The Revelation of Jesus Christ — The Seals, Trumpets, and Vials

November 4th, 2025

The Apostle John, while exiled on the Isle of Patmos, was shown “things which must shortly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1–3). His vision revealed both heavenly and earthly events that would unfold from his time forward. The Book of Revelation is therefore a divine roadmap — unveiling judgments, trials, and triumphs that mark the unfolding of God’s plan for mankind.

Each seal, trumpet, and vial reveals a new phase in the story of the world — from the rise and fall of nations to the testing of faith and the final establishment of Christ’s Kingdom. John was commanded to write what he saw, that God’s servants might discern the times and remain steadfast through tribulation (Revelation 1:19).

As you read, take time to observe for yourself which of these events may already have been fulfilled in history and which may yet be before us. For John saw “the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter” (Revelation 1:19) — a prophetic panorama stretching from his day to the return of the Lord in glory.

The Seven Seals (Revelation 6–8:2)

1st Seal — Victory (White Horse)
“And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1–2)

2nd Seal — War (Red Horse)
“And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Revelation 6:3–4)

3rd Seal — Famine (Black Horse)
“And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand... A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.” (Revelation 6:5–6)

4th Seal — Death (Pale Horse)
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death.” (Revelation 6:7–8)

5th Seal — Martyrs (Souls under the Altar)
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God... and white robes were given unto every one of them.” (Revelation 6:9–11)

6th Seal — Great Earthquake and Cosmic Disturbance
“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth... and the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” (Revelation 6:12–15)

7th Seal — Silence and Judgements Begin
“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” (Revelation 8:1-2)

The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8–11)

1st Trumpet — 1/3 of Earth Burnt
Hail and fire mingled with blood fell upon the earth; a third of trees and all green grass were burnt up. (Revelation 8:7)

2nd Trumpet — 1/3 of Sea Turned to Blood
“As it were a great mountain burning with fire” was cast into the sea; a third of sea life and ships destroyed. (Revelation 8:8–9)

3rd Trumpet — Wormwood Poisons the Waters
A great star called Wormwood fell from heaven, and the waters became bitter; many died from the waters. (Revelation 8:10–11)

4th Trumpet — Sun, Moon, and Stars Darkened by 1/3
“The third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars.” (Revelation 8:12)

5th Trumpet — Locusts from the Abyss (First Woe)
A star fell from heaven and opened the bottomless pit; smoke and locusts came forth to torment men five months. (Revelation 9:1–5)

6th Trumpet — 1/3 of Mankind Killed in War (Second Woe)
Four angels bound at the Euphrates were loosed; an army of two hundred million killed a third of mankind. (Revelation 9:13–18)

7th Trumpet — The Kingdom Proclaimed (Third Woe)
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15–18)

The Seven Vials (Bowls of Wrath) (Revelation 15-16)

“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. ...And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.” (Revelation 15:1, 6–7)

1st Vial — Sores on Those with the Mark
Painful sores fell upon those who bore the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. (Revelation 16:2)

2nd Vial — Sea Becomes Blood; All Life Dies
The sea became as the blood of a dead man, and every living soul in the sea died. (Revelation 16:3)

3rd Vial — Rivers and Fountains Turn to Blood
The rivers and fountains of waters became blood. (Revelation 16:4)

4th Vial — Sun Scorches with Great Heat
The sun scorched men with fire, and they blasphemed the name of God. (Revelation 16:8–9)

5th Vial — Darkness on the Beast’s Kingdom
Darkness fell upon the seat of the beast; men gnawed their tongues for pain. (Revelation 16:10–11)

6th Vial — Euphrates Dried; Kings Gather for Armageddon
The river Euphrates dried up to prepare the way of the kings of the east; unclean spirits gathered the kings to battle. (Revelation 16:12–16)

7th Vial — “It Is Done”: Final Earthquake and Hail; Babylon Falls
A great voice from heaven said, “It is done.” Voices, thunders, and lightnings followed, and a great earthquake shook the world; every island fled, and the mountains were not found. Great hail fell from heaven upon men. (Revelation 16:17–21)

Closing Reflection

The Revelation of John is both a warning and a promise — a divine chronicle showing the triumph of the Lamb and the purification of the earth. Many of these signs echo throughout history — wars, plagues, earthquakes, and the shaking of kingdoms — while others may yet await their appointed time. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)