7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 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, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 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 waters. 11 The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter. 12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way. (Revelation 8:7–12)
If you’ve been alive long enough you’ve heard of or witnessed all kinds of devastating catastrophes. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, flash floods, hail storms, and wildfires, to name a few. In many cases the loss of life and property is instantaneous. Imagine these events tripled in terms of size, property damage, and loss of life. And there is no rebuilding, because the damage is irreparable. Then there is the terror and trauma brought about by these events. It can’t be easily shaken, and again, “triple” that.
These events triggered by the first four trumpet calls are “one offs” because of their magnitude and permanency. A third of the earth. A third of the trees. All the grass. A third of the sea. A third of the creatures in the sea. A third of the ships. A third of the rivers and springs. A third of all drinking water. A third of the light from the sun and the moon and the stars. This is nothing John Lennon could have “imagined!”
And there is more to come. No relief in site.
Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” (Revelation 8:13)
To all those who are banking on toughing out the seven-year tribulation, we might as well say a third of all Christians will be lost in the wake of these events alone. And the Lord is just getting started. No amount of “prepping” will get you through.
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