this is a partial judgment and that more is to come, it may also be a reminder that in God’s mercy He continues to withhold His full wrath on behalf of those who are still rejecting Him. Notice...

Revelation 8:13 NKJV

And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

Why the Warning in v. 13?

Why would He warn them there is more to come? This is a testimony of God’s grace, providing one more opportunity for repentance and faith!

How many times do you and I have to be warned and graciously given opportunity after opportunity!

Conclusion

We’re not just reading future history—we’re witnessing the heart of God.

Judgment is coming, but mercy still reigns.

God is patient—not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Maybe you’ve ignored His voice. Maybe you’ve silenced your own conscience.

But today, God’s Spirit is speaking. He’s calling. Don’t wait until the silence is broken by judgment. Respond while grace is still being offered.”

Salvation

Baptism

Church Membership