Revelation 9-11

Revelation 9

 Fifth Trumpet (First Woe)

A star falls from heaven and is given the key to the bottomless pit (Abyss).

When the Abyss is opened:

• Smoke rises.
• The sun and sky are darkened.

The Demonic Locusts

Out of the smoke come locust-like creatures. They are commanded:

• Not to harm rass of the earth or any green plant or any tree
  • Opposite of plague of locusts from Exodus 10 “Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt” 
• Only to torment people who do not have God’s seal.

Their torment:

• Lasts five months.
• Is so severe that people long for death.

They are ruled by:

Abaddon (Hebrew: אֲבַדּוֹן, ‘Avaddon = “Destruction”)

Or Greek: Apollyon (Ἀπολλύων, Apollyōn = “Destroyer”)

The first woe is complete. 

Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe)

Four Angels Released

Four angels bound at Euphrates River are released. They lead an army of 200 million horsemen who wore wore breastplates the color of fire, sapphire, sulfur,.

Judgment

One-third of mankind is killed. 

The horses had 

• Heads like lions
• breathe:
  • Fire
  • Smoke
  • Sulfur
•  tails are like serpents with heads which they used to wound

Despite these judgments, people still do not repent. They continue in:

• Idolatry
• Murder
• Sorcery
• Sexual immorality
• Theft

Revelation 10

(Interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets.)

The Mighty Angel

John sees a mighty angel.

• Wrapped in a cloud.
• Rainbow over his head.
• Face like the sun.
• Legs like pillars of fire.

The angel stands:

• One foot on the sea.
• One foot on the land.

He cries out and seven thunders answer (could be seven spirits of God). John begins to write what they say, but is told:

“Seal up what the seven thunders have said.” (!!) 

The mighty angel swears by God “There would be no more delay.” When the seventh trumpet sounds, God’s mystery will be fulfilled.

The Little Scroll

John receives a little scroll. He is told to take and eat it. 

It is:

• Sweet like honey in his mouth.
• Bitter in his stomach.

John is then commissioned: “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

Revelation 11

 Measuring the Temple

John receives a measuring rod.

He measures:

• The temple
• The altar
• The worshipers

The outer court is excluded. It will be trampled by the nations for 42 months (half of 7 years)

This is similar to Ezekiel 40-43, Zechariah 2

The Two Witnesses

God appoints two witnesses. They prophesy for 1,260 days (half of 7 years)

They are described as:

• Two olive trees.
• Two lampstands.

They are speculated to possibly be or be like Elijah and Moses 

The Beast Kills the Witnesses

The beast rises from the Abyss and he kills the two witnesses. Their bodies lie in: “the great city” which is symbolically called:

• Sodom
• Egypt

and is also identified as the place where the Lord was crucified (Jerusalem).

The nations celebrate their deaths.

Resurrection of the Witnesses

After 3½ days  (half of 7 days!) God raises them and they ascend into heaven.

A great earthquake follows and many are killed.

Others become terrified and give glory to God.

The second woe ends.

Seventh Trumpet (Third Woe)

The seventh trumpet sounds. Heaven proclaims: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

The twenty-four elders worship God. The temple in heaven opens.

The ark of the covenant is seen.

Accompanying signs include:

• Lightning
• Thunder
• Earthquake
• Hail

Application

We see that even when the end times are upon us and God makes Himself overwhelmingly known, people will still reject Him. We still have time to repent and turn to Him. He is just, even when it is both bitter and sweet. What a wonderful comfort to know that God wins in the end!