Revelation 8:8-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 8:7-13

Observe, I. The first angel sounded the first trumpet, and the events which followed were very dismal: There followed hail and fire mingled with blood, etc., Rev. 8:7. There was a terrible storm; but whether it is to be understood of a storm of heresies, a mixture of monstrous errors falling on the church (for in that age Arianism prevailed), or a storm or tempest of war falling on the civil state, expositors are not agreed. Mr. Mede takes it to be meant of the Gothic inundation that broke in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 8:7-12

8:7-12 The first angel sounded a blast on his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood and launched themselves on the dry land; and a third part of the dry land was burned up, and a third part of the trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel sounded a blast on his trumpet, and what I can only call a great mountain burning with fire was hurled into the sea; and a third part of the sea became blood, and a third part of the creatures in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:8

And the second angel sounded ,.... His trumpet: and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea ; by which is meant not the devil, as some think; called a "mountain" from his height of pride, a great one from his might and power, and a "burning" one from his great wrath and malice against Christ, his Gospel, and his people; and who may be said to be "cast into the sea" of this world, and the men of it, whom he instigates against the saints, and who are like a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 8:9

And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea ,.... The fishes; by whom men are meant, the inhabitants of the Roman empire; see Ezekiel 29:4 , where by fish the Targum understands mighty princes and governors: and had life, died ; were put to death by these savage and barbarous people, who killed all they met with, men, women, and children, young and old, rich and poor, high and low: and the third part of the ships were destroyed ; by which may be designed either the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:8

A great mountain burning with fire - Supposed to signify the powerful nations which invaded the Roman empire. Mountain, in prophetic language, signifies a kingdom; Jeremiah 51:25 , Jeremiah 51:27 , Jeremiah 51:30 , Jeremiah 51:58 . Great disorders, especially when kingdoms are moved by hostile invasions, are represented by mountains being cast into the midst of the sea, Psalm 46:2 . Seas and collections of waters mean peoples, as is shown in this book, Revelation 17:15 .... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 8:9

The third part of the ships were destroyed - These judgments seem to be poured out upon some maritime nation, destroying much of its population, and much of its traffic. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:1-13

The purpose of revealing judgment. The process of the conquest of evil is varied. It is now by severity of judgment, now by the gentleness of mild rebuke or moderated chastisement. Again the voice of the teacher arrests attention, and the appeals of truth stimulate to righteousness. Hidden behind all is the gracious operation of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, working all things according to the counsel of his holy will. His hand is unseen, and the revelation is needed to show and assure men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:6-13

Restricted judgment. In wrath the Lord ever remembers mercy. In the sounding of four of the seven angels this idea is most prominent. Afflictions of various kinds are seen to rest upon the earth, but they are confined in each case to one third. It is not a final overthrow, nor is it a vision of destruction. In the disturbance of the material world is portrayed the upheaving in the spiritual, and the gentle threat of the Divine displeasure. The avenging his own elect is a call to men to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 8:8-9

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea. Jeremiah 2:25 contains a somewhat similar description, with, however, a different meaning. There the mountain is the heathen power; here it is the instrument of the punishment of the ungodly world. Alford objects to calling the mountain a volcano, though that, or something of the same nature, seems obviously to be meant. The contiguity of such appearances to St. John in the Isle of Patmos... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 8:8

And the second angel sounded - Compare the notes on Revelation 8:2-7. This, according to the interpretation proposed above, refers to the second of the four great events which contributed to the downfall of the Roman empire. It will be proper in this case, as in the former, to inquire into the literal meaning of the symbol, and then whether there was any event that corresponded with it.And as it were a great mountain - A mountain is a natural symbol of strength, and hence becomes a symbol of a... read more

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