WORMWOOD IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION - Wormwood is a star that will fall from the sky and pollute the earth's waters - a third of the earth's water will become polluted, with many people dying as a result. The original readers of Revelation would have understood the association of wormwood as something bitter or deadly. This is certainly made clear in the passage as well, since it states many people died from the bitter water. In addition to the star that pollutes the waters of the earth, the first angel announces hail and fire, mixed with blood, that burns up a third of the earth. Wormwood is mentioned in connection with the angel who will blow the third trumpet resulting in judgment during the future tribulation period. Revelation 8:10-11 states, "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. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter." In the Old Testament, wormwood was repeatedly associated with bitterness and death. Righteousness is contrasted with wormwood or bitterness. The original readers of Revelation would have understood the association of wormwood as something bitter or deadly.

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Wormwood

What is Wormwood in Revelation?

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Wormwood is a star that will fall from the sky and pollute the earth's waters - a third of the earth's water will become polluted, with many people dying as a result. The original readers of Revelation would have understood the association of wormwood as something bitter or deadly. This is certainly made clear in the passage as well, since it states many people died from the bitter water. In addition to the star that pollutes the waters of the earth, the first angel announces hail and fire, mixed with blood, that burns up a third of the earth.

CompellingTruth.org

Wormwood is mentioned in connection with the angel who will blow the third trumpet resulting in judgment during the future tribulation period. 

Revelation 8:10-11 states, "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. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter."

Wormwood is a star that will fall from the sky and pollute the earth's waters.

Specifically, a third of the earth's water will become polluted, with many people dying as a result.

What is the significance of the name Wormwood?

In the Old Testament, wormwood was repeatedly associated with bitterness and death. 

Proverbs 5:3-5 shares, "For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol."

Lamentations 3:15 says, "He has filled me with bitterness; he has sated me with wormwood."

Verse 19 continues, "Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!"

In Amos, the prophet twice referred to wormwood. 

Amos 5:7 shares, "O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast down righteousness to the earth!"

Here, righteousness is contrasted with wormwood or bitterness. 

Amos 6:12 adds, "But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood."

The original readers of Revelation would have understood the association of wormwood as something bitter or deadly.

This is certainly made clear in the passage as well, since it states many people died from the bitter water.

The context of Revelation 8:6-13 includes the first four angels and the trumpets they blew.

Each trumpet announced or proclaimed another judgment that will take place during the tribulation period.

In addition to the star that pollutes the waters of the earth, the first angel announces hail and fire, mixed with blood, that burns up a third of the earth.

The second angel announces "… something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed"- (Revelation 8:8-9).

This event, perhaps a meteor or comet, will turn a third of the sea red, will kill a third of sea life, and destroy a third of the ocean's vessels.

The fourth angel announces a judgment that will result in a third of the light being cut off from the earth, including from the sun, moon, and stars (verse 12).

The judgment of a star referred to as Wormwood fits appropriately in this context of doom that will take place during the earth's final days before the second coming of Christ.

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https://www.compellingtruth.org/wormwood.html

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/