Revelation 8:7-13
The First Four Trumpets
Read the passage
7Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.
8Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,
9a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
11The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood oil, and many people died from the bitter waters.
12Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
13And as I observed, I heard an eagle flying overhead, calling in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the remaining three angels!”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The first angel blows his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown on the earth. A third of the earth, a third of the trees, and all green grass are burned up.
The second angel blows his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea becomes blood, a third of the creatures in the sea die, and a third of the ships are destroyed.
At the third trumpet, a great star burning like a torch falls from heaven onto the rivers and springs. Its name is Wormwood. A third of the waters become bitter, and many people die from drinking them. The fourth trumpet brings darkness as a third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck. An eagle announces three woes because three more trumpets remain.
The hail, water turned to blood, and darkness recall God's judgments on Egypt in Exodus 9:23, 7:20, and 10:22. Here the damage reaches land, sea, fresh water, and the lights of heaven. The things people depend on for life cannot protect them from the judgment of their Creator.
The repeated thirds show that the devastation has limits, but the loss of life is real and the warning is grave. The eagle announces that more judgment is coming. Later, Revelation 9:20–21 describes people surviving further plagues and still refusing to repent of idolatry and evil. That later passage helps us hear these trumpets as a warning to turn to God, rather than simply a collection of frightening images to decode.
We should be humble about matching the vision to particular events. Its urgency is clear even where its imagery is difficult: God will judge evil, and the world we depend on belongs to Him. That calls for repentance and reverence, not delight in other people's suffering.
Questions
1 What is damaged by the first trumpet?
AnswerA third of the earth and a third of the trees are burned up, along with all the green grass. The judgment reaches the land that sustains human and animal life.
2 What happens to the sea after the second trumpet?
AnswerA third becomes blood, a third of its living creatures die, and a third of the ships are destroyed. Life and work at sea are both struck.
3 What happens to the fresh water at the third trumpet?
AnswerThe burning star called Wormwood falls on the rivers and springs. A third of the waters become bitter, and many people die from the water.
4 What does the eagle announce?
AnswerIt announces three woes because three trumpets remain. The judgments already described are not the end; the people of the earth are being warned of what is still to come.
What This Means for Us
This is a sobering passage to read together. It reminds us that evil matters to God and that food, water, work, and daylight are gifts we depend on Him to sustain. We should listen to His warning while there is opportunity to respond.
Is there a wrong we have made excuses for because we have not yet faced its consequences? Bring it honestly to God and ask for mercy and help to turn from it. We can also pray for people whose food, water, or homes are under threat and offer practical help. Caring for them does not require claiming to know that their suffering fulfills one of these trumpets.
Prayer
Creator God, teach us to take Your warnings seriously. Have mercy on us, turn us from the sins we excuse, and make us grateful for the world You sustain. Help us care for people who are suffering and trust You to judge with justice. Amen.