Revelation Chapter 8 Explained: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets

In this chapter, John continues writing about the events that will happen after Christ opens the seventh and final seal of the seven-sealed book that God held. In chapter 6, with each seal that Christ unloosed from the book, there was a judgment. These judgments collectively are called “The Seal Judgments.” Now, in chapter 8, Christ opens the last seal of the book. John saw the results of the opening of the seventh seal, which Bible scholars call “The Seven Trumpet Judgments.” Revelation chapter 7 describes the first four of the trumpet judgements.

Summary of the Seven Seal Judgements

The events caused by the Seven Trumpet Judgments is a fulfillment of Joel 2:30-31. “And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” (KJV)

Seal	Judgment
First Seal	World conqueror on a white horse who will bring false peace.
Second Seal	Red horse rider who will bring war.
Third Seal	Black horse who will bring famine.
Fourth Seal	Pale horse associated with Death and Hell.
Fifth Seal	Martyred souls asking God for vengeance on those who put them to death.
Sixth Seal	Earth-shattering events — a great earthquake, sun darkened, moon becomes as blood.
Seventh Seal	The seven trumpet judgments.

Click here to download a printable chart showing the Seven Seal Judgements.

Revelation 8:1 – Seventh Seal Opened

“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.“ (KJV)

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the subject of this verse. He opened the last seal of what I believe is the Book of Life. It was the book He took from God the Father in which He was the only One who was worthy of opening this very special book. With all the other seals, great judgments followed on the Earth.

Now, after He opens the last seal, John observed silence — ominous silence — in heaven for about a half hour. It is my opinion that the angels, and all the other heavenly creatures, seeing the horror of what will follow, made them pause as they considered this appalling and immediate judgment. The judgment of the seventh seal judgment is the sevenfold Seven Trumpet Judgments.

Revelation 8:2-Seven Angels With Seven Trumpets

“And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” (KJV)

This group of seven angels sound the alarm of God’s judgments on the Earth, and they will do so with trumpets.

Revelation 8:3-Incense And Prayers

“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” (KJV)

John saw an angel doing the work of a Jewish high priest at the altar in heaven. Years before, God showed this same altar to Moses in Mount Horeb when God gave Moses His law to give to His people, according to  Exodus 25:40. “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” (KJV)

 John does not tell who gave the angel incense, but Bible scholars believe Jesus Christ Himself gave this special incense to the angel. The angel took the provided incense and offered it up to God with the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 8:4-Prayers and Incense Came To God

“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” (KJV)

This verse assures the reader that, just as the incense came to God, so, too, does the prayers of His people. With all the prior judgements that resulted in so many deaths on Earth, and with even more and more terrible judgments coming, it is not surprising that God’s people are praying. God desires to hear the prayers of His people. When God hears His people talk to Him, it is like the welcome smell of sweet incense.

Revelation 8:5-Censer With Fire Cast To The Earth

“And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.“ (KJV)

The angel took the incense censer and after filling it with fire from the heavenly altar, he threw this burning object into the Earth. This action symbolized God’s wrath, which will be poured out upon the nations. Despite the prayers that were uttered by the saints and received in heaven, God still sent His judgment on the Earth.  

The result of the fiery censer was noisy chaos on Earth, which included not only verbal shouts of agony, but also the noise of chaos, calamities, and commotions occurring in the natural world because of God’s judgments.

Revelation 8:6-7 Angels Preparation

“And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.“ (KJV)

The action of casting the fire of God to the Earth was not one of the Seven Trumpet Judgments. As terrible as this was, this heavenly fire sent to the Earth was only the prelude to the seven angels with the seven trumpets who would immediately introduce these seven earthly judgements.

Revelation 8:7-1st Angel Sounded

“The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.“ (KJV)

The first of the trumpet judgments was a worldwide plague of both hail and fire. This deadly combination harks back to the plague in Egypt, recorded in Exodus 9:23. “And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.” (KJV)

After this massive, worldwide brush fire consumes all the green grass, including massive crop fields and grazing grounds of plant-eating cattle, it will end up destroying the world’s source for meat.

Revelation 8:8-2nd Angel Sounded

“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;“ (KJV)

The second of the trumpet judgment focuses on the sea. The description here seems to be of volcanic eruptions. God can take a volcano, make it erupt, and as it is spewing out deadly lava, cast it into the sea. Another possibility is that this is a meteor that is falling from outer space into the Earth. Regardless, this judgment will make a third of the sea become blood.

Revelation 8:9-Oceans Affected

“And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” (KJV)

The result of this plague will cause the death of a third of the sea creatures and destroy one-third of all ships.

Revelation 8:10-3rd Angel Sounded

“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;” (KJV)

With the trumpet judgment of the third angel, John saw what appeared to be a huge, burning star that targets one-third of all fresh water. Again, perhaps another meteor.

Revelation 8:11-Wormwood

“And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (KJV)

Wormwood is the name of the star, a name descriptive of the judgment it brings. Wormwood is found in eight verses of the Bible and refers to a wild, bitter herb. But the application of this wild plant is the idea of bitterness, grief, and sorrow.

Another idea is that some Bible scholars believe this star is a man-made object of mass destruction, perhaps a nuclear missile, since there can be an extrapolation between the English word “wormwood” and the Russian word “Chernobyl.”

God can use what man develops. However, I believe this star and its resulting judgment are both of divine, rather than manmade, origin. With all of the chaotic events that have already occurred on the Earth by this time, the remaining inhabitants of the world will probably do all they can to survive, and not add to the mass destruction that will occur because of God’s wrath. The result of this star falling from heaven into the rivers, streams, and reservoirs made one-third of all fresh water undrinkable, which results in many deaths.

Revelation 8:12-4th Angel Sounded

“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (KJV)

One third of the natural light is darkened as a result of the judgement of the fourth angel. But despite these judgements, and the deaths that result from the plagues thus far, God still shows His mercy. He is only targeting one-third of the people on the Earth. He is giving time for the other two-thirds of the people of the world to repent. This action of sparing more than what He is destroying shows the longsuffering of God.

Revelation 8:13-Triple Woes

“And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (KJV)

This ominous ending to chapter eight, recorded in verse 13, introduces the judgements of the last three angels. These last three trumpet judgments are also called the “Woe Judgements” because of this verse.

Here is a chart describing the seven trumpet judgments.

Trumpet	Judgment
First Trumpet	Hail and fire mingled with blood are cast on the earth, burning up a third of the trees and all the green grass.
Second Trumpet	A great mountain burning with fire is cast into the sea, turning a third of the sea to blood and destroying a third of its creatures and ships.
Third Trumpet	A great star named Wormwood falls on a third of the rivers and springs, making the water bitter and causing many deaths.
Fourth Trumpet	A third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, dimming a third of the day and night.
Fifth Trumpet	The first “Woe” — locusts from the bottomless pit torment mankind for five months. (Revelation 9)
Sixth Trumpet	The second “Woe” — four angels are loosed to kill a third of mankind. (Revelation 9)
Seventh Trumpet	The third “Woe” — announces that the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of the Lord. (Revelation 11)

Download a PDF of the 7 Trumpet Chart.

Continue to learn about the trumpet judgments in Revelation chapter 9.

Revelation Chapter 8 — FAQs

Revelation Chapter 8 — Personal Reflection Question

After studying this chapter, did your thoughts of angels in general change at all? How did they change?

Revelation Chapter 8 — Behind the Scenes Stuff

It was not until I was preparing for this Bible study, I realized that the seventh seal judgement were the seven trumpet judgments. I hope I made that fact clear in this Bible study. These trumpet judgements are judgements upon the Earth itself.

The Complete Revelation Bible Study Series

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this Revelation chapter by chapter Bible study guide here.

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