The Trumpet Plagues 1-4
Four Waves of Oppression and Destruction – Revelation 8:6-13
What the swarming locust has left, the great locust has eaten. What the great locust has left, the grasshopper has eaten. What the grasshopper has left, the caterpillar has eaten. (Joel 1:4)*
With the opening of the seventh seal, prayers are offered to God before the golden altar, the golden censer filled with fire is cast down to the earth, and seven angels are given trumpets. The first four trumpet plagues can be related to key themes and symbolism found in the prophesy of Joel. They represent an attack on the food supply, economy, religion and information/communication.
The First Trumpet Sound (Earth, Trees, and Grass are Burnt Up)
[6] The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. [7] The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burnt up, and one third of the trees were burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Revelation 8:6-7)*1
The first trumpet sound is followed by hail and fire being cast down to the earth, similar to the golden censer mentioned in the previous section. This results in the earth, trees and green grass being burnt up. In the prophesy of Joel, there is a similar destruction of the fertile land, the fruit trees, and the pasture lands (i.e. green grass). It describes an attack on agriculture by a powerful enemy with a devastating impact on the food supply. This results in the farmers being perplexed and the people being depressed.
The LORD, I cry to you, For the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame has burned all the trees of the field. (Joel 1:19)* [10] The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, The new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. [11] Be confounded, you farmers! Wail, you vineyard keepers; for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field has perished. [12] The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men. (Joel 1:10-12)*
In Psalm 18 the Lord’s “anointed” is praying for deliverance from the enemy. The Lord responds with hailstones and fire coming out of His mouth that express his anger. It may be that God is making his voice heard loud and clear through the sound of this first trumpet.
[6] In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears. [7] Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. [8] Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it, [12] At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. [13] The LORD also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. (Psalms 18:6-8, 12-13)*
God is speaking with a loud voice to awaken the people so they might repent and turn back to Him so he can restore joy and prosperity to the land. Based upon the pattern found in the book of Joel, this first trumpet sound is an attack on agriculture that causes food supply shortages and destroys the morale of the people.
The Second Trumpet Sound (The Sea Turns to Blood)
[8] The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, [9] and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:8-9)*
Successful civilizations are often established by strategic waterways in order to take advantage of trade routes. The mention of sea and shipping together symbolize commerce, trade and economic prosperity. This plague is an attack on commerce resulting in economic hardship. Turning the sea to blood and destroying the ships suggests a disruption in supply chains, impacting international trade. In today’s connected world, this could result in supply shortages, inflation, famine and poverty on a broad scale. This is illustrated in Revelation chapter 18 as the merchants and mariners mourn the fall of Babylon.
[17] For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every shipmaster, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away, [18] and exclaimed as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?' [19] They cast dust on their heads, and shouting, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For in one hour is she made desolate. (Revelation 18:17-19)*
The creatures of the sea represent those who make their living from the sea trade and shipping industry. It is possible that these sea creatures didn’t actually die, but death may be a metaphor for losing their livelihood. The great mountain burning with fire suggests that a kingdom/government is responsible for this plague and that it is an overt attack, a form of economic warfare. Since only one third of the sea and ships were impacted, this may be a targeted attack directed at certain parts of the world.
In the first chapter of Joel, the food supply was destroyed, but also the means of producing and storing food. Agriculture was one of the primary sources of commerce and economic prosperity. The same situation is described with the trumpet plagues. The second trumpet sound reveals an attack on the economy by a powerful enemy who has influence over global commerce and the ability to disrupt shipping and supply chains.
The Third Trumpet Sound (Fresh Waters Turned to Bitterness)
[10] The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of the waters. [11] The name of the star is called "Wormwood." One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)*
This could easily be interpreted literally since much of the fresh water in the world today is polluted and not fit for drinking. However, I think that the meaning of this is tied to “Wormwood” and the angel that poisoned the waters. A star falling from the sky indicates that a fallen angel is behind this plague and it is demonic in nature.
This plague is exactly the opposite of what God did for Israel after they departed from Egypt in Exodus chapter 15. God told Moses to put a tree in the waters of Marah in order to turn the bitter waters sweet. The people were grumbling against Moses because they had nothing to drink. The bitter waters were making the people angry and bitter. This was a test for the people.
[23] When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah. [24] The people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" [25] Then he cried to the Lord. The Lord showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them; (Exodus 15:23-25)*
In this third trumpet plague, demonic forces put wormwood in the fresh water sources in order to make them bitter with a goal of making the people become bitter as well. Fresh water represents the fountain of life. In the scriptures, rivers and springs of water are connected with eternal life, a fruitful life, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the water he gives will become within us a wellspring of eternal life and this was in reference to the Holy Spirit.
[13] Jesus answered her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)*
[2] but his delight is in the LORD's Law. On his Law he meditates day and night. [3] He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:2-3)*
It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters, and a fountain will come forth from the house of the LORD, and will water the valley of Shittim. (Joel 3:18)*
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, (Revelation 22:1)*
In the prophesy of Joel, the fellowship offering is withheld from God’s house and this is connected with mourning. It says that joy and gladness are cut off from the house of God. The prophet Amos tells the house of Israel that they have turned justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth. He then tells the people to seek the Lord who calls for the waters from the sea and pours them onto the land, indicating that He is the source of all rivers and springs of fresh water.
Isn't the food cut off before our eyes; joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:16)* [7] You who turn justice to wormwood, and cast down righteousness to the earth: [8] seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night; who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the LORD is his name, (Amos 5:7-8)*
This is more than polluted rivers and wells. It is describing the culture wars. This plague seems to represent corruption, lawlessness and unrighteousness that is poisoning the well spring of life for all of humanity. It is an attempt to replace the Holy Spirit (the source of eternal life) with an evil spirit (the source of bitterness). Jesus predicted this when he said that the love of many will grow cold as a result of an increase in lawlessness. Those who dwell on the earth will attempt to remove any reference to God, religion, and righteousness from the culture. Wickedness and idolatry will be celebrated, the result will be lawlessness and bitterness causing the love of many to grow cold.
[11] Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. [12] Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:11-12)*
The active ingredient in wormwood that causes the bitterness is a chemical substance called absinthe. This substance became popular in the late 1800’s for its psychoactive effects. It was mixed with water and consumed as an intoxicating beverage by the elite artists, poets, and musicians of that period. If you search for absinthe2 on the internet, Wikipedia will provide some information about the substance and provide a list of famous people who used it 100 or so years ago. Many were influential in promoting post-modern culture as artists, writers, and musicians. Here is a partial list:
Notable absinthe drinkers included Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Lewis Carroll, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Aleister Crowley, Erik Satie, Edgar Allan Poe, Lord Byron, and Alfred Jarry.
The water in this case may represent all of the influences that shape the prevailing culture. The falling star named “wormwood” has poisoned this well and helped push society to fully embrace a demonic, godless, empty philosophy of life that breeds discontent, anger, depression, addiction and bitterness.
The Fourth Trumpet Sound (Sun, Moon and Stars Become Dark)
[12] The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day would not shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. (Revelation 8:12)*
When the fourth trumpet sounds the sun, moon and stars become darkened. The book of Joel records the same type of event in relation to the day of the Lord. Two times the prophet Joel states that the Sun and Moon are darkened and the stars withdraw their shining. Each time the day of the Lord is mentioned, the heavens and the earth shake, and the Lord speaks like thunder.
[10] The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. [11] The LORD thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of the LORD is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? (Joel 2:10-11)* [14] Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near, in the valley of decision. [15] The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. [16] The LORD will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but the LORD will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. (Joel 3:14-16)*
Psalms 19:1 states that the “heavens declare the glory of God” and Genesis 1:14 indicates that God created lights in the sky to be for signs and seasons.
God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; (Genesis 1:14)*
In ancient times, prophets, wise men and philosophers depended upon the stars as a source of information and insight. Darkening the stars and the heavenly lights would be an information blackout. This concept is described by the prophet Micah. The Lord said that He would take away the vision of the false prophets who lead the people astray. Darkness will come upon those who tell lies for money and stir up trouble if they don’t get paid.
[5] Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, "Peace!" and whoever doesn't provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him: [6] "Therefore night is over you, with no vision, and it is dark to you, that you may not divine; and the sun will go down on the prophets, and the day will be black over them. [7] The seers shall be disappointed, and the diviners confounded. Yes, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer from God." (Micah 3:5-7)*
People don’t depend upon the stars as they did in the past. However, much of our communication today depends upon satellites, cell phones and the internet. This could be describing a disruption in global communication as part of the lead-up to the day of the Lord. It may also refer to censorship and the withholding of information in order to suppress certain narratives that would expose the deeds of the beast and those who dwell on the earth. Is this trumpet sound pointing to an information war where the beast fights against God’s people in order to control channels of communication and obscure the truth?
Summary
Chapter 8 of Revelation begins with silence while incense is prepared to be offered on the golden altar. Then, the golden censer is filled with fire and cast down to the earth, bringing with it conflict and division. Four angels sound their trumpets warning us about plagues of famine, poverty, bitterness, and deception. Finally, at the end of the chapter, an eagle is heard declaring three woes to those who dwell on the earth. The final three trumpets will bring more suffering to those who worship the beast and its image.
[13] I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!" (Revelation 8:13)*
The purpose for the trumpets is two-fold. First, to awaken God’s people and call a solemn assembly. Second, to warn of a powerful nation that has come up against the land to destroy it. People begin to turn to the LORD as they suffer from these four plagues, but even more will repent as they experience the three woes that are coming next.
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Biblical References
*All Scripture quotations are from the New Heart English Bible unless specifically designated otherwise. The New Heart English Bible [NHEB] is in the public domain. https://nheb.net/
Absinthe definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe