The Last Days
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Lesson 41 | 10/05/25
Revelation 8:7-13 | The Recompense of Iniquity
We are continuing in chapter 8 as we the 7 angels begin to blow the 7 Trumpets of Judgement on the earth. Last week we learned that these Trumpet Judgements are coming out from the altar in heaven and the prayers of the Tribulation saints standing before the altar and the throne of God are being lifted up along with the burning incense into the hearing of God. And they are saying, Revelation 6:10 “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”. And God hears their cry. This 7- Year Tribulation has many names and one of which Isaiah calls, “The Day of Vengeance to comfort all who mourn.” Isaiah 61:2
There is comfort in knowing that God is our Righteous Judge who will usher in everlasting Righteousness and expel His enemies from His Kingdom. David wrote many Psalms pleading for God to take vengeance on his enemies and Psalm 94 paints a beautiful picture of this comfort we can have in this. Let’s read Psalm 94.
As the 7th seal is loosed, God’s wrath and vengeance is intensifying as God is pouring out His Judgement on the earth, avenging the blood of His Saints, giving recompense to the iniquity of those who hate God. Psalm 94:23LXX promises “He will recompense to them their iniquity.” And He is doing this to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. The whole world is feeling the effects of these Judgements.
There are some interesting correlations with the Judgements of the Trumpets and Bowls compared to the curses and plagues that came on Egypt and later in the Law. And it seems that God may be judging these earth dwellers in the Tribulation according to the curse that was written in the Law. Malachi 4:1-6 warned of this coming a curse that will strike the whole earth for their wickedness. Zechariah speaks of a flying scroll bearing a curse, Zech 5:1-4. Moses also speaks of the curse of the Law for all who do not obey the voice of the Lord, Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
What is God’s commandment for the whole world? It is not the Ten Commandments. 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Those who disobey this commandment will be subject to the Judgement of God. Those who disobey the voice of the Lord and try to attain to their own Righteousness apart from Jesus, have bound themselves under the curse and will be judged; to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.
Remember what Paul says about this in Galatians 3:10–14-10 For as many as are out from (ἐκ) the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified out from (ἐκ) the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live out from (ἐκ) faith.” 12 Yet the law is not out from (ἐκ) faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Therefore, anyone who does not believe in Jesus has bound themselves under the curse. Moses says in Deut 4:29-30LXX “When you are in your Tribulation, all these words will find you in the Last Days.” In the Last Days, God will enact the curse upon those who do not believe. Notice what Moses says about the Judgement for disobeying God, Leviticus 26:18-32. This is written to the Jew, but this curse is coming upon the whole world and affecting the Gentiles. And all who have not obeyed the commandment of God to believe in Jesus Christ are subject to Divine Judgment. This Judgement is unleashed as the Trumpets begin to blow.
These Trumpet Judgements are known as the Judgement of the thirds because many of these judgements affect 1/3 of the earth and its population. The intensity has increased. The first four seal judgements affected ¼ of the earth’s population. Now we are seeing it increase to 1/3. When we get the Bowl Judgements, these will affect 100%, all the earth. Let’s look at the first four Judgments starting with verse 7...
The First Trumpet
8:7) The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Jeremiah 11:16- The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken.
Ezekiel 20:47- and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it.
This first Trumpet judgment against the trees and green grass seems to be directed at the dried up, unbelieving hearts of the Jews... which then will affect the whole world. All the earth dwellers who rejecting Jesus.
The Second Trumpet
8:8-9) 8 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. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Spiritual Symbolism-
The Third Trumpet
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.
Jeremiah 23:15- “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem, profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ”
Spiritual Symbolism-
8:12) Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
Spiritual Symbolism-
Ezekiel 32:7- When I put out your light, I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, And the moon shall not give her light.
Deuteronomy 28:28–29-28 The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. 29 And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness;
2 Thessalonians 2:10–12-10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Every one of us has light. The question is, what are you doing with this light? Jesus says, Luke 11:35- Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. How do we take heed? We forsake this world and trust God and He promises us that those who love Him, He will return and catch us away so we don’t have to face these judgements that are to come upon the world, Luke 21:34-36.
Intro to the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets
8:13) And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
PREVIOUS LESSON 39 ← GO TO → NEXT LESSON 41
There is comfort in knowing that God is our Righteous Judge who will usher in everlasting Righteousness and expel His enemies from His Kingdom. David wrote many Psalms pleading for God to take vengeance on his enemies and Psalm 94 paints a beautiful picture of this comfort we can have in this. Let’s read Psalm 94.
As the 7th seal is loosed, God’s wrath and vengeance is intensifying as God is pouring out His Judgement on the earth, avenging the blood of His Saints, giving recompense to the iniquity of those who hate God. Psalm 94:23LXX promises “He will recompense to them their iniquity.” And He is doing this to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. The whole world is feeling the effects of these Judgements.
There are some interesting correlations with the Judgements of the Trumpets and Bowls compared to the curses and plagues that came on Egypt and later in the Law. And it seems that God may be judging these earth dwellers in the Tribulation according to the curse that was written in the Law. Malachi 4:1-6 warned of this coming a curse that will strike the whole earth for their wickedness. Zechariah speaks of a flying scroll bearing a curse, Zech 5:1-4. Moses also speaks of the curse of the Law for all who do not obey the voice of the Lord, Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
What is God’s commandment for the whole world? It is not the Ten Commandments. 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Those who disobey this commandment will be subject to the Judgement of God. Those who disobey the voice of the Lord and try to attain to their own Righteousness apart from Jesus, have bound themselves under the curse and will be judged; to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.
Remember what Paul says about this in Galatians 3:10–14-10 For as many as are out from (ἐκ) the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified out from (ἐκ) the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live out from (ἐκ) faith.” 12 Yet the law is not out from (ἐκ) faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Therefore, anyone who does not believe in Jesus has bound themselves under the curse. Moses says in Deut 4:29-30LXX “When you are in your Tribulation, all these words will find you in the Last Days.” In the Last Days, God will enact the curse upon those who do not believe. Notice what Moses says about the Judgement for disobeying God, Leviticus 26:18-32. This is written to the Jew, but this curse is coming upon the whole world and affecting the Gentiles. And all who have not obeyed the commandment of God to believe in Jesus Christ are subject to Divine Judgment. This Judgement is unleashed as the Trumpets begin to blow.
These Trumpet Judgements are known as the Judgement of the thirds because many of these judgements affect 1/3 of the earth and its population. The intensity has increased. The first four seal judgements affected ¼ of the earth’s population. Now we are seeing it increase to 1/3. When we get the Bowl Judgements, these will affect 100%, all the earth. Let’s look at the first four Judgments starting with verse 7...
The First Trumpet
8:7) The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
- This first Trumpet judgement is hail and fire mixed with blood coming down from heaven.
- specifically attacking the trees and grass.
- The hail is shredding the trees and burning 1/3 of them up
- And 100% of the green grass is being burned.
- The hail is shredding the trees and burning 1/3 of them up
- specifically attacking the trees and grass.
- In Egypt, there was fire mixed with hail, Ex 9:23-24.
- In Sodom and Gomorrah, it was fire and brimstone, Gen 19:24
- Now it is hail and fire mixed with blood.
- These judgements are not allegories. I believe these are actual physical events that will be taking place.
- But these judgements are not random. I believe each one has a purpose that points to a spiritual symbolism.
- Trees and green grass are a symbol of life,
- Rev 22:2- Tree of Life; Psalm 1:3- tree planted by the river; Psalm 23:2- lie down in green pastures
- Many scriptures speaking of judgement against trees not bearing fruit (symbolic of fruitless Israel)
Jeremiah 11:16- The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken.
Ezekiel 20:47- and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it.
This first Trumpet judgment against the trees and green grass seems to be directed at the dried up, unbelieving hearts of the Jews... which then will affect the whole world. All the earth dwellers who rejecting Jesus.
The Second Trumpet
8:8-9) 8 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. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
- This second Trumpet judgement seems to be some type of meteor coming down from heaven affecting the sea.
- Even though these judgements are affecting the environment, plant life and now large bodies of water, they are directed toward people and affect the way people live.
- This sea might only be the Mediterranean Sea, but it could be referring to all the oceans
- Either way it is affecting a large body of water, killing 1/3 of the fish and destroying 1/3 of the ships
- Again, affecting people, their food, and their commerce (fishing and trade)
Spiritual Symbolism-
- In prophecy, the sea is symbolic of the nations of the world, Isaiah 60:5; Daniel 7:2-3; Rev 13:1; 17:15.
- The great mountain is a symbol of pride (Is 40:4- every mountain brought low) and it is being thrown down into the sea affecting their trade and commerce, its boast of life.
- There also may be an interesting connection with Mark 11:23-24 and the mountain being thrown into the see and the faith of God.
- Which happens to be the explanation of the fig tree drying up symbolizing fruitless Israel. I will leave that for you to ponder
- Notice these first two judgements have an element of blood, 1) hail and fire mixed with blood; 2) water turned to blood.
- Why is blood being introduced?
The Third Trumpet
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.
- The third Trumpet judgement sends another heavenly body to the earth.
- It is described as a star burning like a torch.
- Maybe another meteor, but is different than the mountain on fire. Is this a comet? an asteroid?
- Stars are also sometimes referred to as angels. Could this be an angel come down from heaven?
- This star has a name, Wormwood, Ἄψινθος,
- we get the word absinthe, a bitter potent alcohol that if consumed in high quantities, can be lethal.
- This star has a name, Wormwood, Ἄψινθος,
- Notice the difference between the mountain and this star. The mountain was thrown, the star fell.
- Some people think this is a fallen angel. One who sinned and was cast out of heaven
- I don’t believe God would use a fallen, rebellious angel to do His work.
- God will use dishonorable vessels, but that is not the same as an angel acting as His servant following orders.
- The star in 9:1 is without a doubt an angel, but again not a fallen rebellious angel
- I don’t believe God would use a fallen, rebellious angel to do His work.
- Some people think this is a fallen angel. One who sinned and was cast out of heaven
- This star, whether an angel or a meteor has a purpose...
- to make a third of the freshwater bitter
- this judgement has affected the drinking water and as a result, many men will die
- This water being turned bitter was also foretold in the Prophets,
- to make a third of the freshwater bitter
Jeremiah 23:15- “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem, profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ”
Spiritual Symbolism-
- Just as the false prophets have poisoned the minds of the people and they have hardened their hearts and become bitter toward God, God is giving them over to their desires and they are drinking in the root of bitterness and they will die in their sins, Hebrews 12:15.
8:12) Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
- The fourth Trumpet judgement brings darkness over the day and night.
- This is supernatural. I don’t think this is a result of nuclear fallout, or ash from volcanic eruption.
- This is judgement is coming from God Himself and everyone knows it.
- This is supernatural. I don’t think this is a result of nuclear fallout, or ash from volcanic eruption.
- In the plagues of Egypt God brought a darkness that could be felt, Ex 10:21
- And darkness will come again with the 5th Bowl Judgement, Rev 16:10
- The Prophets foretell of cosmic darkness, Joel 2:10; 2:31; 3:15; Isaiah 13:10
Spiritual Symbolism-
- As the hearts of people grow hard toward Jesus, the Light of Truth will diminish
Ezekiel 32:7- When I put out your light, I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, And the moon shall not give her light.
Deuteronomy 28:28–29-28 The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. 29 And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness;
2 Thessalonians 2:10–12-10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Every one of us has light. The question is, what are you doing with this light? Jesus says, Luke 11:35- Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. How do we take heed? We forsake this world and trust God and He promises us that those who love Him, He will return and catch us away so we don’t have to face these judgements that are to come upon the world, Luke 21:34-36.
Intro to the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets
8:13) And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
- An angel cries out with three woe’s...
- one for each of the Trumpets remaining
- The intensity continues to increase as these last three Trumpet Judgements will be more devastating than the first four.
PREVIOUS LESSON 39 ← GO TO → NEXT LESSON 41