Revelation 8:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We think this resembles what Joel said about the moon and the sun (Joel 2:10), and what must be supposed according to the Master's decree concerning the end.

We repeat that the third part of the luminaries and stars points to the third part of the duration of day and night. From this we see that the calamities God will then bring will not be unmitigated.

For He permits only a third part of the time to be darkened. During the remaining and greater part, He continues mystically to call men to repentance. Indeed, who could endure the full and unmixed cup of God's wrath?

The fourth trumpet shows, in the darkening of the stars, the falling away of false brethren. The beauty of the Church, shining like the stars, is often darkened by false brethren.

Because of their falling away, whether in favorable circumstances or in the trials of this age, she shines less brightly.

The stars depict bishops, teachers, and other men of the Church, on the basis of Daniel's prophecy: "And the wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars, forever and ever" (Dan 12:3).

But some of them, as happens, were carried away by new teachings and deceived by honors and privileges, or by other causes. They became damaged by darkness, like darkened stars.