eschatology, Second Trumpet: Meteor (Rev.8:8-9)

An angel sounds the second trumpet.  Perhaps this "great mountain" is a massive meteor which destroys a third of all the seas, and with that a third of all sea creatures and a third of all the ships. 

Either the falling meteor (mountain) adds blood to the seas, or the blood comes from the dead sea creatures.  One can only speculate.  But from this judgment, we can assume just how greatly this will impact the world's economy - even more than the last judgment...

(Revelation 8:8-9)  The 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, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Today's takeaway:  God created the universe and the earth and all that is in it.  And it was very good.

Then because of mankind's sinfulness, God destroyed the earth with a flood (preserving Noah's family and - not every species but - every kind of animal).  Then the earth flourished and repopulated again. 

Eventually, because of sinfulness, God will destroy the earth to a point with judgments such as these.  And in the Millennium, the earth will flourish and repopulate again, to be more like the original conditions in the Garden of Eden.

God is the great artist and architect, and does things with great purpose and intention.  He designed and created us - to have a personal relationship with Him - and - to take care of the earth and its resources so we can enjoy its provisions and its beauty.  But because of sin, people struggle with and against these things.  Even as believers, we still are not always the best stewards of our natural resources. 

Because of God's purpose and intentions with creation, He is not just going to neglect or destroy it beyond all hope until all prophecies have been fulfilled (at the end of the Millennium)! 

We can trust that "He's got this."  Even with - what WE are calling - "global warming" and the melting of the icecaps... A renowned geologist said this was creation healing itself as God designed.  At the flood, there was practically instant freezing at the north and south poles.  Ever since then, they have been slowly melting and receding. 

We do not have to worry about anything!  Including nature!  Let's trust God, and do our best according to God's will... 

(Genesis 1:26-28)  Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

(Matthew 10:29-30)  Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

(Colossians 1:16-17)  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

(Nehemiah 9:6)  “You alone are the Lord.  You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before You.

(Psalm 24:1-6)  The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face—even Jacob.Selah.