What does Revelation 8:11 mean?

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. Revelation 8:11

Explanation

Revelation 8:11 is part of the prophetic visions recorded in the Book of Revelation, traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle John. This verse refers to the third of the seven trumpets that are sounded during the unfolding of apocalyptic events. Upon the sounding of the third trumpet, a great star called Wormwood is described as falling from heaven and striking a third of the Earth’s rivers and freshwater sources, making them bitter and causing the death of many people. The literal interpretation here focuses on a catastrophic environmental event, possibly an asteroid or comet, poisoning a significant portion of the world’s water supply. Symbolically, “Wormwood” can represent a source of bitter calamity and suffering, reflecting the verse’s deeper meaning of divine judgment and consequences of sin.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written in the 1st century AD during a period of political turmoil and persecution for the early Christian churches, most likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD). The use of apocalyptic literature, which Revelation is a prime example of, often served to convey hope to the persecuted by asserting that God would eventually triumph over evil. The imagery and symbolism in Revelation were drawn from a variety of Hebrew and Christian traditions and the cultural context of the Roman Empire.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints approach Revelation 8:11 in varied ways. Dispensationalists often interpret Revelation’s prophecies as literal future events that will occur in a sequence leading up to the End Times. In contrast, preterists view these prophecies as symbolic descriptions of events that were fulfilled in the first century, particularly the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Idealists see it as a timeless symbol of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, while historicists might interpret it as indicative of specific historical events that happen throughout the Christian era. The figure of Wormwood is seen as a divine instrument of punishment and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

Practical Applications

This passage can lead believers to reflect on the consequences of personal and communal sin, focusing on the need for repentance and spiritual vigilance. It also speaks to the interconnected nature of human actions and the environment, prompting believers to consider their stewardship of Earth’s resources. The bitter waters can serve as a metaphor for the pervasive effects of sin in society and the importance of maintaining purity in one’s faith and actions.

Cross-References

• Revelation 16:4 – “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.”
• Jeremiah 9:15 – “Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.”
• Revelation 8:10 – “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;”

Language Study

“Wormwood” in the original Greek text is “ἀψίνθιον” (apsinthion). Wormwood is a plant with a strong bitter taste and has been used in medicine as well as a metaphor for bitterness and sorrow. The use of “apsinthion” may have been chosen not only for its literal meaning but also for its symbolic connotations of something that causes distress and is hard to accept.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a falling star or celestial object causing destruction is not unique to Christianity. In various ancient cultures, such as in Roman and Greek mythology, stars were often seen as divine or portentous. The image of a bitter substance polluting water is also reminiscent of certain myths where drinking from a cursed or poisoned well leads to misfortune or death. The figure of Wormwood shares similarities with other prophetic and apocalyptic themes across cultures that depict the divine dispensing judgment on humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

The description of Wormwood fits with modern understandings of catastrophic impacts from celestial objects like asteroids or comets. Scientists study the potential threats of such impacts and their possible effects on the Earth’s environment, including contaminating water supplies. From a scientific perspective, a large enough impact could indeed poison freshwater sources, leading to widespread ecological damage and even loss of human life.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer diverse interpretations of Revelation 8:11. Some see the use of “Wormwood” as a literal description of a celestial event that will occur. Others underline the symbolism, suggesting that Wormwood represents the consequences of humanity’s spiritual decay infiltrating the essential aspects of life (water being symbolic of life). A number of scholars point out the intertextual connections with Old Testament prophecies that employ similar metaphors for divine judgment. Consensus among commentaries often recognizes the dual significance of the passage; it is both a portent of a future event and a symbolic representation of the pervasive nature of sin and its bitter effects on the world.