Resilient – A Revelation Daily Devotional – Day 25
Cedar Creek Church August 21, 2025

Day 25 – August 21

Read or listen to the audio version of the Bible Reading and Daily Devotional.

Read Revelation 8:7-13

7The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
8The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.
12The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.
13Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

Okay, we’re diving back into Revelation 8:7-13, where those first four trumpet judgments are sounding. On the surface we can see how these judgments dramatically impact the natural world. But let’s dig a little deeper now and see how these events powerfully crush the idea that we can find ultimate life, hope, or security in anything apart from Christ.

So, the first trumpet sounds, and a third of the earth is burned up – trees and grass gone. Think about how much we rely on the land for our food, our shelter, our sense of stability. We invest in property, we admire natural beauty, we think of “the land” as foundational. This judgment shatters that illusion. It rips away the security we might find in earthly possessions or the beauty of nature, showing how quickly it can all be consumed. It’s a stark reminder: ultimate life isn’t found in the ground beneath our feet.

Then comes the second trumpet, and a massive, burning object crashes into the sea. A third of the ocean turns to blood, a third of sea life dies, and a third of the ships are destroyed. The sea, for many, represented commerce, travel, exploration, even a sense of vastness and freedom. This judgment attacks our global economy, our ability to connect, and the very life source of the deep.

The third trumpet sounds, and a star named Wormwood poisons a third of the fresh water sources – rivers and springs. People die from drinking the bitter water. Water is fundamental for survival. This judgment strikes at the most basic necessity, revealing how fragile our lives are. It’s a brutal demonstration that life isn’t found in the most fundamental physical resources.

Finally, the fourth trumpet brings darkness. A third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck, dimming their light, so a third of the day and night are without their usual illumination. Light guides us, marks our days, and symbolizes hope and truth. Ultimate life isn’t found in the “lights” of this world, whether literal or figurative.

What these judgments are screaming is this: anything and everything apart from Christ that we put our hope, trust, or sense of security in will ultimately fail, be corrupted, or be destroyed.

But there’s more to consider. A beautiful glimpse of God’s enduring patience, even amidst such intense judgment: every single one of these judgments only affects a “third.” Not half, not three-quarters, not the whole. A third of the earth, a third of the sea, a third of the waters, a third of the light. This “one-third” motif, repeated four times, is significant. It shows that even as God’s righteous judgment is unleashed, it’s a partial judgment. He’s not wiping everything out immediately. There’s still time, still opportunity. It’s a warning, a severe one, but not yet the absolute end. It’s as if God, even in His wrath, is still holding back, still patiently extending a chance for humanity to wake up, to recognize the futility of their false hopes, and to turn to the only source of true life. He’s displaying His long-suffering love, even as He exposes the consequences of turning away from Him.

Prayer: Lord, Forgive me for ever seeking satisfaction or stability in earthly things. Stir my heart to turn fully to Christ, the only one who offers enduring life, light, and hope, no matter what storms may come. Amen.