8:6-11:19 – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS – Spans 3 chapters to complete

                                   

            This is the second series of judgment.  They will follow the

same pattern as the seal judgments, (Four then two then one).  The first four concern forces of nature and the last three are against people.  Just as before, the last judgment is postponed by an interlude chapter that sets it apart from the rest because it initiates the next series of judgments.  The last three trumpet judgments are announced by an eagle shouting “woe, woe, woe.”  These trumpet judgments do not concern the church, but are directed toward those who have rejected the Gospel, as a warning.  These are now God’s Trumpets judgments on the world.  The seals revealed the inevitable judgments against sin and wickedness.  The trumpets are purposely activated by God.  Evil and wickedness do not go unnoticed or unjudged.  God is in complete control, and He will deal with these issues in His own time and way.  He does what He wills.  He takes action against sin.  Just as trumpets are used historically to give warnings, so these trumpet judgments are not final judgments since only one-third are affected.  They serve as a strong warning.

 

There is no consistent pattern here with the seals, only the general series pattern.  The trumpets go beyond the seals in intensity and seriousness.  Think of the plagues that preceded the Exodus from evil Egypt.  All these judgments against evil are like those plagues and precede the final Exodus of the church from an evil and sinful world, to enter the external presence of God.  Like those days, “God will again bring punishment upon the hostile powers that oppress his people.” (Mounce, P.177).  This will ultimately lead to the return of Jesus—the—Lamb—as—Lord!

 

 

                        THE FOUR TRUMPET JUDGMENTS – 8:6-12

 

8:6-7 –The First Trumpet:

 

V.6 --   We focus on the seven angels again mentioned in v. 2.

They “prepared” to blow the trumpets—prepared = unknown, not explained “preparing themselves” – we don’t know what is involved in this.  This reading may serve to heighten the sense of expectancy.

 

V.7      The blowing of the first trumpet brings wide destruction in nature – hail and fire mixed with blood – (see Ex. 9:23) & Joel. 2:30-31; Acts. 2:19. The red color may refer to the color of the storm – in heaven first then on earth.  A third of the surface of the earth is destroyed by the fire.  While a third sounds horrible, it is hot complete devastation.  There is room here for repentance, and that is exactly the point.  The purpose is to warn (trumpet) the people and hopefully cause them to repent.  However, the more people are warned, the more they generally rebel—here too.  Luke 21:25-26 – Jesus warned that there will be signs in heaven, and on earth, and people horrified over what is about to take place.  This first trumpet plague will have serious effects on humanity even though directed at nature – 1/3 trees (no fruit), grass (no pastureland), and 1/3 of the earth is burned up – generally.  God has begun to send his plagues on evil people.

 

8:8-9 --           The Second Trumpet:

 

Something like a burning mountain – not an actual burning mountain.  Who threw it into the sea of earth?  Unknown – the agent is not important to the vision.  The first trumpet dealt with the land – this one concerns the sea and again 1/3 is killed or destroyed; 1/3 of everything related to the sea like the first dealt with 1/3 everything related to the land.  (Ex. 7:20-21.)  Plaques.  Divine Intervention, not just Life, but ships too.  (Ps. 46:2) – “ We will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”  Terror to the wicked – not God’s informed people.

 

8:10-11 --       The Third Trumpet:

 

The focus shifts slightly from the waters of the sea to the waters of the land. (rivers & springs – freshwater ) – This effects human life via drinking water – 1/3 of the water supply is bitter (poison).  Another direct act of punishment on evil people.  (ex. 7:20) – Plague against freshwater.  The burning star is a symbol of divine visitation as the other symbols.  The judgment is again against nature even though people are affected.  “Wormwood”—a name signifying the bitterness of the water – taste – poison – undrinkable.  We’ve seem bitter water in Ex. 15:25 – when Moses made the bitter water of Marah sweet again.  Those who forsake God will be fed with wormwood – (Jer. 9:15 & Jer. 23:15).  Here – 1/3 of the waters used for drinking were contaminated by the spectacular act of God.   Many die as a result.  John’s main concern is with the punishment of the ungodly, so the effects on the people of this plague is the focus.

 

8:12 – The Fourth Trumpet:

 

This plague/judgment concerns the heavenly lights, sun, moon, stars – Again 1/3 of each of them are affected.  Ex. 10:21 – 23. – The plague of darkness over Egypt is remembered at this point.  Here there is 1/3 less light at any time of day or night.  There’s no contradiction here with 6:13, when stars fell to the earth.  John is painting a picture with each symbol.  Consistency is not his goal.  He is concerned with the effect of the judgment on the ungodly.

 

8:13 -- The Eagle (an Interlude) :

 

            Here between the fourth and fifth trumpets we have this separator verse.  John looks and hears – an eagle flying directly overhead – high above everything.  It proclaims “with a loud voice” three “woes” on the inhabitants of the earth.  An eagle is a bird of prey also used as a vulture in other texts.  See Matt. 24:28 – eagles/vultures are a sign of disaster of sorts.  The “woes” relate to the three trumpet judgments that are yet to take place. The proclamation of the eagle informs us that the plagues to come are much more severe than the ones already past.  This brings added intensity to the vision.