We’ve all experienced times in our lives we might label as a crisis, either personal or in our community, our nation, or even the world. The word permacrisis is defined as “an extended period of instability and insecurity, especially one resulting from a series of catastrophic events.”

At this point in Revelation, we see what qualifies as a “permacrisis.” The second round of judgments in Revelation 8 is marked by an increase in their severity. As with the seal judgments, the first six trumpets are sounded, followed by an interlude. The first trumpet leads to natural destruction (8:7). It becomes increasingly difficult to understand what is happening. Is it a volcano erupting? Or is it a worldwide epidemic? Is an asteroid falling into the sea? Or are the events purely symbolic? In any case, the consequences are horrifying.

The second trumpet brings oceanic destruction, including both sea creatures and ships (8:8–9). The third trumpet affects water, but this time, freshwater as a blazing star falls on rivers and springs and turns them bitter (8:10–11). With the fourth trumpet, the scope of disaster becomes astronomical, as the sun, moon, and stars are “struck” (8:12).

The fifth trumpet introduces demonic affliction (9:1–11). Satan or perhaps another powerful demon is allowed to open the “Abyss” and loose a swarm of “locusts.” These demons are given the power to torture unbelievers with painful bites. The sixth trumpet unleashes large-scale death in war (9:13–19). Natural, human, and supernatural causes blend in the apocalyptic imagery. The people experiencing these judgments do not repent but actively pursue idolatry, sexual immorality, and other sins (9:20–21).