Revelation 8:8,9

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 26

Text Revelation 8:8-9

8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.

Initial Questions Revelation 8:8-9

1.

What followed the sounding of the second trumpet - Revelation 8:8?

2.

What particular part of creation was effected?

3.

How extensive was the destruction - Revelation 8:9?

4.

What place does the sea play in the life of man?

Revelation 8:8

The first trumpet sounded for the affect on the earth; now the second trumpets sounds and the marine area is affected.
John does not assert that a burning mountain fell into the sea, but rather he says that as (hôs - a simile - as or like a mountain) a great mountain burning with fire.. This could have been the imagery of a great meteorite. This fire brand affected the habitant of the fish. Fish were counted as a vital source of food in the first century. The imagery of the sea was no doubt the Mediterranean Sea. One third of the sea became blood. This symbolism could have come from the first Egyptian plague (Exodus 7:20-21)

Revelation 8:9

The extent of the destruction is here revealed. One third of all living (psukas - see appendix immediately following this chapter) were destroyed (diephtharçsan - 2nd aor. passive - were destroyed in a single act).

Review Questions for Entire Chapter 8

See Revelation 8:13.