Revelation 12

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
FEBRUARY 24,2010
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET - Part7
REVELATION CHAPTER 12:1-17
THE SEVENTH SEAL

IX. THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED (Continued from previous week)
H. The Seventh Trumpet sounds - A review of history and a look to the future end of the devil's time in heaven and how it happens.
1. The time of praise and thanksgiving, the opening of the temple in heaven and the noises, thunder, lightning, earthquake and great hail have just ended when a great sign opens in heaven for John to see. It is divided into several connected parts.
2. The vision of the woman
a. Her appearance v.1, 2
She is clothed with the sun
The moon is under her feet
On her head is a garland of twelve stars
She is pregnant and in her 9th month
b. Her identification vv 5,6
The church -problem: The church is the bride of Christ; this woman is giving birth to the Christ which the church did not do!
Mary - problem: Nowhere else in Scripture is so much exaltation given to Mary. She is never illustrated this way. The details of this account match with nothing that has ever happened to Mary
Israel - most likely. Images similar to the ones in this account had been alluded to earlier when Joseph was young and sharing his dreams with his family in Gen. 37:9-11. Here Jacob interprets the dream as Jacob being the sun, Rachel being the moon and his brothers the 11 stars. Through Israel, Messiah was to come. Messiah's mother is Israel.
A sign in the zodiac - This one has the constellation, Virgo, rising in the house of the sun and the moon with 12 stars over her head at the time of the birth of Christ. It has possibilities but none I can confirm. Hard to see how the constellation gave birth to the Christ.
c. Her condition and action vv. 2,5, 6, 13-17
She is near the end of her pregnancy and she is evidently ready to give birth at any time

She delivers a male Child who was to rule the nations with a
rod of iron (an evident reference to the Messiah and
the prophecies concerning his rule and reign). After
the delivery, the child is caught up to God and to His
throne (something that was never said of another
mortal. Caught up to the throne is a reference to the
child's authority with God)
She then flees for her life to the wilderness from the attacks
of the frustrated dragon where she is kept secure for
1,260 days (42, 30 day months or 3 1/2, 360 day
years). Vv. 6, 13-17
The dragon seeks to persecute her
She is given two wings of a great eagle that grants her
a swift and safe flight to the wilderness
The earth helps her by preventing the flood, which was
sent by the serpent to sweep her away to affect
her by "opening its mouth and swallowing the
water"
3. The vision of the dragon
a. His appearance vv. 3,4
The dragon is great, fiery red and angry with the woman. He has seven heads and ten horns. A diadem sits on each head. This shows that he is the real power behind all of earth's kingdoms referred to in the Scriptures. He is a beast of great authority. He seems to be angry with the woman
b. His identification v.9
That serpent of old
Called the Devil and Satan
He deceives the whole world
He is the accuser of the brethren, day and night before God
c. His activity vv. 4, 7,
He is ready to devour her Child as soon as it is born
To assist him in the destruction of the child he gathers a third of the stars with his tail and throws them to the earth
War breaks out against him and his angels. Michael and his angels are fighting with him
He and his angels lose this battle and are cast out of heaven for good!
He is the one who has deceived the whole world with his Lie about being like god, about having supreme power, with pride, etc.
He is the one who, with access to heaven, accused the brethren before God day and night. As an illustration, consider the life of Job.

After he is cast out of heaven he is in a terrible, wrathful rage and goes first for the woman (1,elieving Israel) to destroy her. He persecutes her until her escape. When she escapes, he tries to sweep her away (drowning?)with a flood of waters which the earth promptly swallows up! When she is spared, he turns his wrath on her "other offspring". This would be the Gentiles who have believed in her Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
4. The time covered by all of this and the timing of the events
a. Skipping a number of details in time, these events cover the time from the Israel's delivery from Egypt (i~6 BC) through the birth of Christ (4 BC) through his Ascension (32~ and on through whatever date is ahead of us for the Tribulation. It has already covered for us 3,456 years!
b. The timing of the war in heaven is the middle of the Tribulation according to Daniel 12:1 when Michael is permitted to engage Satan in war. He and his angels have been permitted limited engagements in the past, but this one they are given full permission to drive him out as the “kingdom(s) of this world have become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ" Rev 11:15. We also see in Daniel 12:1 that when Michael stands up, the time following is known as a time of trouble such as has never been before, a clear reference to the Great Tribulation, the last 3 1/2 years of the 7th week of Daniel, the Tribulation. We also see from this passage in Revelation 12 that there are 1,260 days, which follow his attack on believing Israel (the woman). These references in time are equivalent to 3 1/2 years of 360-day years ("time, times and a half time") or 42 months of 30-day months.
c. This will be consistent with the middle of the Tribulation when the beast, also called the Antichrist, arises to declare himself god in the middle of the Tribulation (the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel in 9:27 and by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:15-22) as Paul said would happen in 2 Thess 2:3-12


STILL NO ACTION HAS OCCURRED ON EARTH AFTER THIS TRUMPET!
WHEN THINGS DO START HAPPENING ON EARTH IT WILL MAKE
THE OTHERS ALMOST PALE IN COMPARISON! IN THE NEXT
CHAPTERS WE HAVE EVEN MORE OF THE CATCH UP HISTORY OF
WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON EARTH DURING THE FIRST
SEALS AND TRUMPETS! What a book! What an Awesome God!

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
FEBRUARY 17,2010
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET - Part 6
REVELATION CHAPTER 11:15-19
THE SEVENTH SEAL

IX. THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED (Continued from previous week)
H. The Seventh Trumpet sounds - Angelic announcement
1. The kingdom(s) of this world...
a. The hierarchy of heaven from Creation
* Cherubim (Archangels?), Seraphim, Living Beings, Elders, Angels: Gen 3:24; Ez 10:1-20; Ez 28:14-16; Rev 4:1-11
* Thrones, dominions, principalities, powers Col 1:16;
* Rulers, hosts Eph 6:12
* Watchers Dan 4:13, 17, 23
b. Rebellion in the heavens Isa 14:12-17; Ez 28:12-17; Rev 12:4
c. The fall of man and the usurpation of authority - the kingdom of our God becomes the kingdom(s) of this world!
* Sovereign authority and delegated authority
* Deceit over authority and equality with God ~Satan
* Whom you obey, his servants you are Rom 6:16; 2 Pet 2:19
* The delegated kingdom of God on earth is now influenced and bonded by man's willingness to heed the words of the liar, the devil, Satan, making it literally the kingdom of Satan or the power of darkness and him the god of this age, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience
* Every place men go to subdue and have dominion over the earth they are dogged with their bondage to the usurper, who would enslave them to follow his dictates; their sin of distrust of God and self-exaltation contributed to the wickedness of the new "kingdom" and the blind following of Satan as if they themselves were still in charge; they are no more than slaves to his will
* The intensity of this battle to control finds a full expression in the "days of Noah" when the wicked angels propagate with the daughters of men to create a hybrid race of half-human/half-demon men resulting in a powerful, but wicked breed that is intended to stop any messiah to come from the seed of man. This of course resulted in the judgment of the flood and the destruction of all but 8 of the human race!
* A battle between the holy angels and Satan and his angels for the right to rule ensues because the kingdom belongs to God and His kingdom rules over all
* In the same way the kingdom was lost, through acceptance of the statements of the liar as true, the only way the holy angels can assist man in his proper dominion of the kingdom delegated to him is if such a man or men trusted God's word over their own self-centered deceit and practiced truth. When men give themselves over to the fear of God, faith in God and application of His Word in obedience that nation or kingdom becomes a holy nation or kingdom. When men give themselves over to the lie, distrust or forget God and exalt themselves, that nation is corrupt and on a path to destruction.
* This is why we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but
against principalities and powers etc. These two ranks of angels are in a pitched battle continuously for the dominion over earth. It is lost or won on the basis of what men believe and act on about God - truth or lie. As we believe, promote and live truth, the region we are in comes under the influence of the Spirit of God and the holy angels. As we reject truth, believe and act upon lies, the region comes under the influence of the one who has come to steal, to kill and to destroy.
* Our goal must be to pray for those in authority over us (that they will be God-fearing, believing leaders) and to promote the truth that tears down strongholds and every thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
d. A principality is a prince over a region, city or district.
* Any "kingdom" or "nation" which gives itself over to the lie, is dominated by a principality. He is now known in Scripture as the prince of that territory; see Daniel 10:12-13; 20
* Ranking under him and used by him would be those known as powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness. There function is to keep all "citizens" "fat and happy" with their slavery to the wicked one
* But there will be a battle going on for the hearts and minds of the thoughtless people who are being used by the principality. The battle is conducted by the promotion of truth, humility, faith and prayer. These are the tools that empower the holy ones to win the battle for control back from the wicked ones. It is always a tentative holding as men are given over to sin and a sinful nature than they are to holiness. Idolatry, power, control and passions are more likely to dominate than holiness and submission to God. It makes it very hard for any nation to stay under God's control and enjoy His blessings!
2... .have become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.. .forever and ever!
a. The angel's announcement is so wonderful as to cause all of heaven to pause and to reflect on the truth that the ages-long battle is finally over!
* As a man had lost the delegated kingdom of God, so too now a Man, the man Christ Jesus, has won it back!
* The kingdom on earth shall never be lost again and all things shall be corrected as they ought to be!
*The slavery has ended; the slave master is judged and condemned!
* The new covenant with the house of Judah and the house of Israel will soon be in force!
* The kingdom promised to David and to all Israelis finally to be seen and realized!
* All prophecies and visions shall be completed and fulfilled!
b. The announcement is so profound and awesome, the four elders fall on their faces and worship God!
* They praise His Omnipotence and eternality
* They give thanks for His mighty intervention of grace, mercy, power and righteousness for regaining the kingdom of earth.
* They acknowledge His longsuffering in dealing so patiently with the enraged nations and finally bringing His wrath to bear on their total unrighteousness.
* They acknowledge that the righteous dead will be rewarded and the unrighteous dead will finally receive the well-deserved punishment
* They acknowledge that those who have destroyed the earth, the devil and all his hordes, shall be finally themselves destroyed!
3. The temple of God in heaven, which had been closed to sinful man, is now opened for all to see!
a. This means that God's presence will now be open to all men!
b. Mercy, grace, fellowship with God are now an every moment occurrence!
c. As God had foretold, He will tabernacle among His people, be
their God and they shall be His people!
d. The missing Ark of the Covenant is now seen to be in the Holy of Holies in heaven!
3. As a response to this announcement, the atmosphere and the earth respond with lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake and great hail!

Revelation 10 & 11

EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
FEBRUARY 10, 2010
ADDITIONAL OCCURENCES FROM THE 6th TRUMPET- Part 5
REVELATION 10:1-1l AND 11:1-14
THE SEVENTH SEAL

G. The Sixth Trumpet sounds (Continued)…end of Ch 9 to 11:14 = 6th trumpet
God is long suffering, but… see Ps 50:22-23
ADDITIONAL ACTION: A mighty angel comes down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, a rainbow on his head, face like the sun and his feet like pillars of fire. With a little book in his hand he puts his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. He cries out an unreported statement, which is responded to by the seven thunders uttering another statement, which John is forbidden to record. He further raises his hands to heaven and swears by God that there is to be no further delay in the completion of the mystery of all God had prophesied He would do.

RESULT: John is to take the little book from the angel standing on earth and sea and eat it. Like Jeremiah and Ezekiel before him, the taste of the scroll is sweet but with John it turned bitter on his stomach.

EFFECT: He is commanded now to prophesy about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.

DETAILS:
Examining the angel's appearance: He is said to be mighty. It should be noted this is not the appearance of Jesus but a mighty angel, even though some of the description recalls the vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. He has a glorious appearance, which makes him one of the higher ranked angels in the hierarchy. He looks like the sun coming out of the clouds after a great storm, as is revealed by the rainbow on his head. The rainbow was the symbol God gave for His people to recall His great mercy in the time of trouble. As his face is like the sun, we see that light is still to be seen even in the darkness. His feet are like strong columns of fire picturing the impending judgment of God's holiness. Identifying the Little Book: Attempts to identify this little book may be futile. Some have identified it as the same book in 5:1, the scroll taken by the Lamb, now opened. Since much of the content of that book has now been revealed the scroll would be much smaller now. But there would be no reason for him to eat it then since he has been revealing the rest of the scroll in the normal manner. It seems more reminiscent of the scroll that both Jeremiah and Ezekiel had both tasted before.(Jer 15:16; Eze 2:9-3:3) With all three men they were under persecution, they lived among rebellious people, they were bidden to eat God's Word as a symbol of their commissioning to proclaim and prophesy God's Word and when they had eaten it, it tasted sweet. This is a picture of assimilating God's Word completely. Only John reports that it turned bitter on his stomach. All three men were told they were to prophesy about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. The next message John is going to give is one of bringing the whole story of the end of earth as we now know it to a bitter end culminating in the return of the King to correct all things as God had intended. The message of Jesus' return is sweet to those who long for it but it is bitter to those who must experience His wrath! See Daniel (1st exile); Ezekiel (2nd exile)

SECOND ADDITIONAL ACTION: John is given a measuring rod to measure the rebuilt temple, the altar and those who worship there but not to measure the court of the Gentiles. He is told the holy city will be trampled underfoot of the Gentiles for 42 months. Two witnesses have been sent from God to testify to the whole world of the Messiah. They are headquartered in Jerusalem and have been given power to prophesy and back it up with deadly and damaging powers. Their ministry is for 42 months or 1,260 days. Their attire is of sack cloth, the clothing of prophets calling for repentance. The unbelieving world will be grieved and angered by their testimony and their deadly powers.

RESULT: Those seeking to harm these witnesses are killed by fire that proceeds out of their mouth. They have power to shut up heaven so that no rain falls; they have power over waters to turn them to blood; they have power to strike the earth with all plagues whenever they desire. When they have completed their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit, also identified as coming from the sea (is this a clue as to the location of the abyss or bottomless pit?), will war against them and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie on the ground in Jerusalem for the world to witness for 3 and 1/2 days, after which they will be resurrected and ascend to heaven (another rapture!). A great earthquake follows killing 7000 and destroying a tenth of the city.

EFFECT: Their ministry of a call to the world for repentance regarding the Messiah and the kingdom to come will be hated by those not believing it, but there is little they can do about it due to the power of these witnesses. These witnesses will bring great harm on their enemies. When the time God has allotted is finished, He permits them to be killed by the beast from the bottomless pit. People will then be happy for they assume their troubles are over. The resulting resurrection from the dead and ascension of these two witnesses will bring death to another 7,000 and fear leading to glory being given to God. DETAILS:
THE TWO WITNESSES: Who are they? The angel speaking to John tells him they are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing before God, here identified as the God of the earth. This appears to be a reference from one of the earlier prophets, Zechariah (Zech 4:1-14). All attempts to otherwise identify them are at best speculative. The time of their ministry is the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. It may very well be that this is what gives the 144,000 such strong courage to evangelize the whole world. This I say because it is at the end of their ministry that the Anti-Christ kills them. This he will do when he is preparing to persecute believing Israel and the time at which he desecrates the temple, mid- tribulation. This is what allows the Gentiles to trample on the holy city for their 3 1/2 years and what preserves Israel for their 1,260 days (Rev 12:6,14).
THE BEAST 0UT OF THE ABYSS:
He is the same as the beast out of the sea of Revelation 13 and the beast out of the abyss Revelation 17:8-18.

Revelation 9

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009- SPRING 2010
FEBRUARY 03,2010
THE SCROLL IS OPENED! - Part 4
Revelation 9

IX. THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED (Continued from previous week)
F. The Fifth Trumpet sounds v 1

ACTION: John sees a star (angel) fall from heaven to the earth. A key is given to him to open a bottomless pit that is somewhere concealed on earth. No verbal instruction is recorded, but using the key, he opens the bottomless pit. See 2 Peter 2:1-6

RESULT: The bottomless pit opens pouring out smoke as from a furnace. The smoke is thick and heavy, darkening the light of the sun and filling the air. This is occurring as the sun's light has been decreased by 1/3 already or there is 1/3 less day and 2/3 more night and darkness because of the previous trumpet. Out of the smoke come creatures John could only identify as locusts. They are certainly very strange locusts as they have been given power (actually "authority" Greek word exousia: the right to act; might, capability, ability) and it is compared to the power of the scorpion for which see below. They are given authority to hurt people and only those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. They have a horrific appearance for which see below. They have a specific time of operation and they are led by a king.

EFFECT: As they are released with power and authority to hurt men, they target specifically those without the seal of God in their forehead. Their "sting" is so painful that men wish to die but death is taken from them. For 5 months they continue to spread their pain-filled rampage against the disobedient. This is the first of the three woes pronounced by the angel after the fourth trumpet.

DETAILS: A star (angel): This is a high ranking demon in the Satanic hierarchy whose name is given in verse 11 as Abaddon (Destruction) and Apollyon (Destroyer). He does not live in the Abyss but he is king over those who are in it. He is not being thrown out of heaven for the devil and his angels continue until the war in heaven with Michael is finished (Rev 12). He and the angels with him have no love for any of the human race and in particular those who are specifically God's people. This is his opportunity to bring suffering to those who do not have the seal of God.

Bottomless pit (the abyss): This is the prison of certain of the most wicked demons as in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6-7. This is the place of judgment for demons called Tartaros (some translations call it "hell". Demons feared being imprisoned there as in Luke 8:31. It apparently is located under the earth from what we see in this vision of it being opened.

Scorpion: The power of the scorpion is found in its neurotoxin venom. It kills or paralyzes its prey. Since these scorpio-locusts do not kill their victims we may speculate that it paralyzes them creating an area of dying, decaying flesh that rots away from the area which was injected or stung. Their authority is specific: they cannot hurt the grass or any green thing. They can only hurt humans who do not have the seal of God in their forehead. They do not kill but leave their victims in such pain they wish they were dead. Their death-avoiding pain agent is in their tails. The appearance of these creatures: whatever else is said about them, they appear to be living and not machines. Their overall appearance is that of locusts, the swarming phase of one of the families of grasshopper. So the overall appearance is that of a grasshopper. By using the term locusts, in particular, he is telling us they are swarming out of the pit. Many of them move rapidly in a swarm. Yet, he declares that their likeness (not Gr. morphe "body" but likeness) was like a horse prepared for battle. These creatures are anxious for battle, snorting, moving, tense and anxious. They wore crowns(stephanos not diademos) of something like gold. Their faces looked like men with hair like women, I assume it to mean long hair, and teeth like a lion, sharp tearing type teeth. They had breastplates of iron. As they flew it sounded to him like chariots with many horses running to battle. It is easy to see why some commentators in an attempt to explain this sight compared them to helicopters! It is their tail that is the dangerous part for therein was their sting. They are only going to have this "ministry" for 5 months. Whether this is the true form of every wicked demon is unclear. Demons are probably shape-shifters like other angels and become whatever appears fearful or calming to people as the case requires.

G. The Sixth Trumpet sounds
ACTION: As soon as it sounds, a voice comes from the four horns of the altar under which in the fifth seal had been found the martyrs of the faith. This voice commands that the four angels bound at the Euphrates be released.

RESULT: They are released with the orders to kill 1/3 of the remaining humanity on the earth! Apparently these angels are mounted on horses, a picture of military might, as well. They have with them an army of some 200,000,000 mounted horsemen! It has been said that this is the Army of China but the text does not even say they are human. From the description given this appears to be another demonic horde, not something human. They wear brightly colored breastplates. Their horses have the heads of lions, and out of the horses' mouths come fire, smoke and brimstone. They also have tails that are like serpents that bite and kill.

EFFECT: This horde with the deadly, relentless, fierce horses kills one third of all humanity with the fire, the smoke and the brimstone. Yet, for all this, the rest of humanity who are not killed refuse to repent and continue to rebel against God!

DETAILS: Four Angels: No identity is given to them, but because they are bound it can be assumed they are fallen angels, demons, since holy angels are never said to be bound. These may be the "Princes" of the four great kingdoms Daniel spoke of in his vision - Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. This area of the world is the area where sin began, false religions were created, the rebellion of Babel occurred, and the wickedness of Babylon was centered. They were likely the agents of change for this area.

Revelation 8

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOOK STUDY
EDGEMONT BIBLE CHURCH
FALL 2009 – SPRING 2010
JANUARY 27,2010
THE SCROLL IS OPENED! – Part 3
THE SEVENTH SEAL
Revelation 8

IX. THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED
A. Silence in heaven for about half an hour. No words but there is work being done during this time.
1. Seven angels who stand before God are given seven trumpets, one trumpet each with no verbal instruction.
2. An eighth angel with a golden censer comes to stand by the altar
a. He is given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints
b. The combined smoke of the incense and the prayers of the saints ascend before the throne of God
c. He then takes the censer, fills it with fire from the altar and throws the whole thing to earth
d. Following this there are undistinguished noises, multiple thunderings, a lot of lightning and an earthquake which ends the period of silence.
B. With the silence ended and the seven angels with trumpets prepared to sound, the First Trumpet sounds:

ACTION: Hail and fire mingled with blood followed were thrown to the earth
RESULT: 1/3 of the trees are burned up; all green grass is burned up
EFFECT: The oxygen content of the air is going to be diminished and the carbon dioxide content will be raised more in line with the heavily
promoted "global warming" effect taking place. Breathing will be more difficult even poisonous in some areas. Oxygen-starved, grass-eating animals will be searching for food and becoming wilder due to the oxygen deprivation and starvation. The moisture content of the air will change as well. Soil erosion and dust storms, if there is wind, will be regular parts of the day. The blood content added to the air falling on the earth would give rise to some diseases as the decay of the blood takes place.

C. The Second Trumpet sounds.

ACTION: Something like a mountain burning with fire is thrown from to the sea. From the description given here it looks like a volcano.
RESULT: 1/3 of the sea became blood; 1/3 of the living creatures in the
sea died; 1/3 of the ships were destroyed
EFFECT: The eruption of this volcano with its super heat would create a
steaming mess at first as the water is heated by the outflow. An enormous ash cloud would arise that could cover a pretty good portion of the planet. The gases re leased from this large volcano would change the already depleted oxygen level in the air. This may account for the destruction of some of the ships. The blood of course would cut off all the oxygen out of the water forcing all the water breathing animals in the bloody water to die. In the heat of the sun, the blood is going to coagulate turning the sea into a stinking, mass of bloody gelatin. With the sea animals floating dead in this sea of blood, their rotting corpses would be putting large amounts of disease in this sea. The oceanic plants would die, adding to the smell and disease in the bloody gelatin. All of this mess would be floating up on the shores of all lands that bounded it carrying with it its stench and disease. Death in the proportions of the first 4 seals will be matched. It was estimated in 2005 that the number of 1000 gross register ton merchant ships alone was at about 31,000. This count does not count cruise ships, ships of war and smaller vessels. 1/3 of all ships would be in excess of 10,000 ships plus the crews.

D. The Third Trumpet sounds

ACTION: A great star falls from heaven like a burning torch. This is another great meteor or comet.
RESULT: It falls up 1/3 of the rivers and on the springs of water.
EFFECT: The star is called Wormwood and its impact turns all those waters to bitter wormwood. Many men died from the bitter water. As such a comet or meteor passes through the atmosphere it causes the breakdown of oxygen and nitrogen in the air. In combination with the hydrogen ions in the air these three elements can form nitric acid from which the term "acid rain" comes. When acid rain falls it weathers the soil and leaches out insoluble elements that are toxic to animal and vegetable matter.

E. The Fourth Trumpet sounds

ACTION: 1/3 of the sun is struck; 1/3 of the moon and 1/3 of the stars are struck.
RESULT: The meaning of this statement is described as 1/3 of the stars were darkened (stopped shining? Are they still in place but darkened? Does darkened mean diminished or blacked out? Is this like an eclipse? How many stars are left at this time?) 1/3 of the day does not shine: does this mean that daytime is reduced by 1/3 as in a 12 hour day has been reduced to an 8 hour day? The moon has been reduced by 1/3 of its nighttime illumination.
EFFECT: With the sun reduced in this manner the temperature of the earth will also be reduced dramatically. Combined with the three previous ecological disasters we see that the earth's atmosphere has less oxygen and more carbon dioxide making breathing more difficult, at least 1/3 part of the earth is experiencing bloody sea shores and the stench of a dead ocean, all sea food products have been reduced dramatically, the merchant ships that were bringing goods to nations have been reduced by 1/3, dust storms are becoming prevalent all over the planet, volcanic ash clouds have blotted out the sun leaving ash all over things, in at least a third of the world the water is deadly bitter, potentially an acid rain is falling on about 1/3 of the world, the whole world is experiencing about 8 more hours of darkness than normal, the earth is much colder, there has already been a scarcity of goods, and the world is still under death and war.

SECOND ANGELIC ACTION: An angel flies through the midst of heaven proclaiming three woes, one each for each coming trumpet, on all the people of the earth. As bad as these conditions have been they are about to get much worse with the next three trumpets!