The seven seals were opened, and there was a silence in heaven for half an hour. During that time, the prayers of all the saints are mingled with incense from the golden altar and ascend before God. But now, it is time for the seven trumpets to sound. In verses 7 through 12, we read about the blowing of the first four trumpets. When the first trumpet sounds (verse 7), hail and fire mixed with blood are cast down upon the earth. The result is terrible: a great fire erupts, and one-third of the earth, the trees, and the low vegetation are burned up. The sky turns red. In short, the Earth and its plants are struck by a major disaster, making the Earth less livable. When the second trumpet sounds (verse 8), something like a huge mountain of fire is thrown into the sea, burning. The consequences are again terrible: one-third of the sea turns red like blood because one-third of everything living in the sea is killed, and additionally, one-third of the ships are destroyed. Thus, a major disaster strikes the sea and all its life forms, and the earth becomes less habitable once more. When the third trumpet sounds (verse 10), a great star, burning like a torch, falls from the sky onto the fresh, drinkable waters. One-third of the drinking water is affected, and the consequences are, of course, terrible: one-third of the people die. Animals will likely perish as well. So, the Earth becomes less livable again. When the fourth trumpet sounds (verse 12), the light is partly taken away because one-third of the light bearers—the sun, moon, and stars—are affected. The intensity and duration of the light are diminished; nights last longer, and days become less bright. Darkness increases. As a result, the earth becomes less habitable once again.
How terrible what we read. Humankind believes it can do so much in its pride. There stands humanity with all its technology and science, with all its knowledge and skill. But God tears this present world apart. This world, living without God and covered in sin, cannot be harmonious and stable. The blowing of the trumpets is a strong warning: Christ is coming! Let us view the natural disasters on this earth this way. They are not coincidences. God has His hand in them, as a warning: He is coming! Repent! This highlights the gospel that is spreading. Therefore, the natural disasters we read about so often are not a cause for fear, but they call us to prayer: Lord, come! Yes, come!
Please note, these disasters are not yet total or all-encompassing. We read four times that one-third of creation is affected. This is still not Christ’s second coming, the great Day of the Lord, the final judgment. God, in His patience, is still sparing and bearing with us. The gospel continues to go out! Let us heed the gospel and be witnesses for Christ in this dark world.