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Since death entered the world, it has marched daily through time claiming its victims. At every hour and minute of the day, death has been active. It has never tired in its mission nor has it ever slacked in carrying out its daily rounds. Since Abel became deaths first victim, century after century death has never taken a single day off. However, there will be a period of time on the earth when death will take a five month holiday.
As we move into chapter nine we hear the sounding of the fifth trumpet. Since the opening of the first of seven seals in chapter 5, terrible and catastrophic events have occurred upon the earth. In the opening of the seventh seal and the sounding of the first four trumpets, those catastrophic events have only increased in their intensity. After the fourth trumpet was sounded, an angel flew through the heaven announcing three “woe’s” which indicated that things are only going to get worse with the sounding of the final three trumpets.
When the fifth trumpet sounds, the inhabitants of the earth finds themselves in the grip of a hellish horde. The sounding of the fifth trumpet results in the very horrors of hell being turned loose on the earth.
In this study let’s limit our study to only the sounding of the fifth trumpet as described in verses 1-12. First, notice:
1. THE PIT THAT IS UNLOCKED
We read in verses 1-2, “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. [2] And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.”
This is our first introduction to the “bottomless pit” in Revelation, although it will not be our last. This pit is mentioned 7 times in the book of Revelation. It is often called the “pit of the abyss.” The word “bottomless” speaks of that which is depthless and is descriptive of an abyss. The particular word used for “pit” describes a hole in the ground that is dug for a well. It is also used to describe a prison. John sees a prison of some sort that is depthless or without bottom.
As we consider this bottomless pit, think with me of:
A) The Occupants of the Pit
The “bottomless pit” is always used in the Bible to speak of the abode of incarcerated demons. Demon activity is very real and rampant in the world today. Yet, there are several references in the Bible that describe how numerous demons have been imprisoned and are prisoners in the bottomless pit described in Revelation.
In 2 Peter 2:4 we have a good description of these demons and the prison in which they now abide: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”
First, Peter helps us to understand that demons formerly were angels in heaven. They were angels that assisted Satan in a revolt in heaven and were cast with Satan from heaven.
Secondly, Peter describes how they were cast into hell. The word “hell” that is used by Peter is a very interesting description of their present abode. The word that he used is derived from the Greek noun Tartarus. Tartarus was the name used in Greek literature for the place where the worst sinners, those who had offended the gods, were sent after their death. Peter is not describing an imagery place but a real place. But I find it interesting the word that he used to describe their abode. He is classifying these demons as the worst of the worst.
Thirdly, Peter tells us that these demons are bound by chains of darkness. That is, they are being held as prisoners in a place of darkness. This describes the darkness and blackness of the bottomless pit.
Fourthly, Peter says that these demons are being held until the day of judgment. The word “reserved” speaks of being guarded to prevent escape. The judgment that awaits them we will see later in Revelation.
Peter’s description of these demons is that of prisoners in the bottomless prison. There are other references in the Bible that describe these imprisoned demons. In Jude verse 6 we read, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
The occupants of the bottomless pit that John saw are demons. Furthermore, think with me of:
B) The Opening of the Pit
As we look in Revelation 9 we see this demonic prison being opened. In verse 1 John sees a “a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” We have seen several stars already in Revelation, but this star is not some object such as a meteorite. This star is a person.
A hint as to the identity of this person is found in the fact this star had fell from heaven. The words “fall from heaven” are in the perfect tense which indicates that this fall has already occurred and is not happening at this particular point. The person liked to a star would imply this is a heavenly or angelic creature. All this indicates that this is none other than Satan himself.
In eternity past Satan was actually an angel. We have what many believe to be a description of Satan in Ezekiel 28:14-15: “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”
He was an “anointed cherub that covereth.” The word “covereth” speaks of “protection” and suggests that Satan had been one of the cherubim’s that guarded the throne of God. He was perfect in all his ways until the day iniquity was found in him. What was the iniquity that was found in him? We read in Isaiah 14:12-15, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
Although we commonly call him “Satan” which means “adversary” and the “devil” which means “slanderer,” his original name was “Lucifer” which means “the morning star.” Isaiah describes how his heart was filled with pride and he led a revolt in heaven to take God’s throne. As a result he was cast from heaven. Jesus made mention of Satan being cast from heaven in Luke 10:18 when He said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
The fall of the star in Revelation 9 no doubt is referring to that fall. It describes the devil as a fallen star or angel. John saw that he “was given the key of the bottomless pit.” The fact that he was given the key indicates that what is about to happen is a part of God’s judgment that is being poured out on the earth.
When he was given the key to the bottomless pit, John saw that “he opened the bottomless pit.” The devil unlocked the prison in which these demons are confined. As he unlocked the bottomless pit “there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” The fumes and smoke arising from this demonic prison polluting the sky symbolize the corruption that issues from this pit when opened.
As we continue, we see that there was more than smoke that comes from the pit. Secondly, we not only see the pit that is unlocked, but we also see:
2. THE PRISONERS THAT ARE UNLOOSED
As we have already seen, this bottomless pit is a prison of incarcerated demons. When the devil unlocks the pit, many of the demons that have been confined in the pit are loosed and come out of their age-long prison to join the devil in his great mission of destruction upon the earth.
John Phillips gives us a very vivid picture of these demons that are unloosed: “ Picture what the world would be like if we were to open the doors of all the penitentiaries of earth and set free the world’s most vicious and violent criminals, giving them full reign to practice their infamies upon mankind. Something worse than that lies in store for the world. Satan, cast out of heaven, is now permitted to summon to his aid the most diabolical fiends of the abyss to act as his agents in bringing mankind to the footstool of the beast.” (Exploring Revelation)
John gives us a description of these demons are unloosed. Notice with me:
A) The First Description of these Demons
We read in verse 3, “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” In this first description of these demons they are likened to “locusts” and “scorpions.” First, they are likened to “locusts.” This symbolizes their numerous number and the massive destruction they will leave behind. Like a swarm of locusts which often number in the millions they pour out of the bottomless pit to cover the earth.
Secondly, they are described as “scorpions.” In this imagery we are reminded of their venomous sting and their power to inflict pain. Three times in this passage their power to inflict pain is described. John speaks of their mission in verses 4-6 which we will view later, and then in verses 7-11 he once again turns to giving us a description of these demons.
Notice:
B) The Further Description of these Demons
In verse 7 John describes “the shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared unto battle.” As they come forth from their prison that are like horses straining at the bit and pawing the ground in eagerness to charge forth in their mission.
He also describes them having “on their heads as it were crowns like gold.” The crowns that are described are victors crowns which would describe them covering the earth as a conquering force.
He also saw “their faces were as the faces of men.” John saw them as intelligent and rational beings. These were not thoughtless creatures, but personalities with a mission and goal.
In verse 8 he describes how “they had hair of women.” A woman’s hair in the Bible is often spoken of as a woman’s glory. This would seem to suggest the seductiveness of their mission. Like the sirens of Greek mythology, they seduce people to lead them to their destruction.
John said “their teeth were as the teeth of lions.” He sees them as powerful creatures ripping and tearing apart their victims.
In verse 9 John describes how “they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron.” A breastplate was worn to make one invulnerable to attack and speaks of how it will be impossible to stop or destroy these demons.
John speaks of “the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.” Again, their uncountable number and their massive, worldwide onslaught is symbolized.
Again in verse 10 he refers to them as scorpions: “And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails.” Then in verse 11 he sees that they march under “a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.” There leads them forth in the mission of destruction a high ranking officer in Satan’s hierarchy whose name is Abaddon and Appollyon. The fact that he has a name in both Hebrew and Greek indicates that both Jews and Gentiles are the objects of his attacks.
The Bible describes how there are ranks and an order in the devils ranks. We read in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The reference to principalities, powers and rulers indicate that there are ranks of demons under Satan’s commands.
Abaddon or Apollyon seems to the general or chief of staff of all Satan’s demons. He leads this evil horde from the bottomless pit to carry out the evil mission that are assigned.
What is their mission? Notice with me lastly:
3. THE PUNISHMENT THAT IS UNLEASHED
In verse 5 we read that “their torment was as the torment of a scorpion.” The particular word used speaks of “punishment.” Being like the sting of an scorpion, they go forth on a mission of painful punishment. We read in verse 10 that “their power was to hurt men.” The word “hurt” speaks of that which is “unjust” and descriptive of the merciless pain they will inflict.
As you look closer you see:
A) The Target of their Punishment
In verse 4 we read that is a limit put on their destruction: “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree.” In the former acts of God’s wrath we have seen that the grass and trees of the earth have been affected. But, these demons are commanded not to harm these things.
We see in verse 4 that their target is limited to “only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” We saw in chapter seven 144,000 converted Jews that bore the seal of God in their foreheads. As we considered them we saw that this seal was a sign of God’s protection. These could not be harmed by any of the judgments of God that were being distributed upon the earth. These demons freed from their prison had power, but not power over this 1440,000.
Their power was limited to all those who bore not this seal. In other words, their target is every lost man or woman living on the earth at this time. Even then, what they could do to men was limited. We read in verse 5, “And to them it was given that they should not kill them.” They will be able to hurt them but they can not kill them. The torment that issued “was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.” They could cause great pain, but they can not take life.
This scene should create great fear in the heart of every person that is unsaved. To be left behind when Jesus comes is to become the target of this hellish horde that is released from their hellish prison.
Also notice:
B) The Time of their Punishment
In verse 5 we read that people attacked by these demonic horde “should be tormented five months.” In verse 10 we read that “their power was to hurt men five months.” Five months is the ordinary time in the year during which locusts commit their ravages. In the case of the demons, they are given a five-month period to bring great hurt and pain upon the human race throughout the whole world.
In verse 6 John describes how intense will be the hurt these demons bring on the world. It will be so bad, “in those days shall me seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” The hurt that is brought by these demons is so severe, men will desire to die. The word “desire” means “to set the heart on, to long for.” People will long to die, but death will flee from them.
Since the beginning of time, for the first time in the history of the world, death will take a five month holiday. Now people do everything they can not to die, yet death goes about on its daily rounds. But during this time, men will want to die, long to die, yet death cannot be found. There will be no escape from the agony inflicted by this demonic horde. Imagine, no one will be able to commit suicide. Death will be sought, but not attained.
These will be days so horrible that is hard to imagine. Yet, the worst is yet to come. The angel that sounded the fifth trumpet delivers the message in verse 12, “One woe is past; and behold there come two woes more hereafter.” The worst is till yet to come. |
