Second Trumpet Rev 8:8.9.
Rev 8:8.9. Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
In this text we have symbols like a great mountain, sea, blood, creatures and ships. The context decides whether these words are symbols or facts. The first trumpet in Rev 8:7 had symbols like trees and green grass. And the following trumpets have symbols, so we should interpret these words in verses Rev 8:8.9. as symbols.
What do mountains mean in Biblical prophecy?
A short word study to find out what “mountains” mean in Biblical prophecy.
Psalms 48:1-3. In the city of our God – In the holy mountain. The joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the north. The city of the great king. God is in her palaces. He is known as her refuge. (Mount represents the city of God on Mount Zion in Jerusalem).
Psalm 125:1. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
Es 14:13. (The subject is Lucifer in verse 12). For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation – – -. (Mount refers to a congregation of being up in heaven).
Es 40:4. And every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low. (This is the text that John the Baptist used for himself and his mission to prepare the way for the Messiah to come. His message was for sinners to repent and give their hearts to God. Therefore sinners will be exalted and the proud leaders representing the mountains of Israel will be made low).
Jerm 51:24.25. And I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion in your sight, says the Lord. Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, who destroys all the earth, says the Lord. And I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you down from the rocks and make you a burnt mountain. (The Babylon kingdom is referred to as destroying burnt mountain, both political and religious).
Ezek 6:1-4. Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus, says the Lord to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: Indeed, I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols!” (These are the Israelites who worshipped idols on mountains. Mountains are a symbol of false worship).
Ezek 33:28.29. For I will make the land (Judah) most desolate, her arrogant strength shall cease, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that no one will pass through. Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. (Mountains are related to the abominations of false worship by the inhabitants of Israel).
Ezek 35:15. As you rejoiced because the inheritance of the house of Israel was desolate, so I will do to you; you shall be desolate O mount Seir, as well as all of Edom – all of it. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. (Mount Seir in this text is a symbol of Edom and their unbelief in God. Seir is from the root meaning to be hairy. This was the name of the head of the Horite family connected by marriage with Esau, from whom descended the Edomites)[1].
Ezek 36:1. And you son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, “mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. (Ezekiel is calling to the spiritual nation of Israel to repent of their sins Verse 26. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you: I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Verse 27. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes).
Ezek 39:1-4. (A prophesy against Gog). I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the people who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to beasts of the field to be devoured. (The mountains of Israel are referring to the spiritual and political leaders of Israel).
Amos 6:1. Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes! (Mountains refer to notable persons in the Samaria of unbelievers).
Mal 1:3. But Esau I have hated, and laid waste his mountain and his heritage. (Mountain is related to Esau´s inheritance of unbelievers).
Dan 2:35. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Verse 44. And in those days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. (Mountain refers to Gods spiritual kingdom beginning on earth and continuing in heaven).
Luk 3:5. And every mountain and hill brought low. (John the Baptist message was one of repentance for the remission of sins to the people of Israel. Therefore sinners will be exalted and the proud leaders representing mountains of Israel will be made low).
John 4:20-23. (The woman at the well). Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. Jesus said to her, “The hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. but the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (Mountain is related to a place of false worship).
Rev 16:20. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (This verse is in context with Rev 16:17-21. The seventh plague: An earthquake hits Babylon and divides the city into three parts Rev 17:1-6. It would be difficult to understand Rev 16:20 if every mountain disappeared literally all over the earth. Symbols are used in this text like Babylon. Therefore, mountains should be used symbolically, and they mean in this text, religious and political kingdoms of the earth.
Conclusion
Mountains are related to the following: City of God, trust in the Lord, mount of congregation in heaven, proud rich men and leaders. Babel is a destroying mountain both political and religious. Mountains of Israel are high places of idolatrous worship. Mount Seir in Edom is related to Esau´s descendants of unbelievers. Mountains of Israel are unbelievers in Israel. Mountains of Samaria are notable persons of unbelievers. Mountain is related to Gods kingdom on earth and heaven. A place of false worship. Religious and political kingdoms of the earth. In other words, a mountain can mean a place for false worship or true worship.
What does sea mean in Biblical prophecy?
Gen 1:10. The gatherings of the waters he called seas. (Literal seas).
Ps 33:7. He gathers the waters of the sea together. (Literal sea).
Is 57:20. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. (Wicked are like troubled sea).
Jerm 6:2.3. (Babylon). Their voice roars like the sea.
Jerm 51:42. The sea has come up over Babylon. (Sea of destruction).
Ezek 26,3. I will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. (Sea of destruction against Tyre).
Ezek 28:2 (King of Tyre). Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, “I am god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas. (Seas of nations).
Dan 7:2 I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. (Heaven was influencing the sea of nations in Asia and Europe).
Dan 7:3. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. (The wicked nations of Asia and Europe).
Dan 11,45. He shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain. (The papacy and priest in the Roman Catholic church system stand between the unbelieving people on earth and God´s temple of mediation in heaven).
Zech 10:11. He shall pass through the sea with affliction and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the river shall dry up. Then the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt depart. (Sea of affliction).
Rev 7:3. Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. (Sea of humanity).
Rev 13:1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns – – -. (The papacy rising out of Europe).
Rev 16:2. Then the second angel poured his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as if a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. (This means a literal sea because if every person on earth died there would be no point in administering the rest of the five plagues).
Rev 18:17. Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance. (These are shipmasters working for the symbolic city of Babylon, so the sea represents the sea of humanity in this text).
Rev 20:13. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each according to his own works. (This is the sea of humanity around the world).
Conclusion
The sea is symbolic of the wicked, voice of Babylon, destruction, many nations, Asia and Europe, wicked nations of destruction, unbelieving people on earth, affliction, people, and the sea on earth were God´s people live.
What is the symbolic meaning of blood in the book of Revelation?
Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Blood refers to spiritual waters turning to polluted blood.)
Gen 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. (Blood is related to life).
Ex 7:20 So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. (Blood is interpreted literal in this text).
Ex 12:21.22. Them Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.” (The blood here is a symbol of the blood of Christ, which protected the Israelites from the angel of death to the first born in every family in Egypt).
Lev 14:6.7. As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over its running water. And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean. (Blood is used for a symbol of cleansing).
Lev 16:15.16. Then he killed the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place. (Blood is used in the tabernacle for making atonement for the sins of the people).
Num 35:33 So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land. (Blood can defile the land).
Is 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood. (Isaiah condemns the people of Israel who have killed innocent people and defiled their hands with blood).
Ezek 33:4 then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take the warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. (Blood is a symbol of responsibility for ones own decisions and actions).
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. (Blood is a symbol of judgment).
John 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (The drinking of blood or wine in the communion is a symbol of believing that Christ cleanses us from all sin with his blood. John 6:35. Math 26:27.28. Rev 1:5).
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (Christ´s blood cleanses people from their sin).
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His blood. (Christ´s blood cleanses people from their sins).
Heb 9:22 without the shedding of blood there is no remission. (Christ´s blood gives us remission of our sins).
1 John 5:6. This is He who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. (Jesus was baptized by water and he gave His blood on the cross of Calvary).
Conclusion
Blood is related to: life, a symbol of the blood of Christ which protected the Israelites from the angel of death to the first born in every family in Egypt. Blood is used for a symbol of cleansing and is used in the tabernacle for making atonement for the sins of the people. Blood can defile the land and pollute spiritual waters of life. Isaiah condemns the people of Israel who have killed innocent people and defiled their hands with blood. Blood is a symbol of responsibility for one’s own decisions and actions. Blood is a symbol of judgment. The drinking of blood or wine in the communion is a symbol of believing that Christ´s blood cleanses people from their sins. Christ´s blood gives us remission of our sins. Jesus was baptized by water and he gave His blood on the cross of Calvary for us all.
What do ships mean in prophecy?
Gen 49:13. Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships. (Literal merchant ships).
Deut 28:68. (Curses and disobedience of Israel). And the Lord will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, “You shall never see it again.” And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you. (Refers to the Israelites being used as merchandise on ships).
Num 24:24. But ships shall come from the coast of Cyprus, and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber, and so Amalek, until he perishes. (War ships).
1 Kgs 22:48. Jehoshaphat made merchant ships to go to Ophir for gold. (Merchant ships carrying gold).
2 Chron 9:21. For the king`s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. (Ships used for transporting merchandise).
Prov 31:14. (A virtuous woman). She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
Dan 11:40. (This is the Hebrew direct translation from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and from www.scripture4all.org). And in the time of the end, he shall gore (pierce with horns) with him king of Negev, and he shall (excite) horror on him king of the north, in chariots, and in horsemen, and in ships, many ones and he comes in lands, and he overwhelms, and he passes. (These ships refer to battle ships taking part in spiritual warfare).
Ezek 30:8.9. When I have set fire in Egypt and all her helpers are destroyed. On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships, to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great anguish shall come upon them, as on the day of Egypt. (Messenger ships refer to war ships).
Rev 18:17.18. (This text refers to spiritual Babylon). For in one hour such great riches came to nothing. Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, “What is like this great city?” (Ships of spiritual merchandise being burnt up in Babylon).
Conclusion
Literal ships, merchant ships carrying gold, a virtuous woman is like a ship bringing food, battle ships taking part in spiritual warfare, war ships, ships carrying spiritual merchandise for Babylon, war ships are a symbol of the reformers during the Protestant reformation.
What does Rev 8:8.9. mean?
Rev 8:8.9. Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
We must remember that this is the second trumpet of warning to the Church from God in the heavenly sanctuary. Rev 8:8.9 Does not mention grass or trees, which are a symbol of God´s people. The burning mountain in Jerm 51:24.25 is a symbol of Babylon in Jeremiah´s time which was destroyed in 539 B.C. Babylon was a burning political, military and spiritual mountain, which tried to dominate all the nations in the then known world.
The second trumpet came after the first trumpet in the history of the Christian Church. The next trumpet warning to the Christian Church came about during the fourth century. This was the time when Paganism and worldliness entered the Church of God. This was the beginnings of spiritual Babylon entering the Church of God as outlined in Rev 18: and eventually overtaking the rulership of the Church worldwide.
The harlot Babylon enters the Church
The burning mountain is a symbol of spiritual Babylon and its teachings entering the Church. This burning mountain was thrown into the sea of humanity, especially in the region of Europe and Asia minor were God´s people lived. A third of the sea means that a third of God´s people in the sea of humanity, became spiritually polluted with the Babylonian influence of Paganism and Worldliness. As a result, a third of the creatures which are a symbol of God´s people, died spiritually. And a third of the ships which are a symbol of true Christian leaders in the Church, were destroyed.
“Thousands were imprisoned and slain, but others sprang up to fill their places. And those who were martyred for their faith were secured to Christ and accounted of Him as conquerors. – – – Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth; and where least expected, the subjects of Satan were leaving his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ.
Satan therefore laid plans to war more successfully against the government of God by planting his banner in the Christian Church.
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he failed to secure by force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honour. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the Christian faith, while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection, but they had no conviction of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart. With some concessions on their part they proposed that Christians should make concessions, that all unite on the platform of believe in Christ.
Now the Church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in comparison with this. – – – Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the Church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the Word of Truth.
Roman Catholics worshiping the image of Mary
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Although the worshippers of idols professed to be converted, and united with the Church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints. – – – Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith and worship. As the followers of Christ united with the idolaters, the Christian religion became corrupted, and the Church lost her purity and power. There were some, however, who were not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and worshipped God alone.”[2]
“But as persecutions ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God, she substituted human theories and traditions. The nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of righteousness, walked into the Church. Now the work of corruption rapidly progressed. Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the Church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ.”[3]
Leaders of the church worshipping the sun
“The spirit of concession to paganism opened the way for still further disregard of Heaven´s authority. Satan, working through unconsecrated leaders of the Church, tampered with the fourth commandment also, and essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath, the day which God had blessed and sanctified (Genesis 2:2,3), and in its stead to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as ´the venerable day of the sun´. This change was not at first attempted openly. In the first centuries the true Sabbath had been kept by all Christians. – – – But with great subtlety Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object. That the attention of the people might be called to the Sunday, it was made a festival in honour of the resurrection of Christ. Religious services were held upon it; yet it was regarded as a day of recreation, the Sabbath being still sacredly observed.”[4]
“In the early part of the fourth century the emperor Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout the Roman Empire. (See Appendix). The day of the sun was reverenced by his pagan subjects and was honoured by Christians; it was the emperor´s policy to unite the conflicting interests of heathenism and Christianity. He was urged to do this by the bishops of the Church, who inspired by ambition and thirst for power, perceived that if the same day was observed by both Christians and heathen it would promote the nominal acceptance of Christianity by pagans and thus advance the power and glory of the Church. – – – (Over time) Thus the pagan festival came finally to be honoured as a divine institution, while the Bible Sabbath was pronounced a relic of Judaism, and its observers were declared to be accursed.”[5]
[1] Francis D. Nichol, Edit., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol 4 (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald, 1977), 693.
[2] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 42.43.
[3] Ibid., 49.50.
[4] Ibid., 52.
[5] Ibid., 53.