Fall of Empires (1) First Trumpet

The first trumpet releases hail mixed with fire and blood.

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up (Rev 8:7).

Hail mixed with fire and blood is a symbol of judgment on the nations. Prior to the Exodus, God judged rained hail on the fields of Egypt (Ex 9:22-23). God sent hail to destroy the forces of the Amorite kings when they attacked Israel at Gibeon. Isaiah used hail and fire to symbolise God’s judgment on Assyria. He will shatter its strength by the power of his arm (Isaiah 30:29-31).

The judgment only affects one third of the earth. This shows that these are partial judgments. God is merciful an only allows rebellious humans to experience part of what they deserve. The final judgment come much later in the plagues described in Revelation 15.

This judgment is not directed at particular kingdom, but affects the entire earth. This contrasts with the next three trumpets, which are directed at specific empires.

The various sequences of seven run in parallel, so the first trumpet encapsulates the judgments of the first four seals. The advance of Islam, intertribal warfare, economic crisis, and epidemic disease also affect the entire earth. They lead to the persecution of the fifth seal, which leads to a great outcry of desperate prayer. The Father responds by prompting the church to speak judgment against the power nations.