Read & explore together
The First Four Trumpets
In this vision, four trumpets sound in sequence, and each blast affects part of creation. The repeated pattern of “one third” shows severe, measured devastation, while the final cry warns that the vision is not finished.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets. In these verses, the first four trumpets bring harm to the land, sea, fresh water and lights in the sky. John then hears an eagle announce three coming woes for those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 8:6–13Main takeaway
This vision presents severe but partial judgements across creation and warns that further trumpet blasts are still ahead.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The angels prepare and the first trumpet soundsThe passage begins with the seven angels getting ready to sound their trumpets. At the first blast, hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown to the earth.
Explanation
The passage begins with the seven angels getting ready to sound their trumpets. At the first blast, hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown to the earth. The damage is extensive, yet counted: one third of the earth and trees are burned, and all green grass is burned up.
02The second trumpet strikes the seaAt the second trumpet, John sees something like a great burning mountain thrown into the sea.
Explanation
At the second trumpet, John sees something like a great burning mountain thrown into the sea. The comparison matters because this is visionary language. One third of the sea becomes blood, one third of sea creatures die, and one third of the ships are destroyed.
03The third trumpet poisons fresh waterThe third trumpet brings a great star falling from the sky, burning like a torch. It falls on rivers and springs.
Explanation
The third trumpet brings a great star falling from the sky, burning like a torch. It falls on rivers and springs. The star is called Wormwood, and the waters become wormwood, meaning bitter water. The bitterness is deadly, and many people die from those waters.
04The fourth trumpet darkens the lights, then comes a warningThe fourth trumpet affects the sun, moon and stars so that one third of them is darkened. Day and night both lose one third of their light.
Explanation
The fourth trumpet affects the sun, moon and stars so that one third of them is darkened. Day and night both lose one third of their light. After this, an eagle cries, “Woe” three times, warning that the remaining trumpet blasts will bring more trouble.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What repeated measure appears in the first four trumpet blasts?
Notice how “one third” is repeated as the land, sea, waters and heavenly lights are affected.
02What does the name Wormwood explain in the third trumpet?
The next line shows its effect: the waters become wormwood, and many die because the water is made bitter.
03How does the eagle’s cry shape the ending of this passage?
It says three more trumpet blasts are yet to sound, so the warning is continuing.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 8:6–13
6The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
8The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood,
9and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
10The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of water.
11The name of the star is “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
12The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars, so that one third of them would be darkened; and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way.
13I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”