The First Terror

Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting.

Revelation 9:3-5 (NLT)

As chapter nine opens up we start seeing some major nasty stuff happening to all that remain on the earth. Up until now people have died in a grand scale as the earth and all of God’s creation has recoiled from the unleashing of God’s judgment. Earthquakes, hail, fire, falling stars and the darkening of the sun and the moon have all inflicted death and destruction upon the people of earth. But now the forces of evil are unleashed by God to torture those that have up until now rebelled against Him. He is giving them a taste of what eternity could mean for them if they continue to ignore His plea to believe and be saved.

It is important to note that even though Satan and his minions are being allowed to torture the people of earth, it is being done under God’s authority. In verses one and two we see an angel “fall from the sky” with the key to the “bottomless pit”. In chapter one we see that this key is normally held by Jesus Himself so there is some debate as to who this “star” is. But whether or not this is Jesus or another heavenly being it is critical to confirm that it is all being done under God’s authority. Satan is and always will be under God’s thumb.

So when the abyss is opened a massive plague of demonic beings that fly like locusts and sting like scorpions is unleashed upon all of those that do not bow down to God. These “locusts” are evil spirits ruled by Satan to tempt people to sin. They are the fallen angels that joined Satan in his rebellion against God. Again it is important to note that even though they are inflicting great pain among the inhabitants of the earth they are only doing so under God’s permission. Their usual purpose is to prevent, distort, and destroy people’s relationship with God and because of their corruptness and degenerative existence they are here represented as distorted and strange beings.

At this point I want to bring up two points that I think are important to note here; 1) it says that these demonic beings are to only harm those that DO NOT have the seal of God on their foreheads. In my mind this means that perhaps there are still people on earth that DO have the seal of God. Are these those that have been “left behind” and have since made a decision for Christ or will we all be going through this great tribulation?? Something to think about and discuss for sure. This fuels the debate of a pre-trib, mid trib, or post trib rapture of God’s people.

The second point I want to discuss here is in the form of a question I hear all the time. If God is holy and loving why is He allowing such torture and destruction to take place? It says in chapter nine that these people will beg for death and release from the pain of the stings inflicted upon them by the demons. It says that for five months these people will be tormented. What kind of God is He that allows such pain?

Remember that God wants ALL to be saved. He has given us free will and we are a stubborn race for sure. Sometime it takes great pain in order for us to change. My divorce certainly has changed me (for the better). Why didn’t I change before the divorce?? I didn’t see a need to. I plugged along in my rebellious ways not seeing a need to do certain things God’s way. Through the great pain and destruction of my family I now see the error of my ways and the perfection of God’s ways. Even after all the death and destruction of the first eight chapters of Revelation there will still be rebellious people on the earth and God is trying desperately to get through to them. He is showing them that this torment and pain without release from it will only be a fraction of what they will experience in eternal damnation and separation from Him.

Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit, his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek is Apollyon – the Destroyer. The first terror is past, but look, two more terrors are coming!

Revelation 9:11-12 (NLT)

Next week we will look at the sixth trumpet and the second terror that it brings. Until then have a great week and God bless you!!

The First Terror

Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were told not to kill them but to torture them for five months with pain like the pain of a scorpion sting.

Revelation 9:3-5 (NLT)

As chapter nine opens up we start seeing some major nasty stuff happening to all that remain on the earth. Up until now people have died in a grand scale as the earth and all of God’s creation has recoiled from the unleashing of God’s judgment. Earthquakes, hail, fire, falling stars and the darkening of the sun and the moon have all inflicted death and destruction upon the people of earth. But now the forces of evil are unleashed by God to torture those that have up until now rebelled against Him. He is giving them a taste of what eternity could mean for them if they continue to ignore His plea to believe and be saved.

It is important to note that even though Satan and his minions are being allowed to torture the people of earth, it is being done under God’s authority. In verses one and two we see an angel “fall from the sky” with the key to the “bottomless pit”. In chapter one we see that this key is normally held by Jesus Himself so there is some debate as to who this “star” is. But whether or not this is Jesus or another heavenly being it is critical to confirm that it is all being done under God’s authority. Satan is and always will be under God’s thumb.

So when the abyss is opened a massive plague of demonic beings that fly like locusts and sting like scorpions is unleashed upon all of those that do not bow down to God. These “locusts” are evil spirits ruled by Satan to tempt people to sin. They are the fallen angels that joined Satan in his rebellion against God. Again it is important to note that even though they are inflicting great pain among the inhabitants of the earth they are only doing so under God’s permission. Their usual purpose is to prevent, distort, and destroy people’s relationship with God and because of their corruptness and degenerative existence they are here represented as distorted and strange beings.

At this point I want to bring up two points that I think are important to note here; 1) it says that these demonic beings are to only harm those that DO NOT have the seal of God on their foreheads. In my mind this means that perhaps there are still people on earth that DO have the seal of God. Are these those that have been “left behind” and have since made a decision for Christ or will we all be going through this great tribulation?? Something to think about and discuss for sure. This fuels the debate of a pre-trib, mid trib, or post trib rapture of God’s people.

The second point I want to discuss here is in the form of a question I hear all the time. If God is holy and loving why is He allowing such torture and destruction to take place? It says in chapter nine that these people will beg for death and release from the pain of the stings inflicted upon them by the demons. It says that for five months these people will be tormented. What kind of God is He that allows such pain?

Remember that God wants ALL to be saved. He has given us free will and we are a stubborn race for sure. Sometime it takes great pain in order for us to change. My divorce certainly has changed me (for the better). Why didn’t I change before the divorce?? I didn’t see a need to. I plugged along in my rebellious ways not seeing a need to do certain things God’s way. Through the great pain and destruction of my family I now see the error of my ways and the perfection of God’s ways. Even after all the death and destruction of the first eight chapters of Revelation there will still be rebellious people on the earth and God is trying desperately to get through to them. He is showing them that this torment and pain without release from it will only be a fraction of what they will experience in eternal damnation and separation from Him.

Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit, his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek is Apollyon – the Destroyer. The first terror is past, but look, two more terrors are coming!

Revelation 9:11-12 (NLT)

Next week we will look at the sixth trumpet and the second terror that it brings. Until then have a great week and God bless you!!

The First Four Trumpets

Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts.

Revelation 8:6 (NLT)

The seven seal judgments have just been completed. Now comes the seven trumpet judgments which will preclude the seven bowl judgments. As bad as it has been so far, God’s final and complete judgment has not yet come. Each of these series of judgments are only partial and God’s full wrath has not yet been unleashed.

As we read about the first four trumpet blasts we are left with a frightful picture. Imagine 1/3^rd of everything that you find familiar on earth gone. Imagine an earth with no green grass and a third of all the trees gone. Imagine the earth having one-third less drinking water. Imagine the days becoming darker and shorter and even the night sky less illuminated because of God’s judgment. In just six verses in chapter eight we are left with a very scary picture of what life on earth will be like when Jesus really does return (and NO it is not going to be on October 21^st!).

We have already read about the seal judgments which brought war, famine, disease, death and great earthquakes upon the earth in such magnitude that all the great leaders of this world hide themselves in caves in fear. Now we find out it is just going to get worse. Hail, fire, a falling star and the sun and moon becoming darkened coincide with trees, grass, oceans and ocean life becoming consumed and dying.

All of these images are pretty vivid and in my minds eye I can picture them quite clearly. Revelation may use imagery and symbolism in large quantities but there is nothing vague or hard to understand about these great calamities that are to befall upon the earth. But what’s up with the trumpets?

According to my study Bible the mighty blasts that the angels blew served three purposes: (1) to warn the world that judgment was undeniable, (2) to call the forces of good and evil to battle, and (3) to announce the return of the King.

As a believer in Christ I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Because of that I believe and am certain that impending judgment is coming for everyone. I also believe that the forces of good and evil are battling right now and not just during the end times. Satan and his minions are constantly attacking and working in ways to lure people away from God. The Good News is that Jesus is coming back though. And He wins.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Don’t fear these judgments if you have put your faith in Christ. We saw in chapter seven verses two and three that for those of us who claim Jesus as Lord we will have protection. We are His children and no spiritual harm will come to us. So when the singing eagle cries out, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets” (v. 13) know that that doesn’t pertain to you. You don’t belong to this world, you belong to Jesus.

Next week we will look at the remaining trumpet judgments. Until then may God bless you and grant you grace and peace.