Revelation chapter 9 The Demonic Army

In this episode we will be looking at the fifth and Sixth trumpet judgments. These next two trumpets, will give us a demonic perspective, instead of a heavenly one as we will literally see all hell break loose on the earth. All the judgments prior to these were warning shots, as they were not specifically directed at man, but creation. They were a wakeup call. But now we see the last three trumpets and the three woes all deal with mankind specifically.

The big question with these judgments, is why would God release demons bound in hell to torment man on earth? And on top of that, during this time of torment, man will beg for death and it will not come. What is it about this particular judgment that God will not allow man to die? What is he trying to accomplish and what is the purpose? Why not just let them die as in the previous judgments? As we read the text, We need to remember that Gods desire is that all people are saved. So no matter how bad things get, he is either doing or allowing it to happen because judgment must come, but also, to leave room for repentance and salvation.

Transcript

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Hello, and welcome to the Takeaway, where we teach through the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, to help you understand God's Word so that you can have a more intimate relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

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Hello, welcome again to the takeaway. I'm your host, Pastor Harry Barns, and in today's episode, we'll be looking at the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments in Revelation chapter 9. As we look at these next two judgments, we will notice a change from the previous four. Just as the first four seal judgments dealt with earthly destruction caused by man, and the fifth and sixth seals we saw into heaven with the martyrs under the altar and the heavens receding like a scroll in the sixth seal. We also see the first four trumpets again dealt destruction to the earth, just like the first four seals, but this time not for man, but from God using creation against itself. These next two trumpets will give us a demonic perspective instead of a heavenly one, as we will literally see all hell break loose on the earth. It's important to note that at the end of chapter 8, there was an angel flying through heaven saying, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth because of the remaining trumpets. Each of the next three trumpets is a woe or declaration of judgment against the people of earth. Just as Jesus said, Woe to you, Pharisees, and declared judgment against them, so here is the same thing. These trumpets will bring in the last of God's final judgments on earth, and they are directed at man himself and no longer the creation. All the judgments prior to these were warning shots, as they were not specifically directed at man, but creation. They were a wake-up call. But now we see the last three trumpets and the three woes all deal with mankind specifically. The big question with these judgments is why would God release demons bound in hell to torment man on earth? And on top of that, during this time of torment, man will beg for death and it will not come. What is it about this particular judgment that God will not allow man to die? What is he trying to accomplish and what is the purpose? Why not just let them die as in the previous judgments? As we read the text, we need to remember that God's desire is that all people are saved. So no matter how bad things get, he is either doing or allowing it to happen because judgment must come, but also to leave room for repentance and salvation. Remember what 2 Peter 3:9 says. Revelation chapter 9, verses 1 and 2. Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit, and he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Take notice that this star is called a he. It is different than the star we see with the fourth trumpet. Not only that, this star is fallen, as in past tense. He has already fallen, and John is just describing him as a fallen angel. This fallen angel is given the key to open the bottomless pit, where many fallen angels or demons are currently locked up. When he opens the pit, smoke will come out of it and s with such intensity as to further darken the sun and the moon on top of what they have already been from the previous events. Then out of the smoke, locusts came upon the earth, and to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth or any green thing or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Now these locusts are not regular locusts that we would typically think of that destroy crops. In fact, these are not locusts at all, as we will see in a minute. But the description is that of a swarm of locusts, meaning that whatever these are, they resemble that of locusts coming on the earth. If you have never seen a swarm of locusts, I suggest you Google it and look at some videos to get the picture. They can swarm in such numbers that they darken the sky, and when they land in the crops, they could decimate them in a matter of hours, leaving nothing behind. So whatever these locusts are, we know that what John is seeing is beyond his ability to count the number of them, and they just go everywhere looking to destroy. However, they were commanded not to harm the earth, but to focus their attention on man. My guess is that this swarm is so large that they are able to impact every single living person on earth except the 144,000 that God had sealed. Now looking at verses five and six, and they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days, men will seek death and will not find it. They will desire to die and death will flee from them. Obviously, the attack on man is so severe that it would kill them had God not removed death for a time. Just imagine for a minute being stung by a scorpion or anything with a powerful sting for that matter. Then multiply that by hundreds or thousands of times, and it never stops for five months. You can imagine wanting to die just to get relief. Have you ever been in such pain that you didn't care if you died just to get relief? I could tell you that I have. And if it hadn't been for some powerful medication, I don't know how I would have handled it. These people on the earth at this time will be experiencing this, and death will not come to the rescue. They will have no way out. So why would God allow this? Why not just let them die and go to hell since this is pretty much hell on earth at this point? Again, you got to remember 2 Peter 3:9. These people are not in hell, which means they still have an opportunity to repent. Once you are in hell, there is no option to turn back. You will be permanently there forever, with no escape, no relief, and no hope. You will have complete separation from God forever. And he is never coming to get you, and you will know it. He is allowing hell on earth to give people the opportunity to know what is what it is they are choosing for themselves so that they may change their minds. That's how much God doesn't want anyone to go to hell. You need to know this. Hell was not meant for us, it was designed for these fallen angels, as they knew clearly what they were turning from when they rebelled against God in heaven. We were not created or born in heaven, and we lack understanding of what it is to be in God's perfect presence. He knows this and loves us and is doing everything in his perfect power to help us find a way out. Ever since the fall of man, back in the garden, this world from that point forward became something other than what God intended it to be for us. So, for us to have the life God intended us to have, we have to go to heaven until he makes the world new again. Unfortunately for us, until Jesus comes again, the only way to get there is through death. But we do not have we do not have to fear death if we are a believer, as it is nothing more than a transition that takes but a moment. However, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then death is something to fear. You will still transition in a moment, but not into God's presence. You will transition into complete separation from Him, and there is no need that this be the case. He loves you so much that He will allow you to experience hell on earth in hopes that you will recognize it. This hell is what you are asking for by saying you don't want God in your life. So please recognize this and turn to Him. And I promise you, you will find life. Jesus said in Matthew 10, 39, He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Verse 7: The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth, and they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and their stings and their stings were in their tails. The their power was to hurt men five months, and they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek his name is Apollyon. One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. John does his best to describe what these things look like, and that's why he uses the word like. Some people will try to say that these represent helicopters or tanks or some military machinery that John couldn't describe. However, that doesn't fit the full description of what we read here. Regardless of what they are or what they look like, we know that this is a demonic army, and it is led by the angel who opened the pit, whose name is Abaddon. Abaddon means destroyer or destruction. If you haven't figured it out yet, this angel is most likely Satan himself, or at the very least, another high-ranking fallen angel. But Satan is the one we are continually given the picture of as the God of this world, Prince of Lies, and the one who seeks to devour. Verse 13. Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. The angels who are bound at the Euphrates are most likely demonic in nature, as they are bound. We never see good angels being described as bound or restricted in Scripture. When we look at Job 1 10, we see Satan telling God that he couldn't test Job because he was protected. In verse 10, Satan says to God, Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has on every side? Have you blessed the work of his hand, and his possessions have increased in the land? It is important to note that the devil wants to destroy all of us and is seeking an opportunity to do so. I suggest you don't give him any opportunity by saying, staying in God's word and living out his will for your life. It's only in that place that you will have full protection from the enemy. First Peter chapter 5, verse 8. Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Now, I know what you're thinking, but Harry, God allowed Satan to attack Job, and he was a righteous man. You're right, he did. He also blessed Job twice as much as he was before by enduring the trial that, and he taught Job something valuable, some valuable lessons about the character of God in it. We too may go through trials and most likely will, but remember this that you too will be rewarded, either here or in heaven, for your patient endurance. Jesus said in John 16, 33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. The trials you go through on earth have purpose in God's perfect plan. They will refine you and cause you to rely on Him. They will lead others to Jesus as they watch you go through them with joy, but most of all, they will bring glory to God. James chapter 1, verse 2. Consider pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I also want you to know that God does bless the person of God as well. It's not all trials and tribulations, even though you will have them. We all do. But look at Deuteronomy chapter 15, verse 10. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. The one who is a cheerful and generous giver, God will bless. This is a promise that God gives us and allows us to test him in this thing. And Malachi chapter three, verse ten says, Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. God wants to bless you abundantly, but we have to make the first move. Give what you can when you can, and do it with all joy, and he will reward you. We can't just be consumers in this world. That's one of the biggest issues that God is bringing judgment against. A selfish, self-consuming world, and we are to be set apart from it. Giving of our time, our money, and resources is one of the best ways to set yourself apart. You worry about God's business, and he will worry about yours. Moving on, we see in verse 14 the angels being released at the rivers Euphrates. The great river Euphrates was a landmark of ancient Babylon. It was the frontier of Israel's land, as fully promised by God in Genesis 15, 18. It says, On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, To your descendants I have given this land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the great river Euphrates. It was also the boundary of the old Roman Empire, which will be revived under the Antichrist. The picture here is most likely four powerful demonic angels that have not been allowed to do anything until this time. Just like Satan couldn't get any closer to Job than God allowed because of the hedge he placed around him. It seems here that God also put a boundary or hedge up, and these angels are forbidden to cross it until this time. These angels are bloodthirsty, and had God not bound them or held them back until this time, they would have killed already. Their desire and motive is to kill, and only God has prevented this. When they are finally released, they will bring with them an army of 200 million. Looking at verses 15 and 16 now, so the four angels who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was 200 million. I heard the number of them. China once claimed that they had an army of 200 million. However, as of 2022, they only have a total of 2.5 million active and reserves ready to deploy. That's a far cry from 200 million. In fact, in 2019, the total amount of military personnel of all the world's military combined was only a little more than 27 million. So if this is a military force of man, then it would require a lot more than what we see today. And mind you, this is after a quarter of mankind has already been killed. So I think it's safe to say that the chances of this army being man is slim to none. Taking the context of the scripture we have just read that demons from the bottomless pit being released as a swarm of locusts, and then immediately following that, four powerful angels being unbound. I think the picture here is of a demonic force, unlike the world has ever seen or heard of. This isn't to say that any people will not be involved. They may very well be. But what we have here is definitely a demonic power at play and coming against the world. Moving on to verses 17 to 21. And thus I saw the horses in the vision. Those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulphur yellow, and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and 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. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of their works of their hands, and they should not worship that they should not worship demons and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk, and they did not repent of their murders, or their sorceries, or their sexual immorality, or their thefts. As we see here, it is possible and most likely this is an army of demonic beings, in addition to the one released from the pit. It could also be the same ones that were released, except now they have been given authority to kill. There is a different role for them to play with this judgment. Whether the same or different doesn't really matter. It's still Satan who is leading and destroying, and no longer are they tormenting. Killing is the agenda here, and one third of mankind will be destroyed with this plague. What's more interesting than what or how these plagues take place is that people still refuse to repent. The gospel is being preached and shared by the 144,000, and you could be sure the world knows who they are. If everyone is being tormented and dying, and these 144,000 are untouched, you could be sure the world knows. If it were you being tormented and you saw a herd of people walking around untouched by these plagues, I'm sure you would want to know who they are. But regardless of this and the truth they share, people will still reject and refuse to repent. We have a similar example in the Old Testament when Pharaoh refused to let God's people go and he continued to harden his heart. Even when God warned him of the plagues that would come upon his nation, and he saw it happen. No matter what God did, Pharaoh still rejected it and refused even to the point of death. Pharaoh just couldn't let go of the control he had over Israel because of what he gained from having them enslaved. The people of this world will also struggle to let go of the things of this world. They will want out of their torment, but as soon as it lets up just a little, they will be right back to their evil ways. But in the end, no one will be able to say God didn't give them an opportunity to repent and be saved. Have you ever fought God? Have you ever been mad at God when bad things happen? When people die, get sick, or injured as if it's his fault? Did you ever stop to think he is trying to wake you up? When things are going good, most people are not likely to be looking for God. They think as long as my life is good, then God can stay in his corner and leave me alone. There is no desire on their part to seek him out. In fact, most testimonies I have ever heard of someone coming to Jesus started with a place of brokenness. Rarely do you ever hear of a person who had it all going on for them and then they decided that they needed God. Not saying that it doesn't happen, but usually, even in the case when a person seems to have it all going on, they realize that something is missing. We have all heard of celebrities committing suicide, having depression and anxiety. There's nothing in this world that can offer us life like God can. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes chapter 1, verse 9, What has been will be again. What has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. And again, in chapter 1, verse 14, he says, I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after the wind. He made more than everything, he had more than everything everything going for him. There wasn't a thing he couldn't have or do. In fact, he pretty much did have and take anything he wanted. In first Kings chapter 11, verse 3, it says, He had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines, and his wives turned away, turned him away, turned his heart away. Just being married to one woman is enough, let alone 700 plus 300 on the side. That's just insane. But that's what he did. He went after the lust of his heart, and there was nothing to stop him. But at the end of the day, it was all empty. It didn't bring life. In fact, they turned him from the one who did bring life. That's what this world will do when we pursue it. It will consume us and turn us. From the one true life giver. God loves us and fights for us. He will destroy your world to get you back. It's not the world he is concerned with, it's you. The problem is we fight with everything in us to gain the world. And when we do that, we are basically fighting God. That's why Jesus said, if you want to find your life, we must first lose it. We have to let go of our worldly pursuits and rededicate our effort efforts to seeking Him. When we do that, He will transform our lives. Don't wait until you have been beaten down to the point of death to realize you were fighting the wrong fight. Repent and turn to God. Allow Jesus to become your Lord and your Savior today by trusting in the work he did on the cross. He died not deserving it, so that you could have life. Don't let that gift go to waste. It's free and it's only one short prayer away from receiving. Tell God you're sorry for your sins and ask him to help you. I'll tell you a secret. It's not even the prayer that will save you, but the change in your heart before you even speak the words. Your prayer is just a reflection of what has already taken place. So have the confidence that if you ask God to save you, that you have already been washed clean of your sins and have entered into his family. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. And Mark chapter 16, verse 16, he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved. But he who has but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Let's pray. Father God, thank you so much for your word and for your revelation. I pray for our listeners today, if there's anybody out there who has not accepted you, that today would be the day that they would repent of their sins and accept your Son Jesus into their hearts to be their Lord and Savior. Lord, I pray that as we continue to go through your word, that you will bring revelation to us, that you will bring clarity to us, that you will teach us and convict us of our wrong ways, that we could repent of our sins and turn back to you, that we could be renewed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out the life that you want us to live, that we could be full of life and that we could be assured of eternity in heaven with you. Father, we thank you for your word and we praise you and we love you in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for joining us today. I hope this message helped you take a step closer in your relationship with Jesus and that you have a better understanding for just how much God loves you and wants you to know Him. In our next episode, we will be in Revelation chapter 10 as we enter into another pause for a few chapters before this seventh trumpet blows. Just as there was a pause between the sixth and seventh seals to prepare for God's wrath on the world, we are getting yet another pause to prepare for the triumphal entry of our King Jesus. Before we go, I want to remind you that we are a listener-supported ministry and we can't do what we do without you. It takes time and money to bring these resources and teachings to you. With your support, we will be able to keep our ministry going, to bring God's word to as many people as possible. If you have enjoyed our podcast, please consider giving. 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