October 20: THE FOURTH TRUMPET JUDGEMENT
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. Revelation 8:12 (KJV)
The sun, moon, and stars are rich with symbolism. They represent the people of God shining for Him in a dark world. When John the Revelator was given a symbolic, collective revelation of them, he saw a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (12:1). And going all the way back to Genesis, Joseph had prophetic dreams. The second one was recounted thus: “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” (Genesis 37:9) Though neither Joseph nor his family yet knew what the dream meant, Israel (Jacob’s new name) understood well that the sun, moon, and stars represented God’s people (v.10).
Our opening verse shows that of God’s people, the third part – symbolizing the deceived part (Revelation 12:4) – was smitten. This smiting, or striking, in the context of their apostasy, speaks of two foundational truths that were taken away from them due to their own chosen course of compromise. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6) This daylight represents the light of the gospel. Its truth is presented throughout the written word. Satan comes to afflict God’s people so that they will not see the light shining in the Bible.
The other foundational truth taken away – the night likewise – is prophetic truth, for prophecy is reflected throughout the written word, like the moon. It should belong to God’s people (Deuteronomy 29:29), but is not in the possession of those who turn away from God to follow the enemy’s deceptions. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).
“In the sixth century the papacy had become firmly established. Its seat of power was fixed in the imperial city, and the bishop of Rome was declared to be the head over the entire church. Paganism had given place to the papacy. The dragon had given to the beast his power, his seat, and great authority (Revelation 13:2). And now began the 1260 years of papal oppression foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Christians were forced to choose either to yield their integrity and accept the papal ceremonies and worship, or to wear away their lives in dungeons or suffer death by the rack, the fagot, or the headsman’s ax. The accession of the Roman church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages. As her power increased, the darkness deepened. Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome. Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority.” THE GREAT CONTROVERSY by E.G.White (p.54,55)