A GREAT STAR … BURNING AS IT WERE A LAMP

As the trumpets are blown, the first four judgements that emerge to afflict men are all linked with the collapse of the systems of law and the authorities that impose them. These are all ‘cast down’, or ‘fall’, and so we understand that these controls of social order, we would call them ‘political systems’, that have developed over the centuries, suddenly disintegrate and the result is the deepest distress among mankind. Despite the unsa­voury nature of many of these governments, we should realize that in these present days they fulfil a function that has a divine purpose for good.

The symbol of such an authority in our phrase today is seen as ‘a great star’. This indicates someone who had a place of immense influence and to whom men were looking for peace in their time. He is cast down from this exalted seat of power and ‘bitterness’ results. The fall is seen as a ‘blazing torch’, rather than ‘lamp’ KJV, and so it was a notable and unexpected ejection and witnessed by many. As all governmental power is ‘of God’, Rom. 13. 1, 2, and He alone appoints and disposes of such, it is to be seen as an act of God Himself rather than a politi­cal act by men.

He has a name given as ‘Wormwood’, an extremely bitter­tasting herb, and his casting down contaminates the whole stream of life and results in the death of many. Such events are the end results of men deliberately flouting the grace of God. We must also, in this future day portrayed here, not exclude the activities of Satan as he sees the approaching end of his reign. As yet, they lie dormant in the tragic future of world history.

How thankful we should be that we have the liberties we do, in a reasonably stable society, overseen by a government that despite its moral decline, still permits us to freely serve the Lord. Who knows how much longer such liberties will remain for us to enjoy? May we respond as ‘those blessed servants’ who watch for their Lord’s return and are ready for Him. May we be more willing than we have been in the past to pray ‘for kings, and for all that are in authority’, and to use every ‘open door’ while it remains ‘today’, Luke 12. 34-40; 1 Tim. 2. 1-4.