Revelation 9

There are yet three more angels to sound their trumpets to announce God’s judgment.  Two of them sound in this chapter.

1.     Rev. 9:1-12: The star is apparently a being (angelic?) to whom is given the key to open the bottomless pit.  He opens it and what is inside is given power like that of a scorpion.  The word power is actually the Greek term (exousia) for authority.  He who gives the key to the star gives them this authority.  It is either God or one (like Satan) who gets his authority from God.  The pit or abyss is the place where demons are reserved for judgment (Luke 8:31; 2 Pet. 2:4) and where Satan will be bound during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-3).  Thus it seems that however you might explain these creatures (actual locusts, weapons of modern warfare) they are in fact demonic in nature.  Their authority is limited to five months, the normal lifespan of locusts.  They do not have authority to strike those who have been sealed by God, the believing Israelites of Rev. 7:1-8.  Most believing Gentiles have been martyred and are in heaven (7:9-17).  We are told at the end of the chapter that the remainder of unbelievers who are not killed by these plagues remain unrepentant.  In Rev. 12 we will also learn of a Jewish remnant that is protected by God.  Keep in mind that the first few plagues in Egypt affected God’s people as well as the Egyptians.  This is the first woe.  There are yet two more.

2.     Rev. 9:13-21: The sixth angel sounds, opening the way for a huge army (200,000,000) from the East to cross the Euphrates.  Again there are many who see weapons of modern warfare in the horses as well as the horsemen.  That may be although what is clear is that they have some ability to bring about death on a large scale.  One third of mankind is killed.  Again their power (v19) refers to their authority or freedom.  They are permitted by God to do this.  We do not hear that the 2^nd woe is past until Rev. 11:14.  There are some things to be said that relate to the time being described in Rev. 10-11.

What is amazing is the obstinance of mankind.  Even after these terrible judgments those who remain dig in their heals, refusing to give up what they know are the sins, the causes of their judgment.  What this tells us is that man is deeply affected by sin.  It also reminds us that God’s judgment is not meant to be rehabilitative.  It is according to what is often called the law of the harvest.  It is retribution, repayment, man getting what his choices have asked for.

What should bring mankind to repent is God’s love.  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4)  Do not wait for these events, thinking you will then turn to God.  As the Bible makes clear, Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2).