Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Revelation 8:10

The Third Trumpet – The sounding of the third trumpet involves a great star named Wormwood polluting a third of the waters.

The Third Trumpet Interpreted as Chernobyl – Irvin Baxter believes this prophecy was fulfilled when a nuclear power plant in the Ukraine named Chernobyl exploded and rained down a radioactive material called Cesium-137 upon Russian, European and even a portion of American soil. On April 26, 1986 this nuclear reactor exploded sending radioactive material one mile into the sky. The fire inside this reactor burned for three weeks before it was totally extinguished by the Russians. There were 125,000 deaths directly attributed to this nuclear meltdown. Those who worked and lived in this vicinity were either killed or poisoned with radioactivity. In addition, this cloud of radiation made its way across Europe. The worst part of this event is the fact that it rained for the next five days in the area of this nuclear fallout, polluting the rivers and lakes across Europe with Cesium-137. Hundreds of thousands of livestock had to be slaughtered because they became contaminated in various ways. It is believed that over 200 million Russians and Europeans became highly contaminated with radiation because of these waters. Its long lasting results will not be known until the first and second generations of children are born from those who live with this contamination. These people are expected to have genetic birth defects as did the Japanese who survived the atomic bombs that destroyed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II. Baxter became convinced of this interpretation of the third trumpet when he found from credible research that the Ukrainian name for “wormwood” is “Chernobyl.” [77]

[77] Irvin Baxter, Jr., Understanding the End Time: Lesson 12 The Seven Trumpets (Richmond, Indiana: Endtime, Inc., 1986) [on-line]; accessed 1 October 2008; available from http://www.endtime.com/Audio.aspx; Internet.

Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures

The sounding of the third and fourth trumpets:

v. 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon a third art of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters;

v. 11. and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third art of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter.

v. 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten and the third part of the moon and the third art of the stars, so as the third art of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

v. 13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound!

The third plague struck the waters of the earth: And the third angel sounded his trumpet; and there fell from heaven a huge star like a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the springs of water; and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters turned to wormwood, and many among men died of the waters, because they had been made bitter. Here is the picture of an immense meteor shooting down out of the sky, filled with a bitter drug said to be a mortal poison which it was able to impart to all waters and springs with which it came in contact. Thus it has happened more than once that men who considered themselves shining lights and bright stars in the firmament of the Church have been found filled with the poison of false doctrine, which they all too often imparted to the sermons and books that were spread broadcast by them. By such men the Water of Life, the pure Gospel of the Savior is made bitter and poisonous, and all men that drink of this poisoned water fall victims to spiritual death. The description fits especially well in the case of the great rationalistic teachers, who poisoned the fountains of the pure inspired Word.

The fourth plague struck the firmament of the sky: And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet; and the third part of the sun was smitten and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars, the result being that the third part of them was darkened, and that the day had no light for its third part and the night likewise. Here is a picture of an unusual disturbance in the sky, by which all the bodies of light in the firmament mere affected in such a manner as to take away a third part of their power both by day and by night. This is what happens in the Church when men that call themselves ministers of the Gospel darken the light of Scriptures with their own opinions, substituting arbitrariness and uncertainty for the infallible basis of the truth of God. Just as soon as speculations concerning the divine Word are introduced into the pulpit, just so soon the light of God is dimmed. It is a pity that, as the text notes throughout, the third art of the creatures were destroyed by these plagues, that a large part of the Church has always been struck by the various heresies. But there is still this comfort, that the third part is not the whole. The entire Church will: not give way to error; God will keep His chosen ones in His Word and faith. The portals of hell shall not prevail against His Church.

The narrative now again shows an interval in the action: And I saw, and I heard an eagle (or: angel) flying in mid-heaven with a loud cry, Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell upon the earth, for the rest of the trumpet-voices of the three angels that are about to sound their trumpets! In the midst of the sky, in the zenith, directly over the heads of men, the eagle was flying, and his screaming cry was a warning against security, a call to repentance, before the remaining trumpets should sound and bring still greater woes and distresses to the inhabitants of the earth. It is absolutely necessary that all Christians heed the warning words of their pastors in these last days of the world, lest they be overwhelmed by the woes which are coming upon the Church.

Summary

The prophet, at the beginning of the third vision, sees the opening of the seventh seal and witnesses the blowing of the trumpets by four angels, the consequence being that plagues visited the earth, the sea, the waters, and the sky.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

Rev 8:10-11. There fell a great star from heaven, &c. Stars, in prophetic style, are figurative representations of many things. Among others, they signify kings and kingdoms,eminent persons of great authority and power. See Num_24:17 . Dan_8:10 . Isa_14:12 . Rivers, and fountains of waters to supply them, may be considered as necessaries to the support of life. The drying up of rivers and fountains of waters, expresses a scarcity of things necessary. See Hos_13:15 . Isa_19:5 . There seems also an allusion to Exo_7:20-21 . Here then we have a prophesy, which aptly expresses a judgment to come on the seat of the Roman empire, which should destroy the power of it in its spring and fountain, and cut off all its necessary supports; as when rivers and fountains, so necessary to life, are infected, and become rather deadly, than fit for use. At the sounding of the third trumpet, says Bishop Newton, a great prince appears like a star shooting from heaven to earth; a similitude not unusual in poetry.His coming is therefore sudden and unexpected, and his stay but short. The name of the star is called Wormwood, and he infects a third part of the rivers, &c. Rev 8:11. that is, he is a bitter enemy, and proves the author of grievous calamities to the Roman empire. The rivers and fountains have a near connection with the sea, and it was within two years after Attila’s retreat from Italy, that Valentinian was murdered; and Maximus, who had caused him to be murdered, reigning in his stead, Genseric, the king of the Vandals, having settled in Africa, was solicited by Eudoxia, the widow of the deceased emperor, to revenge his death. Genseric accordingly embarked with three hundred thousand Vandals and Moors, and arrived upon the Roman coasts in June, 455, the emperor and people not expecting him. He landed his men, and marched directly to Rome, which being deserted by its inhabitants, fell an easy prey into his hands. The city was abandoned to the cruelty and avarice of his soldiers, who plundered it fourteen days together. He then set sail for Africa, carrying with him immense wealth, and an innumerable multitude of captives, together with the empress Eudoxia and her two daughters, and left the state so weakened, that, in a little time, it was utterly subverted. Some critics understand rivers and fountains, Rev 8:10. with relation to doctrines; and in this sense the application is still very proper to Genseric, who was a most bigoted Arian, and during his reign most cruelly persecuted the orthodox Christians.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Rev 8:10-11 . The third trumpet brings a poisoning of a third part of the rivers and fountains of waters (upon the land), and thereby the death of many men.

If, therefore, a certain connection with the second trumpet-vision be found in the fact that damage to the other waters follows that done to the sea, yet the two visions need in no way be drawn together, not even in reference to the so-called fulfilment. [2484] The nature of the damage of Rev 8:10 is entirely different from that of Rev 8:8 ; it is also, in Rev 8:11 , intended for men. In general, however, the preparatory visitations represented by the trumpet just as by the seal-visions are so directed that one blow follows another until finally the Lord comes.

. . , . . . That the star “itself is abandoned to ruin, and, hence, has been torn from its place,” [2485] is a statement entirely out of place. The text marks only the ruinous effect which the star is to have; but in connection therewith lies the idea, that, just to produce the effect intended by God, the falling of the star has been caused by the determinate Divine will.

The words make it manifest, that the great star which John saw fall from heaven had a luminous flame, but in no way show that “the great star” was any meteor, comet, or falling star. [2486]

, . . . If any one should ask how this is to happen, the answer may be given with Ebrard, that the star in its fall is to be scattered so that its “sparks and fragments may fly into the water;” but the question and answer come from a consideration not belonging to the text.

[2487] . The masc. form, instead of the usual or , is chosen because of its congruence with . [2488] The name designating [2489] the nature of the star declares its effect ( ).

. From this combination of the previously mentioned and , the result is expressly, that already in Rev 8:10 the third of the . . is to be thought of, which is clear also from the connection with . .

. The same thing is indicated by . By the falling star “Wormwood,” the waters are made wormwood-water whose poisonous bitterness brings death to many men. The consideration that wormwood [2490] is no deadly poison, is not at all pertinent, because it is not natural wormwood that is here treated of.

. . Cf. Rev 9:8 ; Winer, p. 344. The cause appears as the source from which the effect comes.

[2484] Against Ebrard. Cf. on Rev 8:8-9 .

[2485] Ebrard.

[2486] Ebrard.

[2487] Against C. a Lap., Wetst., Zll., etc.

[2488] Ew.

[2489] Cf. Rev 6:8 .

[2490] Cf. Winer, Rwb., in loc .

The star falling from heaven (the Church), which makes the waters bitter and poisonous, is readily interpreted by allegorical expositors as heresy. So Beda: “Heretics falling from the summit of the Church attempt, with the flame of their wickedness, to taint the fountains of divine Scriptures.” More definitely still, N. de Lyra, who had referred the two preceding trumpets to Arius and Macedonius: “Pelagius, who preached contrary to the sweetness of the Holy Spirit.” Luther: “Origen, who by philosophy and reason imbittered and corrupted the Scriptures, as the high schools with us have done until the present.” Vitr, Beng., etc., refer it to Arius. Mede understands Romulus Augustulus; Laun., Gregory the Great. But to the expositors who find everywhere in the Apoc. the particular facts of the history of the Church and the world represented, such matters are not subject to the option of an allegorizing interpretation, as they refer all to events contemporaneous with John. Thus in the star, Grot. finds the Egyptian mentioned in Act 21:38 ; while Herder, whose opinion Bhmer has reproduced, finds Eleazar, [2491] “a fiery, audacious young man, the prime originator of the spirit of the zealots,” through whom the “animosity” was first aggravated. Hengstenb. also here traces again the war. Stars he regards as signifying, in general, sovereigns; “the fire with which the great star burns is the fire of wrath, war, and conquest;” the water of the streams is “a symbol of prosperity:” the whole designates, therefore, the calamity of war.

[2491] Jos., B. Jud. , ii. 17.

Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary

(10) And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11) And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Some have thought, that the false prophet is here meant; but if we attend to the features of character given, we shall not be inclined to this opinion. His name of wormwood, meaning the bitter accompaniments, during this time of the third trumpet, seems to point out some more special and peculiar exercise, and of longer bitterness than a quick death: such as Mahomet used. And moreover, it, as some have thought, that the period of this trumpet, opened very early in the fifth century, and ran on to near the close of it; it could not be, in point of time, the false Prophet; for certainly he did not commence his imposture until the year 600, at the earliest. But, might it not be (I ask the question, but do not decide,) that heretic, who first shone like a meteor, in the firmament of the professing Church, possessing great human learning, but soon fell into the awful error, of denying original sin; thereby lessening, or rather doing away, the necessity of redemption. The person I mean, is Pelagius; who lived about this time and whose horrible doctrines have spawned to this hour. Surely he might well be called wormwood; for bitter indeed must be that error which strikes at the very root of the Gospel, and, where received, becomes like a deadly poison, causing men to rot, and swell, and at length die, inflated with a fancied purity of nature born with them, and man’s free will sufficient to keep himself pure.

Reader! I pray you, pause over the consideration of this awful heresy. And think, what a mercy it is, that the Lord hath made such a provision, by the sovereignty of his grace, for preserving his called and regenerated children, from the dreadful delusion. Wormwood indeed, it may well be called, when the very waters of the sanctuary, which should run in healing streams, are thus poisoned by those who dispense them, (unsent as they are, uncalled of God,) and which kill the souls of the unawakened, with their bitterness! Now a child of God, through the mercy of divine teaching, hath in himself an effectual remedy, to resist the contagion. Should all the devils in hell, or all the men upon earth, attempt to persuade a child of God, whom God hath convinced of sin, and brought acquainted with the plague of his own heart, that there is no such thing as original sin; his very feelings must everlastingly contradict him. A man taught of God, knows better. He is conscious of indwelling, inbred corruption, and inherent unholiness. He feels his corrupt nature forever disturbing him, even sometimes in moments of solemn worship. He feels what Paul felt, and groan’s under it as the Apostle groaned, that when he would do good, evil is present with him. Think then, what a mercy it is, to have the blessedness of divine teaching, as an antidote against the impudent assertions of man. The Lord knows how distressing it is to a child of God, to feel these inward workings. But better is it, to groan under a sense of inward workings of evil, so as to make Christ dear, and to compel the soul to go to him continually for deliverance; than in a fancied holiness within, which, whoever talks of, no man of the fallen sons of Adam ever knew; to make men proud, and to keep from Christ, instead of leading to Christ.

Reader! pause a moment longer. And, if the Lord hath been, and is your Teacher, say, how truly blessed it is, both to have learnt from him original sin, and also the remedy of Christ’s righteousness and blood-shedding, to do the whole evil of it away. Oh who shall speak, or describe the preciousness of that grace, whereby the child of God both feels and knows the bitterness of original sin, which he had before conversion, together with the remains of corruption after conversion; and the blessedness of Christ’s daily cleansing the soul from both, and from all sin? Oh! the sweet consolations of the Lord’s strength, daily made perfect in creature weakness, to carry the child of God on in the life of grace! The child of God knows all these things. They are inlaid truths, in his heart, They are brought forward all the day, and every day, in renewed personal, practical knowledge, to dispute, or contend against them, is to be arguing against our very being. Sure I am of all these things, as much as I am of my very existence. And, blessed Lord; while thou shall bring the whole home to my heart, day by day, as thou art graciously doing, neither men nor devils, can be able to make me relinquish thy truth, in compliment to their false reasoning. Oh for grace in this Christ-despising day and generation, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. Jud 1:3 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

Ver. 10. There fell a great star ] Falling stars were never but meteors. That grand apostate of Rome may well he meant by this blazing, burning comet. He was in falling by degrees from the time of Constantine till Phocas, who sat upon the chair of pestilence.

Burning as it were a lamp ] He seems to allude to that kind of comet that is called Lampadias. (Mede.)

The third part of the rivers ] i.e. Corrupted true doctrine, and perverted the Scriptures with his false glosses.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

10 .] And the third angel blew his trumpet, and there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters (it can hardly be said, as Dsterd., that we are here as matter of course to understand, on the third part of the fountains, any more than we are to limit the in Rev 8:7 to all the grass within the third part of the earth). And the name of the star is called Wormwood (the more usual forms are , or . The masc. seems to be chosen on account of its conformity to . There is a river in Thrace so called. See on the plant, and its medicinal use by the ancients, Winer, Realw. art. Wermuth : and Pliny, xxvii. 28), and the third part of the waters became ( was turned into , see reff.) wormwood: and many of the men (who dwelt by these waters: such may be the force of the article. But . may be general. It is the only place where the expression . . occurs) died from ( of the source whence a result springs, see Winer, edn. 6, 47, sub voce) the waters, because they were embittered (compare the converse history, Exo 15:23 ff., of the bitter waters being made sweet by casting a certain tree into them: see also 2Ki 2:19 ff. The question whether wormwood was a deadly poison or not, is out of place here. It is not said that all who drank, died. And the effect of any bitter drug, however medicinally valuable, being mixed with the water ordinarily used, would be to occasion sickness and death. It is hardly possible to read of this third plague, and not to think of the deadly effect of those strong spirituous drinks which are in fact water turned into poison. The very name absinthe is not unknown in their nomenclature: and there is no effect which could be so aptly described by the falling of fire into water, as this, which results in ardent spirit, in that which the simple islanders of the South Sea call firewater . That this plague may go on to destroy even this fearful proportion of the ungodly in the latter days, is far from impossible, considering its prevalence even now in some parts of the civilized world. But I mention this rather as an illustration, than as an interpretation).

And the fourth angel blew his trumpet: and the third part of the sun was struck (it is not said, as in the case of the former three trumpets, with what . And this absence of an instrument in the fourth of these correlative visions perhaps teaches us not to attribute too much import to the instruments by which the previous judgments are brought about. It is the itself, not its instrument, on which attention should be directed) and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars, that the third part of them might be darkened, and the day might not shine during the third part of it (the limitation of the is now manifestly to time, not to brightness. So E. V. rightly, “for a third part of it.” That this consequence is no natural one following upon the obscuration of a third portion of the sun, &c., is not to be alleged as any objection, but belongs to the altogether supernatural region in which these visions are situated. Thus we have a globe of fire turning sea-water to blood a burning star embittering the waters: &c.), and the night in like manner (i. e. the night as far as she is, by virtue of the moon and stars, a time of light. And this is far more so under the glorious Eastern moon and stars, than in our mist-laden climate).

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Rev 8:10-11 . The third part of all drinking waters is poisoned by a huge, noxious, torch-like meteor shooting down from the sky (Vergil’s “de coelo lapsa per umbras Stella facem ducens multa cum luce concurrit,” Aen. ii. 693, 694). Wormwood, a bitter drug typical of divine punishment, was apparently supposed to be a mortal poison; thus Pliny ( H. N. ii. 232) ascribes the bitterness of Lake Sannaus (Anava) in the Lycos valley to the circa nascente apsinthio . But this feature of the vision is taken from Iranian or Mandaean eschatology (Brandt, 584 f.), where among the signs of the end are famine, wars, a star falling from heaven and making the sea red [ cf. Rev 16:3 ], and a cyclone with a dust-storm. Cf. 4 Ezr 5:9 , et in dulcibus aquis salae inueniuntur. Rivers and fountains were associated in the ethnic mind ( cf. Neh 2:13 ) with supernatural spirits and curative properties; hence upon them this stern prophet of monotheism sees the doom of God falling. , a Hebraistic constr., common in Apocalypse and in quotations from O.T., but “decidedly rare elsewhere” in N.T. (Simcox). Springs (like those, e.g. , near Smyrna) and fountains naturally appeared to the ancient mind somewhat mysterious and separate; their lack of visible connexion with rivers or lakes suggested the idea that they sprang from the subterranean abyss or that they were connected with daemons. Hence their role in the final convulsions of nature (4 Esd. 6:24 uenae fontium stabunt, Ass. Mos. x. 8 et fontes aquarum deficient). Cf. Rohrbach’s Im Lande Jahwehs und Jesu (1901), 30 f.; for their connexion with dragons, R. S. , 157, 161 f., and for their bubbling as a mark of sacred energy, ibid. 154 f.

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev 8:10-11

10The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. 11The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.

Rev 8:10 “a great star fell from heaven” This may be an allusion to Isa 14:12. Many have tried to relate this to Rev 6:13 or Rev 9:1, but this may be trying to lock down John’s imagery too tightly. Be careful of attempting to interpret each and every detail. This is dramatic imagery. Usually in Jewish apocalyptic literature a star falling refers to an angel (i.e. Rev 9:1).

Rev 8:11 “The name of the star is called Wormwood” In the OT wormwood is linked to idolatry (cf. Deu 29:17-18). It is also seen as mixed with poison and is, therefore, deadly (cf. Jer 9:15; Jer 23:15; Amo 6:12). Wormwood, by itself (cf. TEV), was bitter but not lethal. Here it is a metaphor for Divine judgment.

A good example of the inappropriateness of moderns trying to force the details of Revelation into their day is the assertion that the Russian Chernobyl nuclear facility which experienced a meltdown was fulfilled prophecy because the name meant wormwood in Russian. This practice of interpreting the Bible based on the morning newspaper has been common throughout the last two thousand years and should warn us to beware of the same procedure!

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

lamp. Greek. lampas. Elsewhere Rev 4:5. Mat 25:1-8. Joh 18:3 (torch). Act 20:8 (light).

waters. The texts read “the waters”.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

10.] And the third angel blew his trumpet, and there fell from heaven a great star burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of the waters (it can hardly be said, as Dsterd., that we are here as matter of course to understand, on the third part of the fountains, any more than we are to limit the in Rev 8:7 to all the grass within the third part of the earth). And the name of the star is called Wormwood (the more usual forms are , or . The masc. seems to be chosen on account of its conformity to . There is a river in Thrace so called. See on the plant, and its medicinal use by the ancients, Winer, Realw. art. Wermuth: and Pliny, xxvii. 28), and the third part of the waters became (was turned into, see reff.) wormwood: and many of the men (who dwelt by these waters: such may be the force of the article. But . may be general. It is the only place where the expression . . occurs) died from ( of the source whence a result springs, see Winer, edn. 6, 47, sub voce) the waters, because they were embittered (compare the converse history, Exo 15:23 ff., of the bitter waters being made sweet by casting a certain tree into them: see also 2Ki 2:19 ff. The question whether wormwood was a deadly poison or not, is out of place here. It is not said that all who drank, died. And the effect of any bitter drug, however medicinally valuable, being mixed with the water ordinarily used, would be to occasion sickness and death. It is hardly possible to read of this third plague, and not to think of the deadly effect of those strong spirituous drinks which are in fact water turned into poison. The very name absinthe is not unknown in their nomenclature: and there is no effect which could be so aptly described by the falling of fire into water, as this, which results in ardent spirit,-in that which the simple islanders of the South Sea call firewater. That this plague may go on to destroy even this fearful proportion of the ungodly in the latter days, is far from impossible, considering its prevalence even now in some parts of the civilized world. But I mention this rather as an illustration, than as an interpretation).

And the fourth angel blew his trumpet: and the third part of the sun was struck (it is not said, as in the case of the former three trumpets, with what. And this absence of an instrument in the fourth of these correlative visions perhaps teaches us not to attribute too much import to the instruments by which the previous judgments are brought about. It is the itself, not its instrument, on which attention should be directed) and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars, that the third part of them might be darkened, and the day might not shine during the third part of it (the limitation of the is now manifestly to time, not to brightness. So E. V. rightly, for a third part of it. That this consequence is no natural one following upon the obscuration of a third portion of the sun, &c., is not to be alleged as any objection, but belongs to the altogether supernatural region in which these visions are situated. Thus we have a globe of fire turning sea-water to blood-a burning star embittering the waters: &c.), and the night in like manner (i. e. the night as far as she is, by virtue of the moon and stars, a time of light. And this is far more so under the glorious Eastern moon and stars, than in our mist-laden climate).

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Rev 8:10. , the third) The connection of events, times, and places, proves that the Arian and Vandal calamities are here pointed out. That Arius is the star, is the true judgment of Bullinger, Nigrinus, Viegas (although, following the opinion of Lyranus and Aureolus, he enters into a disputation also respecting Pelagius), also of Forbes, Cocceius, Gulichius, Sandhagen, N. Muler, Bierman, Amelius, Horchius, Vitringa, Reinbeck, Stock, Lseken: and before all these, Seb. Meyer thought that Arius, together with other heretics, is here pointed out. The interpretation of Brightman concerning the Arian Emperors, Constantius and Valens, is weightily refuted by Marck. If these emperors are considered as a star on account of their princely majesty, I do not see on what grounds their fall can be referred to their departure from the faith, and not rather to the loss of their imperial glory. By which very argument also James Abbadie is refuted, who, in his work published not only in French but also in Belgic, interprets the star as referring to Count Boniface, by whose invitation the Vandals seized upon Africa. Independently of this, there was a great influx of Arianism into the state also: so that we cannot be surprised that this heresy has a place among the trumpets.

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

Rev 8:10-11

5. SOUNDING OF THE THIRD TRUMPET

Rev 8:10-11

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; –Surely there must be some significance in the change of place where the events occurred. Under the first trumpet it was on the earth, under the second on the sea, and this on the rivers and fountains of waters. This difference could not be a matter of chance. The thing John saw in the vision was a great burning star falling upon the third part of rivers and fountains. It is generally understood, and correctly, that the star refers to a ruler, prince, or person of rank. (Rev 1:20; Num 24:17.) Whoever is here represented by this star, he was to bring a destructive power against the Roman Empire. One-third of the rivers and fountains in the western part of that empire were to become bitter and cause many to die. Coming like a flaming meteor would indicate the suddenness with which his work would begin or be accomplished. Since earth, sea, and rivers were three different parts or places in the empire, there is no special reason why they should not be used in their natural sense, for we have already seen that symbolic scenes may have in them both figurative and literal language. Even if these words should be applied symbolically to the people rather than the literal places, it would still be true that these places were the theaters where these events were to occur. They had to occur somewhere.

11 and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.–We should not forget that the “third part” does not have to mean that exact amount, but may stand for a considerable part of the population that might suffer from an invasion coming by way of the rivers. The term “wormwood” is defined by the text itself as meaning “bitter,” and indicates an extreme kind of suffering. The meteoric leader would become as destructive in his work as the wormwood would be deadly to those who drank it.

If the two preceding trumpets have been correctly interpreted, then the third trumpet should find its fulfillment in the attacks made against Rome by Attila, whose career extended from A.D. 433 to A.D. 453. The history shows that Genseric and Attila were contemporary part of the time. Genseric, however, began about five years earlier than Attila; hence, takes the lead in point of time, although Attila’s invasion of Italy came about three years before the sack of the city by Genseric in A.D. 455.

Gibbon says that “in the reign of Attila, the Huns again became the terror of the world,” and that Attila “alternately insulted and invaded the East and the West, and urged the rapid downfall of the Roman Empire.” The facts here gleaned from Gibbon are found in the Decline and Fall of the Empire, chapters 34 and 35. Attila was marvelously successful in gaining ascendancy over neighboring peoples and is said to have been able to bring into the field an army of some five to seven hundred thousand soldiers. As a military leader he was a star of the first magnitude. Gibbon further says that Attila considered himself the recipient of “celestial favor” and serted his divine and indefensible claim to the dominion of the earth.” Quite an appropriate view to harmonize with a burning star falling “from heaven.” The last few years his operations were upon the river–frontiers leading to Italy; conflagrations and enormous bloodshed followed in his path. In the spring of 452 he is said to have set forth to conquer Italy. Before reaching Rome the emperor and senate sent a commission to meet him to obtain a treaty of peace. The deliverance of Italy was purchased at an immense ransom, and Attila departed, recrossed the Danube, and soon died. Thus ended the career of one who was considered the “scourge of God.” If his work was not what was intended by the third trumpet vision, nothing else seems more probable. It is certain, at least, that something was intended. No harm can be done to the text or the plan of salvation by pointing out the similarity between his work and the vision.

Commentary on Rev 8:10-11 by Foy E. Wallace

The rivers smitten–(the third trumpet)-Rev 8:10-11.

And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

1. A great star from heaven. The falling star, as in Mat 24:29, Mar 13:25 and Luk 21:25, represented the downfall of authorities and rulers of the persecuting governments– falling as it were a burning lamp, or torch, as a spent meteor of the heaven, falling from their former power and dominion. The same imagery was in Isaiahs description of the fall of the Babylonian rulers; the constellations were used as the symbols of their positions, and the same figures of speech were used by the prophet as metaphors of the darkness that settled over the empire in the destruction of ancient Babylon. The stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give. their light: the sun shall be darkened . . . and the moon shall not cause her light to shine . . . and I will punish the world for their evil and the wicked for their iniquities. (Isa 13:10-11)

The Babylonian world and its rulers were the objects of the punishment in this passage. The same familiar symbols are employed by Jesus in the records of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and by John in the visions of Revelation, foretelling the ruin of Jerusalem, the doom of Judaism and the downfall of their rulers.

2. And it fell upon rivers, fountains of waters: The smitten rivers are the representations of the drying up of the source of the existing powers. The fountain is the source of a stream; the river is the channel of its flow. When the persecuting powers were smitten the fountain of waters dried up, and the river of their power ceased to carry the evil flow.

3. The waters became wormwood and; many died because they were made bitter. Wormwood was the name of a plant, distinguished for intense bitterness, and used to denote anything offensive and nauseous. The use of it to designate either food or water was a sign of extreme suffering. In this connection the name of the falling star was called Wormwood, for the bitter effects accompanying the downfall of the powers here symbolized, which attended the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. It was so revolting that even the mental picture of the physical putrification turns to nausea, the bitterness of which only wormwood could signify. Matthews record says for then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Mat 24:21) Marks record reads: For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. (Mar 13:19) Luke tersely says: For there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. (Luk 21:23)

Commentary on Rev 8:10-11 by Walter Scott

THIRD TRUMPET.

Rev 8:10-11. – And the third angel sounded (his) trumpet: and there fell out of the Heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many of the men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. At the blast of the trumpets the four restraining angels let loose the four winds of the earth, the providential agencies of judgment (Rev 7:1). The dark cloud of vengeance upon a guilty scene is lifted for a brief space, during which God in sovereign grace works amongst Israel and the Gentiles (Rev 7:1-17). Then under the Trumpets the orderly course of judgment is resumed. The previous blasts announced judgments of the most appalling character on the earth and on the sea: the former the scene of governmental order, and where, too, God had been more or less professedly owned; the latter the sphere where the forces of anarchy and the will of man reigned supreme, which is ever to the denial of spiritual and civil authority. This Trumpet intimates a judgment equal in terrible severity, and in some respects even more awful than the preceding ones. There fell out of the Heaven a great star. The Heaven is the source of authority; it is a definitely fixed position; hence the introduction of the article the Heaven. All spiritual, civil, and political authority has its source above. The heavens do rule (Dan 4:26). Under the two preceding trumpets the instruments of judgment were cast upon the earth and sea respectively, but from whence we are not informed. Here this apostate dignitary fell out of the Heaven. (The great star of Rev 8:10 must not be confounded with the falling star of Rev 9:1. Both are spiritual rulers, viewed as morally fallen from their high position. They are, however, distinct personages.) The word cast would imply the exercise of irresistible power on the part of the unseen actor, as also the violence of the judgment; whereas fell, as also in Rev 9:1, would rather point to a sudden, unexpected downfall. The star as a symbol is one of frequent occurrence in the Apocalypse, and denotes a ruler, or one occupying a place of influence and position in responsibility to God (Rev 12:1-4; Rev 6:13, etc.). Supremacy is denoted by the sun; derived and subordinate authority is figured by the moon; while stars point to lesser authorities. This great star evidently symbolizes a distinguished ruler responsible as set in the moral firmament to give light in the then dark night of the worlds history, but he is an apostate personage, one under the immediate judgment of God, burning as a torch; in this respect like the great mountain burning with fire. The epithet great is attached to the mountain, and also to the star; only in the former a corporate power or system is referred to, whereas in the latter an exalted individual is meant. Who this degraded and apostate person is we are not informed. Some regard the great fallen star as denoting the personal Antichrist. (The symbolic name of the star (Rev 8:11) gives no indication of the person referred to, but rather of the baneful influence exercised.) But that does not amount to more than conjecture. The Antichrist plays an important part in the coming crisis, as we shall see in subsequent studies.

Rev 8:10 – It fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. Waters in general signify peoples (Rev 17:15; Isa 17:12-13); the sea points to a state of commotion, of unrest amongst those peoples (Isa 57:20; Dan 7:3); floods, fulness of earthly blessings (Isa 44:3), as also earthly calamities (Amo 8:8); rivers, the ordinary life of a nation or people characterised by certain principles (Eze 29:3; Isa 18:2); fountains, the sources of the principles and influences which act upon the life of a nation (Joe 3:18; Jer 6:7).

Rev 8:11. – The name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many of the men died, because they were made bitter. The name Wormwood is significant of character. Many of the older expositors regard the personage here as Satan, but, as has already been remarked, we have no means to identify the person by name. The geographical area affected is the third part. The fountains, the sources of national life, are poisoned. All under the withering influences of this fallen being partake of his character, Wormwood. Evidently there is a reference to that interesting incident in Israels history detailed in Exo 15:22-25. There the bitter waters were made sweet; here the sweet waters are made bitter. National life and character are corrupted. A judicial dealing of an intensely solemn character overtakes a third part of the nations; their springs of action, their motives, principles, and moral life are poisoned, with the result that many die. It is not physical but moral death that is in question, truly more awful than the former. When you look at these bitter ingredients infused into the waters by the fall of this great star, the wonder is not that many died, but that any lived. (Lectures on the Revelation. p. 181. – Ramsay.)

Commentary on Rev 8:10-11 by E.M. Zerr

Rev 8:10. No change in the general drama takes place, but some special incident is predicted to affect the people unfavorably. A star in symbolical language denotes some leader, and he is here likened to a meteor that. falls to the earth, selecting as its landing place the rivers and fountains of water. That is attacking a vital portion of a country because of the necessity of water.

Rev 8:11. The name of this star was Wormwood. That is from the Greek word APSINTHOS, which Thayer defines, “wormwood, absinthe.” Webster’s -definition of the word is as follows: “A green alcoholic liquor containing oils of wormwood and anise, and other aromatics. Its continued use causes nervous derangement.” It is no wonder, then, that many men died of the waters.

Commentary on Rev 8:10-11 by Burton Coffman

Rev 8:10-11

And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood: and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

The third angel sounded … Moffatt thought that this part of Revelation came “from Iranian or Mandaean eschatology,”[54] but scholars will continue to fail in their search for the meaning of the New Testament in the writings and folklore of paganism.

There fell from heaven a great star … Who was he? There are as many answers as there are writers. He has been identified as: the devil, Lucifer, Atilla the Hun, Pelagius, Origen (Luther’s opinion), Arius, or Pope Gregory the Great! The futurists think of their antichrist.[55] The simple truth is that this angel is not identifiable with any individual, evil person. “Wormwood, symbolical of bitter sorrow (Lam 3:19), is the name of this star (Rev 8:11).”[56]

Upon rivers and fountains … How can the waters of rivers and fountains turn into bitter sorrow for people? Ask any one who ever depended upon wells or fountains that dried up, or who ever survived any great flood of a mighty river. The river which once was life and joy to people became their defeat and their execution. What river? Any one of hundreds all over the world.

The rivers of China are a good example of this. The Yangtze Chiang, the Yellow river, also known as the Hwang-ho, and others, cross the mainland of China, descending from the great Tibetan plateau and bearing incredible loads of sediment, the Yangtze Chiang alone depositing over a billion tons of sediment a year[57] and cause incredible flood damages at uncertain intervals. The beds of the rivers are continually being built up by the great sediment load, until finally, the great river strikes out in a new direction, changing course radically, and traversing the most populated area in the world, with the result of the loss of millions of lives and untold property damage. Such floods have been the recurring curse of the Chinese mainland for countless centuries. But this situation is worldwide.

There is nothing new in such recurring calamities; never a day passes without news media reference to such things in one part of the world or another; what is revealed in these trumpet visions is that such things are not “mere accidents of nature.” Moreover, they are restrained. Only a minor part of the earth will suffer such things. “The newspapers tell you all about such things,”[58] except that they are God’s warnings that people should repent and turn to God. “Four thousand years of recorded history tell of man’s repeated failure to avoid the destructiveness of floods.”[59] Why? A star named Wormwood has fallen upon the rivers and fountains of earth. Who can deny it?

Some expositors rely upon a spiritual interpretation of these judgments. For example, Hough wrote:

When men turn to wickedness, they tamper with something far more profound than they know. A power comes from above to ruin the very waters upon which the wicked depend for the life they are misusing.[60]

Such a view is true, of course; but we believe that something more tangible is meant.

This turn of earth’s waters into bitterness is the opposite of the Old Testament event of making the bitter waters of Marah sweet (Exo 15:25). When people tire of drinking earth’s waters made bitter, may they turn to Christ who is able to make the bitter waters sweet.

The reaction of rebellious minds against these judgments should be noted. Some have spoken sarcastically of God’s “killing off large numbers as an object lesson to survivors,” and seem to be resentful; but Caird effectively answered such objections thus:

The question mark which death sets over human existence is just as great whether they die soon or late, alone or in company, violently or in their beds. All men must die; and their ultimate destiny is not determined either by the moment or the manner of their death.[61]

[54] James Moffatt, op. cit., p. 405.

[55] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 281.

[56] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 144.

[57] Encyclopedia Britannica, 1961 edition, Vol. 23, p. 875.

[58] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 144.

[59] Encyclopedia Britannica, 1961 edition, Vol. 9, p. 385.

[60] Lynn Harold Hough, The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. XII (New York-Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1957), p. 429.

[61] G. B. Caird, op. cit., p. 113.

Commentary on Rev 8:10-11 by Manly Luscombe

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. There are two symbols which must be understood here: (1) The star, named Wormwood, and (2)The rivers, waters and fountains. God is the fountain of living waters. (Jer 2:13) Jesus promised that he would provide living waters to those who believe his teachings. (Joh 7:38) The rivers and fountains represent the teachings of those who direct the spiritual lives of people here on earth. Wormwood is bitter. (Pro 5:4) These waters (teachings) are made bitter. False teachings will cause many to die, not physical, but spiritual death. If you follow these false teachers you will lose your spiritual life. The 3rd trumpet warns that if you abandon the truth for false teachings, you will suffer spiritual death. Following a false teacher is just as deadly as denying the faith in the face of persecution.

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

angel (See Scofield “Heb 1:4”)

star Cf. Rev 9:1; Isa 14:12 contra, Dan 12:3

Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes

a great: Rev 1:20, Rev 6:13, Rev 9:1, Rev 12:4, Isa 14:12, Luk 10:18, Jud 1:13

the fountains: Rev 16:4, Exo 7:20, Exo 7:21, Jdg 15:11, 2Ki 2:19-22, 2Ch 32:3, Isa 12:3, Hos 13:15, Hos 13:16

Reciprocal: Hos 10:4 – thus Rev 2:1 – holdeth Rev 8:7 – the third Rev 8:9 – the third part of the creatures

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Rev 8:10. No change in the general drama takes place, but some special incident is predicted to affect the people unfavorably. A star in symbolical language denotes some leader, and he is here likened to a meteor that. falls to the earth, selecting as its landing place the rivers and fountains of water. That is attacking a vital portion of a country because of the necessity of water.

Rev 8:11. The name of this star was Wormwood. That is from the Greek word APSINTHOS, which Thayer defines, “wormwood, absinthe.” Webster’s -definition of the word is as follows: “A green alcoholic liquor containing oils of wormwood and anise, and other aromatics. Its continued use causes nervous derangement.” It is no wonder, then, that many men died of the waters.

Verse 10-11.

The rivers smitten–(the third trumpet)–Rev 8:10-11.

“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.”

1. A great star from heaven. The falling star, as in Mat 24:29, Mar 13:25 and Luk 21:25, represented the downfall of authorities and rulers of the persecuting governments– falling as it were a burning lamp, or torch, as a spent meteor of the heaven, falling from their former power and dominion. The same imagery was in Isaiah’s description of the fall of the Babylonian rulers; the constellations were used as the symbols of their positions, and the same figures of speech were used by the prophet as metaphors of the darkness that settled over the empire in the destruction of ancient Babylon. “The stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give. their light: the sun shall be darkened . . . and the moon shall not cause her light to shine . . . and I will punish the world for their evil and the wicked for their iniquities.” (Isa 13:10-11)

The Babylonian “world” and its rulers were the objects of the punishment in this passage. The same familiar symbols are employed by Jesus in the records of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and by John in the visions of Revelation, foretelling the ruin of Jerusalem, the doom of Judaism and the downfall of their rulers.

2. And it fell upon rivers, fountains of waters: The smitten rivers are the representations of the drying up of the source of the existing powers. The fountain is the source of a stream; the river is the channel of its flow. When the persecuting powers were smitten the fountain of waters dried up, and the river of their power ceased to carry the evil flow.

3. The waters became wormwood and; many died because they were made bitter. Wormwood was the name of a plant, distinguished for intense bitterness, and used to denote anything offensive and nauseous. The use of it to designate either food or water was a sign of extreme suffering. In this connection the name of the falling star was called Wormwood, for the bitter effects accompanying the downfall of the powers here symbolized, which attended the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. It was so revolting that even the mental picture of the physical putrification turns to nausea, the bitterness of which only wormwood could signify. Matthew’s record says “for then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Mat 24:21) Mark’s record reads: “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.” (Mar 13:19) Luke tersely says: “For there shall be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.” (Luk 21:23)

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

Rev 8:10-11. These verses record the sounding of the third trumpet, when there fell out of heaven a great star burning as a torch. The star fell upon the third part of the waters of the earth exclusive of the sea, which had been already visited under the second trumpet. These waters are naturally divided into two portions, rivers and fountains. The one-third part, though not expressly mentioned, is to be understood in connection with the latter as well as with the former, for it appears from Rev 8:11 that no more than one-third of all waters was hurt. The hurt consists in communicating to the waters the poisonously bitter qualities of the star which, in order to express its extreme bitterness, is called Wormwood; while the bitter waters themselves remind us of the waters of Marah (Exo 15:23), and of those waters in the vision of Ezekiel which were only made whole by means of the living stream beheld by the prophet as it issued from the temple (Eze 47:9). They represent the bitterness of that water with which, instead of the water of life, the world seeks to quench the thirst of its votaries. Under the third trumpet we first meet with men. Under the first we had nothing but inanimate nature; under the second nature was associated with creatures that had life; now we read of the death of many men. As the judgments of God are sent forth one after another they deepen in intensity.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

The next judgment inflicted, or rather the farther progress of the former judgment, was the infecting of the waters and rivers with a mortal bitterness by a bitter star falling from heaven into them; denoting, some say, the fall of a great captain amongst the Jews in Judea; others understand it of heresy in general, of the Arian heresy in particular; and some apply it to the fall of Rome, the seat of the western empire; so Mr. Mede.

If it be understood of heresy, it shows us what a poisonous, bitter, and deadly nature, error and heresy is of. Error is as damnable as vice, the one is an open road, the other a by-path, to hell and destruction; and accordingly that person, and that people, which have a due care over their soul’s salvation, will be as much afraid of erroneous principles as of debauched practices.

Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament

-11 The previous trumpet brought trouble to the sea and this one brings it to fresh water. “Wormwood” describes bitter sorrow and misery. ( Deu 29:18 ; Jer 9:15 ; Jer 23:15 ; Lam 3:19 ; Amo 5:7 ; Amo 6:12 )

Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books

Rev 8:10-11. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven Bengelius, and some other commentators, interpret this of Arius and his heresy, and the persecutions connected therewith; and no doubt, as Mr. Scott observes, such events might very aptly be represented by the falling of a star, and its imbittering and poisoning the waters to the destruction of those who drank of them: yet the series of the prophecy favours the interpretation of those who explain these verses as predicting the continuation of those calamities which subverted the empire. Stars, in prophetic style, are figurative representations of many things. Among others they signify kings and kingdoms, eminent persons of great authority and power. Rivers, and fountains of waters To supply them, may be considered as necessary to the support of life; the drying up these expresses the scarcity of things necessary. Here then we have a prophecy which aptly expresses a judgment to come on the seat of the Roman empire, which should destroy the power of it in its spring and fountain, and cut off all its necessary supports; as when rivers and fountains, so necessary to life, are infected, and become rather deadly than fit for use. At the sounding of the third trumpet, says Bishop Newton, a great prince appears like a star shooting from heaven to earth, a similitude not unusual in poetry. His coming therefore is sudden and unexpected, and his stay but short. The name of the star is called Wormwood, and he infects the third part of the rivers and fountains with the bitterness of wormwood That is, he is a bitter enemy, and proves the author of grievous calamities to the Roman empire. The rivers and fountains have a near connection with the sea; and it was within two years after Attilas retreat from Italy, that Valentinian was murdered; and Maximus, who had caused him to be murdered, reigning in his stead, Genseric, the king of the Vandals, having settled in Africa, was solicited by Eudoxia, the widow of the deceased emperor, to come and revenge his death. Genseric accordingly embarked with three hundred thousand Vandals and Moors, and arrived upon the Roman coast in June, 455, the emperor and people not expecting nor thinking of any such enemy. He landed his men, and marched directly to Rome; whereupon the inhabitants fleeing into the woods and mountains, the city fell an easy prey into his hands. He abandoned it to the cruelty and avarice of his soldiers, who plundered it for fourteen days together, not only spoiling the private houses and palaces, but stripping the public buildings, and even the churches, of their riches and ornaments. He then set sail again for Africa, carrying away with him immense wealth, and an innumerable multitude of captives, together with the Empress Eudoxia and her two daughters; and left the state so weakened, that in a little time it was utterly subverted. Some critics understand rivers and fountains with relation to doctrines; and in this sense the application is still very proper to Genseric, who was a most bigoted Arian, and during his whole reign most cruelly persecuted the orthodox Christians.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

10. When the third sounds his trumpet, a flaming star, called wormwood, falls on the rivers and fountains of water.

Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament

8:10 {7} And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

(7) The third execution on the floods and fountains, that is, on all fresh water, in this verse: the effect of which is, that many are destroyed by the bitterness of the water, in the verse following.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes

The third trumpet 8:10-11

Next a great star (meteor or comet?) fell from heaven on the fresh water sources on earth. Sometimes stars represent angels (e.g., Rev 9:1), but here something mineral seems to be in view. It too was on fire (Rev 8:7-8). The ancients sometimes used "torch" (this Greek word, lampas) to describe a meteor shooting through the sky. [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 21.] It poisoned a third of the rivers and streams, and many people died from drinking the poisoned water. The National Geographic Society has listed 100 major rivers in the world ranging in length from 4,000 miles (the Amazon) to 150 miles (the Rio de la Plata). [Note: Cited by Wiersbe, 2:593.] "Wormwood" means "bitter" (cf. Deu 29:18, et al.). It was the name of a bitter herb that was fatally poisonous to some people and was a symbol of divine punishment (Jer 9:15; Jer 23:15; Lam 3:15; Lam 3:19; Amo 5:7). This judgment recalls the bitter water that God gave the rebellious Israelites to drink in the wilderness, which the tree cast in turned sweet (Exo 15:23-25), as well as the first Egyptian plague (Exo 7:21).

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)