The Instruments of Prophecy
There are seven trumpet-related prophecy references in the King James Version of Revelation (Rev. 1:10, 4:1, 8:2, 6, 13, 9:14, 18:22). There are also other references to musical instruments and to music praising God for his wonderful works.
A voice like a trumpet, clear, authoritative and distinct, speaks in Revelation 1:10 and 4:1. The music of harps (lyres) are used by spirit beings, in Revelation 5:8, to sing a "new song" praising Jesus' sacrifice and the blessings he makes possible for those in the first resurrection of the dead.
Seven angels are given seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2, 6, 13) to signal God's active intervention on earth during the terrible Day of the Lord. The sixth of these trumpets will herald the freeing of four demonic spirits that were held in a spiritual prison located at the Euphrates River (Revelation 9:13 - 15). They will unleash a wave of death by leading a huge army of 200 million people!
The music from harps are also used by 144,000 Israelites to sing praises to God for saving them from Satan the devil's wrath (Rev. 14:1 - 5). The song of Moses and the Lamb is sung by all others redeemed during the Great Tribulation.
Part of the prophetic judgment against Babylon, the world's perverted system of religion and government, is that no more music will be heard in it that rejoiced over its ill-gotten authority and luxury.
And never again shall the sound of harpers and musicians and flute (pipe) players and trumpeters be heard in you . . . (Revelation 18:22, HBFV).
Righteous Resurrection
The ultimate goal of everyone called of God is to be counted worthy to be part of the first resurrection. At Jesus's Second Coming a trumpet will be blown signaling the righteous, whether they be dead or alive, will be changed into eternal spirit beings and receive their spiritual inheritance.
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1Corinthians 15:51 - 52, NKJV).
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first (1Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV).
Millennial Joy
Many places in Bible prophecy foretell the joy that will come to all people, and especially to the remnant of Israel, when God's Kingdom rules the earth. The nations will make music and sing with gladness in their hearts when righteousness governs all humans. Below is a small sample of the music and praises that will be heard during this unique time in history.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4, NIV).
Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted; shout, depths of the earth. break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and glorifies Himself through Israel (Isaiah 44:23, HCSB).
The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for right before their eyes they see the Lord God bring his people home again. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyous song, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem (Isaiah 52:8 - 9, TLB).
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord . . . (Jeremiah 31:11 - 12, NKJV).
Music's Role with God
Amazing though it may seem, God has foretold he will sing when he sets his hand to gather his people back to the land they inherited! The time frame of this Bible prophecy is the Millennium, when humans live on the earth (Zephaniah 3:13, 20) and the Lord rules as the true King of Israel (verse 15).
The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV).