What are the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation?

Quick answer

Revelation describes three series of judgments—seals, trumpets, and bowls—that unleash increasing devastation during the tribulation, culminating in Christ’s return. These judgments reveal God's justice but also His mercy as they are calls to repentance and salvation before it is too late.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Revelation describes three series of seven judgments during the tribulation: the seals, trumpets, and bowls. The seven seals include the Four Horsemen, martyrdom, and natural disasters; the seventh seal leads to the trumpets. The seven trumpets bring destruction to the earth, torment from demonic forces, and culminate in the seven bowls of God’s wrath. The seven bowls unleash severe plagues, darkness, and the final battle at Armageddon before Christ’s return. These judgments reflect God's justice and wrath toward sin and rebellion, but they are still God’s call for people to repent and turn to Him. God, in His mercy, offers salvation to those who turn to Christ before it is too late. Yet, His patience is not an excuse to delay but an opportunity to surrender to Christ before these judgments come.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls are not mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The seven seals refer to seals on a scroll. The first four seals include the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These include the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1–2), intense war (Revelation 6:3–4), famine (Revelation 6:5–6), and further plague, famine, and war (Revelation 6:7–8). The fifth seal speaks of the deaths of the saints (Revelation 6:9–11). The sixth seal includes a massive earthquake (Revelation 6:12–14). The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:1–5).

The seven trumpets include 1) hailstorms and fire that destroy plants (Revelation 8:7), 2) destruction of sea life (Revelation 8:8–9), 3) destruction within lakes and rivers (Revelation 8:10–11), 4) darkened sun and moon (Revelation 8:12), 5) "locusts" that torture people (Revelation 9:1–11), 6) a demonic army that kills a third of all people (Revelation 9:12–21), and 7) seven angels that have the seven bowls of God's wrath (Revelation 11:15–19; 15:1–8).

The seven bowls include 1) painful sores on humans (Revelation 16:2), 2) the death of everything in the sea (Revelation 16:3), 3) rivers turning into blood (Revelation 16:4), 4) the sun causing great pain (Revelation 16:8–9), 5) great darkness and worsened sores from the first bowl (Revelation 16:10–11), 6) the Euphrates River drying up and the Antichrist's armies gathering for Armageddon (Revelation 16:12–16), and 7) a great earthquake and giant hailstones (Revelation 16:17–21).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

All these judgments will take place during the seven years of tribulation prior to Christ's second coming and defeat of the Antichrist and Satan at Armageddon. This second coming is distinct from the rapture of believers in Jesus that will take place at any moment and is prior to the tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:51–58). Those who believe in Jesus now will escape these judgments and enjoy the presence of God rather than endure the fearful judgments that will take place during this difficult period. God’s mercy is evident in the fact that He has given people time to repent and turn to Him before these events unfold (2 Peter 3:8–13). It is also apparent that people who are alive during that time will come to saving faith in Christ (Revelation 6:9–11; 7:9–14). God’s patience is not an excuse to delay but an opportunity to surrender to Christ, knowing that His return is certain and His promises are sure. Every person is invited to respond to the truth of the gospel now, receiving God’s grace and salvation while it is still available.

UNDERSTAND

The seals, trumpets, and bowls are three sets of escalating judgments during the tribulation.

The seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments reflect God's justice.

The seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments call those who reject God to turn to Him for salvation.

REFLECT

How does the reality of God’s impending judgment impact your daily life and choices today?

Why is it important for you to recognize God's mercy by responding to His call for repentance and salvation now, rather than delaying?

How does the assurance of Christ’s sacrifice shape your perspective on God’s justice and mercy?

ENGAGE

How does the progression of judgment (seals, trumpets, bowls) in Revelation reflect God’s patience and desire for repentance?

What role do the warnings in Revelation play in motivating us to share the gospel with others?

How does understanding the certainty of Christ’s return influence how we live and share our faith in the present?