Read with Me
Revelation 8:7-11 (NET)
The first angel blew his trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown at the earth so that a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were completely destroyed.
Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star, burning like a torch fell from the sky; it landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. (Now the name of the star is Wormwood.) So a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from these waters because they were poisoned.
Listen with Me
The first three trumpets unleashed God’s wrath against those who have not only rebelled against God’s word but who are also persecuting His people. In John’s day, that was the Roman Empire. And in these judgments, great doom is foreshadowed, much of it reminiscent of the plagues that God poured out on Egypt when He overthrew Pharaoh because he refused to let His people go. Like the entire vision given to John, the elements of these manifestation of God’s wrath are symbolic, not literal.
The first trumpet unleashes hail and fire mixed with blood. Reminiscent of the seventh plague in Egypt (Exodus 9:18-26), which killed many of the Egyptian people, but spared God’s people in Goshen. This demonstration of God’s wrath would take out a large number of the prominent people in the Roman society (the trees), as well as a large number of the common people (the grass), as large portions of society burned.
The second wrath unleashed by the second trumpet blast is reminiscent of the first plague brought on the land of Egypt in which the Nile was turned into blood. In this case, the Mediterranean would be affected. Even though Rome was not a maritime society, with Rome itself being landlocked, it did depend upon trade throughout the Mediterranean for its wealth and for transporting its troops.
In much prophetic literature, a mountain frequently symbolizes a kingdom (see Jeremiah 58 for several examples), and a mountain falling into or being cast into the sea symbolized a time of great societal chaos (Psalm 46: 2). Thus the people who read John’s letter would easily see in this prophecy the invasion of Rome by a warrior people who would cut off the maritime trade from Rome, damaging and even destroying the economy.
The third phase of God’s wrath is symbolized by a fiery star landing on the waters, making them bitter and sickening the people. It is likely that John’s readers saw in this the invasion of the empire by a powerful and violent conqueror from outside the empire, who would cause huge suffering and bitterness for the people. Wormwood was a bitter herb that was used to kill intestinal worms (hence the name). But it tasted so horrible that it began to be seen as a symbol for the bitterness of a hard life or of survival in hard times.
In all, these opening salvos of God’s wrath against the oppressors of His people foreshadow even greater suffering and societal destruction to come. Unless those who are oppressing God’s people repent, they can anticipate the complete destruction of their society, their power structure, and even their religion.
Pray with Me
Father, this is a clear warning not just for Rome, but for all those in every age who have oppressed Your people, or who will oppress them in the future. These people, powerful but blind to the spiritual realities of Your kingdom, only understand physical force and military might. They try to force people to submit and comply with their demands for total allegiance. But in the end, they find that they are fighting not against people, but against You (Acts 5:39), and that You will come to the aid of Your people. And the oppressors will be humbled, defeated, and ultimately destroyed. Thank you, Lord, for this clear assurance for us, even today. Amen.