Revelation 8:12-13 - Desolations in the Heavens

Today, I thought you might find this interesting that this chat is the 777th consecutive one that I have posted since we begin doing them back in March 2020, (except for one day when I was in the hospital earlier this year). I started these daily chats to stay in contact with our congregation at Rainbow when were forced into social isolation. I never knew that they would continue in this way and the Lord would use them to encourage and help so many people through these past two difficult years. Thank you for joining us daily and for your prayers and support as Pastor Mike Impact Ministries was born out of these chats! It’s been an amazing journey! As the Seven-year Tribulation begins the seven sealed book is opened by the Lamb of God in heaven (Rev. 6). When they are opened seal by seal, we are given a preview of the first three and a half years of the Tribulation. The seventh seal is followed by silence for thirty minutes and then the seven angels with seven trumpets begin to sound (Rev. 8). I believe the seven trumpets begin to sound at the beginning of the second half of the tribulation which is also three and half years long. When the first trumpet sounds (v. 7), desolations on the earth begins as a third of the trees and all the green grass is burned up. When the second trumpet sounds (v. 8), desolations on the sea takes place. When the third trumpet is sounded (vv. 10-11), desolations takes place on the fresh waters of the earth. Today we are looking at what happens next when the fourth angel sounds the fourth trumpet. The judgments from the first three trumpets affected only a third part of the land and waters, but this fourth judgment affects the entire world. Why? Because it gets to the very source of the earth's life and energy, the sun. With one third less sunlight on the earth, there will be one third less energy available to support the life systems of man and nature. This judgment parallels the ninth plague in Egypt (Ex. 10:21-23), which lasted three days. "The Day of the Lord is darkness, and not light" (Amos 5:18). Think of the vast changes in temperatures that will occur and how these will affect human health and food growth. It is possible that this particular judgment is temporary, for the fourth bowl judgment will reverse it, and the sun's power will be intensified (Rev. 16:8-9). Then, at the close of the Tribulation, the sun and moon will be darkened again to announce the Savior’s return (Matt. 24:29-30; see also Luke 21:25-28). "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion," said the Prophet Joel, "for the Day of the Lord cometh ... a day of darkness and of gloominess" (Joel 2:1-2). Darkness, indeed! Not only will nature suffer loss, but human nature will take advantage of the long darkness and no doubt indulge in crime and wickedness. "Everyone that does evil hates the light" (John 3:20). At this point, a remarkable messenger will appear in the sky, proclaiming woe to the earth's inhabitants. Most manuscripts have "eagle" here instead of "angel," but either one would certainly get people's attention! The three "woes" in Revelation 8:13 refer to the judgments yet to come when the remaining three angels blow their trumpets. It is as though the messenger cried, "If you think this has been terrible, just wait! The worst is yet to come!" At the beginning of human history, heaven and earth were united because our first parents honored God and obeyed His will. Satan tempted them to focus on the earth; they disobeyed God; and ever since, a great gulf has been fixed between heaven and earth. This chasm was bridged when the Son of God came to earth and died for the sins of the world. Praise the Lord!!!! God Bless!