All of the grass on earth is burned up, and then ...

Rev 8:7 All of the grass on earth is burned up, and then ...
Rev 9:4 An army of locusts, which is about to be turned loose on the earth, is instructed not to harm the grass

BIBLICAL INCONSISTENCIES Compiled by Donald Morgan

Answer:

This so-called inconsistence is of interest to me since I spent two years writing a commentary on Revelation, and I must admit it never even occurred to me that this was an inconsistency. The section of scripture in Revelation deals with the blowing of the seven trumpets and their effects on man's environment (first four trumpets) and on man himself (last three). If we examine the passages concerned, Rev 8:7 occurs during the first trumpet in which all the green grass is burned up. The second passage Rev 9:4 occurs during the fifth trumpet.

First trumpet:

(Rev 8:7 NIV) The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

Fifth trumpet:

(Rev 9:1-4 NIV) The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. {2} When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. {3} And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. {4} They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

First of all Revelation is a highly symbolic book and it is highly debatable whether these symbols should be taken literally. Secondly no time frame is given, so that we do not know the time between the first and fifth trumpet. Thirdly, as everyone know grass grows back rather quickly, even after a forest fire. I am frankly surprised that the skeptics would waste their time with this supposed inconsistency.