END OF TIME PROPHECIES 114

                                                    The power of the supernatural

"The first angel sounded.........and the second angel sounded........and the third angel sounded.......and the fourth angel sounded......".      Revelation 8v7-12 

What John is describing here is a series of supernatural events; these are much more than mere natural disasters, this is the hand of God.   The bible records that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God."   Hebrews 10v31   There is nothing more fearful than what is about to follow.  There is an element of mercy in it all, since two thirds are spared.   It appears that these first four trumpets focus on the material creation, whereas the last three trumpets focus upon the world of men.   The first four trumpets are as follows:

• "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." This judgment is on the material vegetation.   The hail, fire and blood speaks of scorched earth; this is similar to one of the plagues in Egypt except taken to a global level.   The details mirror Exodus 9v23-26.   This judgment resulted in the fiery destruction of one third part of trees and green grass.   The combination of hail and fire and blood are referred to in Ezekiel 38v22; Isaiah 30v30; Isaiah 9v5; and Joel 2v30-31.   The last named records this  "and I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke."   The mention of blood suggests there will be casualties, though not as many as in the last three trumpets.   the effect will be devastating; one third of trees and all green grass burnt up.   This will result in the loss of material supplies and in the loss of oxygen in the atmosphere and in the loss of food for animals.   In these judgments there are many parallels with the plagues in Egypt.   Old Testament prophets understood that the plagues of Egypt would be repeated in the future (Isaiah 10v22-25; Isaiah 11v12-16; Jeremiah 16v14-15).
• "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 ships were destroyed."   Here we have judgment on the salt water oceans.   He uses the word  "something like" in reference to a burning mountain.   This could be referring to something like an asteroid, a huge chunk of a star hurtling towards earth.   Huge rocks from stars the size of mountains can be hundreds of miles in diameter.   The sea changes colour, one third of all living creatures die, one third of ships are destroyed.   Scientists tell us that the introduction to seawater of sufficient molecules of molten iron would be enough to turn the water into a bloodlike colour.   The resultant chemical change would release toxins into the water which would destroy much of the marine life.   The ships would be destroyed by the resultant tsunamis because of the impact.  
• "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 men died in the waters, because they were made bitter."      The judgment is now on fresh water rivers and streams, and will seriously affect the drinking water supply.   It appears to be some form of meteor shower of massive proportions, which when dispersed pollutes the water supplies.   A falling star, released from its orbit and burning into multi fragments covering a wide area severely pollutes the water streams.  The water is poisoned and made bitter which is the meaning of "wormwood."    References in the Old testament to this symbol of divine punishment can be found in Deuteronomy 29v18. Jeremiah 9v15, Jeremiah 23v15, Lamentations 3v15, and Amos 5v7.
• "And 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."   One third of the heavenly lights withdrawn.   This could mean either one third less intensity, or one third less duration.   This is a disastrous judgment which will have far reaching implications such as a massive drop in worldwide temperatures, leading to endless problems.   This is referred to in Amos 5v18, Joel 2v2, and Isaiah 13v9-11.   "Behold the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He shall destroy sinners thereof out if 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".