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Revelation 8:12-13 – 12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. 13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”
“The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.” The first trumpet brought judgement to mankind that would affect the land. The second trumpet released the destruction that would affect the seas, the third trumpet brought a plaque that affected the fresh waters of the earth, and now the fourth trumpet affects the celestial bodies. Like the plaques against Egypt were against the things they worshiped, so it could be said of these judgements that fall against what man chooses to worship instead of God. Man chooses to worship the things of the earth and that which dwells on it (Romans 1:25). All the diversions that man seeks to love instead of God are found to be woefully inadequate as God attempts to bring the attention back to Himself (Isaiah 45:20). Man chooses to worship man and calls man his own God. Man, and nature have no way of stopping the defenses of God. The Pharaoh’s wizards could imitate some of the plaques, but they could not stop or prevent the plaques God brought (Exodus 7-11). Nothing that mankind depends on instead of God, and not mankind himself, can deter the judgements of God (Isaiah 14:27). There is only one God and none can prevent what God will do. Yet, there is a way to avoid these judgements, it is to bow one’s heart, knee and mind and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Sadly, most of mankind reject the mercy, grace, kindness and love of God. So very, very sad!
The source of light to the world, the sun, the source that reflects light to the earth, and the stars that light the sky are all affected by the judgement that now besets the earth. Now, at this time, the Christians who were Christians before the start of the seven years of the Great Tribulation are gone. Christians who came to the Lord during the Great Tribulation are being martyred wherever they are found. They are resisting the World leader, the Antichrist, and he will have none of it (Revelation 20:4). Like the word tolerance nowadays has decreasing meaning as it is applied only from one side, the perfection of the perversion of tolerance and false accusations against God’s children, will be by the Antichrist. He will call those who believe on the True God dividers and haters. He will deny the Truth of the Gospel as a lie. The world will side with Him. He is, to them, a savior, unable to be defeated (Revelation 13:4). Who he fights against, they will fight against. This judgement is against what physically provides light to this world even as the world becomes increasingly dark spiritually.
“As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice…” The word here translated as “eagle” by the NIV and ESV is translated as “angel” by the NKJV. The original word used, “aggelos” (transliteration) is overwhelmingly translated as angel. However, whether and eagle or an angel, the point is that this being is a messenger from God. He is a messenger from God with a very ominous message that He is shouting out.
““Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”” Three trumpet blasts remaining and the message of the messenger is “Look out! If you think what has already come upon the earth was bad, well what is following is worse beyond comparison!”
The “inhabitants of the earth” does not refer to believers. While believers have been, and will continue to be, inhabiting the earth, they are not included in this description. What this description is of people who worship the created rather than the creator. They worship the things of this earth, natural and man-made, rather than God. For reference see Revelation 12:12. Also Revelation 11:10 describes those who dwell on the earth are happy because the two Jewish prophets of God are killed. John warns in 1 John 2:15 not to love the world. He is not speaking of not appreciating this place that we live on and that God gave us. He is talking about loving the ways of those who reject God and speak against Him. These “inhabitants of the earth” are those on whom these judgements fall.
Family, there are many subtle lies in the earth. Lies that say to be kind to everyone else and all will be peachy-keen for all mankind. Or to just “pay-it-forward” and the world will solve its problems. There is a subtle, but treacherous and dangerous lie in all sayings of mankind that purport peace, but can never achieve it. The reason these cannot bring peace to mankind is that these leave out God. Some may read that God is within these sayings. Perhaps, then where is He purposely glorified in them? God’s name should be included. Family, this is not an overzealous rant, but pointing out of the truth. Too often these good sayings are embraced by believers without glory being given to God. Yes, be kind. Jesus said so. But kindness, Godly kindness, will never be achieved without the becoming a new creature in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Man’s rebellion of God must stop before Godly kindness, not worldly conditional kindness, will ever rule on earth. “Paying it forward” sounds great. It seems to align itself with the Golden rule that Jesus set forward (Matthew 7:12). However the attempt at imitating Godliness by the efforts of man absent of God will always fail. That is what the Antichrist will bring. He will deny the message of Christ and bring His own proclamations of peace and justice, as He murders countless of Christians. And the world will embrace it. If one honestly looks at the present trend of the thoughts of mankind, many already consider that the world would be a better place without the mention of God, and without the people of God. This is the Antichrist spirit. It is coming. Let us work hard while it is day, the night is coming. Family, we fear not for ourselves, but for our family, our friends and neighbors. Let us love and risk to bring the Gospel to all we can. We do so because we love them. We cannot love God without loving them also.
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.