Revelation 8:10,11

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

A. There are two symbols which must be understood here:

1. The star, named Wormwood

2. The rivers, waters and fountains.

B. God is the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 2:13) Jesus promised that he would provide living waters to those who believe his teachings. (John 7:38) The rivers and fountains represent the teachings of those who direct the spiritual lives of people here on earth.

C. Wormwood is bitter. (Proverbs 5:4) These waters (teachings) are made bitter. False teachings will cause many to die, not physical, but spiritual death. If you follow these false teachers you will lose your spiritual life.

D. The 3 rd trumpet warns that if you abandon the truth for false teachings, you will suffer spiritual death. Following a false teacher is just as deadly as denying the faith in the face of persecution.