Jesus gave the surname Boanerges, translated as Sons of Thunder, to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, possibly reflecting their zeal or ambition. Thunder, as a natural phenomenon, is the sound caused by lightning, a sudden increase in temperature and pressure producing a sonic shock wave. For many, it is a fearful and terrifying sound, while others find the rolling booms across oceans or lakes spectacular. Strong's Concordance defines the Hebrew word for thunder, qol, as to call aloud, a voice or sound, as in a thundering proclamation, while ra'amah describes violent agitation or vibration. The Greek word, bronte, originally meant to roar. Thunder's physical properties evoke a force of terrifying power beyond the human realm. In Scripture, thunder often manifests the presence and power of God, frequently describing His voice, as in Job 40:9 where God asks Job if he can thunder with a voice like His. David writes in Psalm 18:13 that the LORD thundered from heaven, and in Psalm 29:3, he declares the voice of the LORD is over the water, the God of glory thunders. God also used thunder as a weapon during the plague of hail on Egypt in Exodus 9:13-35, against the Philistines in I Samuel 7:10, and it will be used again according to Revelation 16:18. When Christ called James and John Sons of Thunder, He may have been indicating what He was creating them to be, voices proclaiming God's way to the world.

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.