Hail & Fire – the first trumpet

Hail & Fire

There are many ideas about what the seven trumpets in Revelation, chapters 8-9 mean. Seven angels are given seven trumpets and when each trumpet sounds, strange things happen. Some scholars think they are literal events, some think they represent historical battles and kingdoms being overthrown. Others believe they are future judgments of God. What most scholars agree on is that they are warnings from God to a world headed for destruction. There is still time to repent and turn back to God, but the time for mercy will soon run out.

A Surprising Discovery

Here we will explore the first angel that sounds the first trumpet. Hail and fire are hurled to the earth. A third of the trees and green grass is burned up. What does it all mean?

With symbolic language, the book of Revelation reveals who Jesus is. Every chapter gives us glimpses into the loving character of our Father in heaven, the creator God of the universe. What can we learn about Him in this first trumpet description that seems at first glance to bring terrible destruction?

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  Revelation 8:7

Using the Bible to interpret the Bible, let’s put on our detective hats and discover some surprising insights from this first trumpet blast. Both the psalmist David and the prophet Isaiah describe hailstones and fire. Notice what initiates this cascade of hail and fire in both the passages below.

The Lord thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice,
Hailstones and coals of fire.
He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe,
Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them.

Psalm 18:13-14 (emphasis mine)

 

The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard,
And show the descent of His arm,
With the indignation of His anger
And the flame of a devouring fire,
With scattering, tempest, and hailstones.

Isaiah 30:30 (emphasis mine)

The Lord’s glorious voice is followed by fire and hailstones. For what purpose – to vanquish our foes and enemies. If I am in a war, this is who I want to have leading the way. We are in a war friends. It’s a war over our eternal destiny. Will you let this mighty voice speak to the foes in your life and take care of them for you?

And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up (Rev. 8:7)

Will we really look around and see green fields and trees on fire? Is this what this passage is talking about? If we’re thinking about symbols, what could these trees and grass represent? The Bible compares trees and green grass in several places to evildoers. Psalms 37:1 says, “Do not fret because of evildoers…for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”  Later in verse 35 it says, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more.”

To sum up the message of the first trumpet, read the rest of this beautiful passage in Psalms 37. It says it much better than I ever could.

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.

---

Want to teach your kids more about the Seven Trumpets in Revelation? Get the Seven Trumpets Workbook, an easy to use bible study specifically for kids, ages 8-12. Grown ups like it too. ;-).