Thunder is the sound of lightning's sudden heat and pressure expanding the air into a shock wave. It is frightening to many and awe-inspiring to others. The Hebrew qol means a loud call, voice, or proclamation, ra'amah describes violent agitation or vibration, and the Greek bronte originally meant to roar. Because thunder is a force of terrifying power beyond the human realm, the Bible most often makes it a manifestation of God, and it may describe the voice of God more than any other image does. God asks Job, "Can you thunder with a voice like Mine?" David says the LORD thundered from heaven and that the God of glory thunders (Psalm 18:13; 29:3). God also uses thunder as a weapon, as in the plague of hail on Egypt, against the Philistines, and again in Revelation. Jesus' surname Boanerges, Sons of Thunder, for James and John may therefore point beyond their misdirected zeal, as when they wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village, or their ambitious request for places in the Kingdom. It may be a prophecy of what He was making them, voices of God whose witness has proclaimed His way for two thousand years. The Christian calling is God's work, for He says, "I will make you."

In the unfolding of God's plan, weather, including thunder, serves as a powerful instrument of His will, particularly in the prophetic events of the end times. In the Pentecost season, a time typically marked by dry weather in Israel, God sends a thunderstorm as a sign of His sovereignty. This unusual occurrence, far beyond the natural arid conditions after early May, demonstrates His control over the earth and atmosphere. It instills fear among the people, not only for the rarity of such an event but also for the potential ruin it could bring to their ripe wheat harvest. Through this thunderstorm, God reveals His ability to bless or curse based on the actions and decisions of His people, showing that weather can be a direct consequence of their choices.

In the book of Revelation, the concept of thunder carries significant symbolic weight, often associated with powerful messages and divine communication. Thunder is linked to the spoken word, particularly the voice of God, and secondarily to the voice of an angel, emphasizing its role as a harbinger of important revelations. In Revelation 10, the seven thunders are introduced as mysterious elements, their utterances so profound that John was instructed not to write them down, suggesting a message meant for a specific time or audience. These seven thunders are understood to represent sequential events of inspired preaching by the seven church eras, from Ephesus to Laodicea, each delivering God's message with varying intensity over time. Their sequence indicates a progression, occurring one after the other, and concluding before the Two Witnesses begin their ministry during the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. The thunders are not simultaneous but unfold historically, finishing their work prior to the events of Revelation 11. Moreover, the imagery of thunder connects to historical figures and events within the church. Herbert Armstrong was described as thundering a message around the earth, symbolizing a vigorous and impactful proclamation during his era, likened to the strength of thunder that can shake an entire building. This contrasts with the spiritual state of Laodicea, marked by self-satisfaction and a weaker witness, yet still part of the sequential thundering of the church eras. Currently, the seventh thunder, associated with the Laodicean era, continues to rumble, though weakly, focusing primarily on preparing the church internally rather than preaching to the world. This ongoing thunder, however faint, underscores the urgency for the church to strengthen its spiritual reserves while there is still time, before the final events unfold as prophesied.