Revelation 8:6-13 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

The First Four Trumpets. The first four trumpets, like the first four seals, form a connected group, and differ in character from the last three. They affect chiefly the natural world, which they overwhelm with disaster. Many of the features are borrowed from the plagues of Egypt. [The description seems to be based also on volcanic phenomena, as often in OT prophecy. The whole district was subject to volcanic disturbances, and in particular the island of Santorin (about 80 miles S.W. of Patmos) may have suggested several features. See J. T. Bent's article, What St. John saw in Patmos (Nineteenth Century, 1888). On this island there is a work by F, Fouqué, Santorin et ses é ruptions. A. S. P.]

Revelation 8:7. The first trumpet (cf. Exodus 9:24), fire flashing continually amid the hail. The phrase mingled with blood is added. Blood-red rain is not unknown in nature; storms of this character have occurred in the S. of Europe, and the usual explanation given is that the air was full of particles of red sand from the Sahara.

Revelation 8:8. The second trumpet. a great mountain: this phrase is introduced by way of illustration, and we need not imagine that the writer pictures an actual mountain cast into the sea. He indicates rather a huge blazing mass like a mountain in size.

Revelation 8:9. sea became blood: cf. Exodus 7:17-21; Revelation 16:3.

Revelation 8:10. The third trumpet. A great meteor falls from heaven and destroys the fresh-water supply. [J. H. Moulton, Early Zoroastrianism. p. 326, compares the falling of the great star Gocî har upon the earth, mentioned in the Bundahish. A. S. P.] called Wormwood: lit. absinthe. In OT the term is always used metaphorically to denote the bitterness of injustion or the fruits of idolatry or Divine chastisement (Proverbs 5:4 *).

Revelation 8:12. The fourth trumpet. This causes the partial eclipse of the heavenly bodies (cf. Exodus 10:21-23). None of these plagues are final, and it seems to be suggested that there is still time for repentance.

Revelation 8:13. On the ordinary interpretation this verse is intended to be a last warning to the world before the other trumpets are blown. Charles thinks, however, that originally the four trumpets were not found in the text, and that this verse simply introduces the three trumpets (cf. Revelation 8:9). an eagle: so the best MSS. TR reads, an angel, and so AV.

Rev. 8:15. See Introd. to ch. 20.

Related Commentaries of Revelation 8:6

Revelation 8:6-13

6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 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.

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.

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!