The Fifth and Sixth The Fifth and Sixth TrumpetsTrumpets

Revelation 9:1-21Revelation 9:1-21

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future

Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 –

8:1)8:1) The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14)The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs” The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs”

(6:1-17)(6:1-17) The Slaves of God (7:1-17)The Slaves of God (7:1-17) The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited

(8:1)(8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 –

11:19)11:19) The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13)The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13) The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21)The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21)

The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12)Locust Plague (9:1-12)

The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6)The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The star that has fallen from heaven must be something The star that has fallen from heaven must be something

other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent?represent?

The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type.lid of some type.

The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12)Locust Plague (9:1-12)

The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6)The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The star that has fallen from heaven must be something The star that has fallen from heaven must be something

other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent?represent?

The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type.lid of some type.

The angel opens the lid to the abyss, and a great cloud The angel opens the lid to the abyss, and a great cloud of dark smoke arises out of it, darkening the sky and the of dark smoke arises out of it, darkening the sky and the air. air.

Such smoke is a usual symbol of divine judgment (cf. Gen Such smoke is a usual symbol of divine judgment (cf. Gen 19:28; Rev 18:9, 18).19:28; Rev 18:9, 18).

Out of the cloud comes a great swarm of locusts – Out of the cloud comes a great swarm of locusts – another parallel to the Egyptian plagues (Exo 10:12-20) another parallel to the Egyptian plagues (Exo 10:12-20) and a well known picture of destruction from the OT and a well known picture of destruction from the OT (Deut 28:38; 2 Chr 7:13; Joel 2:25).(Deut 28:38; 2 Chr 7:13; Joel 2:25).

The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12)Locust Plague (9:1-12)

The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6)The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) But these are a very different kind of locusts!But these are a very different kind of locusts!

They are given power as the power of scorpions.They are given power as the power of scorpions. They are told not to harm the vegetation of the earth They are told not to harm the vegetation of the earth

(the normal food of locusts), but only men who did (the normal food of locusts), but only men who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

For a period of 5 months (the same period of For a period of 5 months (the same period of time that normal locusts cause destruction) time that normal locusts cause destruction) they torment men on the earth, not killing but they torment men on the earth, not killing but stinging them with stings like that of a stinging them with stings like that of a scorpion.scorpion.

This torment is so bad that men will prefer This torment is so bad that men will prefer death, but will not be able to find it.death, but will not be able to find it.

The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12)Locust Plague (9:1-12)

The Characteristics of the Locusts (9:7-12)The Characteristics of the Locusts (9:7-12) These locusts are prepared to make war on men These locusts are prepared to make war on men

(cf. Joel 1-2). Their crowns signify victory in their (cf. Joel 1-2). Their crowns signify victory in their mission.mission.

Faces like men indicate intelligence beyond that Faces like men indicate intelligence beyond that of insects. Other unusual features: long hair like of insects. Other unusual features: long hair like that of a woman, and teeth like those of a lion. that of a woman, and teeth like those of a lion. The sound of their wings is like the sound of The sound of their wings is like the sound of chariots, producing great fear in the hearts of chariots, producing great fear in the hearts of their opponents.their opponents.

As terrifying as this picture is, the real power of As terrifying as this picture is, the real power of these locusts is in their tails, with their ability to these locusts is in their tails, with their ability to sting like scorpions and torment men.sting like scorpions and torment men.

Unlike real locusts, these have a leader whose Unlike real locusts, these have a leader whose name isname is !ADb;a] !ADb;a] (Hebrew) and (Hebrew) and VApollu,wn (Greek). Both names mean “destroyer.”(Greek). Both names mean “destroyer.”

Thus these are demons who take a locust-like Thus these are demons who take a locust-like form and torment men under the fifth trumpet form and torment men under the fifth trumpet judgment.judgment.

With the completion of the fifth trumpet, the first woe is passed (9:12); With the completion of the fifth trumpet, the first woe is passed (9:12); two more remain, the sixth and seventh trumpets.two more remain, the sixth and seventh trumpets.

The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants Third of Earth’s Inhabitants

(9:13-21)(9:13-21) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19)The Deadly Attack (9:13-19)

When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice from the When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice from the altar that stands before God (probably that of the altar that stands before God (probably that of the same angel we met at 8:3) and commands the same angel we met at 8:3) and commands the angel to release the four angels bound at “the angel to release the four angels bound at “the Great River,” i.e. the Euphrates River.Great River,” i.e. the Euphrates River.

The Euphrates was one of the well known boundaries of The Euphrates was one of the well known boundaries of the land promised to Abraham (Gen 15:18).the land promised to Abraham (Gen 15:18).

These four are fallen angels, who still do the These four are fallen angels, who still do the bidding of Almighty God. They have been bidding of Almighty God. They have been prepared by God for this very moment in time, and prepared by God for this very moment in time, and are released for the purpose of killing 1/3 of are released for the purpose of killing 1/3 of mankind. mankind.

The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants Third of Earth’s Inhabitants

(9:13-21)(9:13-21) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19)The Deadly Attack (9:13-19)

The 4 angels, once they are set free, become a massive The 4 angels, once they are set free, become a massive army of mounted cavalry. John heard the number of army of mounted cavalry. John heard the number of them from someone as 200,000,000.them from someone as 200,000,000.

These clearly are not ordinary soldiers. In fact, it is not These clearly are not ordinary soldiers. In fact, it is not the riders that kill, but the horses, who are themselves the riders that kill, but the horses, who are themselves girded for war with breastplates the color of fire and girded for war with breastplates the color of fire and smoke and brimstone.smoke and brimstone.

These horses have heads like lions and the ability to These horses have heads like lions and the ability to bring destruction by breathing out fire and smoke and bring destruction by breathing out fire and smoke and brimstone from their mouths. The also have tails like brimstone from their mouths. The also have tails like serpents, with heads that are also able to inflict harm.serpents, with heads that are also able to inflict harm.

Once again, these are fallen angels (demons) who take Once again, these are fallen angels (demons) who take on the form of a supernatural cavalry and are used by on the form of a supernatural cavalry and are used by God to punish men on the earth.God to punish men on the earth.

The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants Third of Earth’s Inhabitants

(9:13-21)(9:13-21) The Response of the Survivors (9:20-21)The Response of the Survivors (9:20-21)

In spite of the manifestation of God’s wrath all In spite of the manifestation of God’s wrath all around them, the survivors of this judgment do not around them, the survivors of this judgment do not repent.repent.

Instead, they continue to worship man-made idols Instead, they continue to worship man-made idols and the demons that are associated with idol and the demons that are associated with idol worship.worship.

Ironically, it is these very demons that are bringing Ironically, it is these very demons that are bringing death to 1/3 of mankind! But the earth-dwellers do death to 1/3 of mankind! But the earth-dwellers do not change their rebellious ways, and continue in not change their rebellious ways, and continue in their sins of murder, sorcery, immorality, and theft.their sins of murder, sorcery, immorality, and theft.

Those who practice these same sins are excluded from the Those who practice these same sins are excluded from the New Jerusalem, according to Rev 21:8 and 22:15.New Jerusalem, according to Rev 21:8 and 22:15.

Next Week: John’s Next Week: John’s Recommissioning and the Recommissioning and the

End of Delay End of Delay (Rev 10:1-11)(Rev 10:1-11)Read Rev 4 – 10Read Rev 4 – 10