Part 5 of 6 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation 8' by Gijs van den Brink

At the third trumpet blown in Revelation 8, a third of the water on earth becomes undrinkable (vs.10-11). John sees a great fiery ball falling from heaven. The fiery ball is a astēr, which besides a star can also indicate a planet or a comet. The "star" bears the name Wormwood, in Greek Apsinthos. It refers to an herb called apsintalsem, which contains a particularly poisonous liquid, apsint. The disaster causes a third of the world's water to become undrinkable. One-third of the fresh water is poisoned and has a lethal effect on those who drink it.

At the fourth trumpet, the sun is struck with moon and stars, resulting in one-third of the earth becoming dark or the whole earth receiving one-third less light (vs. 12). The latter is even more serious. In the former case there is a permanent solar eclipse, in the latter a loss of power of the sun. 

Be that as it may, the meaning of this verse is clear. There will be a terrifying disturbance of sun and stars causing darkness. Through this judgment it should be made clear one more time that the world cannot exist on its own, but depends on its Creator.

Next time: western belief in progress and corona crisis.

Also see: Part 4 of 6 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation 8  ': Ecological disasters as judgments

Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine

This is part 5 of 6 concise blog on the topic of "Lessons from Revelation 8" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!

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