What were the seven angels in Revelation 8 given, and what do the trumpets do?
In Revelation 8, seven angels standing before God were given seven trumpets. These trumpets simply announce the next event, and out of the seventh seal comes the first of seven trumpet judgments during the tribulation, finally culminating when Christ returns.
Les explains that Revelation 8 comes at the midpoint again, when the seventh seal is opened. Before the trumpets, there is absolute silence in heaven for half an hour—no angelic voice, instrument, music, shout, or trumpet. Les says that silence is sobering because of the awesome things about to come on the earth; even the angelic hosts are aware of the awful things coming. Then verse 2 shows the seven angels who stood before God, and they were given seven trumpets. Les emphasizes that these trumpets simply announce the next event. Out of the seventh seal comes the first of the trumpet judgments, and there will be seven. He compares the tribulation events to a mother approaching delivery: birth pangs begin light and increase in intensity and closeness, crescendoing until the last day and Christ’s return.