Bede — on Rev 8:7 (Commentary on Revelation)

“And a third part of the earth was burned up, etc. The life of the good consists in teachers and listeners. "Blessed is the one who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy" (Revelation 1). The third part of the wicked lacks both of these. For good earth, bringing forth fruit with patience (Luke 8), receives blessing from the Lord (Psalm 23). But the bad produces thorns and thistles, whose end is in burning. Thus, the farmer Father cultivates the fruitful tree, but cuts down the barren one, providing it as fuel for the fire (Matthew 7).”