02.26. LECTURE No. 26 -- Rev_8:7-12
LECTURE No. 26 -- Revelation 8:7-12 This Book a Revelation Indeed - How the Sounding of the Trumpets Will Affect Physical Universe - Our Principal of Interpretation - Prophecy Easy to Believe When We Have Historical Evidence of Same Thing - A Prophet Speaks - The Storm of Judgment Break Forth in Added Fury - The Second Trumpet Will Affect the Sea - The Testimony David in the Psalms - The Disastrous Results of This Judgment - The Third Trumpet Waters to Become Bitter and Extremely Poison - The Fourth Trumpet - How It Will Affect the Sun - A Dark Day Ahead
Introduction
HOW glad and how thankful we are that this book is proving to be exactly what its name implies i. e., a Revelation of divine truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this book we are finding truth which is not revealed in the Gospels or anywhere else in the word of God. Surely, the Bible would be incomplete without this marvelous book of prophecy. How thankful we ought to be therefore that this book is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and that he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bear record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
Slowly but surely, as we continue our study of this marvelous book of prophecy, we are receiving a Revelation of those events with which the plan of redemption will come to a close. In this book we are studying the consummation of all things recorded in the word of God.
Therefore, with renewed faith and hope and courage, let us continue our study of these things which God caused to be written for our instruction and comfort.
We have progressed in our present study to Revelation the 8th chapter, and the 7th verse where our will lesson begin for today.
In our last lesson which was based upon Revelation 8:1-6. We considered the impressive silence in heaven which is to follow the opening of the seventh seal.
We considered also the seven angels, which stood before God, to whom were given the seven trumpets. We spoke also of the significance of trumpets as used in the word of God.
We also decided that the angel mentioned in verses Revelation 8:3-6, whom John saw, was none other than the Lord Christ acting as High Priest in the heavenlies.
We know that this is true cause he was engaged in offering up the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne.
Not only did he offer the prayers of the saints of God heavenward with sweet smelling incense and the merit of his own life, to make them acceptable unto God, but he also took the censer and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and (it says) there were voices, thunderings and an earthquake, indicating the impending wrath and the judgments of God.
And then it said that:
“The seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”
Lesson Text
Now we are ready to continue our study by reading what is written in Revelation 8:7-11 where it says:
“The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood.
“And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
“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:
“And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
“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.
“And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, O the inhabiters of the earth by reason the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
They Prepared Themselves to Sound
Now first of all, let us consider what is stated in Revelation 8:6 where it says: “The seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound!”
This is a very brief statement but is very suggestive to say the least. It is perfectly natural to believe that before entering upon a series of events such as those which were to follow upon the sounding of the seven trumpets, certain preparation would be required. Certainly, such a work of judgment as that to be accomplished against the wicked under the sounding of these trumpets would require not only wisdom but also a well organized program of events based upon counsel and deliberation.
Let us remember that there were seven of these angels whom we have designated as being archangels of the highest rank, sometimes spoken of as the seven presence angels because they stand in the presence of God as the executors of His will. Although there were seven of them, they did not all sound their trumpets at the same time, and the result in every instance was different.
It is interesting to note that the scope of judgments indicated to follow upon the sounding of the seven trumpets will affect the earth and the heavens and reach to the very gates of the bottomless pit!
Surely such a theme as this is deserving of the attention of every thoughtful man and woman.
It is no wonder, therefore, that the seven angels prepared themselves to sound, because unto them were committed control and authority over those events that would lead to the consummation of all things foreseen and foretold in the word of God relating to the judgment of the wicked and the redemption of the righteous. The Judgment under the First Trumpet
Now let us consider what is to occur under the sounding of the first trumpet. In the seventh verse of our lesson text it says: “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
Principal of Interpretation
We should remember that the purpose of this great book is to reveal the truth and not to hide it. Whenever symbols are used in the Book of Revelation, the fact that they are symbols is always clearly indicated in the text or context of the passage, so that we do not need to be in doubt about the matter. In the passage now before us, however, no symbolism is indicated. Therefore, the only safe thing for us to do in order to avoid a misunderstanding of the word and to escape from making a misapplication of the truth is to accept any passage as literal unless a symbolic meaning is clearly indicated in the lesson text itself.
Acting upon this principal or interpretation we are compelled to believe that when the first angel sounds his trumpet there will come a great storm of hail and fire mingled with blood upon the earth exactly as stated in our lesson text. An Historic Example
It should not be difficult to believe this if we believe the word of God at all, because a similar event took place in Egypt under Moses and Aaron, who were sent of God to deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.
This is confirmed in Exodus 9:23-25, where it says
“And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
“So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
“And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.”
Now the only difference between what happened in Egypt and that which is to occur at the sounding of the first trumpet, is that to hail and fire, blood will be added. This, of course, will make it even more terrible!
What the Prophet Joel Said But we do not need to wonder at this because the prophet Joel said in Joel 2:30-31 :
“I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.
“The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”
And our lesson text reveals the manner in which these things will accomplished. A Terrible Storm
You will remember also that under the opening of the sixth seal there was a cessation of events and the four angels holding the four winds of the earth were commanded not to blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. But at the sounding of the first trumpet the calm in the storm will be broken the storm of God’s wrath will break with increased fury upon the wicked of the earth, and he will send a terrible storm of hail and fire mingled with blood upon the earth, even as he did in the days of Egypt. And it says that as a result of this storm, a third of the trees will be burnt up and all of the green grass will be destroyed.
Now imagine, If you can, what a devastation that will be upon the forests and the orchards and the timberlands of the earth! Surely such a storm as this would impress men that such a judgment was from the Lord. Not only so, but this will impoverish the inhabitants of the world.
In recent years we have experienced terrible droughts, when nearly all green grass and vegetation was destroyed. But when such a condition as this becomes worldwide, as a result of this terrible storm, which is prophesied shall come, what will conditions be like then?
There is no question but what it will be a sore trial for the people of the whole earth, increasing scarcity and want as well as death and destruction on every hand. The Second Trumpet
We now come to the sounding of the second trumpet as indicated in the 8th verse of our lesson text which says:
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were, a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood.” Not a Literal Mountain
Now, in this passage it is plainly indicated that the mountain referred to here as falling into the sea, was not a literal mountain because it says: “As it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea.”
We have no right therefore to believe that this was a literal mountain, but rather something which had the appearance of a great mountain burning with fire.
It would seem from our lesson text that what John saw was something like a great meteoric mass which fell out of the heavens into the sea. Surely such a thing as this would be of sufficient interest to attract the attention and arouse the feelings of all the people living upon the earth at that time.
Especially so, when we consider the results of this event, when this great burning mass falls into the sea, we are told that a third part of the creatures which are in the sea and have life, will die: and that a third part of the ships will be destroyed.
It might be well, just here, to consider briefly into what sea this great burning mass will fall. It seems to be the general opinion of most expositors that this event will occur in the Mediterranean Sea. There is no positive proof for this, however. Nevertheless it seems logical to conclude that some particular sea is meant. And we all know that the Mediterranean Sea is geographically located in the center of the earth and that it is around the Mediterranean Sea that many of the prophecies recorded in the word of God will reach their ultimate and final fulfillment. On the other hand there is no reason to keep us from believing that the sea referred to here means the oceans of the whole world. The Result
It is very interesting to note that as a result of this great burning mass falling into the sea, one-third of the sea will be changed into blood, so that one-third of the creatures in the sea will die and one-third of the ships will be destroyed.
Another Historic Example
It should not be difficult for us to believe this for you will remember again what happened in Egypt. In Exodus 7:20-21 it says:
“And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
“And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.” The Testimony of the Psalms To these words we have the added testimony of David in Psalms 105:29 where he said concerning Egypt: “He turned their waters into blood and slew their fish.” And in Psalms 78:44 David said he: “Turned their rivers into blood and their floods, that they could not drink.”
What the Prophet Hosea Said
We also have the added testimony of the prophet Hosea and that of Zephaniah concerning the fact that God will destroy the fishes of the sea. Fish have always been an important item to man, because they have been one of his chief sources of food supply. Imagine, therefore, if you can, what it is going to be like when God destroys at least one-third of the fishes that are in the sea.
In Zephaniah 1:3 the Lord prophesied saying:
“I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked, and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.”
Many Ships Will Be Destroyed
Another interesting item indicated in our lesson text, is that one-third of the ships will be destroyed. This is a matter of no small consequence.
Think, if you can, what it is going to mean when one-third of the ships are either sunk in the midst of the sea or washed ashore as total wrecks upon the sea coasts of the earth!
We thought it was awful when one great ship, like the Titanic, struck an iceberg and went to the bottom of the sea. But imagine if you can what a loss of human life, and what a material loss in dollars and cents it will mean when, as a result of the sounding of the second trumpet this great fiery mass falls into the sea.
Think also what it will mean in the interruption of traffic between the nations. Surely such things could not fail to impress men that these things have come upon them as a judgment from the Lord. The Third Trumpet
Now let us consider what is stated in Revelation 8:10-11 of our lesson text where it says:
“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:
“And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became worm-wood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.”
Here again we have another meteoric phenomenon and all we need to do is to merely consider the results of what is indicated here, and this is not difficult to do because the lesson text is brief and to the point upon this subject. As a result of this great star falling from heaven, we are told that a third part of the rivers and the fountains of waters will become effected and be as bitter wormwood.
This is in keeping with what is stated in Jeremiah 9:13-15 where it says:
“And the Lord saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein:
“But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them.
“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.”
Primarily to Israel, Prophetically to Us This prophecy was spoken prima to Israel, but if God was able to do to them, he is able also to cause the same conditions to come upon those of the whole earth. The Nature of Wormwood
We are told that wormwood is a bitter, intoxicating and poisonous herb, which, when it is used freely, produces convulsions, paralysis, and death!
Just think of what it is going to mean when men thirst for water and find to their dismay and to their own hurt and to their complete undoing that the waters have become suddenly bitter and are unfit and unsafe to drink.
There is no question but what many will die because they will drink of these waters unawares and others will die from thirst, because all sources of healthful water supply shall have been cut off.
Yes indeed, my friends, if one meteor can turn the waters of the sea to blood, another one may just as readily turn the rivers and fountains of waters into bitterness!
And according to our lesson text that is exactly what will happen under the sounding of the third trumpet. The Fourth Trumpet
Now in Revelation 8:12 it says:
“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, 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.”
Under the sounding of the first three trumpets we have seen what will happen upon the earth to the trees and vegetation and what will happen also upon the sea and to the fishes in the sea and to the great ships of the sea and what will happen to the rivers and fountains of water. But the sounding of the fourth trumpet calls our attention to what will happen in the heavens above.
Isaiah Speaks
There is no need to take a lot of time asking here what is meant by the sun and the moon and the stars. There is no question but what the sun means the sun, and the moon means the moon, and the stars mean the very stars of heaven!
In Isaiah 13:9-11 there is a very interesting passage which speaks of these very things. We quote the passage as follows:
“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
“For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
Joel The prophet Joel also adds his testimony by saying in Joel 2:10 :
“The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.”
Amos
Amos also said, in Amos 5:20 :
“Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it.”
Jesus
Jesus, Himself, also said in Matthew 24:29-30 :
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Why Not Believe What Is Written
Now, in the face of all these scriptures which confirm the truth stated here under the sounding of these four trumpets, why should we try to spiritualize what is spoken here and thereby rob this wonderful passage of its literal import and ultimate fulfillment?
What we have here is therefore not a group of symbols representing a lot of unnamed things or events, but the word means exactly what it says, and by believing and accepting it as it is written, we find both instruction and comfort and are able to see and to understand in advance what is to happen when the trumpets are blown and these judgments come upon the world.
Men Refused to Believe Noah
How true is was that in the days of Noah, men continued on in sin and laughed at Noah because he feared God and believed His Word and made preparation for the saving of his house by building an ark upon dry land! Nevertheless in due time the flood came took them all away.
Even so, in these days, we see wicked prospering as a green bay-tree. Today men laugh at those of us who believe the word of God and proclaim the truth of the coming judgments of God upon a lost and dying world.
But just as surely as these things have recorded in God’s word they will as surely come to pass!
Today
Today the world is having its round of pleasure; men are walking in sin and unbelief, and are acting in pride and arrogance, just as if the day of reckoning would never come!
They are living as if there were no heaven to gain and no hell to shun. They are living just as if these things had never been recorded in the Word of God to warn them against the error of their ways!
But God’s Word is true nevertheless, and we who believe should rejoice,
“That we have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto we do well to take heed unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts.”
“For prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
~ end of lecture 26 ~