The Fifth Trumpet

The Fifth Trumpet

Revelation, Part 10, Revelation 9:1-10

Introduction

- The pause in time is Heaven actually holding its breath!

-- APP: The awe of God’s power is breath-taking to Heaven’s inhabitants

-- This also allows the earth to think about what it has done; consequences!

-- Even today, your (our) actions have consequences we must consider

- FACT: The first six seals bring about horrible judgment to all of the earth

-- Now humans are given one more option to think about their mortality

- Last time, we went through the first four trumpets in Chapter 8

-- Concluding with an angel flying about the skies proclaiming that the last three trumpets will be the worst ever!

-- This sounding of the trumpets signifies that God’s wrath has begun

-- Those that are here have another chance to repent and turn to the Lord.

- God’s grace is STILL available today; if only we would submit to Him

- Tonight’s lesson is factual, and terrifying at the same time …

Read Revelation 9:1-10

Ω Point 1 – The Fifth Trumpet - Locusts (v1-4)

A star falls

- After the fifth angels sounds John sees a star fallen from heaven to earth

-- IMP: One of the hardest aspects in understanding Revelation is distinguishing between metaphor, literalism, and symbolism

- In Revelation 8 the word was used in a literal sense (ex: an asteroid)

-- However, here the word “Star” is used in a metaphorical sense

-- Like a “Movie Star”

-- Example: In Revelation 12:4, angels are referred to symbolically as “Stars” being cast (or sent) to earth

- Some have said that this angel is a Satan, since we see a star “Fallen”

-- The meaning here is one of descent to accomplish the task assigned

-- This is not a fallen angel (or fallen in position)

- The star from heaven is given a key to the bottomless pit

-- This angel from Heaven has authority to open the bottomless pit

-- It is important to understand that this star is commanded by God

- Notice that this angel has a key. A key is the source of authority.

-- This same angel maintains the key of the bottomless pit during tribulation

-- In Revelation 20:1-2, this same angel takes hold of Satan and binds for 1000 years in the same bottomless pit

-- Rev 20:1 says, “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.”

- Notice where these locusts come from: they come from the Bottomless pit

-- Hades is where the un-saved go after death (Luke 16:23, “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side”)

-- The “Abyss” seems to ALSO be prison for demonic beings

-- For example: The demons dwelling in the man from Gadarenes, called “Legion” begged Jesus not to send them to the abyss before their time

- John reports what he sees, to the reader …

-- The smoke rising corresponds to the events taking place in the fourth trumpet, when the darkness (Revelation. 8:12-13) blocked a third of the Sun, moon and stars.

-- APP: Notice how all things tie together in God’s Word, and John is seeing a continual vision of future events.

-- During this period, the volcanic smoke from underneath the earth signals the visible signs of this judgment.

Ω Locusts came from the smoke

- John describes a type of “Locusts” which are unlike any being yet known

-- These have one purpose and function: to torment humanity

-- The question is, are these locusts in the physical or spiritual realm?

- In Revelation John describes the physical and spiritual realms.

-- His descriptions offer vivid pictures in both realms – making it easier for us to understand the importance of spreading God’s Word to this world.

- IMP: We really need to get this in our soul – the judgments coming upon this Earth can be avoided – but they are coming on those who deny Jesus.

- John compares their effect on mankind to that of a scorpion.

-- Scorpion stings can cause death, but are more painful than deadly

Commanded

- These “locusts” are commanded and have a leader over them

-- This lends argument to them being both spiritual and physical in nature

-- These locusts are able to discern those who need punishing and those who do not (those who are saved or sealed)

-- APP: We do not want to wait to be sealed … nor have our family and friends wait to be sealed

The seal of God

- The identity of those sealed would include the 144,000 and those who have come to Christ during this period of the tribulation.