I. Video Data. What Happens To The Earth During The Trumpet Judgments? John Ankerberg Show. Dr. Jimmy DeYoung (M. Div., Ph. D., 1940-2021)
II. Overview.
A. The Bible presents hell as a literal place designed to punish those who rebelled against God while on earth. It is not a state of mind, or a myth, as many modern religions claim. This chapter presents a preview of the horrors of hell on earth during the Great Tribulation. As horrible as it will be, it is only temporary. Hell, itself, is worse, not in the least because it never ends. Dr. David Jeremiah, (Th. M., D.D.) Jeremiah Study Bible.
B. John required but six verses to set forth the first four trumpet-plagues (8:7-12). But, now, he is about to devote an entire chapter to the first two Woes. This additional attention corresponds to the seriousness of the calamities which follow. Men, who were earlier discomforted by judgments upon the world, are now directly subjected to torments which arise from the underworld. Dr. Robert H. Mounce (Th. M., Ph. D., December 30, 1921 – January 24, 2019) The Book Of Revelation, The New International Commentary On The New Testament.
C. We see the true evil empire in the Book of Revelation. The empire of Satan unleashes its unholy war, not only against God’s people, but against all humanity. Demonic plagues emerge as the dominant source of tribulation in Chapter 9. The natural phenomenon of locust and horse demon invasions provides for the terrible supernatural invasions of Revelation 9. These are unleashed during the Great Tribulation when the fifth and sixth trumpet angels blow their horns. Kendell H. Easley (M. Div.; Ph. D.) The Book of Revelation, Holman New Testament Commentary.
D. Already introduced by the eagle’s proclamation in 8:13, the fifth trumpet sets the tone for the last three trumpets in its specificity and independence of the two to follow. The feature marks the last three seals too. The seventh trumpet also resembles the seventh seal in the way it solemnly concludes the whole, and contains the next series within its scope. As with the seals also, two episodes intervene between the sixth and seventh members. In so doing, set the stage for the seventh trumpet. With the sixth trumpet, the severity of the judgments increases even more than with the fifth. In this case, for the first time, the trumpet angel, in addition to blowing his trumpet, assumes an active role in initiating the visitation. Dr. Robert L. Thomas (Th. M., Th. D.; 1928-2017) Revelation Commentary.
E. The threefold cry of woe from the call of the angel (8:13) has nothing to do with the four trumpets that have just sounded, but rather with the trumpet blasts sounded by the other three angels, a fact often unnoticed. The significance of the declaration by John must have been devastating. The calamities unleashed by the blasts of the first four trumpets are beyond anything imaginable to the inhabitants of the earth today, but the woes announced by the eagle have to do with profoundly serious judgments yet to come. Paige Patterson (B.A., D.D., D.D., Th. M., Ph. D.) Revelation Commentary, The New International Version, The New American Commentary.
F. The trumpets continue to bring war, but war to which woe is added. The war to be described next is probably one of the more important in the Bible. Trumpets five and six move matters on earth along to the point where Satan’s man is left undisputed master of the globe — for a season. First, men are brainwashed by the Beast and are psychologically prepared to embrace the ultimate lie. Then, the Beast consolidates his position in the west, deals decisively with the great foe to the north, brings to heel for a while the awakened millions of the east, throws off all pretense, and sets himself up as this world’s god. Dr. John Phillips (D. Min; 1927-2010) Revelation Commentary.
G. Because of the “he” in verse 2 and “king” in verse 11, the “star” that fell to the earth was a person rather than a fragment of a star (cf. Isa. 14:12-17 Luke 10:18). Even in modern terminology it is customary to speak of an unusual athlete or performer as a star. This star, probably representing Satan cast out of heaven at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Rev 12:9), was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss (“bottomless pit”). The “Abyss” (“abyssos”) is the home of demons (cf. Luke 8:31; Rev 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3; in Rom. 10:7 it is translated “deep.”). Satan will be confined for a thousand years in the Abyss during the reign of Christ on earth (Rev 20:1-3). Dr. John F. Walvoord (Th. B., Th. M., Th. D., 1910-2002) Revelation Commentary.
III. Scripture Text. Revelation Chapter 9, NASB. Pasted from Bible Gateway.
IV. Verse Examination. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (Th. M., Th. D., Ph. D., 1925-2016) Ryrie Study Bible.
A. 9:1. “a star” represents an intelligent creature, apparently “the angel of the abyss” v. 11). Notice the “he” in verse 2. “the bottomless pit.” Lit,, the shaft of the abyss. For other uses of this phrase, see Luke 8:31; Rom 10:7; Rev 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3. Luke 8:31 indicates that this is the abode of the demons.
B. 9:3. “locusts.” That these creatures come from the abyss and are described in unusual terms in verses 7-11 indicates that they were demonic.
C. 9:4-5. The limitations that God places upon the activities of these creatures show that He is still in full control of these events. Only the 144,000 will escape the torment on people.
D. 9:6. Suicide, though desired, will be impossible.
E. 9:7-10. In describing these creatures John often has to use the word “like.”
F. 9:10. Two glands in the tail of a scorpion emit a poison that produces a painful, but usually not lethal, wound.
G. 9:11. “Abaddon … Apollyon.” Both words mean “destruction.”
H. 9:14-15. These “four angels” (demons) are released in order to kill one-third of the remaining population of the earth. Added to the one-fourth who were killed under the fourth seal judgment (6:4) these two judgments alone destroy one-half of the population, not including those who are killed by wars, famines, and diseases. “the hour” (v. 15). Lit., this particular hour.
I. 9:16. “the armies.” The 200,000,000 creatures who compose this supernatural cavalry may be human beings, or demons, or demon-possessed humans. For other supernatural armies, see 2 Kings 2:11; 6:14-17; Rev 19:14.
J. 9:18. “by these plagues.” I.e., by the fire, smoke, and brimstone.
K. 9:20. The religion of many will involve demon and idol worship.
L. 9:21. “sorceries.” I.e., magical arts, potions, and poisons (See Gal. 5:20; Rev 18:23; 21:8; 22:15). From the Greek word, we derive the English word “pharmacies.” This chapter shows (1) the reality and some of the activity of the unseen world of Satan and demons and (2) the hardness of human hearts.
V. Summary.
In this Ninth Chapter of Revelation, we considered the following events. 1. The fifth angel sounds, and the bottomless pit is opened, and smoke and locusts issue from it. 7. These locusts described. 12.The first woe is past. 13. The sixth angel sounds, and four angels are let loose for the work of destruction. Dr. Orville J. Nave, Nave’s Study Bible, 1978 (D.D., LL. D., 1841-1917). Orville J. Nave (Editor). Anna Seamans Nave (Editor).
VI. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/bucket-list/embed/.
VII. My Websites To Follow.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity
https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Equipping The Saints Website
https://thechurchoftheopendoor.wordpress.com/ Israel Website
https://success2693.wordpress.com/ Israel, History And Prophecy
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