AM Bible Study Group; April 13, 2016 from Revelation 8:7-13
Theme: This passage describes the cataclysmic events that will occur on the earth at the time of the blowing of the first four trumpets of judgment.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
At the beginning of the eighth chapter, we were shown that the opening of the seventh seal was followed by a great and sobering silence in heaven. And now, the content of that seventh seal is revealed to be a series of seven trumpet blasts. These trumpet blasts release the terrible outpouring of God’s wrath on the earth. And as we read of these blasts and the devastations that follow after them, there’s no wonder that they would be preceded by such a somber silence in heaven!
These seven trumpet blasts seem to parallel the seven “bowl” judgments of chapter sixteen. And just as there was a distinction drawn between the first four seals and the last seven of those seals, there’s a similar distinction made with respect to the first four trumpet blasts. We’re told in 8:6 that the seven angels prepared themselves to sound; and now we hear them blow.
I. THE DESTRUCTION FROM THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS (vv. 7-12).
A. The First Trumpet (v. 7).
1. The first angel sounded; and we’re told that hail and fire followed “mingled with blood”. This is no ordinary hail; but is clearly something remarkably destructive. God once poured a similar judgment upon Egypt (Exodus 9:13-35). These things, however, are represented as involving something that is not ‘earthly’, but rather as something ‘thrown to the earth’. This suggests that they are not of an earthly origin. They may be the outpouring of a dreadful meteorite shower upon the earth; with God removing any of the natural barriers that have ordinarily prevented such meteorites from damaging the earth.
2. Note the particular destruction that follows. A third of the trees and all green grass are burned up. Mankind, who dared to esteem the creature over the Creature, will see the creation destroyed. This may be a judgment that is meant to be poured out on the vaunted pride of humanity; whose fleshly glory “is grass”, and whose loveliness is “as the flower of the field” (see Isaiah 40:6). This judgment appears to parallel that of 16:2; in which case, this hail also produces painful sores on humanity.
B. The Second Trumpet (vv. 8-9).
1. The second angel sounded; and something like a great mountain was thrown to the earth. This will not be a great ‘earthly’ mountain as it if had been drawn up from the earth and cast down; but rather is said specifically to be something “like” a great mountain. Furthermore, we’re told that this great mass was burning with fire. Clearly, this suggests an tremendous meteorite or asteroid striking the earth—some enormous body from the heavens. It’s presented as having fallen into “the” sea (i.e. a sea which is specified by the definite article)—which, from the standpoint of the Jewish perspective of the apostle John, would most likely refer to the vast Mediterranean Sea. This mountain being cast into the sea may be meant to suggest something of God’s judgment upon the pride of man’s political power—since wicked political power is sometimes represented in the Bible as a “destroying mountain” (see Jeremiah 51:25-26).
2. The consequence of this judgment is that “the sea” became as “blood”. Perhaps the constitution of the water will be changed by this heavenly body hurling into it—not only in terms of purity, but also in appearance. The sea is given a ghastly red color; which parallels the judgment administered through Moses upon Egypt (Exodus 7:14-25). A third of the living creatures in the sea died (literally “the third of the creatures in the sea having souls”); and a third of the ships of the sea were destroyed (perhaps as a consequence of the tsunami that followed). This would parallel the judgment seen in 16:3
C. The Third Trumpet (vv. 10-11).
1. The third angel sounded, and—in similar fashion to the second trumpet—a great star fell from heaven, “burning like a torch”. This seems to indicate a great comet that strikes the earth; and could be meant to be seen as God’s judgment upon man’s worship of false gods and false deities—sometimes represented in Scripture as “stars” that are cast down (see Daniel 8:10; Revelation 12:4). It would apparently be of a different constitution than the “burning mountain” of the second trumpet; and would dissipate immediately and contaminate the water supply at its various sources. Thus, a third of the rivers and springs would be contaminated.
2. This particular star is called “Wormwood”; which is the name of a stupefying and exceedingly bitter gall. The pouring out of this poisonous “wormwood” is associated in Scripture with judgment from God (Jeremiah 9:13-15); and it suggests a profoundly bitter experience. The consequence of this “star” striking the earth is that many men would die from the poisoned water. This judgment seems to parallel that of 16:4-7.
D. The Fourth Trumpet (v. 12).
1. The fourth angel sounded, and perhaps some catastrophic event is brought about—or the previous three trumpet blasts bring about a particular condition—that results in a horrible darkening of the atmosphere. The effect of this darkness is that a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars in terms of their light. “A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night”. Again, this is similar to the judgment poured out on Egypt (Exodus 10:21-29). This may represent God’s judgment on the kind of human wisdom that exalts itself over God; since a characteristic of wicked men in the end times is that strong delusion (a kind of moral ‘darkness’) is given to them “because they did not receive the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
2. It would be hard to imagine the devastating effect this judgment would physically have on the earth! It, again, parallels the judgment of 16:8; and if this is so, then it is associated with a terrible, scorching heat—perhaps caused by a kind of ‘greenhouse effect’ that traps the heat from the darkness that veils the sun upon the surface of the earth.
II. THE WOES OVER THE TRUMPETS THAT REMAIN (v. 13).
The first four judgments are past. But John then sees an “angel” (literally, “one eagle”); flying through the midst of heaven. This remarkable eagle speaks; and it utters the message, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.” Why an eagle? It may be because such birds in scripture are identified with judgment (Luke 17:37). Or it may be because such birds are known for their strength (Isaiah 40:31)—flying as they can at great elevation and for great distances—making this ‘eagle’s’ message heard by all.
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The remaining three blasts are so severe that each is given the special name of “woe”. But the fact that they are thus named in advance is—in a sense—a great mercy. God is allowing sinful man time to recognize the judgment yet to come, and to repent of sin. Even in judgment, God still gives those who wish to an opportunity to turn to Him.