REVELATION 9

THE FIRST SIX TRUMPETS BRING DEVASTATION + DESTRUCTION

As the fifth angel blows his trumpet, John sees a star fall from heaven to Earth. This fallen star is given a key to a bottomless pit, from which arose dark smoke like that of a furnace. Out of the smoke come fierce scorpion-like locusts. These terrifying creatures have the power to torment the unrepentant for five months. During that time, the people long for death, but the scorpions will not kill them.

These locusts are ruled by the fallen star, the angel of the bottomless pit. Many interpret the fallen star as a reference to the fall of Satan, when Satan rebelled against God and fell from heaven (See Isaiah 14:12, Luke 10:17-20).

As the sixth angel blows his trumpet, John hears a voice from the golden altar before God. This voice releases four angels, unleashing a vast and terrifying army, who kill a third of humanity by fire, smoke, and sulfur. The horses of the army have heads like lions, and the tails of serpents.

Despite the severity of these plagues, the survivors still refuse to repent. Instead, they continue worshipping demons and manmade idols. The first five trumpets are reminiscent of the plagues sent on Egypt: hail, blood, drought, darkness, and locusts. Those who did not repent are like Pharoah, who had a hardened heart despite the many plagues (See Exodus 7–11). God’s wrath alone does not lead the people to repentance.