“And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch… and the name of the star is called Wormwood.” (Revelation 8:10-11, NASB)

After reading today’s passage, I titled my devotional: We do not need a Wormwood to remind us that Jesus is the Water of Life! John’s vision of the third trumpet judgment directly affected a third of the fresh water supply on earth, caused by a falling star called the Wormwood. It says in today’s passage,

“And the third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood; and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.”

Some interpret this event in a symbolic fashion, stating that the star that falls from heaven is either a demonic prince or an earthly king possessed by a demon who wreaks havoc on earth. However, it is more likely that the falling star is an asteroid, a comet, or a meteor that will hit the Earth, causing destruction to the Earth’s water supply. In fact, John actually writes within this passage that many people will die from drinking water because the falling star will make it bitter. Many biblical scholars believe that an asteroid or a comet will crash into Earth, contaminating Earth’s water supply with radiation, gases, poisonous chemicals, or a combination of these.

Wormwood will not be the only “star” to fall out of the sky. Before and during the Great Tribulation, there will be many other “stars” that will fall out of the sky and wreak havoc on earth (Rev.6:13). Even the “great mountain” of the second trumpet can be considered a “star” that falls out of the sky. Jesus himself prophesied during his days on earth, “And the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken” (Mk.13:25). There are two basic interpretations of what these “stars” are. Some of these “stars” will be physical objects falling from the sky, while others symbolize angelic beings falling. Remember when Jesus told the joyful, victorious disciples returning to report on their successful mission trip? He said, “And the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning’” (Lk.10:17-18). Furthermore, Revelation 12:7-9 explains, “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

Of these numerous stars that will fall to the earth, Wormwood is the only one that is named because of its effect on the fresh water. Therefore, whether people will actually name it Wormwood or not, it is apparent that people of the earth will designate it so after they see that it has made the water bitter. The word “wormwood” derives from bitter or poisonous plants in the Middle East and appears 8 times in the Old Testament, suggesting something bitter, poisonous, grievous, or extremely unpleasant. This is where I came up with today’s devotional title, as it reminded me of Jesus’ claim. Wormwood is in direct contrast to Jesus’ claim that he was the water of life and his invitation to the thirsty on earth. He said, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water’” (Jn.7:37-38). Although the Wormwood star was sent by God to judge mankind, He also sent His Son to give living water to those who thirst. Wormwood is the judgment of God, but also His way of reminding people that they can still have the water of life by faith in Jesus Christ. We do not need a star like Wormwood to fall to earth in order to tell us that physical water does not give eternal life. We do not need a wormwood to remind us that we need Jesus, the water of life.

• What do you think this “star” called Wormwood represents?
• How do believers drink from Jesus, who is the Living water of life, and share it with others?