Thursday, June 19, 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: WORMWOOD AND THE BITTER WATERS

THEME SCRIPTURE: “The 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… and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter" (Revelation 8:10-11)

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What happens when the third trumpet of the seventh seal is blown?

The first trumpet scorched the land. The second struck the sea. Now the third falls upon the fresh waters—rivers, springs, wells—the very sources of life. And they turn bitter. The name of the star is Wormwood, a symbol of sorrow and poison throughout the Old Testament (see Jeremiah 9:15,  Lamentations 3:15). What once sustained life now brings death.

This trumpet strikes at the heart of what we drink into survive—physically, spiritually, emotionally.

The judgment is not merely environmental; it is profoundly personal. The bitter water is a mirror: when we turn from God, even blessings turn toxic.

When the soul drinks from false wells—pleasure, pride, idolatry—it will thirst again, and worse, it may die of thirst.

Athanasius wrote, "Sin is not merely doing wrong; it is the choosing of a lie over truth, a mirage over living water." Wormwood shows us the consequence of drinking lies. The rivers poisoned in this trumpet echo the bitter taste of a culture that has rejected the fountain of living waters (Jer 2:13).

But there is still hope.

Jesus once met a woman at a well who had tried and failed to find life in relationships, in her reputation, and in her routine. To her, He said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14). Christ is not only the giver of living water—He is the water. In a world of bitter streams, He remains pure, sweet, sustaining.

To the righteous: This trumpet is a call to vigilance. Guard what you consume. Guard your heart, your eyes, your mind.

The world’s waters are often laced with wormwood—entertainment, ideology, even religion without Christ. As Proverbs 4:23 commands,  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

To the unrighteous: This trumpet is not final. The poisoned springs are not the last word. The same God who turned water to blood in Egypt also turned bitter waters sweet in Marah (Exodus 15:23–25). He can do it still. But repentance must precede healing.

Let today be a fast from false wells. Seek the Source. Drink deeply from the living water.

Remember: Jesus is coming again.

FURTHER READING – Revelation 8

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you ready for the second coming of our Lord?

PRAYER

Precious Father, you are the living waters that truly satisfy. I receive strength and grace to thirst and hunger after you alone. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Galatians 5; 2 Kings 3; Psalm 15