to them were given seven trumpets

Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

(It doesn’t simply say seven angels, but “the seven angels which stood before God”.

These are a special set of angels, seven in number, that have the wonderful duty of standing before the LORD, as do these:)

Matthew 18:10b That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Luke 1:19a And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God;

(This special set of seven angels, are given seven trumpets.

Seven appears to be the LORD’s number of completion, his number of perfection.

The seven seals complete the revealing of the King, the seven trumpets complete the announcing of the coming of the King,

and the seven vials complete the wrath in accordance to the justice of the King.

Trumpets have been used for many different things in the scriptures.

e.g. In Joshua’s first battle, as he came in fight and take the promised land, there was to be seven trumpets, as well.

Although, Joshua was to use trumpets of ram’s horns, it doesn’t mention the materials of the trumpets in this chapter.

In Joshua’s case, seven priests before the ark of the LORD, had the seven trumpets:)

Joshua 6:4a And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns:

(This was in preparation for Joshua’s first assault:)

Joshua 6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

(As Moses prefigured Jesus in his ministry during his first advent, Joshua prefigured Jesus at his second advent.

When Jesus returns, he will immediately assault the enemy, which will have been waiting to fight him in the promised land.

Like with Joshua at his first assault, there was the sounding of the trumpet, six times, followed by the seventh.

At the sounding of each trumpet, the passions increased.

Each trumpet blast brought about greater, and greater fear to those opposing the LORD.

Contra wise, each trumpet blast brought about greater, and greater encouragement to the LORD’s people.

But the sound of the seventh brought about Joshua’ glorious victory, and his entry into the occupied promised land:)

Joshua 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

(So, will the seventh trumpet signal Jesus’ glorious return, right into the promised land, victorious in that battle?)

(Also, trumpets have been used to announce the king:)

I Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

II Kings 9:13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

II Kings 11:12 And he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

14 And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

(Also, the seven trumpets announce the coming of the true King.

Jesus, at that point, has arisen up, from the throne, and he comes after the sounding of that seventh trumpet.)

Psalms 47:5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

(Also, it will be a warning to those on the earth:)

Ezekiel 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;