The language in today’s passage is full of rich imagery: A flaming mountain is thrown into the sea, a third of the stars are blackened, and crowned locusts ride horses with scorpion tails into battle. It’s both chillingly specific and massively cryptic—and why are there seven seals, anyway? Before we get carried away, we have to remember that Scripture must first be interpreted through the lens of Scripture. So where else in Scripture do we see the number seven? It’s a parallel to the seven days of creation, the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, Jacob’s seven years of service to Laban, the seven trumpets of Jericho, etc. In God’s Word, seven is a number of completion.
In all the swirling imagery, the central purpose of all Scripture is to teach the good news of the gospel: Christ has come to save. And the whole book of Revelation is just the same. These judgments show us the completion of God’s good work. And the end purpose of God’s work of salvation is that He should abide with us and we with Him. He is our God, and we are His people.
Because we are His, we can rejoice at His coming and at the restoration of righteousness. Judgment must come. Justice is necessary because He is justice. He will make all things right. He will not allow wickedness to go on forever.
God’s judgment is total, and our only option is Jesus. For those of us in Christ, our judgment was paid by Christ at the cross. The weight of our judgment has already fallen on Him. Therefore, we should rejoice at God’s coming judgment because it will restore righteousness.
We are His, and so we need not fear any present tribulation. The consequences of evil in this world are scary, and the threat to believers is real. But “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” (1Peter 3:12). He is always with us, and He cares for us. His ears are open to our prayers, and He is not indifferent to our cries. Even in judgment, God is merciful to those who love Him.
We need not fear because we are His. Instead, we can be people of hope, joy, and peace. This is cause for great rejoicing. His justice is ongoing, and this passage is not the final judgment but a picture of God’s ongoing work in the world. He is constantly doling out mercy to us, deferring judgment, calling us back to Him. His work is not done in our families or in our communities. Therefore, have hope for your children, for your parents, and for your neighbors who are not yet believers. God is constantly at work.
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101 thoughts on "The Trumpets"
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Hope. Jesus already has the victory.
Copying down this entire devotional to keep in my Bible…incredible word, Rebecca! Wow and Amen.
God is constantly at work! Amen, I’m so thankful! He’s not finished yet!
God will always prevail ❤️
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I loved Rebecca’s reminder that we can be people of hope, joy, and peace, because in Jesus we have no need to fear the coming judgment. Refusing to give fear space in my heart leaves more room for the goodness of God to fill me and overflow from me. This was a liberating thought to me this morning, and one I’ll be thinking about this week!
“Refusing to give fear space in my heart leaves more room for the goodness of God to fill me and overflow from me.”
—ooh, that’s good!
The part that hit me most in today’s Revelation reading was 9:20: “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood — idols that cannot see or hear or walk.”
It emphasizes to me what we already know — man is stubborn and so, so lost. Even in the midst of literal tribulation, we are inclined to turn from God. How important and urgent it is to tell people about Jesus.
This part stuck out to me, too!
Amen ❤️
God is constantly at work..
Hallelujah! One of my colleagues yesterday confided in me to say that he has come to Christ!
This man, for context, has been chasing after the wind… sleeping around, going on new age spirituality trips to Thailand, struggled with an alcohol addiction.
He is not too far from God’s grace, though.
We’ve had so many great conversations over the past few months. He’s accepted an invitation to come with me to an outreach event at my church, and I’ve been praying for him.
But on Thursday, he had this miraculous conversation with an older Christian couple at a cafe that he couldn’t have imagined having. He cried and they both prayed for him.
When I actually stop to consider what God has done for me, I am baffled. His mercy is shown to me all the time even though I’m so undeserving. How can I not make Him Lord of my life?
The beauty of this brought tears, Mary. The planting and watering you did that helped prepare his searching heart for the encounter with the cafe couple – thank you, Lord, for this new brother in Christ.
Hallelujah, praise God! Thanks for sharing, Mary!
I got to share the gospel with my best friend today that is Muslim. I have been telling her that I am doing this Bible study. She asked me a question about Jesus and I prayed for God to give me the words. I’m never giving up on her.
Elizabeth, that is awesome! Praying God guides you as you continue to share about Jesus. ❤
So exciting! Praying for her!
Thank you God for your creation and your sacrifice. This is eye opening scripture and makes me tremble for the unbelievers. For the ones who have traded their souls for greed, fame, or evil. I trust in you and believe we as followers have a lot of work to do to spread the promises of Jesus. Your grace is pure. Your love is pure. I will not forget. I will not forget. Amen
Did you feel the fear of the Lord wash over you when reading these words? Dear oh dear! God is not playing! He will do what He said He would do. The earth will pass away, and but not a word of God will pass away. I know that much. What stood out to me (after reading what stood out to you lol) is , “in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” 1 Corinthians 15:52. The moment, the time is stated here, at the last trumpet. How can we discern? How loud would this be? It will be heard by those it is intended for. Unbelievers may not interpret it correctly. Would it be like a truck horn to them and they go back to sleep? I don’t know. But if we reflect back to when God descended on Mount Sinai, there was a dramatic, fiery, smoky scene with thunder, lightning, and a loud trumpet blast that caused the Israelites to tremble. And this time it will be similar but on a global scale, “…the Lord will descend… with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them…” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The location of meeting: mid air, Greek word “epouranios” means “up in the sky”. He did not descend to touch the ground, but still hovering above. The timing is the mystery. The last trumpet will mark the separation, Matthew 25:31-33 “At His coming, He separates the sheep from the goats”, Matthew 13:49-50 “Angels separate the wicked from the righteous, like wheat from weeds”. Those in Christ are gathered to meet the Lord. The dead in Christ rise first, and the living believers are transformed immediately. The lost remain behind, physically alive and spiritually unready. There is no delay, no gradual transition, no warning period for personal goodbyes, farewells. A sudden teleport from earth to heaven. The world is left stunned. There will be a harsh emotional reality, the shock and grief of the families “losing people”, it will happen without warning. The speed is so great that no goodbyes are possible. “You must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him”. Will the world be ready for this event? Or will they be eating, drinking, marrying, partying, focusing on their daily life, pleasure, comfort, normal routines of pursuing wealth, personal desires, obsessions, etc. as in the days of Noah? Spiritual blindness and total distraction is real. But for us, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Be blessed dear sisters.
Yes! Amen! So good..it makes me want to be busy for Christ all the time!!
The speed is so great no good byes are possible.
Praying for my lost family members and those who’ve walked away from their family.
God is good!
Oh My!
That’s the thing about Revelations for me. Getting swept up by fearsome head spinning sights & sounds.
But I tell myself, consider what ballerinas do to maintain balance in their turns, twists & twirls. They are trained to “spot” a steady, fixed visual object.
I think the devotional writer is asking us to do similarly.
Train our eyes upon Jesus.
Let our “spot”be upon the gospel message.
God is merciful. He sent Christ to save.
So. Good. We need to focus!
Am I the only one who thinks this is terrifying?! I totally trust the Lord, but this is scary stuff!
I readbthia when I was 12. My grandmother suggested another book.like Psalms.
I read this when I was 12 for the first time.
Trudie, I understand how you could feel that way. It is sickening to think what people who reject Jesus’ gift of salvation will suffer.
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For me I find great comfort in these passages. For it showes me that the evil that has gone on unpunished for so long will be stopped and those who have suffered for following Jesus will find true justice and comfort. It gives me a certain hope when things I see around me in this life seem hopeless.
That is a good way to think of it Kelly. TY for sharing that!
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Ya. Scary stuff. Not for us, of course, but for those that don’t know Him.
I view these trumpets as future plagues in the second half of a seven year tribulation time. It is astonishing to consider what will come upon the earth during this time. And still, people will remain unrepentant and steeped in their sins. They will think that they have peace in death from the judgment of God. But it is then they will face His eternal judgment. God is gracious and compassionate in all of His ways, and I am grateful He sends witness to Himself upon the earth. We’ve seen that with the 144,000 Jews of Revelation 7 who will witness to the Lord during this time. And we’ll see the two witnesses upcoming. I find myself praying for the spread of the gospel during the tribulation period.
I agree Lianna.
I agree with all you said! It’s funny, that those Left Behind…need to know, so they WILL have an Aha! moment, and hopefully say, it is true…what my loved one said! The Christians are gone all at once, and now all these crazy things!
I used to think with “all the Christian’s gone in an instant” that it would be obvious, but now I realize that there will be many, that were not truly saved so the churches will not be emptied all the sudden! There will even be many preachers still preaching. The wheat from the tares…indeed. So…will they know all the Christ-followers are gone? Maybe, probably not. But if I am taken (or die before) My Revelations book by Greg Laurie sits on my coffee table. lol. Should I put a big note on it (and also on my “left behind” DVD) “If you are here….you may be left behind..)
What a beautiful devotion to go with a rather hard reading.
Rev. 7.3 Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.
Rev. 9.4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green plant, or any tree, but only those who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads.
Thank you Jesus for the SEAL. For your protection and your care. I pray Jesus for those that are not yet saved, I pray they see the urgency.. that you would reveal yourself to the lost, to our friends and family members that do not yet believe. We trust you Jesus that they will come to the saving knowledge of their Savior Lord. I pray for the mommas here that have children that have turned from you Lord, give them faith to keep on covering them in prayer and remind them that you are constantly at work. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Everything you have said up until now has happened to perfection, and the end will be played out to perfection as well. Help us to remember that one day everything will be complete forever and ever! May we press on, continue fighting in prayer for those that we love, knowing that you love them even more. Thank you that your eyes are on us and your ears are open to our prayers. Don’t let the enemy keep us from trusting and believing that you still have work to do and there are still people that will call on your name. I have this saying printed out on my desk: I’d rather repeat my prayer to God a thousand times than have the devil enjoy my silence.
Have a wonderful Friday She’s!
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Rebecca said, “His work is not done in our families or in our communities. Therefore, have hope for your children, for your parents, and for your neighbors who are not yet believers. God is constantly at work.”
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God IS constantly at work! amen we have HOPE in HIS work!
God will “make it well”!
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SONG SHARE- Just released today:
Make It Well by Mercy Me
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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I read the readings again in two different study Bibles and am still stumped. Revelation 8 has numerous references to a third. What is the significance of that? Is it related to Satan falling with 1/3 of the angels?
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Did I say I was stumped? I am.
I was stumped by this also! I looked it up and apparently a passage that may be a good parallel is Ezekiel 5:1-12, it speaks about God bringing judgment on Israel in thirds. Apparently scholars believe thirds has to do with God holding back complete judgment, which He brings later.
Thank you!
Thank you for pointing this out and made the connection. In Revelation, 1/3 of the trees burned, 1/3 of the sea turned to blood, 1/3 of the ships destroyed, 1/3 of the fresh water bitter, 1/3 of the sun, moon, stars darkened. It shows partial judgment, enough to cause warning, but not total and final annihilation. Scary eh, and echoes the judgment in Egypt (in Exodus), darkness, water turned to blood, hail and fire, locusts, death. In Exodus, the plagues targeted the whole Egypt and spared Israel. In Revelation, the judgments are global but still partial. His mercy in judgment.
Thanks much!
I think these verses are meant to not make believers afraid but to have the unction to pray for the lost, be bolder in sharing our faith, and walk closer to Jesus persevering in our faith. I don’t anyone to have to go through these final days! It breaks my heart for people so blinded by Satan that they would not repent in the midst of these judgements!
Praying for all and especially for the lost!
I agree, Cheryl! Praying for the lost.
Yes, that’s good!
Amen! May we (I) have God’s heart for the lost.
I’m encouraged this morning to continue t have hope for those who have fallen away from the gospel. For me personally are my sisters and a brother. When we were teens we served the Lord “together.” Those were GREAT times! Happy Friday sweet she’s! Another prayer request. Kinda silly, kinda not. A week ago, I did something to my back bottom teeth. Finally went to a dentist last night, turns out I need some major tooth repair. OUCH!!! Trusting my Jesus again! I’m more afraid of the procedure :(
Praying for your dentist procedure and courage. I also have friends that fell away. We are studying about the 4 types of hearts (4 types of soil in Mark 4), the first 3 types don’t retain the Seed of the Gospel well, especially the most common type receives with joy (rooted in feelings) and fall away.
That sounds like a good study- I love that passage in Mark. And seem to know people of all examples! Is it a book in your small group?
You are early today!
I had a whole comment, and pushed the wrong keys and deleted. :/
Oh shoot. So sorry that it happened again. We have a print out booklet with bullet points, video summaries and discussion questions for our small group, daily homework that dives deeper. It is not a legit book, just a study booklet I’d say.
“Numbers mean something.” I have this statement written in my bible for the book of Revelations. I appreciated the reminder from Rebecca that the number 7 is referencing completeness. And yet we see that an opportunity to turn and be healed is being offered. Even when events are leading up to completion. How great is the Father’s love! But they would not repent. A third of creation destroyed but they would not accept the warnings. God acts justly.
It blows my mind that some were still stubborn and didn’t turn to God after all these crazy happenings. But what really stood out to me was Rebecca’s devo. That we still can have hope for those that are lost. That He is always with us and cares for us. That He hears our prayers and is not indifferent to our cries. God is MERCIFUL to those that love Him!
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Thank you for all your prayers for yesterday. Your love and kindness overwhelms me.
I agree with you, Traci. So much awful stuff, and still some didn’t believe. Really? How? I am glad we can still have hope. Thanks for that reminder, Rebecca.
Amen❤️
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I was listening to a podcast by Pastor Jack Hibbs, and he recommended a book called, “The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook” by John F. Walvoord. I bought it used because it’s a thick book and a little pricey. It came at just the right time to start this study. This book provides an explanatory exposition of each significant prophecy of scripture in the Bible, with mention of alternative views. It has been so helpful and would recommend it.
I just searched at two libraries. Neither had it. Bummer.
I bought it used on Amazon
I didnt mean to share as a reply
great song suggestion, thank you!
Please continue praying Sisters…I heard yesterday that they have officially narrowed down the search to TWO POTENTIAL adoptive families for our little guy (and siblings from other homes). Lord Jesus ❤️ teach my heart to surrender him completely to Your perfect will…I know you love him more than me.
Praying, Foster Mama, for this little boy and his siblings! And for peace of mind for you! Thank you for caring and loving on so many children who desperately need help.
My daughter and husband just began fostering. I am already experiencing the emotional challenges that come along with this. Praying the best for this little guy
Praying
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Prayers for your boy–that God will give him the perfect family! (heart) Love what you do!!
Praying ❤️❤️❤️
The progression of the judgments shows God’s mercy even within His discipline—He is shaking the world, not destroying it completely.
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These judgments serve as warnings, but despite everything, people still do not repent, revealing the tragedy of the human heart: many would rather endure judgment than surrender to God.
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Through it all, God remains just, patient, and purposeful; He limits His judgments, acting neither randomly nor recklessly, but giving the world time to repent with measured justice.
Can you even imagine enduring judgement instead of surrendering to Him? Unbelievable!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, the heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
God, thank you for continuing to pursue us❤️
Amen!
Amen
This reads like the 10 plagues of Egypt on steroids!!!
God made a covenant with Noah and all living creatures that he would never again destroy the earth by water/ flood. After the flood,fire and brimstone rained down on Sodom.
God is sovereign and like Pharaoh in Egypt the people of the earth are refusing to repent!
When I was a child, in church we sang a song called ” It’s Gonna Rain.” There is a recording by a group called the Sensational Nightingales. It’s gospel.
The Sensational Nightingales
The Sensational Nightingales
It’s Gonna Rain
English
Original
Lord, it’s gonna rain, it’s gonna rain
You better get ready and have this in mind
God showed Noah, showed him the rainbow sign
He said it won’t be water, but fire the next time
Said again, it’s gonna rain, children, it’s gonna rain
Lord, you better get ready and have this in mind
God showed Noah, showed him the rainbow sign
He said it won’t be water, but fire the next time
Children, way back in the Bible days
The Lord told the people, it’s gonna rain
But when he told them, they paid him no mind
And when it happened, they were left behind
I tell you, it’s gonna rain, get ready, ’cause it’s gonna rain
Lord, you better get ready and have this in mind
God showed Noah, showed him the rainbow sign
He said it won’t be water, but fire the next time
Children, Noah told the people in plenty of time
But they were too simple, and they were too blind
And when it came, that awful day
They tried to pray, but their prayer was too late
I tell you, it’s gonna rain, get ready, ’cause it’s gonna rain
Lord, you better get ready and have this in mind
God showed Noah, showed him the rainbow sign
He said it won’t be water, but fire the next time
Children, Noah said, I’m sorry my friend
God’s got the key, you can’t get in
If something don’t happen to the hearts of men
The same thing is gonna happen again
I tell you, it’s gonna rain, get ready, ’cause it’s gonna rain
Lord, you better get ready and have this in mind
God showed Noah, showed him the rainbow sign
He said it won’t be water, but fire the next time
Hallelujah
It won’t be water, but fire judgment the next time
Heartbreaking to read that after suffering the months of nearly unbearable scorpion-like torment from the locusts and after seeing the slaying of 2,666,666,666 people (1/3 of current world population estimate) by the 200 million horsemen – by fire, smoke and brimstone, not quick or easy deaths – even after witnessing this, the strength of satan’s grip on the hearts and minds of the remaining people is unimaginably strong.
v 20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
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Praying for all who don’t know Jesus as Savior, that today is the day of salvation for each of them.
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TRACI GENDRON ❤️❤️
MICHELLE P ❤️ a belated happy birthday to you!
MARI V – praying
THERESE – congrats on your new grandchild! Continuing to pray for JoAnn.
Oh SEARCHING, EXACTLY!!
Those verses jumped out at me today — “How, people?!” how can the human heart be THAT hardened under the influence of the enemy —
I had never noticed those before. ❤️ Thank you Jesus, for showing me {and for sending SEARCHING in case I missed it ;) } Praying
I agree, Searching! I’m feeling the Holy Spirit urging me to pray for the unsaved and for me to be more bold in sharing my faith.
I agree! Praying!
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It might sound unusual, but I love Revelation 8:1–4 because its imagery engages all my senses. Up to this point in Revelation, there’s been constant worship, sounds, colors, and movement. Then suddenly everything goes silent. If you’ve ever been surrounded by noise and then experienced an abrupt silence, you know how surreal that can feel. Then you see the angels standing before God with their trumpets, waiting, and you can sense the power in that moment and the anticipation that something monumental is about to happen. Revelation feels almost like listening to a ticking clock: with each vision the ticking slows, the tension builds, and by the time we reach Revelation 8, the clock finally stops. In that profound silence, the first trumpet sounds and judgment begins. I can’t help thinking of how this the kind of Messianic imagery the Israelites expected from Jesus—someone powerful enough to overthrow the Romans with divine force.
The abrupt silence …
Thank you for drawing my attention to this. ❤️
Also reminds me of the moment at a wedding before the bride enters the aisle. All prelude music stops, the church is silent, waiting for the start of the wedding march to announce the bride’s entrance.
Rebecca writes, “Even in judgment, God is merciful to those who love Him.”
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That is what stood out to me because of verses 9:20-21. All the judgments were to draw the people on the earth to repentance from their evil ways.
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2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
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Praying eyes would be opened and hearts softened to the Lord’s gift of salvation.
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THERESE – congrats on the grandbaby. Continuing to pray for Joann and wisdom for the medical team.
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MICHELLE P – happy birthday (+1 day)!
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MARI V – praying the Lord fills you with peace and courage for the upcoming court date.
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SEARCHING – any updates on Nate?
Nate – he’s healing well!
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I too was reminded of the 2 Peter passage you mentioned.
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Interesting how the wording is similar in Revelation 8:5 to Exodus 19:16-19.
Also, the angel added fire to the bowl filled with incense and prayers of the saints and hurled it at the earth – other places we see fire are the burning bush, the tongues of fire at Pentecost.
His work is not done! Not in me, my situation, my children- He is still working around us and through us! Amen! So thankful!
Father God as we read about what is yet to come and the eventual destruction I pray for the many prodigals of Shes that meet here. If it be your will intervene now God. Help us Shes to have to the words and please open the yes of the prodigals.
My daughter and husband just began fostering. I am already experiencing the emotional challenges that come along with this. Praying the best for this little guy
That comment was to go to Foster
Mama. Sorry that it posted wrong. But wanting to agree in prayer for the prodigals. For my daughter and my nieces. For the thirty year + generation to miss His presence in their lives.
Praying with you!!
Amen and Amen ❤️
Amen!
“We have to remember that Scripture must first be interpreted through the lens of scripture” – this is such a great reminder. I admit, when reading all the imagery, I was feeling as though I wasn’t sure where to start in trying to understand. This was such a helpful reminder.
I love reading Revelation for the wonder and for the awe of the power and majesty of God!
I’m with you, Cathy!
Lost in the frightful & disturbing imagery.
Found in the wonder & awe & power & the majesty of God.