Revelation 8:6-13
And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.
The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.
Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “ Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
The sounding of the trumpets begin. The judgements of the seals are announced and are portrayed by the tribulations associated with the first trumpet. Destruction will follow.
We see a partial destruction of the earth described in thirds, except all the green grass was burned up. Coincidently, I read recently that one third of all Jews were killed during World War Two. The fire from The Lord withers away the beauty of the earth. In 1Peter all flesh is likened to grass. When Moses stretched out his hand before Pharaoh we saw hail and fire and lightenIng rain down on Egypt. The enemies of The Lord will be struck by His hand as well and they will know that He is Lord and Israel is His chosen people, just as the Egyptians learned.
The burning mountain and the star that fall from heaven may picture the fall of satan and those that follow him. Death and destruction follow him wherever he goes. He turns clean water to bitter, which finds its source from his bitter heart. He has fallen from his lofty place and is angry. The strong man will not give up until he is cast into destruction.
The fourth trumpet points to darkening of the world at the hands of Satan. In Chapter 9 we will see further detail of the meaning behind the idiom of the lights of the world becoming dim. He opens the doors of the abyss and smoke rises darkening the sun and obscuring the stars.
Before the next three trumpets sound, we are told that these herald three woes that will afflict those "who dwell on earth", the typical reference to non-believers.
The first four trumpets seem to paint a picture of the broad context of what follows.
The next three will add detail of Satan's fall to earth. He was cast out when Jesus overcame the world.
James 1:11
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
1 Peter 1:24-25
for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Isaiah 30:30-31
And the Lord will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones. The Assyrians will be terror- stricken at the voice of the Lord, when he strikes with his rod.
Ezekiel 38:22-23
With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 38:22-23
With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Isaiah 14:12-14
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High. ’
Deuteronomy 29:18-20
Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart. ’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. The Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven.
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