Revelation Chapter 9 Lesson 21
The Trumpet Judgments
Review:
9:1-12 Trumpet
#5 Woe #1 Demonic locust plague
9:13-21 Trumpet #6
Woe #2 Death to a third of
the earth's inhabitants
Trumpet
#5 or Woe #1 9:1-12
"and
I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth;"
The star here is used to refer to an angel.
This star here is
an angel, either one sent by God or as some teach Satan;
> If this is speaking of
Satan! > When fallen? 2 possible
times!
#1 at his rebellion against God in E-P Ezk
28:11-15; Isa 14:12-15;
#2 When he is
expelled from heaven in Rev 12:7-12; which occurs at the midpoint of the Trib.
the start of what is termed
the Great Tribulation.
The overriding emphasis of the context is
that the judgment is from Who? God
not Satan.
What about this abyss?
Ø Observations on
the Abyss:
1. The abyss or
bottomless pit as used here and everywhere else (but the one Rom 10:7) is the
abode of demons.
2. Many of the
demons that Jesus expelled during His ministry, expressed their dread, fear of
going there before the appointed time. Lk
3. This is the
place where Satan will be imprisoned during the 1000 years of Christ's rule in
the Millennium. Rev 20:1-3
4. This is only a
temporal abode since their final, eternal abode is in the LOF. Mt 25:41
5. This place must
be distinguished from sheol/hades or hell; abode of
the immaterial part of the dead; the soul/spirit of UB's;
that is between death, and the 2nd resurrection leading them to the GWTJ, and
their eternal abode in the LOF. Rev
20:11-15.
This angel then, was given the key, access,
to the abyss.
> Vs:2 He opens the pit;
and smoke belched forth to such an extent that the Sun was darkened as was the
air; the implication is that it is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
> Vs:3 Proceeding out of
this thick, black cloud came this frightening army of locusts; purpose to
terrorize, torment man!
> In VS:4-5 they are given their assignment and their limitations
1. They were given power, authority (evxousi,a) to execute their assignment. (vs:3)
2. They were not
to injure/harm the grass or green things, or the trees; dealt with by Trumpet
#1. (vs:4)
3. They were
forbidden to harm/injure those who were sealed; any of the 144k Jewish
evangelists. (vs:4)
4. They were also
not permitted to kill anyone. (vs:5)
5. Their mission
was to torment mankind and it is compared to the pain and suffering of the
sting of a scorpion; (vs:5)
6.
These locust here in our context are a real army of demons who are unleashed on
humanity from the abyss.
> 9:6 The Impact on Mankind
- People will
actively seek to die; in order to stop the tremendous torment that results from
this demon invasion.
This is a
foretaste of what they will endure for eternity as UB's
in the LOF
God prevents
mankind from committing suicide.
* One phase of
wrath gives way to another; a progression; ultimately during this last 3 1/2 year
period of the Trib. every aspect of human life will come under divine judgment;
> 9:7-10 The
Characteristics of these Tormentors!
- The description
clearly shows that these are not literal locusts or scorpions
* Real
locusts are pervasive destroyers; Have been observed to be a column 100
feet wide and as long as 4 miles and totally stripping bare all vegetation in
their path.
* John
is heaping image upon image here in this description in an attempt to force us
to feel the absolute horror of this judgment.
* Who
is the focus of this judgment? Are there any clues?
>
Their Leader:
Both names, Abaddon and Apollyon, mean
destroyer!
At this point Satan and his operatives are
seen for what they really are, destroyers of people.
> Observation: Perspective
God's overruling power, His Sov control even of the judgments mediated thru these
demons from the pit of the abyss is interwoven in this passage.
This is noted by three things in the
context.
1. He allows this
judgment to occur, announced by an angel who came from standing before the
throne of God. vs:2
2. He sets the
limits on destructive power of these locusts.
3. He brings it to
a conclusion when the purpose is finished.
5 mo.
Conclusion: He is in complete control of
history!!