Sunday Evening, May 26, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “The End” [#9]
TERRIBLE TRUMPETS (Part 2)
Revelation 9:1-12
Introduction:
1. Last Sunday evening we studied the first four Trumpet Judgments. Let me remind you that although those four judgments were terrible that the next three are much worse.
Revelation 8:13
2. This evening we are going to study the fifth Trumpet Judgment, which is also the first woe. There are many personalities and places we need to discuss.
The Star
Revelation 9:1-2
1. We need to notice in verse 1 that the word “star” is not being used literally but figuratively. How do we know this?
2. In verse 1 the “star” is given the key to the shaft of the Abyss and in verse 2 is referred to as “he”. You cannot hand an actual star a key, but you can hand it to a being. So who is this “star”? There are several times in Scripture that the stars refer to angels.
3. In Revelation 20:1, we find that at the end of the Tribulation an angel comes down from Heaven “having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.” I believe that this is the same angel. This angel in verse 1 retains the key through the Tribulation.
The Abyss
1. The Abyss (“bottomless pit” KJV) is not Hell or Hades.
Many scholars believe that this may be at the bottom of the great gulf, fixed in Hades. This is the gulf that separates the place of torment and the place of comfort that we can read of in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
2. Just as a side note, remember that Ephesians 6:9-10 tells us that Jesus cleared out “Paradise” and took them to Heaven.
3. It is also important to note that there are two types of demons discussed in Scripture. There are those that are free to roam the earth and there are those that are confined in a certain place in Hell. Let’s look at this for a moment.
The Free Demons
Matthew 12:43-45
1. These are those “evil spirits” that seek to indwell the bodies of people. This is the “evil spirits” that were cast into the pigs by Jesus.
2. Evidently these “evil spirits” travel in groups and there must be many of them. Apparently over a thousand “evil spirits” possessed the wild man of Gerasa, because they gave themselves the name “Legion”.
3. Where did these “evil spirits” come from? I believe they are the fallen angels and we need to understand that they are real. The good news for Christians is we cannot be possessed by a demon because the Holy Spirit possesses us. Although, if you are not following Christ daily, you can be influenced by these evil beings.
The Imprisoned Demons
Jude 1:6-7
1. These fallen angels have been imprisoned. Many scholars believe that these are the angels who violated the laws of God and “slept” with the “daughters of men” in Genesis 6:2-7.
2. These are the fallen angels referred to as “the sons of God”. Their offspring were the Nephilim who were the giants.
3. In 2 Peter 2: 1-10 we find more confirmation of these imprisoned demons. The Greek word for Hell in 2 Peter 2:4 is “Tartarus” which is a portion of Hell. Some believe that this is also the Abyss.
The First Woe
Revelation 9:2-10
1. The Abyss is opened and there is so much smoke that it will become “smog like” conditions.
2. Out of this smog will come locust-like scorpion creatures? They will be shaped like locust, likened unto horses that have faces like men, hair like women, and teeth as lions. These creatures have breastplates of iron and their wings are as “the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle”. They also possess stings in their tails like scorpions.
3. It has been suggested that these are helicopters armed for war. Although, you can see similarities in this description and John would have had no idea what a helicopter was I still believe these are literal creatures.
4. Some would say that no one on earth could see them because they are “spiritual creatures” but that does not add up in Joel 2:6. In Joel 1-2 we find this scene being prophesied. You must take time to read these two chapters and I believe you will get a better picture of how terrible this judgment will be.
The “Destroyer” (Apollyon)
Revelation 9:11
1. In verse 11 we find the angel of the Abyss and the king over these terrible creatures. His Hebrew name (Abaddon) and his Greek name (Apollyon) are both given. Both of these names mean “Destroyer”.
2. This fallen angel must be of high rank in Satan’s army. Now don’t be led to believe this is Satan because Satan is not locked up in the Abyss, He is roaming around like a lion seeking who he can devour.
3. As Satan always tries to copy God, I believe Apollyon is probably equivalent to an Archangel in Heaven. The main thing is to notice just as his leader’s goal is to destroy, so is his.
The Torment
Revelation 9:5-6
1. Notice that these creatures will not kill those who they sting. The sting will torment them for five months.
2. The pain is so bad that they will wish they were dead and think they will die, but they will not. Maybe the reason they will not die is so that this will get some of their attention and they will submit to Jesus Christ as Savior.
Joel 2:12
3. I also believe that some may notice that certain people are not stung. In Revelation 9:4 we are told that the creatures were instructed to only sting those that did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. This means that just like the plagues in Egypt, God’s people are not harmed during this judgment.
Conclusion:
1. As terrible as this judgment is, you can see that God is giving people another opportunity to follow Him.
2. Maybe you are here tonight without Jesus, God is giving you opportunity. Don’t wait until it is too late.
3. Christians, as always: Be urgent about sharing the Gospel
