The seven trumpets described in the book of Revelation are more than dramatic end-times imagery, according to No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Cahn, who says they serve as God’s urgent warning for believers to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ.
In a powerful teaching video, Cahn walked listeners through Revelation 8, Joshua 6 and several New Testament passages, arguing that the symbolism of the trumpet echoes throughout Scripture as a divine call to awakening, judgment and ultimately the establishment of God’s kingdom.
Opening with Revelation’s description of silence in heaven before the seventh seal is opened, Cahn described the moment as “the calm before the storm.”
“Heaven is not naturally silent,” Cahn said. “There is praise, there is motion going on… but now there’s silence because of what is about to come.“
Throughout the message, Cahn explained that the repeated appearance of the number seven represents completion. He connected the seven trumpets to Israel’s sacred calendar, particularly the seventh month—Tishri—which contains the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.
According to Cahn, these biblical feasts prophetically foreshadow the closing events of history.
“The book of Revelation is about finishing up,” he said. “It’s about the end. It’s about the completion.”
Cahn also revisited what he believes was an extraordinary providential moment during the 2020 national prayer gathering known as The Return. He recounted how six shofars were blown at precisely the same second President Donald Trump announced his Supreme Court nomination, which later helped pave the way for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Cahn presented this as an example of symbolic timing rather than political advocacy.
“The trumpet… has become a vessel,” he said, emphasizing that God often works through unlikely instruments to accomplish His purposes.
The heart of the sermon, however, centered on the striking parallels between Joshua’s conquest of Jericho and the seven trumpets in Revelation.
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Just as seven priests carrying seven trumpets marched around Jericho before its walls collapsed, Cahn said Revelation portrays seven angels sounding seven heavenly trumpets before the kingdoms of this world fall under Christ’s reign.
“What happens in Revelation when the seven trumpets are sounded?” Cahn asked. “The kingdom of the world comes tumbling down.”
He noted that Joshua ultimately led Israel into the Promised Land after Jericho’s fall, while Jesus—whose Hebrew name is Yeshua—will ultimately usher believers into God’s eternal kingdom following the final victory over evil.
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah,” Cahn quoted from Revelation.
Rather than encouraging fear, Cahn urged Christians to respond with spiritual readiness.
“The trumpets say get ready,” he said. “Get right with God… The King is coming.”
As wars, global instability and moral confusion continue to dominate headlines, Cahn challenged believers not to panic but to live with eternity in view.
“The trumpet tells us the King is coming,” he said. “Therefore, live in a manner worthy of that fact.”
In an age marked by increasing global turmoil, Christians would do well to heed Jesus’ own words to “be on the alert,” remembering that history is not spiraling out of God’s control—it is moving toward the glorious return of the King of kings.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
