Revelation 8:6-12

Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.  The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.  The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.  A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.  The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.  The name of the star is Wormwood.  A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.  The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

The angels with the trumpets blow them in quick succession.  These first four trumpet judgments impact the creation by destroying one third of whatever part of creation the trumpet is directed toward.  We really don’t know exactly when during the tribulation these trumpets will blow, but it certainly seems that they would have to be in the final months as life on the planet would be unsustainable for a long time under these conditions.  What is described here is a complete ecological collapse.  

JUDGMENT ON VEGITATION: It is hard to say exactly what phenomena happens to cause hail and fire mixed with blood to fall to the earth.  It could be some sort of volcanic eruption that causes a red colored rain to fall that simply looks like blood.  It could also be something supernatural as described in Exodus where God seems to turn water into blood. Whatever, the answer might be, the result is the fame with one-third of the vegetation on earth being destroyed and all the grass being burned up.  This condition would cause severe famine and death of many animals that depend on grass for food.  It will be catastrophic to say the least.

JUDGMENT ON SALT WATER: The second trumpet appears to describe a massive meteor that crashes into the ocean.  This approaching meteor will likely be visible for weeks as it approaches the planet.  When it becomes evident that it will pass through the earth’s atmosphere and strike the face of the earth, panic is likely to ensue.  The result of the strike is that one-third of the salt water on earth will be turned to blood, one-third of all sea life will be destroyed, and one-third of the ships will sink.  Again, the blood could be real blood in a supernatural plague, or it could be that the chemical reaction of the meteor simply turns the water red like blood.  The ships are likely sunk due to a tsunami caused by the meteor.  This will complicate the famine even more.

JUDGMENT ON FRESH WATER: The third trumpet is like the second only the target of the meteor is not salt water but fresh water.  Perhaps there are multiple meteors.  All the worlds salt water is connected, but the world’s fresh water sources are in multiple rivers and lakes so there is likely more than one.  The result of this event is the destruction of one-third of the world’s fresh water.  The star or meteor is named Wormwood.  This is a very bitter herb that is used in the Old Testament to symbolize the bitter results of idolatry.  This plague causes the fresh water effected to become bitter and apparently poisonous as many people die from attempting to drink it.  Potable water is already very limited in supply and a precious commodity.  Losing a third of it all at one will have a devastating impact on the world.

JUDGMENT ON THE HEAVENS: The fourth and final trumpet in this set of “rapid fire” judgments is the darkening of one-third of the heavenly bodies.  This would include the moon, sun, and stars.  This will cause a massive drop in temperature on the planet and just make everything feel dim and dark.  It is hard to know how God will do this and how life will be sustainable under such conditions.  It is possible that smoke and pollution from all the destruction we have been describing entering the atmosphere causes this perception. This could also be another supernatural phenomenon.  There is nothing “natural” about this darkening of heavenly bodies.  It is also possible that God is simply turning a “dimmer switch” to the heavens.  How ever it takes place, the result will be further destruction and pain.

APPLICATION: Thank God that as believers, I don’t believe we will be on the earth during these judgments.  Worship God for His power, might, and sovereign control over the events of the universe.  Be grateful that it is only by God’s grace that all this and much more has not already been poured out on us because of sin.