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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Revelation 8:8 - 8:9
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev_8:8-9
8The 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, 9and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Rev_8:8 "like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea" Once again the issue is the source of John's imagery— Roman, Jewish inter-biblical, or OT.
1. If it is the OT, then Psa_46:2 or Exo_7:20-21 is the reference.
2. If Jewish apocalyptic, then the reference is I Enoch 18:13-16 or possibly the Sibylline Oracles 5:158.
3. If Roman then possibly it is a historical allusion to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which the Jews interpreted as God's judgment on Rome for destroying Jerusalem.
The exact source of John's metaphors is uncertain, but they do speak of God's wrath toward a rebellious creation with the purpose of redemption in mind.
▣ "and a third of the sea became blood" This is another allusion to the Egyptian plagues (cf. Exo_7:20-21).
Rev_8:9 "a third of the creatures. . .died" This is another allusion to the Egyptian plagues (cf. Exo_7:21).
▣ "a third of the ships were destroyed" This has no parallel in the OT, in apocalyptic literature, or in first century Roman literature. Obviously commerce is affected and goods and food would be scarce. It does confirm God's limited, progressive judgment. His judgment intensifies (1/4 in the seals, 1/3 in the trumpets) until in the bowls the time of repentance has passed and total, complete judgment occurs.