Revelation 8:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Revelation 8:13

Comments

At this point there is a pause in the vision, which marks the completion of the first group of four trumpets. The four first trumpets are to do with catastrophes affecting the natural resources of the earth. The first effects the earth, the second the sea, the third the rivers and the fourth the sun, moon and stars. These are exactly the same elements that are harmed by the first four bowls and in the same order (Revelation 16:1-9). Even if we are looking at symbols, we must consider the significance of the physical elements used here as images. These four physical elements of the world are all created during the first week of creation. The earth and the sea, the grass and the trees and the sources of light are treated distinctly. In Genesis 1 these are the great features of a world prepared as a perfect habitation for mankind. This is the primary Old Testament passage behind this vision. But because of his anger at human behaviour, God, who created the world for man’s benefit, is now causing these elements of creation to turn against him and do him harm.The first four trumpets affect man indirectly; those that follow will target man directly and not just the created world around him. Now God gives freedom to man’s mortal enemy to trouble him. Man has forfeited all right to the protection of God. First the creation itself, which was provided for all our physical needs, turns against us, then a more deadly enemy is upon us, for here is malice intelligently directed against mankind. The hail and the darkness do not stare at us with the same intelligent gaze, but Satan knows his quarry. He hates man with incredible ferocity. He goes as far as God allows him to go, and now much of God’s restraint is about to be removed.An angel flies in the midst of heaven. No wonder the angel cries out with horror at the woes that are about to come. Three woes are pronounced, corresponding to the three trumpets to follow. But who hears this warning? All who read this book. The Lord does not hide from us the awfulness of these calamities. There may even be pity in the heart of the angel as he voices this warning.

Application

From long ago the devil practiced his unmatched skill and cunning, his determination to hurt in the worst possible way. He is proud and ruthlessness. Though he is vastly stronger than his human prey, he does not hold back any of his power when he makes his attack. Perhaps the most pitiful part is that man, for the most part, is not even aware that he has such an enemy. Intensely self-confident, he dismisses all warnings of danger and rushes to offer other explanations for the torments that Satan brings into his life.

The emotions of the angel expressed in these words are recorded here so that we may know heaven’s assessment of these woes. The trouble with us is that we cannot take seriously what God says he is going to do to the earth. God therefore spares no effort to arouse our concern about these things. If the angel regards the earth’s predicament as terrible, then certainly the earth should be concerned about itself.

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Revelation 8:13 Commentary and Bible Study