The Grace of “Woe”

6 Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. 7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Trumpet One - Hail and Fire - Revelation 8:6-7

We will see that the first four trumpet judgments are simply and plainly described without any elaboration or commentary.

Trumpets five-seven will be given much more detail.

The first four affect the earth’s ecosystem. God using “mother nature” to show his just wrath.

A fair and appropriate stance since not too long before man was crying out to “mother nature” to protect them from the wrath of the Lamb.

God uses their god against them. The very thing they cried out to for protection becomes the enemy of all living things on earth.

Who is the more powerful God?

With the first trumpet…

Hail and fire, mixed with blood, was thrown upon the earth.

Hail and fire were often associated with divine judgment (Ex 9:13-25; Job 38:22-23; Ps 105:32; Is 28:2; Hag 2:17; Gen 19:24; Ps 11:6; Ezekiel 38:22)

The inclusion of the blood is not really explained but definitely fits with Joel’s prophecy of the day of the Lord - Joel 2:30.

The exact source of the hail and fire is not explained.

It could be supernatural in nature, or even natural.

As we have spoken of, the effects of earthquakes can be/are catastrophic in many ways. The earthquake could easily trigger volcanic eruptions, which would account for falling debris and fire from the skies. The flaming lava, red hot rocks certainly could look like blood, if this is in fact not literal blood.

Caused a 1/3 of the earth to be burned up.

1/3 of the trees

All green grass was burnt up.

By the 5th trumpet, we will once again see green grass.

Lest we think there is conflict…note two possibilities.

There is significant time between the first and fifth trumpets for the grass to regrow.

Two, ALL the green grass at the time of the judgment would not include ALL grass necessarily. Due to climates and seasons, some grass would be brown, dormant during this time and would sprout right up in its season.

The ALL green grass simply means ALL green grass AT THE TIME of the judgment.

There does not have to be a contradiction here.

The limited nature of this (and following trumpets) lets us know these are not FINAL judgments because ONLY 1/3 was affected.

The effects would be devastating

Destruction of crops

Death of animals

Loss of natural resources

Loss of water

These effects would, of course, lead to further death and loss of human life.

So, God brings judgement by turning their god on them, exposing the fragility of their core belief.

Trumpet Two - Burning Mountain - Revelation 8:8-9

Revelation 8:8–9 ESV

8 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Where as the first trumpet fell on the land, the second falls upon the sea.

Like the land, the sea was intended to be a blessing to mankind from God.

In addition to its provision of food (fish), the sea provides much of earth’s oxygen. Phytoplankton and Algae produce much O2 for us.

Much of the rain we receive to water the ground and our crops, comes from the oceans.

But now, even the sea, which God intended for blessing, will suffer the cost of man’s rebellion.

The great burning mountain is presumably an asteroid or meteorite. The fire would be the flame around it caused by its entry into earth’s atmosphere.

Perhaps even, large burning volcanic rock, if we are considering volcanic eruptions from the earthquakes. Not sure this could cause the level of destruction a meteor could, the level that we are discussing, but it certainly could be an option.

With the current technology, if it is a meteor, the whole world will likely watch its approach and its strike, unable to prevent or stop it.

It will affect 1/3 of the earth’s oceans. All the oceans are connected, so it will not just affect one, but all, at least to a degree. 1/3 of oceans will become blood.

Like the first trumpet and the blood that was said to accompany the hail and fire, it is hard to know if this will be a supernatural deposit of blood OR if from 1/3 of the ocean life dying, it fills 1/3 of the ocean with their blood, thus giving the oceans that blood filled appearance. Or perhaps, a little of both.

BUT,

The strike of the burning mountain will result in 1/3 of the animals perishing.

Similarly, 1/3 of all ships will be destroyed. A strike of this magnitude will undoubtedly caused Tsunami’s that will destroy ships still at sea as the waves obliterate them.

Trumpet Three - Falling Star - Revelation 8:10-11

Revelation 8:10–11 ESV

10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

Aster (the Greek for star) can refer to any celestial body other than the sun or moon.

Because of the description of the tail of fire (blazing like a torch), this is likely a meteor or comet.

BUT, as it enters the earth atmosphere, it likely disintegrates and spreads pollution over 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water sources, poisoning it so that many die from drinking it.

Interestingly enough, the first two trumpets mention no loss of human life, though surely such loss is implied and expected.

But here, we are given this statement that many lives will be lost as a result.

Because of the death toll it brings, it is called Wormwood.

Wormwood is a shrub whose leaves are used in the manufacture of absinthe, a liqueur so toxic that its manufacture is banned in many countries.

Wormwood is mentioned 8 times in the OT where it is associated with bitterness, poison, and death. (Deut 29:18; Prov 5:4; Jer 9:15; Lam 3:15; Amos 5:7; 6:12)

Again, the specific repetition of 1/3 makes clear that this is divine judgement, intentional, purposeful, not random happenstance.

Trumpet Four - Light Struck - Revelation 8:12

Revelation 8:12 ESV

12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.

As the fourth trumpet is blown, we see God striking the light.

Anyone remember that old show, “The Twilight Zone?” (This is probably for only those who are 40 and older in the room…lol)

I remember one episode in particular. A man who had been convicted of a crime had been sentenced to death. On the day of his execution, the town woke up to find that the sun refused to rise that day. As the day progressed, it stayed as black as the night before it. As you might imagine, it caused some great uneasy and concern for the townspeople. It created a fear and anxiousness because it was so out of the ordinary. The sun never fails to rise, never fails to make its appearance. So there was great fear on that day.

While this trumpet does not result in total blackness, it does result in the light being affected. 1/3 of the lights are struck. Which means, the lightening intensity will be turned down.

This appears to be an eclipse.

It will not be permanent as it speaks of 1/3 of the day being kept from shining. As well as a 1/3 of the night. So, not prolonged, but longer than any known eclipse in history.

Longest Total solar eclipse

Longest natural: 7 minutes, 28 seconds on June 15, 743 B.C.

Longest artificially extended: 74 minutes on June 30, 1973, by flying a Concorde supersonic jet to stay within the moon's shadow.

Longest Total lunar eclipse

Longest on record: 1 hour, 46 minutes, 36 seconds on May 31, 318 CE.

1/3 of the day and 1/3 of the night is 2/3 of a 24 hour period, which is 16 hours.

While temporary, it will have profoundly negative effectives.

I once heard that in the northernmost parts of Alaska, they have a real struggle with depression and suicide. In the mid-November through late January, where it is dark 24 hours a day (a time referred to as the polar night), people struggle. I have heard the same in Washington state, especially the western regions, where they are known for an average of 168 days of rain per year. That is nearly half of the year. And since that is the average, it is quite possible, some years are heavier. That constant deluge of rain, the overcast and darkness that comes with it, has a profound emotional and psychological effect.

The benefits of the sun/light are more significant that we might give credit for. Until the sun disappears or darkens, we do not realize just how significant of an impact it makes.

They will feel it during this time, with this judgement.

Not only will the sun be darkened, but so will the moon and stars. Light will diminish. Temporarily, sure, but it will diminish and with it will come (potentially) negative emotional and psychological effects.

In addition, with the sun and moon partially blocked, temperatures around the globe would plummet. The earth’s weather patterns will be momentarily disrupted. This could cause intense storms to spring up. More destruction and loss of life could certainly ensue from the extended duration of this eclipse.

We have all probably been witness to eclipses throughout our life time, but none will have lasted as long as this one will. The cumulative effect probably is not fully known, only speculated upon.

This dimming of the lights is a clear sign of the Day of the Lord - Isaiah 13:9-10; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Luke 21:25; Mark 13:24

Isaiah 13:9–10 ESV

9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.

Jesus added his own echo to these prophecies when he said…

Luke 21:25 ESV

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,

The dimming of the lights set the stage and the one for the what the angels declare next.

The Grace of Woe! - Revelation 8:13

Revelation 8:13 ESV

13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”

That ominous right?

An eagle flying overhead, crying out…WOE, WOE, WOE…

Picture it, looking up to the sky, set against the eclipsed sun, the silhouette of an eagle against the sky…for all to see…crying out…with words…

A warning.

The final three trumpets are so terrible that they get their own herald, their own warning label.

The final three trumpets get so significantly worse that they each get their own “woe.”

The triple “woe” indicates one for each of the next three trumpets.

Woe in scripture is associated with judgement, destruction, and condemnation. (Num. 21:29; 1 Sam. 4:7–8; Job 10:15; Ps. 120:5; Eccl. 10:16; Isa. 3:9; Jer. 4:13; Lam. 5:16; Ezek. 13:3; Hos. 7:13; Amos 6:1; Mic. 2:1; Nah. 3:1; Hab. 2:6; Zeph. 2:5; Matt. 11:21; Jude 11)

As we have seen, sadly, many will still not repent, even after seeing the judgements and enduring the wrath of God.

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF JUDGMENT, God gives the grace of warning.

He pauses in the unfolding of these trumpet judgements to give another warning of what is come.

What other purpose would this serve but to prepare those on earth for what is to come? To give them yet another opportunity to make their heart ready.

Please, do not ever let anyone convince you that our God is not a merciful, gracious, and patient God; that He does not give man ample opportunity to do what is right, to respond rightly to His just ways. He does.

Even in the face of judgment, God sends grace. Turn now and repent. 3 woes are coming. Now is the time to repent!

Ought not this provoke worship in the face of woe? Worship in warning?

God gives warning. He gives opportunity…once more proving His desire to see all men repent (despite that all men will not). God gives opportunity. He gives warning. He sends the WOE to alert us that danger is coming if we do not repent.

Inescapable Doom- Revelation 9:1-12

Revelation 9:1–12 ESV

1 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6 And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. 7 In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, 8 their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; 9 they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. 10 They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. 12 The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come.

The fifth trumpet IS the first woe

It affects ONLY those who are not sealed with the mark of God on their foreheads.

Death will be sought in these days, but not death will be the one thing withheld from man. Death, which has been in abundance up until now, will flee…will refuse to be grasped.

Falling Stars and Lord of the Abyss

In these few verses, we have two specific references to beings that we need to understand and untangle.

The Star fallen from heaven…

The Lord of the Abyss - Abaddon/Appollyon

Falling Stars

This is best understood as a personified being rather than a literal star. Though it is the same word for star as we saw with trumpet three, the context makes clear to us, that this is not a luminous body in the sky, but refers to a living being (he is given the keys of the pit).

HOWEVER, this is much division as to the identity of this star.

The association with the bottomless pit, opening it, and the demonic locusts that come out it, strongly suggests an evil angelic being, perhaps/most likely a demon.

In Isaiah 14, we see a similarity that give us a clue, a possibly identification of who this star is referring to in Revelation 9.

Isaiah 14:3-22 is a prophecy against the king of Babylon who will be brought low in his rebellion and arrogance. This text is PRIMARILY about a human king and his arrogance and God’s humbling of him.

BUT, due to the elevated nature of the language in verses 12-14, it could (and has been taken) to bear a double meaning.

Isaiah 14:12–14 ESV

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

We see the designation, “O Day Star… at the front side of this name.

This title “Son of the Dawn” elevates this in such a way as to imply that it addressing something beyond a mere human king.

We saw a similar phrase in Job 38:7, when the “morning stars” sang together in creation. This is a reference, we believe, to angelic beings singing as God created the world.

Which, implies that angels were created early enough in the creation timeline that they witnessed the birth of at least part of God’s creation.

Thus we see that angels have been referred to as “stars” in scripture.

Carrying this back in to Isaiah, the star that has fallen, likely refers to an angelic/spiritual being.

The elevation of the name, “O Day Star, son of Dawn!” is reference to angelic being who thought he could become God, thought he could elevate himself to the status of God in heaven.

And what angel is it that we believe did this?

Satan.

Thus, we have a legitimate connection to Satan, as the double meaning, in Isaiah. Even the writers of scripture saw the connection and link Isaiah 14, though primarily about a human king, to Satan’s original fall from glory as he elevated himself in pride.

Thus, there is a POSSIBLE connection of these texts to Revelation 9:11. It is possible, thought maybe not 100% provable, that this star is Satan himself.

I think there is a strong case to argue it is Satan, but as all things upon which we cannot be dogmatic, it is wisest to take a cautionary stance.

Thus, it is quite possible, it is Satan himself being given the keys to the pit and he descends to open it, unleashing the next judgment over the earth.

IF IT IS Satan, this fall in Revelation does not seem likely that it is the same as Isaiah where it depicts his original fall from heaven.

As we learn from Job, though he has fallen and has been kicked out of heaven, he still has access to heaven where he can come and go.

We will see again in Revelation 12, another war in heaven in which Satan and his hordes will be cast down out of heaven yet again. This time, it seems his access to heaven is being revoked entirely.

Revelation 12:7-9

Revelation 12:7–9 ESV

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

It may appear that at this point, all access to heaven is removed for him. This may well be the final time he “falls from heaven.”

This vision in Revelation, if it does indeed refer to Satan, is another instance of his leaving heaven to descend to the abyss and release the demons bound up there (more on that momentarily.)

HOWEVER, despite the case some make for this being Satan, others argue that this star in Revelation 9 could also be another fallen angel who serves Satan and is in fact, not Satan.

And certainly, this is possible as well.

So, when we compare these texts, we arrive at the following framework:

Isaiah 14 depicts Satan’s original fall, reflected in the typology of the king of Babylon.

Revelation 9 depicts either Satan or another angelic (likely fallen) being descending with the key to the abyss to unlock and release the locusts with the fifth trumpet judgment.

Revelation 12 is a separate (and potentially) final event showing his final expulsion from heaven, no longer permitted access to God’s presence. This likely takes place at the midway point through the tribulation.

And yet still - Larking proposes yet another option…

The Star fallen from heaven is a heavenly angel, descending so rapidly at the bequest of God that it appears as a “falling star.”

He contends that it seems unlikely that God would entrust the keys of the bottomless pit to a “fallen angel” and that therefore it must not be.

Later in Revelation 20:1-3, we will see yet another reference to an angel descending with the keys to the bottomless pit in his hands. This time, Satan and his hordes are bound there for 1000 years. Some contend that this angel here in Revelation 20 is the same as in Revelation 9. But that too is a possible option, but not provable.

BUT the contention that because the angel in Revelation 20 is not demonic, there is no need to make this one Revelation 9 one either.

Truth is, it does not really matter whether it is Satan, another demon, or an angel. What matters is that they unlock the pit and release the next judgement, the first woe. And terrible it will be.

Now, having “settled” that…

Is this being the same one who is identified as the Lord the Pit, the King of the demons bound there?

Lord of the Abyss

Most seem to agree, it is not.

This King, this Lord of the Pit is so named, Abaddon/Apollyon.

My theology class in college attributed these names to Satan. I have always thought of them as being so.

However, no explicit connection exists. No where in scripture actually named Abbadon or Apollyon.

The only place Abaddon exists in the NT is here. It is translated from OT concepts of destruction, none of which are explicitly connected to Satan.

In the OT, the terms are used to describe places of eternal punishment and judgment. (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Ps 88:11; Prov. 15:11; 27:20)

Certainly the name fits with what we know about his character, but it is not beyond certain that these names have ever been applied to Satan.

It is just as possible that this is some other angelic being under Satan’s rule and authority.

Whoever he is, he is lord of the pit, king of the angels/demons bound there. The pit is his domain.

The Bottomless Pit

What is the bottomless pit?

It appears 7 times in Revelation.

Each time it appears, it references the dwelling place of demons who are imprisoned by God.

Satan, himself, will be bound here for 1000 years during the Millennial reign.

The word is literally, the pit of the abyss.

We see the word abyss show up in numerous places as well.

2 Peter 2:4 records that this abyss, this bottomless pit, is the place of imprisonment for certain demons who have committed particular acts abominable to God. They are kept here until judgement day, which is still sometime future yet.

The phrase “cast them into hell” comes from the word Tartarus.

This is the only place in scripture where the term comes from. And it is used in reference to the place where demons are bound.

This may or may not be the same abyss mentioned here in Revelation 9. Scholars are divided on the connection.

In Greek literature/mythology Tartarus was a place reserved for the worst of the worst; for those whose offenses were a deep and intimate offense against God.

Granted, the place of Tartarus in Greek mythology IS different than what Revelation is speaking of, the imagery is not. Both referred to places of imprisonment for those whose offenses were particularly heinous.

Jesus, when he referred to hell in Matthew 5:22, referred to it as Gehenna, or the lake of fire. This will be the final place of judgement for the devil and his angels. Again, are they the same place or different? Hard to prove either way.

Clarence Larkin see Tartarus as separate from the bottomless pit/the abyss, as separate from hell, as separate from The Lake of Fire.

Some however combine one or more of these names into one and the same.

What does seem clear is that this abyss/bottomless pit may NOT be hell but a separate and temporary holding place, specific to demons whose sins merited it.

However we fall out on the rest, this abyss/bottomless pit does not appear to be the same as the final place of judgment God has prepared.

So terrible is this place that the demons themselves fear to go there.

Luke 8:26-33

Luke 8:26–33 ESV

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

The abyss they BEGGED NOT to be cast into, is the same as the one we see here in Revelation 9.

They were terrified of entering it, so Jesus sent them into the herd instead.

What sins could be so bad as to doom some to this place?

One speculation takes us a back to the days of Noah.

Genesis 6:1-4

Genesis 6:1–4 ESV

1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

For those who were here when I preached through Genesis, you may remember that…

There are two possible interpretations of this text.

One is that Sons of God refers to godly men who married daughters of men, wicked woman, and were thus corrupted and lead away from God.

The other, which many theologians and biblical scholars lean towards is that “sons of God” refer to angels. This designation has in fact been used to refer to angels in other places in scripture. If it does (which I personally tend to lean towards), then these are fallen angels who procreated with human women and produced a race of giants who dwelled in the land during those days.

MacArthur speculates that this was an act of war between Satan and God that has existed since Satan first set himself against God.

Satan launched first assault in the garden, tempting man to sin.

God responded by promising a Messiah to set right the wrongs of man.

Satan countered by breeding his fallen angels with human woman in attempt to produce a demon/human hybrid that was unredeemable.

At least, this is MacArthurs speculation.

God counters by saving Noah and his family and destroying all of the human race in a global flood.

AND it is these angels who did not remain their abode but committed grievous sins…

Jude 6-7

Jude 6–7 ESV

6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

This sin, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, sexual in nature earned these specific ones a binding until the day of judgement.

While some do understand “sons of God” to be human descendents of death, consistent use of them throughout the OT suggests these are angelic beings, fallen, who have committed grievous acts of sin.

THESE were bound in the abyss, the bottomless pit.

This pit that we are referencing here in Revelation 9.

Now, since it says they are bound until the judgment, it is not THEM that are released in this trumpet judgement but other demons who also happened to be bound here.

Judgment Unleashed

Smoke billowing from the pit that is opened, blocks the sun. Comparable to the eclipse, most likely, the sun is once again dimmed from its full power due to the amount of smoke billowing from the pit that has been opened.

In addition, vasts amount of locusts, or what is described as locusts, exit the pit.

Swarms of locusts have known to be so large that they can appear as clouds/smoke that block the sun for their size. In 1989 a swarm was reported as so huge that it spanned 2000 square miles.

Locusts, actual locusts, are massively destructive. They eat everything and destroy all vegetative life that they come into contact which, especially in such large numbers.

Like the the other judgments, this feels reminiscient of the plagues on Egypt.

HOWEVER, we will find, that these may not be actual locusts. OR if they are, they are unlike any we have ever seen.

They are said to sting like scorpions. Scorpions, as you know have tails that can curl around with a stinger on them. Their stings can be incredibly painful and about two dozen have the ability to actually cause death in humans by their stings.

Since we know of no species of locust that has the ability to sting like a scorpion, this is either imagery used to depict something else, or these are some sort of locust we have never seen before.

Because they are said to be bound in the pit where only demons are bound and that they serve a KING of the pit, it is most likely, these are demons and locusts is a term used to scribe the innumerable swarm of them…perhaps even their size and destructive power.

UNLIKE the locusts of Egypt, these locusts will not harm any vegetation or ecology. Their strict and specific instructions are to inflict pain on those who do not bear the mark of God on their foreheads.

This will be the 144, 000 witness.

BUT, in Revelation 22:4, we will see all redeemed also bearing the name of God on their foreheads, which has led some to speculate that all believers may bear his mark even now and may also be spared this judgement.

As we saw with the WOE, WOE, WOE, God gave warning before these next three judgements fall.

The warning is meant to give men the opportunity to repent before it comes.

That warning, if embraced, may well mean that they will be spared the judgement that is about to fall.

God continues to show grace and give men the opportunity to be spared.

Their time is limited to 5 months.

But their pain will be excruciating. People will wish for death and not find it.

God will not permit the demons to bring death, though they may well want to issue it, they will not be allowed.

Presumably, it is implied that some may even seek death, by their own hands, and find that death no longer cooperates or greets them. During this 5th months, death, which has been ramped up, will suddenly cease and no death will be permitted for a period of 5 months.

The Locusts

Revelation 9:7-11

Revelation 9:7–11 ESV

7 In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, 8 their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; 9 they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. 10 They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.

The locusts will

look like horses prepared for battle

be wearing crowns of gold on their heads (Stephanos - victor’s crown. They will be unstoppable)

have faces like humans (Intelligent beings, not actual insects)

have hair like women's (perhaps to depict their seductiveness. It has been said that he beauty or glory of a woman is her hair)

have teeth like lions (fierce, mighty, powerful)

have breastplates of iron (invulnerable)

make the sound of chariots with horses rushing into battle with their wings (No where to hide, mighty and noisy in battle)

have the power to inflict pain with their tails and stingers

have power for 5 months

serve the angel of the bottomless pit, who is their king

The First Woe Passed - Revelation 9:12

Revelation 9:12 ESV

12 The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come.

This passes the first woe.

The first of three is done

After the second, we will have a similar warning.

After each, a warning statement of the next is issued.

Another opportunity. Repent. There is more to come. Now is the time.

Conclusion

Big Idea: The judgment of God comes with the grace of warning and the reality of inescapable doom.

The continued admonishment is this: Repent now while you may. For you have no guarantee of doing so in these dark days.

See, behold, and come to Him who sits on throne, to the Lamb who was slain. He offers a way to avoid and escape His holy and just wrath against our sins.

Accept grace, for the day of the Lord, the day of wrath will be more terrible than we can begin to imagine.

The doom of God is inescapable…except through Him.

When covered by His blood, when wrapped in His grace, When trusting in Jesus’ work of redemption, there is safety and refuge.

Church, NOW is the time to warn the world…before the Day of the Lord begins.

Friend, if you are here today and have not embraced him, now is the time do so, before wrath begins.

If you miss it, there may be other opportunities…though none guaranteed. Isn’t it better to repent and believe now rather than later?

Church, isn’t crucial for us to issue warning now? If God issues them now and then, which He does, should we also not be warning?

Even in the face of inescapable doom, grace is offered.

As we are ever growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God, may our voice offer and echo heaven’s warning…now is the time to repent and believe and be delivered from the wrath of God.

Application

How does the judgment of God manifest both as a warning and as an opportunity for repentance?

In what ways can we see God’s grace even amidst the severe judgments described in Revelation?

What practical steps can you take to respond to God’s warnings in your own life?

How does understanding the consequences of sin influence your daily choices and interactions?

In what ways can you be a voice of warning and encouragement to your peers regarding faith and repentance?

What role does community play in helping each other recognize the need for repentance before it’s too late?

What can we learn about God's character from the way He warns humanity before issuing judgment?

How can you apply the concept of 'woe' from the sermon to areas of your life that may need change?

How do you think the realization of inescapable doom affects our urgency in sharing the gospel?

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