The Sounding of the Second Angel's Trumpet Revelation 8:8

As John the apostle continued to share about the “tribulation” that was to come upon the earth, he shared concerning the first six seals Jesus removed from the “scroll” in God's right hand. He then wrote what happened when Jesus, “had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets … And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 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.” In chapter eight and verse eight John saw what happened when “the second angel sounded” where we read:

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;

The verse reads, “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea:” John began with the words, “the second angel” which means “the second of the messengers, envoys and ones sent who were standing before God's altar” “sounded” or “blew or blasted his trumpet”, “and as it were” which means “and it was like or even as” “a great mountain” or “a large and massive mountain” “burning” which refers to “kindled, set on and consumed” “with fire” or “with fiery lightning” “was cast” which means “was thrown, scattered or poured out” “into the sea” which refers to “into the large body of water”. John saw the “second angel” blow his trumpet, and a large burning “mountain” was thrown into the “sea”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the third part of the sea became blood;” John added the words, “and the third part” which means “and one third” “of the sea” which means “of the large body of water” “became” or “came into existence, began to be and happened as” “blood” which means “bloodshed by violence, slaying or murder”. John saw the “sea” become like a pool of “blood” when the “large burning mountain” was thrown into it.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we may imagine a large “meteor” or “asteroid” falling into the “sea”. This burning mountainous mass turns the “sea” into a bloodbath and further demonstrates the judgment of God that is to come upon the earth because of the rejection of His Son Jesus. God wants every person to avoid these horrific events upon the earth, however, there will be those who stubbornly refuse His offer of “salvation through grace”. This “salvation” was obtained and bought by Jesus dying upon the cross. All sin may be forgiven when a person receives Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, but should they refuse, they should be prepared for the large “burning rock” to be cast into the “sea” which turns it into a bloodbath.

Next time John shares more of what happened when “the second angel sounded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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