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excerpts from:
FEATURE
A DAILY BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Selected © FEATURE Devotionals From Past Issues
Revelation Chapter 9
Pastor Dennis Costella
Revelation 9:1-2
THE FIFTH TRUMPET - THE FIRST
WOE
T HE AWFUL judgments that now
come upon the "inhabiters of the earth" (8:13) assume a demonic character. The
Tribulation will be a time when Satan reveals himself in his true light, and all under
heaven will suffer for it. We will notice in the following "woes" how the devil
motivates, energizes and leads the unbelieving world to ascribe to his will and accomplish
his purpose of fighting against the God of Heaven. This is his final effort, for he knows
his time is short, and the result of his use of supernatural, devilish forces to rally men
against God is horrific. But keep in mind that these terrible events are, in fact,
judgments that God allows, or actually brings to pass-He is in control, even when Satan is
seemingly having his way on earth and in the hearts of men. The remainder of this prophecy
does indeed speak of "the day of the Lord" (Joel 2:1-11), the "time of
Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:1-7), when the Wrath of the Lamb will be executed upon an
unbelieving world. Remember, though, a believing remnant will be delivered.
Following the sounding of the fifth trumpet, a fallen one,
either Satan himself or one of his own, opens the bottomless pit (vv. 1, 2). The star
mentioned here is obviously different than the stars mentioned in 6:12-17 and in 8:12, 13.
The latter were objects that resulted in catastrophic damage to material, earthly
elements. This star is evidently a personage who has access to the pit (Lk. 8:31) prepared
for the devil and his angels, and at this time, the hold of a demonic multitude. DWC
Revelation 9:3-12
THE FIRST WOE CONTINUES
WHEN THE pit is opened, a
hoard of demonic creatures come forth which torment the inhabitants of the earth, the
144,000 excluded (vv. 3-6). They are "given power" to "hurt.. only those
men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." Again, notice the literal,
physical effect of their sting - excruciating pain, with those afflicted actually wishing
to die instead of enduring this suffering. Are the saints free of this plague? The locusts
are described in more detail in verses 7-11. Locusts are often used by God as instruments
of judgment upon the wicked, Israel also feeling the effects of the ravaging hoards (Ex.
10:12-20; Joel 1:4-7). These are called locusts because of their function of delivering
divine judgment, but in a more terrible and proficient way, they are energized by their
king, the devil himself. Their description speaks of invulnerability, speed, wickedness
and terrifying power. Perhaps it is impossible to imagine their exact appearance and
nature.
Two more "woes" are announced in verse twelve. A
"woe" in the Scripture speaks of great calamity, and that is exactly what comes
to pass when the true character of Satan is demonstrated during the great tribulation. One
would think that the five months of locusts would be "woe" enough, but the worst
is yet to come. The first woe certainly did not bring unbelieving man to his knees before
his Creator, it only revealed the terrible nature of Satan's demonic beings and man's
disposition to continue in .sin rather than to look to the Lamb for salvation. DWC
Revelation 9:13-15
THE SIXTH
TRUMPET-THE SECOND WOE
THE SIXTH angel blows the
trumpet. The "voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God"
makes reference once again to the fact that this judgment, like the others, is an answer
to the prayers of the persecuted saints on earth and a precursor to their final
deliverance (v.13). The golden altar speaks of the absolute holiness of God and the
requirement, therefore, that sin be dealt with in accordance to that holiness. These
terrible judgments being poured out upon the world are not demonstrations of divine
vengeance or displays of matchless power, but rather a revelation of the wrath of God upon
sin. The mercy and forbearance of God toward sinful man has run out. This final generation
epitomizes the just end for any man who chooses to continue in his sin and bow down to the
god of this world instead of acknowledging the greatness, goodness and grace of God as
offered to all men in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not be overwhelmed by the severity of
the judgments. The sinful heart of man and the wickedness of the devil are seen for what
they really are during the Great Tribulation. God's response is measured and appropriate.
We need a deeper awareness of the wrath due sin.
After the sixth trumpet is sounded, four angels (these are
not the four angels of 7:1-3, for these have a different character, function and location;
holy angels are never bound) are loosed for the purpose of slaying a third of all humanity
(w~ 14, 15). Their action takes place precisely at the time of God's appointment. DWC
Revelation 9:16-21
THE SECOND WOE
CONTINUES
A 200 million men,
an invasion seemingly from the East beyond the Euphrates River, is the instrument by which
the "third part of men [were] killed" (vv. 16-19). It is evident that the vision
seen by John depicts warfare on a scale and with the wholesale loss of life hitherto
unknown in the history of mankind. Again, this must be future and is orchestrated and
energized by the devil himself. The duration of this conflict is not stated; it could
continue by way of a series of battles to the time of the second coming of Christ when the
final conflict in the campaign of Armageddon comes to its end. The description of these
forces and the effect they have upon men is that which appeared to John-terrible warfare.
The Bible makes it extremely clear that the peaceful intentions of the global community,
the United Nations, or the enlightenment of the New Age are not going to do away with
worldwide warfare. No, the swords will not be beaten into plowshares until the Prince of
Peace stands upon the earth, having put down every foe and having inaugurated His
millennial reign of peace (Isa. 2:1-4). Until then war prevails. After all this, man will
still refuse to repent (vv. 20,21). He will still choose to worship and follow Satan and
his system rather than turn in heart belief to the true God and His only begotten Son. Man
will continue to embrace a false religion which has a measure of power, but not the power
to save nor transform into the likeness of Christ. Lasting peace is not possible without
subservience to Him. DWC
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