What Old Testament events parallel the imagery in Revelation 8:8? Reading Revelation 8:8 Together “Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea turned to blood.” (Revelation 8:8) Key Images to Notice • Great mountain • Burning with fire • Hurled into the sea • Sea turned to blood (one-third) Exodus: Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:17-21) • “By this you will know that I am the LORD: … the water in the Nile … will be turned to blood.” (7:17) • Parallel: Both passages describe a vast body of water suddenly becoming blood, signaling divine judgment. • Just as Egypt’s life-giving river became deathly, one-third of the world’s seas are struck in Revelation. Jeremiah’s “Burning Mountain” Oracle Against Babylon (Jeremiah 51:25-26) • “Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain… I will roll you down from the cliffs and make you a burnt mountain.” • Parallels: A mountain aflame, divine anger, worldwide impact. • In Revelation the “mountain” is hurled into the sea, extending Jeremiah’s image to global, not merely national, judgment. Sodom and Gomorrah: Fire from Heaven (Genesis 19:24-28) • “The LORD rained down sulfur and fire … out of the heavens.” • Parallels: Heaven-sent flames consuming a wicked realm. Revelation scales that scene up to a whole maritime region. The Fiery Hail Plague (Exodus 9:23-24) • “The LORD sent thunder, hail, and fire ran down to the earth.” • Parallels: Elements of fire mingled with other forces from above, heralding catastrophic judgment. Psalm 46 and Cosmic Upheaval • “Though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea …” (Psalm 46:2) • Parallels: Mountains collapsing into ocean waters picture the earth reeling under God’s voice—imagery fulfilled literally in the trumpet judgments. A Pattern of Progressive Judgment 1. Localized (Egypt’s Nile, Sodom’s valley) 2. National (Babylon as a burnt mountain) 3. Cosmic (one-third of all seas in Revelation) Scripture moves from sample judgments in the Old Testament to a climactic, worldwide display in the last days. Why These Parallels Matter • They confirm that the trumpet judgments repeat—and intensify—earlier acts of God, proving His consistency in dealing with sin. • Each Old Testament event foreshadows a specific element in Revelation 8:8, reinforcing the literal expectation that God will again intervene in earth’s geography and oceans. |
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