“I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets” (Revelation 8:2 NLT).
Seven is a significant number in the Bible. The Bible opens in Genesis with the seven days of creation and it begins to draw to a close with the seven trumpets of judgment in Revelation. The number seven signifies completion. The apostle John wrote of seven signs and seven “I AM” statements in his gospel, and in his vision on the Isle of Patmos he was commissioned to write to seven churches, symbolized by seven lampstands. He saw seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, seven plagues… and here, he saw “seven angels” who were given “seven trumpets.”
The trumpet is a unique instrument, sounding a loud, piercing tone that demands attention. It is a symbol of considerable consequence in the Bible. It was used to sound an alarm of war, a call to assemble, or a command to march. Yet here, it announces the release of seven plagues or judgments upon the earth.
These seven trumpets are not blown simultaneously, but sequentially, giving fallen humanity time to repent, just as the ten plagues of Egypt were given in sequence to call Pharaoh to repentance. The time when the seven angels will be given seven trumpets has not yet come. It will take place during the time of tribulation in the end times. Its message stands as both a prophetic warning to sinners and a promise to the saints, whose prayers rise like incense before God’s heavenly throne.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are humbled that You have revealed Your future plans to us. We therefore fear nothing in this world. For the future is in Your hands. Until that Day when the trumpets shall sound, we commit ourselves to watch and pray. And with Your help, to proclaim the gospel until all have heard. In Jesus’ name, amen.