REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 8.10

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eight

Judgment Resumed:

The Seven Trumpets

 

 

Review

The first six abysmal seals have shaken the world. Silence permeates Heaven for a half-hour after Christ opens the seventh seal. Then, seven devastating trumpet judgments are unleashed. The first two, discussed in the previous study, were as follows:

1.  Trumpet Number 1 – Destruction of the Earth's ecological system

2. Trumpet Number 2 – Destruction upon the oceans and salt waterways

 

The third trumpet judgment continues in the following verse:

 

 

(Verse 10)

 

And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.

 

3. Trumpet Number 3 – The world's freshwater systems are destroyed

As the third trumpet heralds, a molten fallen star is hurled from heaven. The star's identity need not be compared to anything in our present realm of experience, but its counterpart is that of the preceding one aimed at the sea, a supernatural phenomenon. Whatever it may be, the destruction is once again unprecedented.

 

The phrase as it was a lamp (flambeau or torch) suggests a divinely launched heavenly mass entering the earth. When the mass enters the atmosphere, it disintegrates and produces a torch-like effect, thus polluting the earth's freshwater systems. Inclusive are as follows:

1.  Lakes

2.  Reservoirs

3.   Ponds

4. Rivers

5.  Streams

6.  Fountains

7.  Wells (subterranean)

 Earth's drinking water is intentionally in view.

 

 

(Verse 11)

 

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

 

Interestingly, a star in Greek is aster from which our English word asteroid is derived. It is, however, some form of a celestial body.

 

Wormwood

The falling star is intentionally given a name – Wormwood. There are only seven times in the Old Testament this word is used and it refers to something accursed or poisonous. Its usage only occurs once in the New Testament book of Revelation, and this calamity is associated with bitterness, sorrow, or a sour experience.

 

The Greek word used is absinthos. Absinthos is extracted from the root of a pungent sage-like poisonous herb generally found in the arid regions of Palestine. When ingested it produces convulsions, paralysis, and sometimes death.

 

Comparative Scriptures

1. The wilderness experience

Exodus 15:23 - And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah (a place in the desert related to bitterness).

 

2. The association with idolatry

Deuteronomy 29:18 - Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the [false] gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall (a venom) and wormwood.

 

3. The pleading on Israel's behalf

Jeremiah 9:15 – Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

As a result of the fallen star wormwood poisoning the fresh waters, death encompasses one-third of the earth's population.

 

 

(Verse 12)

 

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

 

4. Trumpet Number 4 – Heavenly luminaries trigger destructive havoc upon the planet.

Hebrews 12:26 – Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

 

When the fourth trumpet sounds, it appears as if there is an eclipse occurring, however, the word used for smitten is translated as smite, pound, or the flattening out of something. So in this judgment, God is supernaturally causing a cosmic phenomenon. Imagine the sun, moon, and stars being reduced by a third.

 

A proportional amount of light will curtail and not be able to reach the earth. Climate change, temperatures, and weather patterns, botanical and biological cycles are all affected as well as the tides, thus causing drought-like conditions in some areas and unpredictable storms in others. Nothing will be able to grow and men will die of starvation.

 

The twenty-four-hour cycle shall be shortened to sixteen hours as predicted:

Amos 8:9 - And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

 

Whereas the sun is darkened by a third, later in Revelation Chapter 16 and Verse 8, the sun's bright scorching power is intensified by the fourth vial.

 

Old Testament counterparts and complimentary predictions of God controlling the luminaries are found coming to pass in some of the following passages [The following passages may be referenced during a group Bible study]:

1. Job 3:5; 9:7; 30:28

2.  Isaiah 13:10

3.  Jeremiah 13:6

4.   Ezekiel 32:7

5. Joel 3:15

6.  Zephaniah 1:15

7.  Amos 5:20

 

Jesus Himself proclaimed:                       

Luke 21:25 - And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

The sun, moon, and stars are also symbolic of human government. Hence, the breakup of all authority ensues and anarchy becomes its substitute.

Question: Can anything worse happen?

 

 

(Verse 13)

 

And I beheld (see), and heard an angel flying through the midst of Heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Lo and behold, John sees and hears an angel flying through the middle of this commotion in Heaven and signals a loud proclamation. Again, the word for angel is aggelos and may be translated as a messenger or courier that delivers or announces something, i.e., a bearer of bad or glad tidings. Discoveries of older manuscripts use the word eagle (aetos, flying like an eagle) in place of an angel.

 

The announcement is a threefold exclamation of grief regarding the remaining angels who are about to sound their trumpets. The call expressed:

1.  Woe

2.   Woe

3. Woe

 

Repeating a word two or three times in biblical passages places emphasis on the importance of what is being said. It is equivalent to saying something with big bold letters. In other words, the three judgments to come are going to be horrendous: WOE, WOE, WOE.

Revelation 6:17 - For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand (withstand, endure)?

 

The worst is yet to come. To the inhabitants of the earth, is an idiomatic expression --- in the literal sense --- meaning those who have settled down (settlers) and have citizenship on earth (earth-dwellers). Biblically, they are those who love the world and the things that are in the world (cf. 1 John 2:15). These citizens are opposed to wandering sojourners or pilgrims, those who have not followed the beast. They have repented and await their citizenship in Heaven.

 

Looking ahead, the three woes are as follows:

1.  Trumpet Number Five – The torment of locusts (9:1-11)

2.  Trumpet Number Six – The Army of Horsemen (9:13 – 21)

3.  Trumpet Number Seven –The handing over of the earth to beast worship (13) during the seven bowl judgments - The worst of all.

 

 

Commentary

These terrible things are transpiring because some men continue to reject the Gospel. During the first four trumpet judgments, God, in His graciousness, forestalls total judgment by two-thirds that men still turn to Him. These are considered warning signs since only one-third of the earth is affected. However, God always provides man warnings before a complete disaster so that everyone has an opportunity to be convicted, to repent, be reconciled, and accept salvation. Some men who accept Christ will survive and enter into the Kingdom Age.

Presently, the Holy Spirit is our Helper: 

 

John 6:8 - And when He (The Advocate, the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.

 

Today is a day of reckoning. Now is the time to place trust in Jesus Christ and be delivered from the wrath to come. The time is neigh. Consider and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour.

 

During the next study, John will hear the sound of the fifth trumpet.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What happens when the third trumpet sounds?

2.   What is the aftermath of the third judgment?

3.   What is the significance of its name?

4.   What does the fourth judgment resemble?

5.   What is affected at the sound of the fourth judgment?

6.   What is the meaning of the warning signal?

7.   How can God's wrath upon an individual be thwarted?

 

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

SAVE AND FORWARD THIS LINK

http://breadoflifeministriesassoc.blogspot.com/