ECHO Student Ministries

Revelation 9:1-21

The seventh seal on the scroll (Revelation 8:1-6) has just been opened by Jesus Christ and it unveiled a series of seven more judgments referred to as the seven trumpet judgments. We have already discussed the first four trumpet judgments. Revelation 9 reveals the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments. Since these two judgments are discussed in greater detail than the other ones, we will take some more time to describe the elements which take place.

The fifth angel sounds the trumpet and John writes that he sees "a star fallen from heaven to the earth" and that "to him was given the key to the bottomless pit" (9:1). Most scholars agree that this fallen star is none other than Satan himself. Satan opens the bottomless pit, probably a holding place for demonic forces, and locusts swarm onto the earth and "are given power as the scorpions of the earth have power" (9:2-3). Of course we recognize scorpions as a creature which is able to inflict great pain upon its victim through using a venomous stinger. It seems as if John is saying that this locust-like creature is capable of causing great pain. John goes on to write that these creatures were commanded not to harm any green things (trees, plants, etc.), "but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads" (9:4). These creatures were sent for the specific purpose of inflicting pain on those who have rejected Jesus Christ; furthermore, John writes that these locust-like beings "were not given authority to kill them [men], but to torment them five months" (9:5). John also indicates that the pain of their sting will be so bad that men will wish to die, but will not be able to find it (9:6). This is a pretty serious judgment. The next few verses, Revelation 9:7-11, give further description of what these creatures look like and even the fact that they have a leader over them, which seems to be one of Satan's most powerful demons. Certainly it was hard for John to put into words what he was seeing; however, we do know that this judgment will be very agonizing for the inhabitants of the earth who have rebelled against Jesus Christ.

The sixth trumpet yields yet another devastating judgment upon the rebellious. Four bound angels, which I believe are fallen angels, are released and they kill one-third of the population on earth. Here is John's description of how they will kill men, "out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed - by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm" (9:17-19). You would think that by this time people would get the message that God is angry with those who have rejected His Son, Jesus Christ. However, it appears that most people are still defiant against God and hate Him. Although these are sad verses, they speak of the outright hatred and evil which will exist on the earth during this seven-year tribulation period. John writes, "But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols...which can neither see nor hear nor walk" (9:20). This future reaction by mankind is unimaginable. If these judgments do not get their attention than probably nothing will. With this in mind John documents man's open rebellion against God, "and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (9:21). The fact remains that people in our present day as well as this future time love sin. They would rather embrace a wicked, sinful lifestyle than humble themselves in repentance before God for their wrongdoing.

Maybe even right now you are embracing an evil lifestyle. God is calling you to repentance and to receive His forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Salvation from this future judgment is offered to all, but only those who confess and forsake sin are promised mercy (Proverbs 28:13). The apostle John wrote in another one of his books, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Dear God, help me to admit my sin before You knowing that You will provide cleansing and forgiveness through Your Son, Jesus Christ.