The Second Trumpet REVELATION 8.8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 8.9 and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed. -WEB Bible. This disaster could be caused by a number of things. Fire on the sea suggests an oil spill possibly. Perhaps an oil drilling explosion. Or a nuclear disaster. A mountain falling into the sea could be something like they've predicted in the Canary Islands: where the flank of an erupting volcano cracks and calves into the sea causing enormous devastation worldwide from tsunamis. On January 15, 2022 an underwater volcano near Tonga (in the south Pacific) produced an explosive (but short-lived) eruption that caused tsunamis all around the Pacific Basin, all the way up to Alaska. This event surprised scientists everywhere with its intensity. Ash nearly buried the islands of Tonga. This was a dramatic -but brief- event, and vividly illustrates how natural disasters can do things we never expected or imagined, and without warning. Of course, we won't know how the Second Trumpet plays out, until it does: but it's not hard to imagine various scenarios that would fit John's description.
IMAGE CREDIT: This image is from the Cloisters Apocalypse Illuminated manuscripts, circa 1330 A.D. Author is unknown; French, Normandy.
Rosh Hashanah begins October 2 at sundown and ends Friday, October 4 at sunset (in 2024.) In the Bible, the day known as Rosh Hashanah is never actually called 'a New Year'. Instead, God calls it the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah in Hebrew), when He ordained to blow the shofars (or ram's horns.) The sound was a reminder to repent and to encourage reflection, as preparation for the Day of Atonement (which is ten days later.) Christians believe that the Feast of Trumpets is a prophetic event predicting the return of Jesus Christ. And when He returns it may be during the Rosh Hashanah celebration! So, the Feast of Trumpets has special meaning for Christians as well as Jews. During Rosh Hashanah it is traditional to dip apples in honey to symbolize hope for a sweet year ahead.
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