Revelation 8:6-7 – Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. 7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
“Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.” These seven angels with their seven trumpets “prepared” to sound them. What does that mean? We are not told. This a reminder that, while God gives us much information and detail, He does not give us all the information and all the detail. Some things that we would like to know we just have to wait until God reveals them to us. Perhaps in heaven. We should be satisfied with this because it is the God Himself who decided what to tell us and what not to tell us. We dare not think that we know or understand better than God. Let us not think about God should have revealed this, or done this or that. God is God and we are not. Let us be satisfied with what God has revealed. Sure we can wonder, but let us be satisfied with what God gives us, in all matters.
“The first angel sounded his trumpet…” The first four trumpets that will be blown are again divided into four and three. The first four are against nature and the final three against unrepentant man.
The interlude of silence, the gathering of the prayers of the saints, is passed. With the prayers of the people of God hurled to the earth, terrifying judgement is coming to the earth. No wonder Stephen cried out to the Lord asking Him to not hold the sins of the people who were killing him against them (Acts 7:60). What is coming upon the earth is horrible and terrifying. It is enough. Especially to those who refuse Jesus as Savior and Lord. Yet, though this may be hard for some to receive, there is beauty and peace in these judgements. We must remember that what is happening is God’s justness, righteousness and faithfulness. He has said this would happen and it is happening. This is beautiful to those who love and serve God. For just as true that judgement is falling, as the Lord said it would, so is His grace and mercy a sure thing. So while even the Christian sees the horror and terror coming to the earth, there is a peace in knowing that God will keep all His promises to His people. His people will be in peace with Him for eternity. Praise God!
When people lament that people who do not love Jesus have riches and fame, while knowing the frustration of aspects of that, it may be best to grant that to the lost. See, those who have rejected the Messiah, only have hope in this world. In eternity, there is no hope for them. While we, the redeemed, focus not on this world but on eternity. So let the lost have their coins and their conquests, the redeemed of the Lord have their treasure, God Himself. Praise God!
“…and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth.” Notice that this judgement does not flow to earth, but is hurled down to earth. The judgement of God has been restrained so that as many as would come to Him would come (2 Peter 3:9). He has been holding back the judgement that the rebellious have piled up against themselves. He has given them every chance to repent. They have not. Now, the judgement that they said would never come, is hurled down and they shall suffer the consequences of rejecting Jesus, and thereby God.
“…hail and fire mixed with blood…” Some see this as nuclear warfare. Some see this as an electrical thunderstorm such as never before has been seen. The blood is seen by some to mean the skies will colored blood red.
“A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” Notice that these trumpet blasts bring limited judgement. All the earth, all the trees and all the grass will not be burned up. This is not the final judgement to come. Which part of the earth, which trees and what grass is part of the one third? It is not explained. Are the targets of this judgement targets that are meant to most wake up man? Such as fruit trees, and crops? Or is it limited to one part of the earth? Or does this hail and fire target certain areas that would most likely cause people to repent? We are not told, but what we do know is that this devastation is certainly coming to the earth. God is still sending the alarm to repent. Why? Because He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23).
Family, we don’t want any of our loved ones to have to endure the coming judgement on the earth. We need to tell all who will listen. We must tell them in love and with humility and respect (1 Peter 3:15), even at the risk of their anger. We want them to repent and be saved, just as we have and as we are. Let the book of Revelation wake us up. Let us not be slack in spreading the Gospel. All who love God care about the lost. Let’s never ease up in our active and passionate desire to share Jesus.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.