From Behind The Veil (11)

The Fourth Trumpet – When Light Is Struck and Darkness Advances

Primary Scripture Reading

Revelation 8:12–13 KJV 1900

12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

(Additional references: Genesis 1:14–18; Exodus 10:21–23; Joel 2:10; Isaiah 13:10; Luke 21:25–26)

Introduction

The judgment continues to intensify.

First trumpet – earth struck Second trumpet – sea struck Third trumpet – waters struck Fourth trumpet – heavenly lights struck

Now we move beyond the earth itself.

God is no longer just shaking what man depends on—He is striking what governs time, light, and order.

Behind the veil we see a deeper level of judgment:

When light is removed, confusion increases.

The Striking of the Sun, Moon, and Stars

Scripture: Revelation 8:12

“…the third part of the sun was smitten…”

“Smitten” – Greek: plēssō (Strong’s G4141)

Meaning:

• to strike • to wound • to inflict a blow

This is not passive dimming.

This is an intentional strike from God.

Now consider what is being struck:

Sun – primary source of light Moon – reflection of light Stars – governing lights in the heavens

Genesis 1:14–16

“…let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…”

These lights were created to govern:

Time Seasons Order

Now God is striking them.

Behind the veil we see:

God is disrupting the very structure of how life functions on earth.

Darkened Light – Partial but Powerful Judgment

Scripture: Revelation 8:12

“…the day shone not for a third part of it…”

Again we see:

“third part”

This is still measured judgment.

But even partial darkness creates:

Disruption Fear Instability

Exodus 10:21–23

“…there was a thick darkness… they saw not one another…”

Darkness in Scripture often represents:

Judgment Confusion Separation

Joel 2:10

“The sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.”

Isaiah 13:10

“The sun shall be darkened… the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”

Behind the veil we see:

This is prophetic language tied directly to the Day of the Lord.

Literal and Spiritual Darkness

This judgment can be understood on two levels.

Literal:

Reduction of light Disruption of natural cycles Impact on climate and survival

Spiritual:

Loss of clarity Increase in deception Moral and spiritual darkness

Jesus said in Luke 22:53:

“…this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

When light is removed, darkness does not struggle—it advances.

Behind the veil we see:

When God allows light to be struck, darkness fills the void.

The Woe Announced – Escalation Intensifies

Scripture: Revelation 8:13

“…Woe, woe, woe…”

“Woe” – Greek: ouai (Strong’s G3759)

Meaning:

• grief • calamity • intense distress

This is a warning.

Three woes correspond to:

Trumpet 5 Trumpet 6 Trumpet 7

This tells us:

What has happened so far is severe—but what is coming is worse.

Behind the veil we see:

The first four trumpets are judgment.

The last three are woes—a deeper level of intensity.

The European Union Interpretation

Some, including teachers from End Time Ministries, have suggested that the fourth trumpet represents the rise of the European Union or a revived Roman Empire system.

Let’s examine why someone might make that connection.

Why it could seem to fit:

Sun, moon, and stars as rulers

Genesis 37:9 (Joseph’s dream)

“…the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance…”

Here, sun, moon, and stars represent:

• authority • leadership • governing bodies

So some interpret the fourth trumpet as:

A striking or change in global leadership structures, possibly tied to Europe and the revival of Roman influence.

2. Darkness as loss of political clarity

If the EU represents a central global system, its rise or transformation could be seen as:

A shift in global power A form of “darkening” of previous structures

3. Prophetic connection to Daniel

Daniel speaks of revived kingdoms and end-time empires.

Some connect this with European political structures.

Now let’s examine why this interpretation does not fully align with Scripture.

Why the European Union Interpretation Does Not Fully Fit

The text describes physical cosmic events

Revelation 8:12 clearly describes:

Sun struck Moon darkened Stars affected

This aligns with:

Joel 2:10 Matthew 24:29

These are cosmic disturbances, not political changes.

2. The scale is global, not regional

The European Union is:

A regional political system

The fourth trumpet affects:

The entire earth’s light system

That is far beyond a single political entity.

3. The pattern of the trumpets is natural, not political

Trumpets 1–3 affect:

Earth Sea Water

All are physical, environmental judgments

To suddenly shift to a political system breaks the pattern.

4. The sequence must remain consistent

This event follows:

First trumpet – fire on earth Second trumpet – sea struck Third trumpet – waters poisoned

The fourth trumpet continues the pattern by striking the heavens, not governments.

5. No direct scriptural link

There is no passage that directly connects:

Sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 8 to the European Union

We must avoid inserting modern systems where Scripture does not explicitly point.

Behind the veil we see:

Not every symbolic possibility is a biblical fulfillment.

What This Most Likely Represents

Based on Scripture alone, this trumpet most likely represents:

A literal, global reduction of light affecting:

Daytime Nighttime Natural order

With spiritual implications:

Increased deception Loss of clarity Heightened fear

This aligns with Jesus’ words:

Luke 21:25–26

“…distress of nations, with perplexity… men’s hearts failing them for fear…”

Behind the veil we see:

As light decreases, fear increases.

Application

Light matters more than we realize.

Physical light sustains life.

Spiritual light sustains truth.

2. Darkness reveals what is inside.

When light is removed, what is hidden becomes visible.

3. Do not force prophecy into modern systems.

Scripture must interpret Scripture—not headlines.

4. Stay anchored in the true Light.

John 8:12

“I am the light of the world…”

Closing Insight

The fourth trumpet reveals a powerful truth:

God can dim what He created to shine.

The sun is struck. The moon is darkened. The stars are affected.

Behind the veil we see:

When God removes light, darkness advances—but only for a time.

Next Session Preview

In the next session, we will study the fifth trumpet—the first woe.

The bottomless pit will be opened. Darkness will rise from below. And torment will come upon the earth.

But remember this:

Even when darkness covers the earth, those who belong to Christ are not without light.