1. The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets Revelation 9:1-21

2. Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs” (6:1- 17) The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs” (6:1- 17) The Slaves of God (7:1-17) The Slaves of God (7:1-17) The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited (8:1) The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited (8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13) The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13) The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21) The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21)

3. The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The star that has fallen from heaven must be something other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent? The star that has fallen from heaven must be something other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent? The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type. The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type.

5. The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The star that has fallen from heaven must be something other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent? The star that has fallen from heaven must be something other than a literal star, since he takes a key and opens the “the shaft of the abyss.” What does the star represent? The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type. The abyss is a cavern under the earth, connected to the earth’s surface by a shaft whose opening has a secured lid of some type. The angel opens the lid to the abyss, and a great cloud of dark smoke arises out of it, darkening the sky and the air. The angel opens the lid to the abyss, and a great cloud of dark smoke arises out of it, darkening the sky and the air. Such smoke is a usual symbol of divine judgment (cf. Gen 19:28; Rev 18:9, 18). Such smoke is a usual symbol of divine judgment (cf. Gen 19:28; Rev 18:9, 18). Out of the cloud comes a great swarm of locusts – another parallel to the Egyptian plagues (Exo 10:12-20) and a well known picture of destruction from the OT (Deut 28:38; 2 Chr 7:13; Joel 2:25). Out of the cloud comes a great swarm of locusts – another parallel to the Egyptian plagues (Exo 10:12-20) and a well known picture of destruction from the OT (Deut 28:38; 2 Chr 7:13; Joel 2:25).

6. The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) The Impact of the Locusts (9:1-6) But these are a very different kind of locusts! But these are a very different kind of locusts! They are given power as the power of scorpions. They are given power as the power of scorpions. They are told not to harm the vegetation of the earth (the normal food of locusts), but only men who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They are told not to harm the vegetation of the earth (the normal food of locusts), but only men who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. For a period of 5 months (the same period of time that normal locusts cause destruction) they torment men on the earth, not killing but stinging them with stings like that of a scorpion. For a period of 5 months (the same period of time that normal locusts cause destruction) they torment men on the earth, not killing but stinging them with stings like that of a scorpion. This torment is so bad that men will prefer death, but will not be able to find it. This torment is so bad that men will prefer death, but will not be able to find it.

7. The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Locust Plague (9:1-12) The Characteristics of the Locusts (9:7-12) The Characteristics of the Locusts (9:7-12) These locusts are prepared to make war on men (cf. Joel 1-2). Their crowns signify victory in their mission. These locusts are prepared to make war on men (cf. Joel 1-2). Their crowns signify victory in their mission. Faces like men indicate intelligence beyond that of insects. Other unusual features: long hair like that of a woman, and teeth like those of a lion. The sound of their wings is like the sound of chariots, producing great fear in the hearts of their opponents. Faces like men indicate intelligence beyond that of insects. Other unusual features: long hair like that of a woman, and teeth like those of a lion. The sound of their wings is like the sound of chariots, producing great fear in the hearts of their opponents. As terrifying as this picture is, the real power of these locusts is in their tails, with their ability to sting like scorpions and torment men. As terrifying as this picture is, the real power of these locusts is in their tails, with their ability to sting like scorpions and torment men. Unlike real locusts, these have a leader whose name is !ADb;a] (Hebrew) and (Greek). Both names mean “destroyer.” Unlike real locusts, these have a leader whose name is !ADb;a] (Hebrew) and VApollu,wn (Greek). Both names mean “destroyer.” Thus these are demons who take a locust-like form and torment men under the fifth trumpet judgment. Thus these are demons who take a locust-like form and torment men under the fifth trumpet judgment.

8. With the completion of the fifth trumpet, the first woe is passed (9:12); two more remain, the sixth and seventh trumpets.

9. The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants (9:13-21) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19) When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice from the altar that stands before God (probably that of the same angel we met at 8:3) and commands the angel to release the four angels bound at “the Great River,” i.e. the Euphrates River. When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice from the altar that stands before God (probably that of the same angel we met at 8:3) and commands the angel to release the four angels bound at “the Great River,” i.e. the Euphrates River. The Euphrates was one of the well known boundaries of the land promised to Abraham (Gen 15:18). The Euphrates was one of the well known boundaries of the land promised to Abraham (Gen 15:18). These four are fallen angels, who still do the bidding of Almighty God. They have been prepared by God for this very moment in time, and are released for the purpose of killing 1/3 of mankind. These four are fallen angels, who still do the bidding of Almighty God. They have been prepared by God for this very moment in time, and are released for the purpose of killing 1/3 of mankind.

10. The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants (9:13-21) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19) The Deadly Attack (9:13-19) The 4 angels, once they are set free, become a massive army of mounted cavalry. John heard the number of them from someone as 200,000,000. The 4 angels, once they are set free, become a massive army of mounted cavalry. John heard the number of them from someone as 200,000,000. These clearly are not ordinary soldiers. In fact, it is not the riders that kill, but the horses, who are themselves girded for war with breastplates the color of fire and smoke and brimstone. These clearly are not ordinary soldiers. In fact, it is not the riders that kill, but the horses, who are themselves girded for war with breastplates the color of fire and smoke and brimstone. These horses have heads like lions and the ability to bring destruction by breathing out fire and smoke and brimstone from their mouths. The also have tails like serpents, with heads that are also able to inflict harm. These horses have heads like lions and the ability to bring destruction by breathing out fire and smoke and brimstone from their mouths. The also have tails like serpents, with heads that are also able to inflict harm. Once again, these are fallen angels (demons) who take on the form of a supernatural cavalry and are used by God to punish men on the earth. Once again, these are fallen angels (demons) who take on the form of a supernatural cavalry and are used by God to punish men on the earth.

12. The Sixth Trumpet: Death to a Third of Earth’s Inhabitants (9:13-21) The Response of the Survivors (9:20-21) The Response of the Survivors (9:20-21) In spite of the manifestation of God’s wrath all around them, the survivors of this judgment do not repent. In spite of the manifestation of God’s wrath all around them, the survivors of this judgment do not repent. Instead, they continue to worship man-made idols and the demons that are associated with idol worship. Instead, they continue to worship man-made idols and the demons that are associated with idol worship. Ironically, it is these very demons that are bringing death to 1/3 of mankind! But the earth-dwellers do not change their rebellious ways, and continue in their sins of murder, sorcery, immorality, and theft. Ironically, it is these very demons that are bringing death to 1/3 of mankind! But the earth-dwellers do not change their rebellious ways, and continue in their sins of murder, sorcery, immorality, and theft. Those who practice these same sins are excluded from the New Jerusalem, according to Rev 21:8 and 22:15. Those who practice these same sins are excluded from the New Jerusalem, according to Rev 21:8 and 22:15.

13. Next Week: John’s Recommissioning and the End of Delay (Rev 10:1-11) Read Rev 4 – 10