Revelation 9: Locusts, Judgment, and the Call to Return to God

God’s righteous judgment against sin, the Antichrist, and Satan continues in Revelation 9, and things are about to get even more intense with the last three trumpet judgments. In Revelation 8, all of heaven paused and was silent for half an hour in reverence of our Almighty Creator and the beginning of the final stages of His judgment. Now, in chapter 9, the first of the “woes” is unleashed, and the world will never be the same.

The Fifth Trumpet: The Abyss Unleashed

This chapter opens with the sounding of the fifth trumpet, and something very terrifying happens next. In Revelation 9:1, John describes a star falling from the sky. In Scripture, a star is often used as a symbol of an angel. For instance, in Job 38:6-7 (NLT), God responds to Job about the creation of the world: “What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”  In this verse, the “morning stars” singing and the angels shouting for joy are both referring to heavenly beings known as angels. They are rejoicing as God created the heavens and the earth. 

Many believe that the star falling from the sky in John’s vision represents a fallen angel that has lost favor with God. Some even interpret it to be satan himself, pointing to the Words of Jesus in Luke 10:18 (NLT), “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!” The exact identity of this fallen star is still a matter of speculation. However, one thing is clear from John’s account: whoever this spiritual being is, he is given the key to the Abyss, a dark and evil place where imprisoned demons reside. It is the bottomless pit of hell itself. 

When this angel opens it, Revelation 9:2 tells us that smoke pours out so thick that it darkens the sun and the sky. But the worst is yet to come. Locusts emerge from this smoke, and these are not any ordinary locusts that we’ve seen before. We couldn’t imagine creatures like these. Like scorpions, Revelation 9:3-6 tells us that their sting is so painful that people will want to die but won’t be able to. Although these creatures are not allowed to harm the grass or plants, which shows God’s amazing grace, they are unleashed to torment people for five months. 

Revelation 9:7-10 (NLT) describes them: “7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. They had what looked like gold crowns on their heads, and their faces looked like human faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair and teeth like the teeth of a lion. 9 They wore armor made of iron, and their wings roared like an army of chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails that stung like scorpions, and for five months they had the power to torment people.” As we can see, these creatures are swift, destructive, and unstoppable. 

Most of us cringe hearing about these locusts, but God’s judgment is serious, and Revelation makes sure we don’t view it any other way. Some might say that this isn’t really going to be the case, but God isn’t playing games with us. He’s not putting this in His Word to scare us out of our minds and fake us out with riddles. This is unsettling, but it’s coming to pass. Torment and destruction will befall those who have rejected God’s love and mercy.

The Purpose of the Plague: To Repent or To Harden?

You might be asking, “Why would God allow something so horrific to happen?” The answer is in God’s purpose for judgment. The nature of righteousness is to eradicate that which is unrighteous–to nullify evil and wipe it out. Therefore, righteous judgment will always be exacted upon evil and darkness, assigning upon it the price and punishment that exceeds its wickedness. 

Revelation 9:20-21 (NLT) tells us, “But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”  After all this, the unbelieving world still refuses to repent. Even when faced with unimaginable suffering, they refuse to turn to God. Instead, they continue in their idolatry and wickedness, and they reject God’s call to repentance.

This part of Revelation isn’t just alarming because of the severe judgment but also because of the hardness of heart that keeps the unbelieving from responding to God’s mercy. He gives them time to repent because they don’t, and this is beyond sad. 

The Sixth Trumpet: The Army of Death

As we move into the sixth trumpet, the intensity of God’s righteous judgment doesn’t let up. In Revelation 9:13-16, four angels that are bound at the Euphrates River will be released to carry out God’s plan. The Euphrates River is significant in the Bible as the boundary of the Babylonian Empire, a nation that was notorious for its idolatry and arrogance in opposing our God. Babylon is personified as a great city of sin, immorality, and materialism. They represent the pinnacle of rebellion against our Heavenly Father. Many draw parallels between Babylon and modern nations that have also embraced idolatry, pride, and defiance against Him. 

Whereas the locusts could only torment people for five months, these four angels have the authority to kill on a massive scale–one third of mankind. They are activated according to God’s Will and timing, and they will lead an army 200 million strong. These riders will be terrifying and will carry out their mission without mercy or remorse. Revelation 9:18-19 (NLT) tells us, “18 One-third of all the people on earth were killed by these three plagues—by the fire and smoke and burning sulfur that came from the mouths of the horses. 19 Their power was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.” This army will bring horrifying destruction, but the unbelieving still will not repent. Revelation 9:21 (NLT) says, “And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” These sins—murders, witchcraft, sexual immorality, and theft will take place during the Great Tribulation period, after the Rapture. They are a reflection of the deep rebellion against God, which isn’t just a current reality, but will be intensified in the future. 

Revelation 9 is another stark reminder that we have a choice: we can repent and turn to our Heavenly Father in humility and faith, or we can face His judgment. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) tells us: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” He’s calling on us today to turn to Him before it’s too late. Accepting His invitation and repenting of our sins is the single greatest gift we can give to ourselves. ■

 Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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