First Trumpet
Rev 8:7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Rev 8:7 in the Greek text. And the first one sounded his trumpet, and there occurred hail and fire having been mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up and a third of the trees was burned up and all grass green was burned up.
What does the word earth mean in the book of Revelation?
A short word study on the word “earth.”
Rev 9:1. I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. (The star represents Satan. Rev 20:1-3. Luke 10:18. The earth means the whole world).
Rev 9:3.4. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live).
Rev 6:10. (The cry of the martyrs under the fifth seal) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live).
Rev 7:2.3. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying,”Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Following the rule that if the context is symbolic then the verse is to be interpreted symbolic. The sea is symbolic of wicked nations. Isaiah 57:20 . The trees are symbolic of believing people in God both present and fallen Math 3:7-10. The earth is symbolic of Protestant believers in the USA who have fallen from the grace of God Rev 13:11-18).
Rev 10:2. He (angel) had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. (The earth means the whole world).
Rev 11:6. (Refers to the two witnesses) They have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live).
Rev 11:10. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live e.g. Europe and North America).
Rev 12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live e.g. Europe and North America).
Rev 12:12. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time. (The earth means the whole world).
Rev 12:13. Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. (The earth in this text means the area of the earth where Gods believing people live e.g. Israel, Europe and North America).
Rev 12:14-16. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. (The time, times and half a time is equivalent to the one thousand two hundred and sixty days prophecy which is from A.D. 538-1798, during the Middle Ages of papal rule. Satan through the papacy persecuted and killed over 50 million Roman Catholic members in their church because they became Protestants, that is they protested against the papacy for having absolute rule and authority over the church and absolution of sins. When the earth helped these Protestants, it means they escaped to other places in Europe and North America).
Rev 13:11. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. (This beast is referring to the rise of USA in North America after the Middle Ages).
Rev 13:13. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on earth in the sight of men. (The earth represents in this text a place where God´s people are, that is Protestants in the USA).
Rev 13:14. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast. (The earth represents in this text a place where God´s people are, that is Protestants in the USA. These Protestants will become deceived by the signs, which occur in the church. For more information read my analysis of the chapter on my website).
Rev 16:2. So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. (This is referring to all people on the earth who worship on Sunday as a holy day instead of the Bible Sabbath as a holy day).
Rev 18:11. The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her (Babylon), for no one buys their merchandise anymore. (Babylon represents all the fallen churches in the world who do not keep the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. Rev 12:17. The merchants represent all the priests, cardinals, bishops, popes, ministers and evangelists in all the fallen churches of the world. The fallen churches are spread throughout the whole of the earth).
Rev 18:23. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. (The merchants represent all the priests, cardinals, bishops, popes, ministers and evangelists in all the fallen churches of the world).
Conclusion
The word earth represents the whole world, part of the world where God´s believing people live, Protestant believers in the USA, Europe and North America, God´s people in Israel, and all people in the world who keep Sunday as a holy day instead of the Bible Sabbath will receive the first plague. To interpret earth literally or symbolically depends on the context it is used in.
What is the symbolic meaning of “trees” in the book of Revelation?
Rev 8:7 (The first trumpet) The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
Rev 9:4 (The fifth trumpet) They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Trees are related to servants of God who have the seal of God on their foreheads).
Rev 7:2.3. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads”. (Trees are related to servants of God who have the seal of God on their foreheads).
Mark 8:24 (The healing of the blind man with clay) And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
Matthew 3:10 (John the Baptist preaching to the Jews) And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Trees that do not bear good fruit are likened to the Pharisees and Sadducees who have not repented of their sins Math 4:7).
Judges 9:8 The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, “Reign over us!”
Verse 9 But the olive tree said to them, “Should I cease giving my oil?
Verse 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, “You come and reign over us.”
Verse 12 Then the trees said to the vine tree, “You come and reign over us.”
Verse 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, “You come and reign over us.”
(Who do the trees represent here? Judges 9:7 The Israelite believing men of God in Shechem. Who represents the bramble? Judges 9:16 Abimelech was made king).
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water. (Tree is like a man who delights in the law of God).
Proverbs 3:13.18. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding – – -. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. (Tree is likened to a wisdom and understanding).
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
Song of Solomon 2:3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. (Apple tree is related to a beloved man).
Isaiah 56:3 Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” (Dry tree means not accepted by God).
Ezekiel 31:18 “To which of the trees of Eden will you be likened in glory and greatness? Yet you shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the depths of the earth; you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude,” says the Lord. (Unbelieving Pharaoh is compared to a fallen tree in the garden of Eden)
Ezekiel 31:3 Indeed Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with fine branches that shaded the forest, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs. (The country of Assyria represents a tree).
Dan 4:20.22. The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth – – – it is you, O king, who has grown and become strong and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. Verse 23 this tree was chopped down. (This chopped down tree represents the unbelieving King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon).
Conclusion
Trees are related to: the 144,000 servants of God who have the seal of God on their foreheads, the Israelite leaders of Shechem select a ruler over them, a man who delights in God´s law, a man who finds wisdom and understanding, the fruit of the righteous, a beloved man, cut down trees are likened to the Pharisees and Sadducees leaders of the Jewish nation who have not repented of their sins, dry tree means not accepted by God, a fallen tree is likened to unbelieving Pharaoh a leader of Egypt, a cut down tree is likened to unbelieving king Nebuchadnezar a leader of Babylon. In summary living trees are likened to men who believe leaders in God and fallen or cut down trees refer to leaders of different nations who have fallen and do not believe in God.
What does the symbol of grass mean in the book of Revelation
Rev 8:7 The third angel sounded. And all the green grass was burned up.
Rev 9:4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Grass is likened to all men, but the difference between all men in this text is those who have the seal of God on their foreheads, and those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads).
1 Corinthians 3:12.13. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay (wild grass) straw, each one´s work will become clear. (1 Corinthians 3:10.11. Foundation refers to faith in Jesus Christ and grass refers to a man´s work of faith).
James 1:10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field (grass) he will pass away. (Grass refers to a rich man passing away).
1 Peter 1:24 because all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. (Grass represents all flesh).
Isaiah 40:6.7. All flesh is as grass. – – – Surely the people are grass. (Grass represents all flesh and people).
Isaiah 51:12 And the son of man who will be made like grass? (Grass refers to Isaiah the prophet).
2 Kings 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants had little power; they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field. (Grass refers to Hezekiah and his people in Jerusalem).
Job 5:25 You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth. (Grass is related to Job´s descendants).
Psalm 37:1.2. Do not fret because of evil doers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass. (Grass is related to evildoers).
Psalm 72:16 And those of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth. (Grass is related to believers in Christ when he comes).
Psalm 102:4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass. (Grass is related to the heart of a man).
Conclusion
Grass is related to the following: men who have the seal of God on their foreheads and men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, refers to a man´s work of faith, to a rich man passing away, all flesh and all people, to Isaiah the prophet, to Hezekiah and his people in Jerusalem, to Job´s descendants, to evildoers, to all believers in Christ when he comes, and to the heart of a man. To sum up it refers to all people.
Rev 8:7 in the Greek text. And the first one sounded his trumpet, and there occurred hail and fire having been mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up and a third of the trees was burned up and all grass green was burned up.
Explanation of the text
The earth is a place where the majority of God´s believing people have lived, after the ascension of Christ to the heavenly sanctuary Rev 1:12-16. A third of the trees burnt up, represent the Christian leaders of the Church who have been persecuted and have missed their lives from the first century to the fourth century. All green grass burnt up represent all people living in the region were Christians have lived, and were destroyed by the persecutions that came upon the church.
Acts 8:1-3. Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Acts 12,1.2. Now about that time Herod the King stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
“These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the martyrdom of Paul, continued with greater or less fury for centuries. Christians were falsely accused of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities-famine, pestilence, and earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified; others were covered with skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes.”[1] Confrontation page 40.
(Persecutions by pagan Rome under Nero, A.D.54-68) Tacitus tells realistically how “they were covered with wild beasts´ skins and torn to death by dogs or were fastened on crosses and, when daylight failed, were burned to serve as lamps at night.” This was in connection with Nero´s “spectacle” in his circus where he appeared in the habit of a charioteer or mounted on his car. Tacitus adds that, despite their deserved punishment, a sentiment of pity arose because of the belief that they were being sacrificed not for the State´s welfare but because of one man´s ferocity.[2]
Persecutions against Christians took place by pagan Rome under Domitian, A.D.81-96, under Trajan, A.D. 98-117, under Hadrian, A.D. 117-138, under Marcus Aurelius, A.D.161-180, under Septimius Serverus, A.D.193-211, under Maximinus Thrax, A.D.235-238, under Decius, A.D.249-251, under Valarian, A.D.253-260, under Aurelian, A.D.270-275, under Diocletian, A.D.284-305. [3]
[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 40.
[2] Walter Woodburn Hyde, Paganism to Christianity in the Roman Empire (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1946), 196.
[3] Don F. Neufeld and Julia Neuffer, Eds., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Students´ Source Book (Washington D.C.: Review & Herald Pub, Assoc., 1962), 717-730.