The Fifth Trumpet

Rev. 9:1-12

Introduction:  In our last study, we learned about the first four trumpets.  The first trumpet was the destruction of all green vegetation.  In the second trumpet a third of the sea turned to blood, a third of marine life died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.  The third trumpet brought judgment on fresh water and the fourth trumpet affects the sun, moon, and stars.  At the end of chapter 8 the Bible says we are introduced to the woes.  These woes refer to the judgments yet to come when the three remaining trumpets are blown.  It means, if you think this is bad; wait until the next three blow.

By now the vegetation has been dramatically change, water has been tampered with and corrupted, the sun and the moon will be darkened which announces the Savior’s return Matt. 24:39-40

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.[1]

The first woe is the fifth trumpet.

I. The opening of the pit vv. 1-3

A. Owner of the pit v. 1

1.  Star seems to be a personality maybe Satan himself Is. 14:12-Satan and his demons Eph. 6:10.

2. Given the key by Christ means he is given permission.

3. Bottomless pit-the heart of the earth is about 9800 to 10,300 degrees all sides rotating with the earth

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 isthe 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.[2]

4.  A star falls to the earth and opens it-smokes rises to fill the air-which darkens the earth.

5. Bottom pit-a place of confined demons

“And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.[3]” Luke 8:31

B. Locusts of the pit vv. 2-3

1. Smoke=life furnace heat arises which darkens the atmosphere-devils are power of darkness, place of sin and depravity.

2. God permits the unsaved to their lord for a time.

3. Supernatural locusts-half man, half monster that resembles a lion, horse, scorpion, and man, women had wings that sound as marching horses.

4. Affect the earth-May-September is the time of locusts-unsaved.

5. This is Satanic oppression.

II. The corruption from the pit vv. 4-6

These locusts reflect the 8th plague in Ex. 10—they can do devastating damage.

A. Locust’s limitation v. 4

1.  No vegetation is touched.

2. No saved person will be touched.

B. Locust’s torment vv. 5-6

1.  Pain of a scorpion-the excruciating pain so severe that they want to die.

2. The pain lasted for 5 months-interesting 5th trumpet, 5th angel, 5 letters in death, first death in the Bible is Gen. 5:5, Fifth month is a distress call-MayDay-normal lifespan of a locust is five months

3. Satan wants his crowd alive to wage his war.

4. Satan is so much in control of man that it seems man is unable to do anything v.6-he is unable to die

 III. The description of the pit vv. 7-12

A. Scorpion’s head vv. 7-8

1.  Their shapes were as horses which were ready for battle.

2. Satan is always fighting for his kingdom, for his glory, for his power.

3. The golden crowns represents each thinking himself to be great-more than likely the symbolism of humanism.

B. Scorpion’s body vv. 9-10

1.  Breastplate of iron-thinking it is immune to destruction.

2. Wings sound like chariots with speed and inescapable destruction.

3. Tails like scorpions.

4. These are not animals or humans but demonic creatures-which the restraining Holy Spirit prevents from happening until He is taken away-

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.[4]

II Thess. 2:6-7

C. Scorpion’s king vv. 11-12

1.  Heb. Abaddon, Greek-Apollyon-destroyer of the souls of men.

2. Angel which guards the bottomless pit.

Conclusion:  The first woe is past v. 12 and there are more woes left.  A horrifying scene indeed and could be avoided if man would turn to Christ.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Re 20.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Lk 8:31.

[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 2 Th 2:6–7.