Week 21
“First Thru Forth Trumpet Judgments”
Date: November 21, 2002
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Revelation 8: 7-13
Last week we ended our study in chapter 8 verses 1-6, which we said again seems to be a pause between the opening of the 7th seal and the trumpet judgments.
I said last week the intensity of the trumpet judgments over the opening of the seal judgments increase.
Let’s begin
Verse 7
Plant life was the first to be created as we are told in Genesis 1:11 and will be the fist to be destroyed.
This is a literal judgment upon the plant life the same way that the 7th plague of Egypt was literal in Exodus 9:18-26.
I believe I mentioned it but if not, there seems to be a great deal of similarity between the plagues in Egypt and the trumpet judgments.
Some greater minds than I say this may describe a volcanic eruption that could result from a great earthquake. The steam & water thrown into the sky could condense into hail and fall to earth along with the fiery lava.
Whatever the case may be, it will burn and consume one third of the grass and trees.
Burnt grass and trees put off a horrible smell, but most of all are good for nothing.
Verses 8 & 9
“Something like a great mountain”
We are not actually told what this is; Some say that it seems to be a great meteor or asteroid.
I believe we have to take John at his word.
A third of the boats will be destroyed and a third of the sea and a third of the creatures will also be destroyed.
Verses 9-10
This seems to be another celestial body.
Back in my rodeoing days I went to a rodeo in Johnson City, Texas. I will never forget on the man’s property we stayed on, was a beautiful clear stream. It had the best tasting water I have ever tasted in my life. I thought of this as I read a third of the streams will become bitter
“Woodworm”
This is a poisonous herb which will make the water no longer drinkable. It will turn one third of the rivers and streams water bitter.
This poisonous substance is derived from a root that causes drunkenness and eventually death.
Back in my rodeoing days I went to a rodeo in Johnson City, Texas. I will never forget on the man’s property we stayed on, was a beautiful clear stream. It had the best tasting water I have ever tasted in my life. I thought of this as I read a third of the streams will become bitter.
Verse 12
I was not very good in science neither do I understand nor can I explain the way the universe and gravity affect the earth’s rotation around the sun; how the gravity of the moon affect tidal waves.
But it is clear that a “third of the day will not shine, and likewise the night.”
Amos 5:18says; “The Day of the Lord is darkness, and no light.”
As I read this it makes me think of a small child, a baby, gets there days and nights mixed up.
Folks natural order as we know it will be in total chaos.
It seems that this judgment will be only temporary. The 4th bowl judgment in 16:8-9, will reverse it, and the sun’s power will intensify.
Then at the close of the tribulation, the sun and the moon will be darkened again to announce the Savior’s return.
Verse 13 (read)
The angel, a messenger of the Lord, will warn of the last three trumpet judgments.
As destructive were these first four judgments, the next three will be even more.
It is announced that these judgments are intended for the inhabitants of the earth, those who have rejected God’s offer of salvation and forgiveness through Jesus.
The phrase ‘Inhabitants of the earth” is seen 12 times in the book of Revelation. It means more than those who live on the earth, because that is where all living people reside. It refers to those that live for the earth and for the things of the earth.
This is opposite of those that have their citizenship in heaven as Philippians 3:18-21. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame- who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
I believer the writer of the book of Revelation is the same writer of the book of 1 John and says in chapter 2:15-17; “Do not love this world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Man can never say he has not been sufficiently warned of coming judgment.
God is infinitely patient and compassionate toward those deserving of His wrath.
Friends this reminds me of God’s calling on my life to proclaim that salvation is available through His Son Jesus.
