In Revelation 9 the symbolism of the plague becomes more clearly spiritual in nature. As it says in v. 4, “They were told not to harm the grass, . . . but only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” Remember that the effects of these two trumpet blasts are taking place from Jesus’ ascension until the end.
“I saw a star fallen from heaven, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss.” In Luke 10:18, Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall lie lightning from heaven.” The picture of the abyss is a common one to symbolize Hell. What I understand as happening here is that Satan is given a restricted reign of the earth. In John 10:10 Jesus says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and that is exactly the program we see here.
It’s interesting that the creatures that come out of the abyss are described like locusts. It would not be the first time the demonic was associated with insects. One of Satan’s many names in Beelzebub which means, “Lord of the Flies.” Proverbs 10:27 observes, “The locusts have no king, yet all of them mark in rank.” Here they do have a king which is even more frightful. He is called Abaddon in Hebrew, which means “destruction”, and Apollyon in Greek, which means, “destroyer.”
The spiritual forces that are arrayed against us are marshaled like locusts prepared to destroy the crops and produce. The crop that we are seeking to produce is people coming to faith in Jesus. As God’s people, we have His seal – His mark – on us. These spiritual forces are not able to destroy us, however they torment those who do not believe in Jesus to the point that they wish they could die, they devour people’s hope and gobble up all that is good in their lives and the impact lingers – just as when physical locusts eat the crops, the impact is felt still months later. And don’t lose sight of their commander! This work is militarily and intentionally carried out. We cannot always observe the pattern of the Devil’s schemes, but the schemes are not random. He is determined to bring as many people – people whom God loves – to destruction, because he knows this is the only way he can hurt God; by hurting those God loves.
As the sixth trumpet is blown four angels are released to kill a large portion of mankind. These angels lead a large cavalry arrayed in red, blue and yellow – colors symbolizing fire, smoke and sulfur. What is interesting here is that while this spiritual host will use these against people, eventually the devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire where he (and his forces) will be tormented by fire, smoke and sulfur. His own schemes will turn against him!
The power of this army, John says, is in their mouths. That is significant. Their power is to lie and deceive. Those lies and deceptions bring death - eternal spiritual death. When we think of the power of the demonic people often think of possession, or some other dramatic/miraculous event. That is not their chief aim or power. Nor is it their goal to show that kind of power. Their chief aim is to draw people away from God through twisting God’s Word, teaching false doctrine, accusing people, lying about God’s love for us, etc. It makes is all the more important that we pray that God breaks and hinders the schemes of the devil, the world and our sinful nature!
Sadly, as others see this take place, they do not repent of their sin. It is not the message of fire and brimstone that will change people’s hearts, but it is the love and forgiveness of God that turns us to Him. As we play our role against this army, we must keep that in mind. Our weapons are God’s Word, particularly the Gospel/Good News message of God’s love and forgiveness for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Prayer, where, in love, we call upon God to bring Salvation to this world.
Father in Heaven, thank you for marking me as your own. Living in the power of your forgiveness, let me find my place in the struggle to bring salvation to people by sharing the salvation I have through Jesus’ blood with others. Amen.
“I saw a star fallen from heaven, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss.” In Luke 10:18, Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall lie lightning from heaven.” The picture of the abyss is a common one to symbolize Hell. What I understand as happening here is that Satan is given a restricted reign of the earth. In John 10:10 Jesus says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and that is exactly the program we see here.
It’s interesting that the creatures that come out of the abyss are described like locusts. It would not be the first time the demonic was associated with insects. One of Satan’s many names in Beelzebub which means, “Lord of the Flies.” Proverbs 10:27 observes, “The locusts have no king, yet all of them mark in rank.” Here they do have a king which is even more frightful. He is called Abaddon in Hebrew, which means “destruction”, and Apollyon in Greek, which means, “destroyer.”
The spiritual forces that are arrayed against us are marshaled like locusts prepared to destroy the crops and produce. The crop that we are seeking to produce is people coming to faith in Jesus. As God’s people, we have His seal – His mark – on us. These spiritual forces are not able to destroy us, however they torment those who do not believe in Jesus to the point that they wish they could die, they devour people’s hope and gobble up all that is good in their lives and the impact lingers – just as when physical locusts eat the crops, the impact is felt still months later. And don’t lose sight of their commander! This work is militarily and intentionally carried out. We cannot always observe the pattern of the Devil’s schemes, but the schemes are not random. He is determined to bring as many people – people whom God loves – to destruction, because he knows this is the only way he can hurt God; by hurting those God loves.
As the sixth trumpet is blown four angels are released to kill a large portion of mankind. These angels lead a large cavalry arrayed in red, blue and yellow – colors symbolizing fire, smoke and sulfur. What is interesting here is that while this spiritual host will use these against people, eventually the devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire where he (and his forces) will be tormented by fire, smoke and sulfur. His own schemes will turn against him!
The power of this army, John says, is in their mouths. That is significant. Their power is to lie and deceive. Those lies and deceptions bring death - eternal spiritual death. When we think of the power of the demonic people often think of possession, or some other dramatic/miraculous event. That is not their chief aim or power. Nor is it their goal to show that kind of power. Their chief aim is to draw people away from God through twisting God’s Word, teaching false doctrine, accusing people, lying about God’s love for us, etc. It makes is all the more important that we pray that God breaks and hinders the schemes of the devil, the world and our sinful nature!
Sadly, as others see this take place, they do not repent of their sin. It is not the message of fire and brimstone that will change people’s hearts, but it is the love and forgiveness of God that turns us to Him. As we play our role against this army, we must keep that in mind. Our weapons are God’s Word, particularly the Gospel/Good News message of God’s love and forgiveness for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Prayer, where, in love, we call upon God to bring Salvation to this world.
Father in Heaven, thank you for marking me as your own. Living in the power of your forgiveness, let me find my place in the struggle to bring salvation to people by sharing the salvation I have through Jesus’ blood with others. Amen.
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