The seven trumpets are described in Revelation 8-11 as a series of judgements from God that will impact the earth during the end times. According to the text, when each trumpet is sounded, a new judgement is unleashed. Here is a summary of what the Bible says about each of the seven trumpets:
First Trumpet
The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon 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. (Revelation 8:7)
This trumpet brings about a devastating destruction upon the land, burning up a third of the earth, trees and grass. It could point to literal fire and hail falling from the sky, or possibly refer metaphorically to warfare or other means of wrecking havoc on the land.
Second Trumpet
The second angel sounded his trumpet, and 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. (Revelation 8:8-9)
The second trumpet brings about a destruction to the seas, turning a third of the waters into blood and killing a third of sea life. It could refer to a giant asteroid or other celestial object hitting the oceans and causing massive death and destruction.
Third Trumpet
The third angel sounded his trumpet, and 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. (Revelation 8:10-11)
The third trumpet affects the world’s freshwater supply, poisoning a third of the rivers and springs. This could come from a meteor or other celestial even that impacts freshwater sources, or some kind of contamination.
Fourth Trumpet
The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, 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 turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. (Revelation 8:12)
This trumpet brings about a disruption or darkening of the celestial bodies, reducing the light from the sun, moon and stars by a third. This could refer to a blanketing of ash or smoke in the sky after a global catastrophe that blocks sunlight.
Fifth Trumpet
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. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. (Revelation 9:1-5)
When the fifth trumpet sounds, an angelic being descends and opens the Abyss, out of which demonic locust-like creatures emerge and torment humanity. This could refer to a demonic horde being unleashed upon the earth to inflict agony and suffering on those who have rejected God.
Sixth Trumpet
The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. (Revelation 9:13-18)
The sixth trumpet unleashes four bound angels who lead an army of 200 million to bring about death to a third of the human population. This could refer to a demonically-empowered army that wages war on a global scale.
Seventh Trumpet
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 Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (Revelation 11:15-19)
The seventh trumpet signals the completion of God’s wrath and the ushering in of His eternal kingdom. Loud voices in heaven declare Christ’s triumph, and there are scenes of worship and celebration. The time has come for the final judgment of the righteous and wicked, and for God to reward His people and destroy evil. This trumpet is connected to final climactic events at the very end of the age.
In summary, the seven trumpets of Revelation represent different plagues, disasters and judgments that will unfold during the end times. The trumpet blasts signal the enactment of God’s justice and judgment on an unrepentant world, while also bringing about His final victory. As the book of Revelation details, the seven trumpets will unfold in the build-up to the return of Christ and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
While there are different interpretations about the exact meaning and chronology of the trumpets, most Bible scholars agree they signify a series of intense judgments from God that will impact the earth and its inhabitants at the close of this age. The trumpets point ahead to the coming Day of the Lord – a time when God will deal with evil and usher in His new creation. The judgments unleashed by the trumpets encourage perseverance for God’s people, while also serving as warnings to unbelievers to repent before it is too late.
The trumpets remind us that God is sovereign over human history and ultimately in control of the final outcome. Even amid the chaos and suffering brought about by the seven trumpets, God’s plan cannot be thwarted. For Christians, the message of the seven trumpets is to remain faithful and cling to the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. The climactic seventh trumpet signals that the end is near and Jesus’ promised return is coming soon. When the trumpets sound, the call goes out to be ready and live in holiness, for God is wrapping up His purposes on earth before establishing His eternal kingdom.