October 4, 2022

Then the second angel sounded [his trumpet]: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Revelation 8:8-9

The trumpet judgements had begun at the house of God with the demise of the apostate Jewish nation. The Romans were an instrument in God’s hand for their punishment. This next judgement is directed at the Roman empire for their role in putting to death the Son of God. Rome’s strong parallel with Babylon is alluded to in our opening verses above. God had earlier spoken through Jeremiah to prophesy of literal Babylon’s certain destruction:

“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, Who destroys all the earth,” says the LORD. “And I will stretch out My hand against you, Roll you down from the rocks, And make you a burnt mountain.” Jeremiah 51:25

Babylon was indeed overrun by the Medes and the Persians in 539BC, never to rise again. But Babylonian philosophy made its way down through the centuries and subsequent cultures into the heart of Roman culture. And, like Babylon, Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Therefore, the Roman empire was called something like a great mountain at the time of its fall in AD479. Rome fell from within, being carved up by various barbarian groups. The sea is a metaphor for the mixed multitude of cultures into which Rome disintegrated. Satan’s earthly kingdom is built up with human pride. The economy, symbolized by ships on the sea, was built on the trading of luxuries and subjugation of humans (other examples are found in Ezekiel 27 and Revelation 18:17-21). Thus, the second trumpet was a judgement against the Roman empire.

Cruel persecution was levied against the early church by Rome (compare the second trumpet above to the second seal (red horse) of Revelation 6:4 and the second letter of Jesus in 2:8-11). Peter wrote to encourage the Jewish believers who were suffering. The encouragement was for conduct and character that would be above reproach. During these times, many Romans were won to Christ as a result. Empirical Rome’s parallel with Babylon was evident—even obvious—to these early Christians who knew the Scriptures. Note how Peter used “Babylon” as a cryptic reference to Rome:

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you . . . . She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-10, 13,14

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10b