Revelation 8:6-13: a reflection

6The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 9and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed. 10The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of water. 11The name of the star is “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter. 12The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars, so that one third of them would be darkened; and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. 13I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

In John's vision, angels sound trumpets, and with each a judgment falls on the earth, striking the land, the sea, the waters, the heavens. But notice a detail: each judgment strikes a third, not the whole, a third of the earth, a third of the sea, a third of the waters. And an eagle cries out a warning of the woes yet to come. These are severe judgments, and yet they are partial, and announced with a warning, leaving room and time still for people to turn.

Notice that the judgments here are partial, and accompanied by warning. They are terrible, but they strike a third, not everything; and the cry of woe is a warning of what is still to come. Even in judgment, there is restraint and warning; God does not bring the full and final end all at once, but sends judgments that are partial and that warn, leaving space for people to heed them and turn to him before the end. The very partialness and the warning are a mercy, a call to repentance.

That reveals something of God's heart even in judgment. His judgments, even severe ones, often come as warnings, calls to turn to him before it is too late, rather than as the final end. The troubles and consequences that fall, in the world and in our lives, can be warnings meant to turn us back to God while there is still time. Do not presume on the delay of final judgment, or ignore the warnings God sends. Heed them as calls to turn to him, while there is still room and time to do so. The partial judgments and the cry of woe are a mercy, meant to lead to repentance before the end; hear the warning, and turn to God while there is time, rather than presuming the day of reckoning will never come.

Lord, in John's vision the trumpet judgments were severe, yet partial, striking a third and not the whole, and announced with a cry of warning; even in judgment there was restraint and a call to turn to you before the end. Reveal to me your heart even in judgment. Your judgments, even severe ones, often come as warnings, calls to turn to you before it is too late, rather than as the final end. The troubles and consequences that fall, in the world and in my life, can be warnings meant to turn me back to you while there is still time. Keep me from presuming on the delay of final judgment, or ignoring the warnings you send. Help me heed them as calls to turn to you, while there is still room and time. The partial judgments and the cry of woe are a mercy, meant to lead to repentance before the end; help me hear the warning, and turn to you while there is time, rather than presuming the day of reckoning will never come. Turn me to you, Lord.