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 weight, often tied to powerful messages and divine communication. The seven thunders mentioned in Revelation 10:3-4 are a mysterious element, occurring before the preaching of the Two Witnesses and before the sounding of the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15. These thunders unfold sequentially, not simultaneously, as John is able to count them as seven distinct events, indicating a progression of time and message delivery before the major tribulations and the work of the Two Witnesses begin. The imagery of thunder is also associated with the spoken word, particularly the voice of God and, secondarily, with angels, emphasizing its connection to divine revelation and authority. This association underscores the importance of the seven thunders as inspired preaching, rather than mere foretelling of events. They represent a series of messages delivered through the church eras, from Ephesus to Laodicea, each era thundering its witness to the world in sequence, with varying intensities but essentially conveying the same core message. Historically, the concept of thundering a message is reflected in the description of Herbert Armstrong, who was portrayed as thundering a message around the earth with strength and vigor, capable of shaking entire structures, much like thunder itself. This figurative language highlights the powerful impact of the message during the Philadelphia era. In contrast, the current Laodicean era's thunder, though still rumbling, is described as weak and insipid, lacking the strength to produce significant impact on the world, focusing instead on internal preparation within the church. The seven thunders, therefore, symbolize the sequential preaching efforts of the seven church eras, concluding before the Tribulation begins and the Two Witnesses take up their distinct work. Their messages, though not recorded by John, echo the consistent gospel preached across the eras, urging readiness and spiritual vigilance as the times progress toward the ultimate return of Christ.