“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.” – Colossians 1:16

There is a spiritual realm that we do not see, but it is very real, as stated by the Apostle Paul. The historian Flavius Josephus reported an unusual occurrence in Jerusalem in the last days before its destruction by the Romans. In the month of Iyar (between Passover and Pentecost) Josephus wrote, “for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds.” (Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Chapter 5, Paragraph 3, Section 22 – emphasis added)

The residents of Jerusalem saw soldiers (and war?) in the heavens. Recently, there have been reports of hearing trumpets and explosions coming from the heavens. It is difficult to substantiate these claims. Personally, I have never heard any such sounds.

However, there is a Scripture that may explain these noises. The Lord Jesus confronted some evil spirits:

“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” – Matthew 8:29

These spiritual beings knew that their time would come to an end. They also apparently knew that it was not time yet. Perhaps they were familiar with these passages:

“Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.” – Jeremiah 10:11

“The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship Him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.” – Zephaniah 2:11

So perhaps this is an explanation for mysterious rumblings and trumpet sounds in the heavens, if they are real. Satan, and his minions, know the time is short, and these may be the beginnings of skirmishes in the unseen realm.

Pray for the lost! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.