March 22, 2022

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. 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. Revelation 8:10-11

Stars represent angels or messengers (Job 38:7, Revelation 1:20). A “great star” is one of high ranking. Isaiah 14:12-15 reveals its identity. John describes him as the leader of fallen angels (Revelation 12:9). He gets a new name here, which can be understood by the mention of an herb, notorious for its poisonous effect and bitter taste in Deuteronomy:

“so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart—as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” Deuteronomy 29:18-19

Jeremiah tells us that when the people of Israel, who knew better, turned away from God’s covenant, they were allowed—under the sovereignty of God—to consume poisonous and deadly false teachings and human traditions (see Jeremiah 9:13-15 and 23:15). This is mirrored in the New Testament by Paul:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Jesus is the water of life! Rivers and springs of water are fit symbols of spiritual nourishment for those who thirst for it. Hear His words:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

“…the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14b

Remember that the second trumpet concerned the fall of pagan Rome, which was in a downward spiral long before its “crash” in AD479. Meanwhile the papal power was emerging amid the chaos and made its official stand in AD538, with the aid of military power. It was during this time that many compromises were ushered into – and accepted by – the church. The third trumpet pronounces judgement against compromise. The rivers and springs of water symbolize the spiritual nourishment one should receive at church. But our enemy’s sinister work (see Jesus’ letter to Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17) compromised the message to remove its saving power, causing many to be lost: many men died from the water…

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  Acts 20:27-32