Glimpse Of Glory 7

Judgment, Grace & Rejection

Text: Revelation 9

Introduction

two reals — the seen and unseen

two locations — heaven and earth

Remember, Jesus is reclaiming the title deed of the earth essentially by pullings His hands back and allowing cataclysmic judgement to unfold.

We are in a time called the tribulation period.

Please remember, what we read is a warning that has come from a loving and merciful Savior! He has reserved judgement for the end and not the beginning!

One huge truth that we are reminded of as we look at this, we are reminded of who our real enemy is; the devil and his demonic army.

The people receiving this kind of hell on earth are those who willingly remain in resistance to God’s warnings.

Here are the list of judgements:

7 seals, 7 trumpets (3 woes), 7 thunders (Not revealed), 7 vials (or bowls)

1) Fifth Trumpet (First Woe)

A. Who is the “start” that fell from Heaven?

There are different thoughts as to “who” this star that fell from heaven.

Some say Satan, others say an angelic being.

There are some identifiers that would lead us to think Satan is described here:

Described as a “star fallen from heaven.” — Luke 10:18 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”

One who was given the key to the pit had authority to release unthinkable wrath upon humanity.

This about the word “fallen.” It gives us a picture of an event without the hope of reversal!!!

This angel is describes as the king of the demonic prisoners:

Abaddon = destruction

Apollyon = destroyer

It is only until God fully pulls back His restraint will Satan’s facade of deception be removed.

B. The most important thing to figure out is what is the pit?

Where is the language used elsewhere in scripture?

Demon possessed man in gadara — Luke 8:31 “31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.”

Revelation 20:1–3 “1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”

(v2) I do believe we need to take care of the planet God has entrusted us to steward, however, there is not amount wind energy, solar energy replacement of fossil fuels that will prevent this from happening to the atmosphere.

C. A military conquest is envisioned

Many commentators believe this pre-cosmic encounter is referenced in two passages:

Jude 6 “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.”

2 Peter 2:4 “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;”

This is describing the angels who commited sin so bad during the pre-flood age that God locked them away and destroyed all of humanity save eight people. They had crossed a line with the human race that grievous toward God.

Jesus went and preached to these demons to simply tell them, “You are done for, I am about to resurrect, see you at the judgement!”

(v3-4) There is no reason to have to include a stretching of the mind beyond the power these demons have to cause such devastation.

Notice how they are described!

Locusts (swarms) (similar power likened to scorpions)

They were decorated with a gold like armor.

Hair like that of a woman.

Teeth designed for pain and death.

Wings that made such a sound that would overwhelm you.

Tails like scorpions with ability to inflict enormous pain.

IMAGE — show a close up picture of ant or scorpion.

D. God has authority over these demons

The only way Satan could have the power to open the Abyss is for God to give it to him.

The locusts were “given power” likened unto scorpions.

They were commanded NOT to harm any vegetation.

This time, they were to only inflict a fatal, but non fatal amount of pain. (v6)

The natural death that seeks after mankind, at this point, will be fleeing from mankind.

Will this consist of men attempting to kill themselves but not able to follow through with it, or doing things that should easily end their life but life would refrain from escaping them?

Even though we see judgement, THERE IS GRACE!!!

Only those with God’s seal are exempt from this 5 month inescapable torment!

The very demonic they have prayed to and worship is torturing them.

The is no escaping the absolute degree of God’s authority!

God protected possession could not be touched!

2) Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe)

A. Four fallen angels are released to bring about death

It is amazing that God has had these demonic beings locked away on the planet.

SIDE NOTE — Most of the terrible things that have happened on planet earth have happened in the areas where this river runs through…this sort of makes sense why!

In addition, since the angels appear to be in some way or another directly involved in the unleashing of this judgment, the action should be seen as a judicial act of God even if the forces involved are essentially godless. Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 223.

1/3 of the human race dies as a result.

1/4 of the human race has already died (2 billion)

This moment, 2 billion die.

Matthew 24:22 “22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

What can we learn about the strategic placement of these four angels?

God is omniscient and is never taken by surprise!

There has never been an event in history that surprises God.

Nothing has happened outside of God’s choice for it to happen.

At the same time, human freedom is intact.

Doesn’t that comfort you regarding god’s purposes and providence?

God’s safekeeping is comforting.

B. The four angels release a massive army

An army of 200 million are used by these demonic angels to kill 2 billion people.

3) Continual Rejection Of God’s Grace

The anticipated response from such a holocaust would be falling before God and trusting Jesus!

A. Continued idolatry/materialism callouses the heart.

Deuteronomy 31:29 “29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”

Daniel 5:23 “23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:”

Psalm 115:4–7 “4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: Eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: Noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: Feet have they, but they walk not: Neither speak they through their throat.”

1 John 5:21 “21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

B. Continued sinful living callouses the heart

Murders, magic arts, sexual immorality, thievery.

These people have given so much worship to their own depravity, it has seared the appetites for sinful things even after experiencing such horrific pain.

Illustration: An alcoholic becomes more driven to satisfy his desire for a buzz or someone addicted to drugs is more driven to satisfy their need for a high than their need for food and good health.

God will be just in judgement to those who bring themselves to such a condition!

Revelation 21:8 “8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Conclusion

However, this is so unavoidable!!!

Revelation 22:17 “17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”