DEATH BY WORMWOOD - When the third trumpet sounded, a blazing star called Wormwood fell to earth. Wormwood contained a contaminate that turned 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water bitter or released pollutants on earth that contaminated 1/3 of fresh water sources and many people died from the bitter water. The star’s name identified that its effects were judgment on man for his idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone, e.g., money, prestige, a charismatic individual. Wormwood was a falling star with the same name as a plant. Revelation is an unveiling of spiritual forces operating behind the scenes in history. Revelations is largely prophecy, describing what will occur in future time. The book was written in the form of a letter addressed to the 1st century churches in the 7 cities of the Roman province of Asia in the region now known as western Turkey. John wrote Revelation when he was exiled to the island of Patmos. In Revelation chapter 8, John described a vision in which 7 angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God. The angels were ready to sound the trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth. These judgments were not the final judgment on the earth; rather, they were to warn the people of coming destruction and call them to repentance. The calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of 1/3 of the fresh water supply of the world will be natural consequences of turning from God and worshiping idols.

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Death by Wormwood

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When the third trumpet sounded, a blazing star called Wormwood fell to earth. Wormwood contained a contaminate that turned 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water bitter or released pollutants on earth that contaminated 1/3 of fresh water sources and many people died from the bitter water. The star’s name identified that its effects were judgment on man for his idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone, e.g., money, prestige, a charismatic individual.

Carolyn A. Roth

Wormwood was a falling star with the same name as a plant; read Revelation 8:1-11.

St. John, the Beloved Disciple, is credited with writing Revelation.

Revelation is an unveiling of spiritual forces operating behind the scenes in history (ESV-SB, 2008).

Revelations is largely prophecy, describing what will occur in future time.

The book was written in the form of a letter addressed to the 1^st century churches in the 7 cities of the Roman province of Asia in the region now known as western Turkey.

Probably, John wrote Revelation in 95-96 AD when he was exiled to the island of Patmos

In Revelation chapter 8, John described a vision in which 7 angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God.

The angels were ready to sound the trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth.

These judgments were not the final judgment on the earth; rather, they were to warn the people of coming destruction and call them to repentance (ESV-SB, 2008).

The sounding of the first four trumpets caused plagues in nature – land, sea, fresh water, and heavenly bodies.

See Table 1 for a synopsis of the effect of the sounding of the four trumpets.

Table 1, Outcome of Blowing Trumpets 1-4.

Trumpet	Caused	Outcome on the earth
First: land	Hail and fire, mixed with blood, were thrown on the earth	1/3 of the earth was burnt to include 1/3 of trees and plants. Every form of plant life was affected.
Second: sea	Something like a great burning mountain – a great burning mass – was thrown in to the sea.	1/3 of the sea became blood, 1/3 of living creatures in sea died, 1/3 of ships were destroyed.
Third: fresh water	A blazing star called Wormwood fell on 1/3 of the rivers and springs of the earth.	1/3 of waters (possibly fresh waters) became bitter and many people died from the bitter water.
Fourth: heavenly bodies	Sun, moon and stars were struck	1/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night was without light.

When the third trumpet sounded, a blazing star fell to earth.

This blazing star was called Wormwood or Absinthus.

When meteors enter the earth’s atmosphere and start to burn, they are called meteorites.

In the United States, we commonly call them shooting stars.

When a large meteorite hits the earth’s surface, a huge dust cloud rises.

The dust and particulates in the cloud spread around the globe moved by winds and the rotation of the earth.

Wormwood contained a contaminate that turned 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water bitter; or somehow released pollutants on earth that contaminated 1/3 of fresh water sources.

Wormwood

The Revelation 8:11 wormwood reference is to Artemisia absinthium, the best known of the approximately 400 artemisias. 

According to legend, wormwood grew up in the trail left by the serpent’s tail as it slithered out of the Garden of Eden.

The earliest known description of wormwood was found on an Egyptian papyrus dated approximately 1600 BC; it was described as a medicine to rid the body of worms.

With the exception of rue, wormwood is the bitterest known herb.

Wormwood is native to North Africa and temperate regions of Eurasia. Americans describe wormwood as similar to Western sagebrush.

An addictive drink, absinthe, can be made from the Artemisia leaves and flower tops.

Absinthe is illegal in most countries of the world including the United States, Canada and France.

The active ingredient in wormwood is thujone, which in large quantities is a convulsive poison.

Symbolism: Idolatry

In the Old Testament, wormwood was used as a metaphor in the following ways:

a) idolatry of Israel (Deuteronomy 29:18);

b) calamity and sorrow (Jeremiah 9:15, 23:15; Lamentations 3:15, 19); and

c) false judgment (Amos 5:7) (McGee, 1991).

The star’s name identified that its effects were judgment on man for his idolatry and injustice.

In the Bible era, idolatry primarily referred to worship of idols or graven images, e.g., Baal, Artemis, Neptune.

Most westerners do not worship statues, but that does not mean that we are not idolaters.

Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone, e.g., money, prestige, a charismatic individual.

Reflection: The calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of 1/3 of the fresh water supply of the world will be natural consequences of turning from God and worshiping idols.

I love Bible plants along with their symbolism. If you want to learn more about them, read my two books: 1) Rooted in God and 2) God as a Gardener. You can purchase them from my website: Carolyn Roth Ministry at http://www.CarolynRothMinistry.com/

Carolyn Roth Ministry (CarolynRothMinistry.com)

offers research, education, and consultation to individuals and organizations who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible.

Welcome to godasagardener.com

As the site editor, participants should know I am a spiritual woman with a deep belief in God. Many friends would describe my Christian perspective as orthodox. I believe in the inspired, written word of God. I live in Roanoke, Virginia.  I am a Virginia Master Gardener and a Tree Steward.

This website/blog glorifies God within the context of earth as His garden, describes Bible  and other growing plants, and applies them to our Christian walk in the 21st century. On Creation day 3, God created vegetation, e.g., trees, herbs, flowers. On this site, the word plant will be used to encompass all types of vegetation.  God created plants right after He created the heavens (Day 2) and before He created the sun, moon, and stars (Day 4). This creative order demonstrates that God valued and had a purpose for the varied flora in our world. Our response to this creative process should first be love for the Creator and second a reverence for this earthly garden.

If you would like to see a full-size picture of the plant in the story, click on it and it will expand to fill the page. The contents of this website including pictures are copyright. You may use the materials after getting permission from the editor. If you use the materials in your writings or presentations, properly cite the website.

https://godasagardener.com/2014/09/05/death-by-wormwood/

WORMWOOD, A BITTER HERB - The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone - the calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship - When Old Testament authors referred to wormwood, they wrote about bitterness and poison. Old Testament events are presented as lessons for those of us living today. An episode that named wormwood was a prophecy and called mankind to repentance. The prophecy described a future sign which would occur near the end of the age. In Revelation, John described a vision in which seven angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God. The angels were ready to sound trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth. The third trumpet signaled a blazing star to fall on the earth. This blazing star was called Wormwood. If a sufficiently-large meteorite enters the earth’s atmosphere and doesn’t disintegrate, it hits the earth’s surface. A huge cloud rises. Dust and particulates in the cloud spread around the globe moved by winds and the rotation of the earth. Wormwood will contaminate one-third of the earth’s fresh water or somehow release pollutants from the earth’s crust that contaminates one-third of fresh water sources. Many people will die from the contaminated water.

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Wormwood, A bitter herb

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The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone - the calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship

Carolyn Roth

Bible References: Deuteronomy 29.18; Jeremiah 9.15, 23.15; Lamentations 3.15, 19; Amos 5.7; Revelation 8.1-11.

When Old Testament authors referred to wormwood, they wrote about bitterness and poison.

Most illustrated punishment from God because of Israelites’ behaviors.

Old Testament events are presented as lessons for those of us living today.

In the New Testament, an episode that named wormwood was a prophecy and called mankind to repentance. 

The prophecy described a future sign which would occur near the end of the age.

In Revelation chapter eight, John described a vision in which seven angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God.

The angels were ready to sound trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth.

The third trumpet signaled a blazing star to fall on the earth. This blazing star was called Wormwood (absinthŏs in  Greek).

My conjecture is that Wormwood will be a meteor from outer space.

When meteors enter the earth’s atmosphere and start to burn, they are called meteorites.

In the United States, children call them “shooting stars.”

Most meteorites disintegrate by burning before they hit the earth’s surface. 

If a sufficiently-large meteorite enters the earth’s atmosphere and doesn’t disintegrate, it hits the earth’s surface.

A huge cloud rises. Dust and particulates in the cloud spread around the globe moved by winds and the rotation of the earth.

According to Revelation, the meteorite Wormwood will contain a contaminate that turns one-third of the earth’s fresh water bitter; or somehow release pollutants from the earth’s crust that contaminates one-third of fresh water sources.

Many people will die from the contaminated water. John’s description in Revelation sounds like a nail-biting science-fiction movie.

The plant wormwood is one of over 300 species of artemisia; appearance varies from plant-to-plant.

The artemisia that grew in Bible Israel is Artemisia arborescens, called the tree wormwood.

Erect branches can reach ten-feet tall. Leaves have fine hairs on their surface.

These hairs are thought to cool and defend the plant.

Many artemisia produce cinole which gives them a camphor-like aroma; however, don’t be surprised to find some artemisia smell acrid and unpleasant.

Artemisia are grown for foliage.

With the exception of rue, artemisia is the bitterest herb.

The bitter taste is due to thujone content in artemisia.

Artemisia leaves flavors stew and sauces; only small quantities of dried or fresh herb is needed.

Artemisia leaves are used in tarragon vinegar.

A. absinthium is a flavoring in alcoholic liquors, i.e., absinthe, campari, and vermouth.

Ancient medicine used artemisia in scores of concoctions.

In the Old Testament, often wormwood was used as a metaphor for

a) idolatry of Northern Kingdom (Israel),

b) calamity and sorrow, and

c) false judgments.

The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice.

Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone, i.e., money, prestige and degrees, charismatic individuals, and political parties and ideologies.

The calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship.

It is so easy for me to look at others and identify their idols.

It is less easy for me to identify my own.

Yet, God expects me to continually assess myself and to make adjustments in my thinking and behavior so they are more in line with his.

Reflection: Several times previously in this book, you read how harmful plants were symbols of idolatry.

Given the number of times that idolatry appears in the Bible, God takes it seriously. Do you?

When did you last assess your thoughts and behaviors to identify man-made idols in your life?

Carolyn Roth Ministry (CarolynRothMinistry.com)

offers research, education, and consultation to individuals and organizations who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible. 

As the site editor, participants should know I am a spiritual woman with a deep belief in God. Many friends would describe my Christian perspective as orthodox. I believe in the inspired, written word of God. I live in Roanoke, Virginia.  I am a Virginia Master Gardener and a Tree Steward.

This website/blog glorifies God within the context of earth as His garden, describes Bible  and other growing plants, and applies them to our Christian walk in the 21st century. On Creation day 3, God created vegetation, e.g., trees, herbs, flowers. On this site, the word plant will be used to encompass all types of vegetation.  God created plants right after He created the heavens (Day 2) and before He created the sun, moon, and stars (Day 4). This creative order demonstrates that God valued and had a purpose for the varied flora in our world. Our response to this creative process should first be love for the Creator and second a reverence for this earthly garden.

If you would like to see a full-size picture of the plant in the story, click on it and it will expand to fill the page. The contents of this website including pictures are copyright. You may use the materials after getting permission from the editor. If you use the materials in your writings or presentations, properly cite the website.

I am looking forward to your responses to my blogs. I will try to initiate a new discussion about every other week.

https://godasagardener.com/2020/04/30/wormwood-a-bitter-herb/

JESUS REFUSED GALL - Jesus refused the poisonous hemlock-infused drink for two primary reasons. First Jesus did not want to be sedated - He wanted to feel all the agony of the crucifixion which included his father (God) turning his face away from the sins of you and me that Jesus took on the cross. Second, Jesus would die by crucifixion, not poison - if he drank the gall, he would have died from poisoning not from the pain of crucifixion. God’s plan wasn’t for Jesus to hang on the cross sedated - rather, Jesus was to be alert those six hours. When Jesus agreed to his Father’s plan to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he knew that his Father, the perfect God, couldn’t look on sin - thus, God couldn’t look on Jesus when Jesus took on him sins of all mankind - When the Roman soldiers left the Praetorium with Jesus, they required him to carry the cross on which he would be crucified; however, Jesus was so weak from flogging and torture that he couldn’t carry the heavy cross through the Jerusalem streets. The soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’s cross through to Golgotha where the crucifixion occurred. At Golgotha, the soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with gall. After tasting the drink, Jesus refused it. When Roman soldiers felt pity for a prisoner before crucifixion, they added gall to a vinegar-wine drink and offered it to prisoners. Then, the soldiers used nails to pound Jesus’ hands and feet into the cross.

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Jesus Refused Gall

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Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Jesus refused the poisonous hemlock-infused drink for two primary reasons. First Jesus did not want to be sedated - He wanted to feel all the agony of the crucifixion which included his father (God) turning his face away from the sins of you and me that Jesus took on the cross. Second, Jesus would die by crucifixion, not poison - if he drank the gall, he would have died from poisoning not from the pain of crucifixion. God’s plan wasn’t for Jesus to hang on the cross sedated - rather, Jesus was to be alert those six hours. When Jesus agreed to his Father’s plan to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he knew that his Father, the perfect God, couldn’t look on sin - thus, God couldn’t look on Jesus when Jesus took on him sins of all mankind

Carolyn Roth

When the Roman soldiers left the Praetorium with Jesus, they required him to carry the cross on which he would be crucified; however, Jesus was so weak from flogging and torture that he couldn’t carry the heavy cross through the Jerusalem streets.

The soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’s cross through to Golgotha where the crucifixion occurred.

At Golgotha, the soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with gall.

After tasting the drink, Jesus refused it.

When Roman soldiers felt pity for a prisoner before crucifixion, they added gall to a vinegar-wine drink and offered it to prisoners.

The English word “gall,” in the New Testament, comes from the Greek word chole (Strong’s Concordance #G5521) which literally means poison.

After tasting the drink, Jesus refused it.

Then, the soldiers used nails to pound Jesus’ hands and feet into the cross.

Jesus continued to wear the crown of thorns. 

By Roman law, the soldiers were required to write the charges against the accused at the top of the cross so that all who passed by would know the reason for the crucifixion.

The inscription on Jesus’ cross was, “The King of the Jews.”

The Roman soldiers positioned the cross up-right into a hole in the ground so that Jesus hung from the cross.

Two thieves were being crucified at the same time as Jesus, one on each side of Jesus.

Jesus was crucified at the third hour of the day, or about 9:00 a.m.

Perhaps pity for the crucified sufferer was not the only reason Roman soldiers offered gall about to be crucified individuals including Jesus.

Soldiers were required to guard the crucifixion site and men crucified there until the men were dead. The quicker a man died, the sooner the Roman soldiers could leave the site and return to their garrison.

Composition of Gall?

Controversy exists among Christians and botanist about the source of the bitter substance added to the wine vinegar drink.

One proposed substance include juice from the opium poppy which caused pain relief but also hallucination which could lessen the experience of dying by crucifixion.

A problem with this drug was that the opium poppy didn’t grow in Israel.

I just can’t imagine Roman soldiers paying for an exotic drug for a condemned prisoner. 

Another drug was from the wormwood plant. Wormwood grew in Israel and had a bitter taste.  

Wormwood was the basis for an alcoholic drink (absinthe) which could reduce feeling and contact with reality.

Roman soldiers wouldn’t share alcohol with a condemned prisoner.

Perhaps, the best source of gall added to the vinegar wine drink was from hemlock (Conium maculatum).  

Poisonous hemlock is a biennial shrub that grows in Israel.

The poisonous hemlock is similar to wild parsley and wild carrots foliage. When farmers see the plant, they immediately remove it.

Animals and humans who eat the poisonous hemlock plant first become sedated then paralyzed.

Finally, they die from respiratory muscle paralysis. 

In first century Palestine, seeds and leaves of the poisonous hemlock plant were distilled into liquid and added to wine vinegar drink.

The hemlock addition made the drink tastes bitter and it became poisonous.

A crucified individual whose breathing muscles were paralyzed died quicker than one not given poisonous hemlock.

What’s so important about a drink?

After a night of torture and walking through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha, Jesus was dehydrated and thirsty.

Yet, Jesus refused the poisonous hemlock-infused drink for two primary reasons.

First Jesus did not want to be sedated. He wanted to feel all the agony of the crucifixion which included his father (God) turning his face away from the sins of you and me that Jesus took on the cross.

Second, prophets identified that Jesus would die by crucifixion, not poison.

If he drank the gall, he would have died from poisoning not from the pain of crucifixion.

I asked my minister, “Would it have made a difference to our redemption, if Christ died from poison rather than crucifixion?”

In both, scenarios, Jesus was crucified and died.

Pastor Mark believes how Jesus died was important. God required his pure, sinless son not to just die but to suffer.

God’s plan wasn’t for Jesus to hang on the cross sedated; rather, Jesus was to be alert those six hours.

When Jesus agreed to his Father’s plan to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind, he knew that his Father, the perfect God, couldn’t look on sin; thus, God couldn’t look on Jesus when Jesus took on him sins of all mankind.

What way other than alert, could Jesus lead a thief crucified on one side of him to believe in himself as the Son of God?

Remember, God isn’t willing that any individual should perish.

If only one sinful person lived on earth and were separated from God, Jesus would have suffered and died for that one person. 

What would you have done?

From this passage in Matthew, we know what Jesus did – he allowed himself to be crucified without any chemical barrier between himself and his pain and ultimate death. 

Now, after we knew what Jesus would do and did do, each of us must ask ourselves what are we going to do in response to someone who loves us so much?

If you want more information on Bible plants, visit my website http://www.carolynrothministry.com

Carolyn Roth Ministry (CarolynRothMinistry.com)

offers research, education, and consultation to individuals and organizations who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible. 

As the site editor, participants should know I am a spiritual woman with a deep belief in God. Many friends would describe my Christian perspective as orthodox. I believe in the inspired, written word of God. I live in Roanoke, Virginia.  I am a Virginia Master Gardener and a Tree Steward.

This website/blog glorifies God within the context of earth as His garden, describes Bible  and other growing plants, and applies them to our Christian walk in the 21st century. On Creation day 3, God created vegetation, e.g., trees, herbs, flowers. On this site, the word plant will be used to encompass all types of vegetation.  God created plants right after He created the heavens (Day 2) and before He created the sun, moon, and stars (Day 4). This creative order demonstrates that God valued and had a purpose for the varied flora in our world. Our response to this creative process should first be love for the Creator and second a reverence for this earthly garden.

If you would like to see a full-size picture of the plant in the story, click on it and it will expand to fill the page. The contents of this website including pictures are copyright. You may use the materials after getting permission from the editor. If you use the materials in your writings or presentations, properly cite the website.

I am looking forward to your responses to my blogs. I will try to initiate a new discussion about every other week.

https://godasagardener.com/2018/06/30/jesus-refused-gall-2/