26. Seven Archangels with Trumpets


REVELATION 8.2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them
. -WEB Bible

There is a very solemn atmosphere, as seven majestic angels step front and center, lining up before God's throne. These seven angels are the powerful archangels who are always allowed in God's Presence.

We know that Gabriel is one of them, and also the warrior angel Michael. Raphael may be another, who is recognized by the Catholic church because he is mentioned in some ancient texts, although Raphael is not specifically mentioned in the protestant version of the Bible. The names of the others have not been confirmed. We know that Gabriel and Michael have frequently been involved with events on earth, and most likely the others have been as well.

Each of the archangels is handed a trumpet. There is a formal sense of ceremony in this scene, as well as a sense of order, and power. It is appropriate that heaven's highest-ranking angels are involved at this time, and underscores the fact that this time in earth’s history is a really big deal. When the seven angels are finished sounding their trumpets, Christ will return to earth as he promised.

Perhaps there is chaos on earth, but in heaven everything is well under control.


IMAGE CREDIT
: Illustration of the Seven Trumpets is by artist Gebhard Fugel (1863-1939, Germany.)  Gebhard Fugel illustrated most of the events of Revelation in a simple, but effective, impressionist style. Not many artists have taken on the challenge of illustrating the entire book. I don’t know of any modern artists who have attempted it.