Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 9, No. 40, for the week of November 26 - December 2
Revelation 9
This past week with the Pope visiting Turkey and the President in Jordan, tensions in the Middle East remained tense. I commend the Pope for his courage in visiting Turkey, a predominately Muslim country (99.8% Muslim). And how was the pontiff greeted by those whose religious practices are said to be tolerant and peaceful? It seems the Pope is still carrying baggage from his remark earlier this fall in Germany while lecturing there. If the Muslims want to revise their history, perhaps they should employ current American historians who are doing a very good job. One wonders exactly what President Bush accomplished on his whirlwind trip to Jordan. His relationship with Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Malaki has cooled greatly in the past few months. There is no dispute that Iraq is in a mess today, whether you call it a civil war or not. There seems to be little interest in dialogue. Whatever our president decides to do will be less than satisfactory with many. How we need the Lord to return. Perhaps this Advent Season we will have the privilege of celebrating His second Advent. Wouldn't that be great!
Our study in Revelation this week takes us into the ninth chapter - one that focuses upon two very unusual descriptions. (Note: I am a literalist in my understanding of this book, so you will find that influences how I interpret these 5th and 6th trumpets).
V. The fifth trumpet - Revelation 9:1-12
A. When this trumpet is sounded, demonic locusts attack the earth for a five-month period of time.
B. Who is this star that has fallen from heaven?
1. This star is Satan - he is seen as an intelligent creature who performs certain responsible actions.
2. He has been given authority over the bottomless pit for awhile.
3. Satan has already fallen from glory - Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:18; 2 Corinthians 11:14
C. Where is this bottomless pit?
1. It is like a great shaft, like a well, to the abyss.
2. This must be somewhere in the center of the earth with a great shaft, like a mine shaft, leading to it.
3. The abyss is entered by this shaft which is guarded under lock and key
4. The abyss is the abode of demons - Luke 8:31
5. When the bottomless pit is opened it is as if a great volcano were erupting. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke that comes up out of the pit.
D. Destruction by the locusts
1. The description: the destruction which these demon insects inflict is described like that of scorpions. J. A. Seiss, in his book "The Apocalypse" describes it this way: The pain from the sting of a scorpion, though not generally fatal, is, perhaps, the intensest that any animal can inflict upon the human body. The insect itself is the most irascible and malignant that lives, and its poison is like itself. Of a boy stung in the foot by a scorpion (it was related that) ...he rolled on the ground, grinding his teeth, and foaming at the mouth. It was a long time before his complainings moderated, and even then he could make no use of his foot, which was greatly inflamed. And such is the nature of the torment which these locusts from the pit inflicted. They are also difficult to be guarded against, if they can be warded off at all, because they fly where they please, dart through the air, and dwell in darkness.
2. These locusts are literal animal creatures who are demonic in nature. Demons always take on a different form - Genesis 3:1; Mark 5:12
3. The limitation: They are to torment only those who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. They are able to torment but not to kill. The period of their torment is limited to five months.
4. Effect of the torment: The effect is to drive men to suicide, but they will not be able to die. Even the severe torment does not cause men to repent from sin and turn to God.
5. Likeness of the locusts:
a. The overall look of the locusts was like that of horses going to battle.
b. On their heads were things that looked like crowns of gold.
c. Their faces looked like men's faces.
d. Their hair looked like women's hair.
e. Their teeth looked like the teeth of lions.
f. They had breastplates that looked like they were made of iron.
g. The sound of their wings was like chariots going to battle.
h. They had tails like those of scorpions.
6. Their leaders: Was Satan himself. In this judgment, Satan attempts to destroy men's bodies; he also destroys the soul of those who refuse to receive the Savior.
E. Purpose of the fifth trumpet: To show what the heart of the unsaved man is really like. Man would rather destroy himself than turn to God.
VI. The sixth trumpet - Revelation 9:13-21
A. The first woe was the judgment of demon possession when the fifth trumpet released locusts upon the earth to torment those without the seal of God in their foreheads. The second woe has to do with supernatural warfare.
B. What is the importance of the Euphrates River in the Bible?
1. The Garden of Eden was located here, where sin first began - Genesis 2:14-15
2. The first murder was committed here - Genesis 4:8
3. This was where the first false religion began - Genesis 10-11
4. This is where the tower of Babel was begun - Genesis 11:1-9
5. Abraham, the man chosen of God to give birth to the nation of Israel, was also called form the area of the Euphrates
6. It was in Babylon that Judah was held captive for 70 years
7. The Euphrates area has been the fountainhead of idolatry
C. Who are these angels? These angels had been prepared for this hour and these are fallen angels who will now do the work prescribed by God.
D. What is the purpose of this army?
This army is to kill 1/3 of the remaining population of the world.
E. How is this army described?
1. This is a supernatural army of 200,000,000 men. Someone has said it would be a column of cavalry 1 mile wide and 85 miles long.
2. It is an army of demons from the east.
3. God also has a supernatural army at His disposal - 2 Kings 6:16-17, Revelation 19:19
4. The breastplates are red like fire, blue like jacinth, yellow like brimstone
5. Out of the horses' mouths go the weapons of hell: fire, smoke, brimstone
6. The riders do not do the killing, but the horses themselves
F. What are the results of this 6th trumpet?
1. 1/3 of the world is killed
2. Those not killed, do not repent of their sins and turn to God. This fulfills 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 and Romans 1:18-32, especially verse 28
Thoughts to Ponder: Within this chapter we see the unleashing of demonic forces upon this world as trumpets five and six are blown. And the pain and devastation are intense, resulting ultimately in the deaths of one third of the population of the world. Hundreds of millions of funerals will be performed but the gospel will not be preached. The evil condition of mankind's heart is not moved by the destruction and death to seek the face of God. How tight is the grip of Satan! How powerful is his influence and hold upon the lives of many! The only thing that can break such a stranglehold is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. And when the consciences of men are so seared with evil, not even the blatant assault by Satan himself will inspire them to seek God. Repent or perish is still God's program for mankind. Some will respond, so let's keep sowing the seeds.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: A leader has been defined as one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
