Locusts & Horses & Demons: Oh My!

INTRODUCTION:

We’re on week two of a new series in the book of Revelation. Today we’re continuing our exploration of what’s called the 7 Trumpet judgments. This is a time period wherein the judgment of God is falling from heaven on a sinful and rebellious mankind who has no real desire to repent.

We titled the series “Scorched Earth.” A Scorched earth military policy is one where side destroys the assets and resources that might be used by the other side.

So an outside force could bomb the weapons, communications and food supplies of an enemy combatant or the enemy combatant could destroy its own assets in hopes that it would not fall into the hands of the enemy.

That is the picture described in Revelation 8-9. The Lord God Almighty is going Scorched Earth against his enemies. He is essentially destroying the earth and every resource/asset that might be used by his enemies to advance an offensive.

The judgments are totalizing and sweeping and horrible to think about. The Bible describes this period of time on the earth as the “Day of the Lord.”

It’s not a singular 24 hour period. Rather, it’s a period of time (probably several years) that includes various judgments against the people who live on the earth and their response to that judgment.

Last week we looked at the first four trumpets. Today we’ll look at the next two.

Old Testament Background

Before we do that, though, I want to show you a connection between these seven trumpet judgments and two stories in the OT to which these trumpet judgments allude.

I think John is pulling from these OT passages to paint a picture about the future.

The first is the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. You’ll remember that God commanded seven priests to sound seven trumpets for seven days, at the end of which they would shout, the walls of Jericho would come down, and the Israelites would officially enter the Promised Land.

The imagery here is eerily similar as seven trumpets are given to seven angels. With each trumpet blast, judgments are progressively poured out on the earth until finally at the 7th trumpet victory is given to God’s people and the kingdom of this world becomes the Kingdom of God and of his Christ.

The second story is the story of the Moses and the Exodus from Egypt.

If you remember (or watched the movie) the Lord poured out various plagues on Egypt in an effort to persuade Pharoah to “repent.”

In Revelation 9 the Lord is again pouring out plagues on the earth to say, “repent or else the judgment of God is going to fall on you.”

The Trumpet Judgments and the Exodus

Just to review, let’s go over the first four trumpets again and see their connection with the story of the Exodus.

The 1st Trumpet is hail and fire mixed with blood that destroys 1/3 of the earth, trees and green grass. (Rev 8:7)

This is reminiscent of the 7th plague on Egypt (Exo 9:18). We said last week that this judgment is going to put the ecosystem into a tailspin (particularly as it relates to the air we breath).

The 2nd Trumpet is described as a huge mountain ablaze with fire. (Rev 8:8-9) 1/3 of the sea turns to blood, destroying 1/3 of the sea creatures and 1/3 of the trade ships.

This is reminiscent of the 1st plague on Egypt. (Exo 7:17-21) This might be a volcanic eruption (or several) that contaminate the oceans.

The 3rd Trumpet is a falling star, blazing like a torch. (Rev 8:10-11) This judgment destroys 1/3 of all the drinking water on the earth.

This is also reminiscent of the 1st plague on Egypt (Exo 7:17-18). 1/3 of the population dies because there is no fresh drinking water.

The 4th and final trumpet we looked at was 1/3 of the sun, moon and stars being stuck so that they “turned dark.” (Rev 8:12) 1/3 of the day was without light as was the night.

This is reminiscent of the 9th plague on Egypt. (Exo 10:21-23) The world being plunged into the darkness would have an incredible psychological effect on the world. The fine-tuning of our universe would be undone.

The Main Idea

The first four trumpets bring destruction to the earth. The next two bring destruction to the people who live on the earth.

In some ways, the essence of sin is elevating created things over the creator. So here we see God destroying the creation and unleashing chaos on people in an overall effort to solicit repentance.

Unfortunately, few to none accept that invitation. Today’s passage describes what happens to a generation that rejects that invitation.

The First Woe

With that in the background, lets begin to work our way through these next two trumpet judgments.

In each of these judgments we see the consequences that fall on unrepentant rebellion against God. I want to show you three consequences. It results in

Demonic torment that cannot be escaped (vv 1-12)

Divine judgment that cannot be avoided (vv 13-19)

Damaged hearts that cannot express repentance (20-21)

We will start with demonic torment that cannot be escaped. It is described in the fifth trumpet started in verse 1.

Locusts: From Where to do What?

The fifth trumpet describes demonic locusts that get unleashed from a deep void and end up terrorizing the people who live on the earth. This trumpet has echoes of the 8th plague released on Egypt in the Exodus. (Exo 10:12-15)

Let’s take a look at how John describes them. Revelation 9:1

Revelation 9:1 (CSB)

1 The fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth. The key for the shaft to the abyss was given to him.

Now what or who is this star? Many people think that this may be a reference to Satan himself. If not Satan then some other fallen angel or high ranking demonic figure. It’s hard to say with certainty.

Notice John didn’t see the star fall. He sees a star that “had fallen” previously. It’s a perfect tense verb which leads me to think it might be a reference to Satan.

Whoever it is, they are given a key. Key’s symbolize authority. The idea is that this star didn’t possess the authority outright but it was given to him by God to unleash this judgment on the earth.

From the Abyss

The key that was given unlocks this shaft called “The Abyss.” The word translated Abyss means an immeasurable void. A hole and goes and goes and goes without end.

We see in verse 2 that demons were being held in this hole for judgment from actions they committed thousands of years prior.

Jude 1:6 talks about this dynamic.

Jude 6 (CSB)

6 and the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day.

We saw this in the case of the demon possessed man in Mark 5/Luke 8. The demons begged Jesus not to cast them out into the abyss.

Luke 8:30–31 (CSB)

30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,” he said, because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss.

Think of the abyss as a prison for demons and it’s the worst of the worsts. Only the biggest baddest demons go in there. That’s what’s in view here.

Now if you took all the worst prisons on the earth and released every human prisoner to do as they pleased it would wreak havoc on the earth. In this case, the prisoners are not human, they are demons. And the havoc they’re going to wreak is worse than you can even imagine.

So the first consequence of unrepentant rebellion against God is demonic torment. Demonic Torment that cannot be escaped.

Released to Torment

The nature of the havoc they release on the earth is hinted at in verses 2-3.

Revelation 9:2–3 (CSB)

2 He opened the shaft to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the shaft like smoke from a great furnace so that the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then locusts came out of the smoke on to the earth, and power was given to them like the power that scorpions have on the earth.

What is this smoke and where does it come from? What does it represent?

Certainly it’s possible that this is literal smoke causing a literal darkness on the earth. But John is using apocalyptic imagery and so we must be careful not to press the language into some kind of rigid literalistic mold.

From Revelation 14:11 we know the smoke represents torment. (fire and the sulfer are related in some way as well)

Whether that’s physical torment, mental/spiritual torment or everything put together is not clear but it’s agonizing.

The point is, these demons have been tormented in judgment by God and now God is allowing them to be released to torment the people who live on the earth.

(Reminds me of the Penny Dreadful show on Netflix!)

Limited in Scope

Even though they are given authority to torment the people on the earth the scope of their torment is limited.

Revelation 9:4–5 (CSB)

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 God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were not permitted to kill them but were to torment them for five months; their torment is like the torment caused by a scorpion when it stings someone.

The grass was burnt up by the first trumpet judgment so my assumption is that the grass has grown back (or it’s at least in the process of growing back and so the Lord puts a restraint on the continued destruction of the earth).

So it’s limited in that the locust cannot affect the creation. Just people. It’s also limited in the TYPE of people that are allowed to be tormented.

It’s only for those who do NOT bear the mark of God. Everybody except the 144K. (Jewish remnant uniquely protected by God throughout the Great Tribulation.)

The 144K might be a reference to the Church (Jew and Gentile - the true Israel of God) And therefore Christians would be spared from this demonic torment. Whatever the case, those with God’s mark are protected from God’s wrath.

The final form of restraint is seen in that the locusts are permitted to TORMENT people only. They are not permitted to kill anyone.

In fact, people seek after death but not be able to find it.

Revelation 9:6 (CSB)

6 In those days people will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.

The Nature and Effect of the Torment

John likens the pain of this torment to the kind of pain one experiences when being stung by a scorpion.

I did a Google search on this and here are some of the sufferings you experience when stung by a scorpion.

Pain, numbness, tingling and swelling.

Difficulty breathing, muscle thrashing, involuntary body movements.

Drooling, sweating, nausea and vomiting

Restlessness, excitability or inconsolable crying in children (that’s hell!)

Can you imagine being tormented like this for five months? That sounds terrible to me. The physical and psychological effect of this demonic oppression will drive people out of their minds.

“They will desire death but not be able to find it.”

NOTES: This demonic torment will be limited in scope but absolutely agonizing for those on whom it falls.

It’s not unusual for demonic oppression to create thoughts of suicide or an endless fascination with death. But this extends beyond mere depression. It’s a pain and agony so deep that death feels like a better alternative.

What the Purpose?

Why is God doing this? Surely it’s not because he enjoys seeing people suffer. I don’t think that’s it. Rather, this is God allowing sin, idolatry and rebellion against God to have its full effect. You cannot reject God and not suffer the consequences. God is not mocked. Whatever a person sows they will also reap.

God will get His glory through you.

He will either get His glory through you by allowing you to repent and be saved by Jesus and pouring his very life through you.

Or He will get his glory by you by showing the world that he's more powerful/holy/just than you by punishing you for your sin.

Either way, God gets all the glory.

Sin has its consequences. You cannot rebel against God without reaping the fruit of that decision. One of the tragedies of a life lived in rebellion against God is demonic torment that has its full effect in your life.

Locusts: What They Look Like:

John goes on to describe what the locusts look like in Revelation 9:7-10.

Revelation 9:7–11 (CSB)

7 The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. Something like golden crowns was on their heads; their faces were like human faces; 8 they had hair like women’s hair; their teeth were like lions’ teeth; 9 they had chests like iron breastplates; the sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots with horses rushing into battle; 10 and they had tails with stingers like scorpions, so that with their tails they had the power to harm people for five months.11 They had as their king the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

Are these literal locust (like huge living insects?)

Is John seeing into the spiritual realm in that these are not physical creatures but demonic powers invisible to the human eye (in the flesh.)

Or is John using apocalyptic language to describe a demonically-inspired human army headed up by Satan himself? The Anti-Christ.

I’m not really sure. All three are possible.

Notice how often John uses the word “like.” He’s using metaphor or analogy here.

The fact that God’s people are spared makes me think these are demonic powers invisible to the naked eye but who have tremendous power to cause human suffering.

That demons might possess human actors is completely possible so I personally lean the second and third options.

Whatever the case - literal, symbolic or something else - this demonically-possessed horde described by John is terrifying and horrific.

Much of this language is borrowed from Joel 2 that describes the army of the Lord.

Apocalyptic Language

That they’re described as horses conveys their intent is war, death and destruction.

That they wear crowns conveys these are powerful demons, effective and successful in their past endeavors to bring ruin and chaos.

That they have human faces may mean they’re animating human actors to wreak havoc or that they’re just very intelligent and strategic in their actions.

That they have “hair like women” some think means they are attractive but that’s the opposite suggestion of everything else. It think it might be a reference to their vitality and strength (like Sampson)

That they have "teeth like a lion” is used elsewhere in the OT to convey the fierceness of a nation conquering Israel. (no holds barred. Cruel and unusual punishment)

That they inflict pain their through mouth and their tails is a head scratcher. Some say the demons inflict pain through false teaching, lies and deception. Some say its a literal reference to a certain kind of weaponry or soldier.

The reference to their king as Abaddon/Apollyon could be a reference to a human military leader. It might also be a reference to Satan himself or some high ranking demon. (we know there’s a hierarchy) Could be a blend of both!

We must be very careful in interpreting these pictures. Some get very dogmatic and say “these are apache helicopters and weapons of war...” Sure that’s possible but not certain.

We know the intent of these demon possessed actors (torment) and the extent of their destruction (people minus 144K) but we do not know precisely the methods or means of that destruction.

To say otherwise is a violation of good hermeneutics.

The Main Point

The overall point is this: unrepentant rebellion against God invites his judgment. One form of that judgment is demonic torment in your life and on the world.

John’s description symbolizes a demonic force with IMMENSE power. We are fools to think we can tolerate/play around with evil and not be harmed.

We live in a culture that laughs at the idea of embodied spiritual evil. We don’t even like to talk about human evil anymore. And yet there IS evil in the world.

The architect of that evil is Satan. The destroyer. He works today just like he did in the past and will continue to do so into the future.

When the restraining hand of God gets removed and Satan is able to fully deploy his schemes and plans for this world - it will destroy the world. It’s in his nature.

For us today this means we must not be blind to the activity of Satan and demons. Don’t flirt with it. Don’t tolerate evil in your life. Don’t press into that darkness because of the power and advantage you feel it gives you. It will lead you to destruction every single time.

The Second Woe

The first woe is over (thank God!) If there was ever a chapter in the Bible I wanted to skip as a preacher it’s this one. It’s a VERY sobering passage.

But we’re not done yet. The sixth trumpet is described in verse 12 and following.

Revelation 9:12–15 (CSB)

12 The first woe has passed. There are still two more woes to come after this.

13 The sixth angel blew his trumpet. From the four horns of the golden altar that is before God, I heard a voice 14 say to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels who were prepared for the hour, day, month, and year were released to kill a third of the human race.

The second consequence of a life of unrepentant rebellion against God is devastating (diving) judgment that cannot be avoided.

So who are these four angels? The fact that they are “bound” leads me to believe they’re not necessarily righteous angels. Maybe they are and they were just bound in the sense of not being allowed to do what they were purposed to do.

It’s interesting that the angels were prepared for a particular hour, day month and year.

This judgment by God has been set. It wasn’t as if God just looses his cool one day. Rather, it’s like the threshold of evil and idolatry finally reaches the point wherein God says - okay, time to reap what has been sown.

The effect of the judgment is that 1/3 of the human race is ended. We’re talking billions of people. We saw in the 4th seal that people were given authority to kill 1/4th of the earth. Now they’re actually dying and it’s 1/3d.

This is just a reminder of the severity of our sin before a holy God.

It’s so easy for us to minimize sin, trivialize, justify it and amplify it in our lives. But it’s a dreadful thing for sinners to fall into the hands of an angry God.

God is just in this punishment. The earth is deserving of this consequence.

God forgive us for making light of your holiness, Satan’s power and our sin.

The Army Described

John goes on to describe this army in verses 16-19.

Revelation 9:16–19 (CSB)

16 The number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number. 17 This is how I saw the horses and their riders in the vision: They had breastplates that were fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and from their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 A third of the human race was killed by these three plagues—by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came from their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, because their tails, which resemble snakes, have heads that inflict injury.

Some think that this 200 million man army is the same thing as the demonic locusts hoard but different imagery. I’m not sure that’s the case but there are similarities in some of the description.

This group is described as a military force not a horde of locust. 200 million troops to be exact.

They wear breastplates with three different colors (red, blue and yellow.)

Their weapons are plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur (brimstone - corresponding to the red, blue and yellow).

1/3 of the human race is ended by these three plagues.

So who are these 200 million horsemen? Be careful of people who say authoritatively “This is for sure who they are...” It’s hard to be sure because the Bible doesn’t say.

We know this:

They are demonically inspired.

There are 200 million of them.

They bring about the death 1/3 of the human race.

They inflict injury through their mouth & tails.

These categories of fire, smoke and sulfur (brimstone) are used metaphorically elsewhere in the book of Revelation. John likens them to plagues which sounds like they represent more than mere human soldiers.

My assumption is that the different colored breastplates determine what plague that particular soldier inflicts through his offensive. They inflict injury through their mouths and tails (much like the demonic locust hoard).

A Survey of Options

There is no shortage of conjecture what this army represents.

The historicists say the red, blue and yellow refer to the artillery and weaponry used by the Turks in the seige of Constantinople. (Sultan Mahomet)

The Preterists say this is a Roman invasion of Jerusalem (AD 66 not 70) and that 200,000,000 is merely symbolic of a very large army.

Some futurists say this is conglomeration of Eastern Nations (India, China, Japan, North Korea, etc) Others think it’s a new coalition of nations. The red, blue and yellow reference weapons of modern warfare (nuclear bombs!)

Idealists say this is a spiritual description of literal catastrophes that God brings on people who refuse to repent. So we can look throughout human history and see this kind of judgment fall on nations that will not repent.

Who’s right? Who’s Wrong? Who’s to say!? The nature and methods of this military force are unclear to say the least. But their effect on the world isn’t unclear. Its’ catastrophic destruction. The end of the world as we know it!

The Saddest Reality

Having gotten through these two woes, what on earth was God trying to accomplish. Why allow the earth to be destroyed and people afflicted in this way?

Answer: so that they might repent. He wanted repentance. But the world will be so hardened in their heart that repentance is not expressed.

Revelation 9:20–21 (CSB)

20 The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

The third consequence of unrepentant rebellion against God is a damaged heart that cannot repent.

People stubbornly refuse to believe the necessity of repentance for salvation. They refused to believe it. Yet it’s the half of the Gospel. You cannot believe without repentance.

What does repentance do? It leads you to salvation. Without repentance there can be no salvation. Without repentance sin will only go from bad to worse.

Look at the sins committed by this culture. God has graciously tried to get their attention over and over again and yet they’d rather worship demons. They’d rather have Satan and his promises than God and his grace.

Murder, sorceries, sexual immorality and theft… these are acts of immorality that grow and grow - enslaving those who are committing the act.

Today If You Hear His Voice…Repent!

We have wrongly communicated the Gospel in our culture. We say if you want to be saved then just believe these facts and pray this prayer. That’s not enough. There must first be repentance.

Repentance says “I”m wrong and God is right… I’m unable but God is able… I’m powerless but God is mighty to save...” Repentance is what enables you to see “I’m dead in my trespasses and sins”

Today if you hear the Lord calling you to repent then do not harden your heart. Repent and believe! (Hebrews 3:15)

Hebrews 3:15 (CSB)

15 As it is said:

Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Live in the light. Live in the day. There’s an opportunity for you this morning to repent. There is a day coming when God’s mercy will come to an end. Do not wait until that day. While it is still called today REPENT!

What Would You Do?

Honestly ask yourself the question. If the things that happened to them were to happen to me what would I do? Would it harden your heart or soften it? Would it melt the wax or harden the clay? Are you dying to sin or are you dying in sin?

Because every time God, through the Holy Spirit, convicts your heart and says “surrender to me… obey me… listen to me...” and you harden your heart - it makes it a little bit easier to harden your heart the next time.

It’s a dangerous dangerous thing. Because if you continue in that unrepentant rebellion against God it will invite certain consequences into your life - demonic torment, divine judgment and a damaged heart that no longer hears the gracious call of God that you may be hearing today.

Can you hear him? Will you respond?