Beating the Bugs

Bugs

Terrified of bugs as a kid

Particularly the ones flying

Bumblebees

Grasshoppers

Bees

Bugs have a different sort of meaning today

Software that doesn’t work right

Updates deal with “bugs”

Cause the software to malfunction

Example

Bugs are not limited to flying insects or software malfunctions

Hardships we encounter in living life in this fallen, broken, hurting world

How do we beat these bugs?

We get a glimpse into the nature of these bugs by looking at this passage today

Revelation 9:1-12

Revelation 9:1–12 NKJV

1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

Timeline

Trumpet number 5

1. The Leader of the Bugs

Satan

V.1

“star that had fallen from heaven to earth”

Described in other passages

Is 14:12-17

Isaiah 14:12–17 NKJV

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. 16 “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’

Lk 10:18

Luke 10:18 NKJV

18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Up to this point Satan was found in a specific location

Re 12:10

Revelation 12:10 NKJV

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

Standing before God accusing us day and night

So it is likely that 9:1 is referring to Satan’s ejection in 12:10

Other facts about Satan

Fallen angel created by God

Is 14:12 “ “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!”

Took angels out of heaven with him

Mt 25:41 ““Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Now he is given “the key to the bottomless pit”

V.1

Key represents authority

Granted authority by the Lord to open the bottomless pit

When he opens the pit the sky is darkened

V.2

Smoke like out of a great furnace

2003 Cedar Fire

The same leader of these locusts is out to get you

1 Pe 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

He would love for you to think one of two things about him

He is as powerful as God

So you will tremble in fear of him

So you will be looking for him around every corner in abject fear

He does not really exist

So you will live as though there is no enemy out to destroy you

If your defenses are down, it’s easy to destroy you

Football analogy

The easiest way for an offense to score a touchdown

If there’s no defense on the field to stop it

2. The Description of the Bugs

Vv.7-10

Horses equipped for battle

Heads covered with something that looked like gold crowns

Faces like men’s faces

Hair like women’s hair

Teeth like lion’s teeth

Chests like iron breastplates

Sound of wings like sound of chariots pulled by many horses

Tails with stingers like scorpions

Powerful tails

Obvious these are not run-of-the-mill locusts

These are demonic

By virtue of their origin

By virtue of their leader

What can we take from this?

The enemy’s forces are formidable

Do not underestimate him

Especially if you are diligently seeking to have the Lord work in your life

Expect the attacks to ramp up

Do not let him sneak up behind you

How temptation works

Ga 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

Overtaken

προλαμβάνω

“taken by surprise”

Keep the enemy in front of you

Be aware that the enemy is attacking when things go wrong or badly or you find yourself in distracting circumstances

You find yourself wanting to get

Distracted

Discouraged

Worried

3. The Mission of the Bugs

What not to do

V.4

Harm the grass, green plant, or tree

V.5

Kill people

What to do

V.4

Harm the unmarked people

Who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads

Tormenting them for five months

Result

Torment is like a scorpion sting

This one so bad people will want to die but will not be able to do so

What is the mission of the enemy and his forces?

He still stands outside the gates of heaven bringing accusation against you

Everything you have done and said

His forces are out to

Scare you

Distract you

Discourage you

Cause you to focus on yourself

You need to be able to recognize his attacks

Ep 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

See them for what they are

Attacks from the enemy

How do you recognize them?

Remember something about the enemy

They cannot read your mind

But they do take careful notes on you

They have a scouting report on you

They note where you have fallen in the past

Your patterns of sin

They go after that

Until you give evidence that the Lord has won the victory in that area

Then they go for the next weakness

You also need to see something else at the same time

Ro 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

God is able to cause even the attacks from the enemy to work together for good

Good=God’s will

That knowledge alone could be enough for you to stand against Satan’s attacks on you

Jas 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

1 Pe 5:9 “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Now What?

Do we worry about these bugs?

Not unless you have not made a decision about Jesus Christ

Have you believed in Him for the promise of everlasting life?

If you have not made a decision about Jesus

You have no greater decision to make in your life than that…today

You ARE being attacked by bugs

Courtesy of your enemy the devil

How are you doing?

Are you under attack?

If not, you better take time right now to find out why not

Listen, confess, and repent

If you are, how are you doing?

Are you afraid?

Are you discouraged?

Are you distracted?

Today is your day to Beat the Bugs

You beat the lies with truth

Go all in with regard to abiding and remaining in Jesus

Fresh new commitment to seek Him

By starting in the Bible

By listening to what the Holy Spirit reveals to you in that reading

By responding in worship

Personal prayer

Corporate prayer

By submitting to the Holy Spirit’s lead in life

By obeying what He instructs