What are the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 signs and 7 bowls of Revelation?

The book of Revelation is outlined with a sequence of four sets of symbols: seven seals, seven trumpets, seven signs and seven bowls. Each symbol is used to describe God’s judgment upon sinful, Christ rejecting men and women of the earth. Each judgment is progressively worse and culminates in the battle of Armageddon, the defeat of the world’s armies.

The Seven Seals

The Seven Seals are the first set of judgments. The seals provide an overview of the terrors that will occur in the Tribulation period. The description of the Tribulation period begins in chapter 6 and ends in chapter 19. The first six seals are described in Revelation 6:1-17. The first seal describes peace which corresponds to the first 3.5 years of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). The remaining seals describe the general punishments that will occur during the last part of the tribulation. The seventh seal is mentioned in Revelation 8:1, but it telescopes into the seven trumpets.

First Scene in Heaven

Each set of judgments are separated by a scene that occurs in heaven. The first scene in the description of the tribulation period occurs in Revelation 7:1-17. In this scene we encounter the 144,000 witnesses (Revelation 7:4-8) and the tribulation martyrs (Revelation 7:9-17). The scenes in heaven describe God’s presentation of the gospel to the peoples of the earth and warning of eternal judgment. This interlude focuses on the spread of the gospel during the Tribulation and the death of Tribulation saints.

The Seven Trumpets

The seventh seal telescopes into the Seven Trumpets. The first six trumpets occur in Revelation 8:1-9:21. The first four trumpets describe a series of specific judgments on the earth and the last two trumpets describe the release of demonic forces upon the earth. Additionally, there are also three woes (Revelation 8:13; 9:12; 11:14; 18:10, 16, 19).

The Three Woes

The first two woes describe progressively worse demonic activity; the third woe, which is repeated three times, is about the battle of Armageddon. The first woe occurs in Revelation 8:13. The verse reads, "Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, 'Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!'" Revelation 8:13 (NASB). Revelation 9:12 tells us that the first woe is past. A review of Revelation 9:1-11 reveals that demonic forces were released from the bottomless pit (Luke 8:31; 1 Peter 3:19; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) between Revelation 8:13 and Revelation 9:12.

The second woe is referenced in Revelation 11:14 and occurs at the end of the second scene. The verse reads, "The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly." Revelation 11:14 (NASB). This second woe refers to the massive demonic activity described in Revelation 9:13-21. The final woe occurs at the time of the battle of Armageddon.

Second Scene in Heaven

The second scene in the description of the Tribulation occurs in Revelation 10:1-11:14. This scene includes a “strong angel” which is a giant angel (Revelation 10:1-11). During this break in the description of the Tribulation period, two witnesses appear (Revelation 11:1-13). Their purpose is to serve as witnesses; however, we are not told what they will communicate. This scene focuses on the spread of the gospel and the ministry of the two witnesses.

The Seven Signs

The seventh trumpet occurs in Revelation 11:15 and telescopes into seven signs. It is commonly believed that the seven trumpets telescope into the seven bowls, but a close examination of Revelation reveals that a sequence of seven signs follows the trumpets. Beginning in Revelation 12:1, the first sign is given to us: a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Summary of the Revelation Sequence

The list below illustrates the sequence of these events in the book of Revelation based on the provided material:

  • The Seven Seals: Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1 (Telescopes into the Seven Trumpets).
  • The Seven Trumpets: Revelation 8:1-9:21 (Includes judgments and demonic forces).
  • The Three Woes: Massive demonic activity and the battle of Armageddon.
  • The Seven Signs: Revelation 12:1 (Sequence follows the trumpets).
  • The Seven Bowls: The final set of symbols mentioned in the biblical outline.