And the first angel sounded his trumpet. And there were hail and fire mixed with blood, and they were hurled down to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Revelation 8: 7

The phrase, “a third,” appears to be a common number for those in the world who are against God and His people. Some examples: Satan taking with him to earth, a third of the angels (Rev. 12: 4); spiritual Babylon split into three parts (Rev. 16: 19); apostate Israel, by thirds, receiving judgments (Ezekiel 5: 12).

Affected by this trumpet blast is a third of the trees and all the grass. This suggests that the four winds of destruction have been released. And because the four winds represent the full power of Satan, it means that the hail, blood, and fire comes from Satan; not God, although He permits it. So the blowing of this trumpet is not a command to Satan. Rather, knowing that it will blow is a warning, right now, as to what will happen after probation closes.