(8) 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; (9) And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
As the earth represents the people, so the sea can mean no other. It is the scene of action, where these great things were to be transacted. Hence the great whore, hereafter spoken of is said to sit upon man y waters, Revelation 17:1. And so again, that we may not mistake, the angel which gave John his intimation, said to him, the waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth, are people; and multitudes, and nations, and tongues, Revelation 17:15. So then, what is said under this second trumpet, is like the former, it refers to persons. And the casting of a great burning mountain into the sea, and the third part of the creatures in the sea dying, and the destruction of the ships, can have no reference whatever but to persons, on whom the Lord's judgments alight, for their persecution of the Church. Some have thought, and perhaps rightly thought, that as the former punishment, under the first trumpet, had reference to the Arian heresy, in denying the Lord that bought them; so this of a burning mountain cast into the sea, might have respect to what hath ever accompanied the denial of the Godhead of Christ, I mean the denial of the Person, Godhead, and ministry of the Holy Ghost. Here also, as in the former judgment, we read of blood. And the history of those times were very bloody. We read of the Lord's people hiding themselves in corners to avoid persecution. But when God hides his people; he manifests himself. And, it is very blessed, often now to remark, what gracious and wonderful interpositions, are sometimes shown, in the salvation of his chosen! That sweet scripture is fulfilled. The Lord knoweth, (though they know not), how to deliver the godly out of temptation; while he will reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment, to be punished; 2 Peter 2:9.