Revelation 8:6-13

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; 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). 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.