The Book of Revelation
Chapter Nine
Preface
At this point it should be recognized that differences of interpretation exist regarding a few issues relating to prophecy by many astute and dedicated Bible scholars, e.g., LaHaye, Walvoord, Chriswell, Hagee, Ironside, Chafer, Lindsey, Van Impe, Duck, Jeffrey, and others. They may agree as to the fact of the Rapture, the Tribulation Period, the Millennium Reign of Christ, the coming Judgment, and eternity with Christ; but, they uphold variations in thinking as to the placement of the judgments throughout the Tribulation, who will be affected by these judgments, who will be saved during the Tribulation, the force composition of end time battles, the number of battles and some other issues regarding end time events.
This should not surprise or discourage the Bible student. Although a large portion of prophecy is clear and is to be taken literally, there is no denying that at times God has used symbolism and terminology that becomes clearer only when one studies such passages in context with other prophetic passages throughout God’s Word and, in some cases, when seen in light of recent historical developments. Understand that God does not always give us all the details. Understand also that God has “sealed” some of his prophetic instruction - to be understood as the “end” draws nearer. This is why we find that Bible scholars over time find it necessary to refine their prophetic views.
As previously seen in this study and as we progress through the book of Revelation, some issues will be expressed in dogmatic terms; whereas, others will be expressed in variations. In the end, as it is with all study of God’s Word, it is how God speaks to you. Although God means His doctrine to be understood in only one way, because of man’s “less than perfect” state no one has a “corner on the Holy Spirit.” The primary rule governing the understanding of Bible doctrine is to be submissive to God’s Holy Spirit as the Teacher (John 16:13). Also and given that there is “nothing new under the sun,” it is wise to review the counsel (teachings) of dedicated scholars who are grounded in Bible core doctrine (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22). If at first some issues are not crystal clear to the earnest seeker of truth, God will eventually grant clarity. Also as history continues to unravel, some specifics of prophecy will become increasingly lucid.
Revelation 9:1,2
The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.
On the sound of the fifth trumpet-judgment (first “woe”), John sees a “star” that had fallen [come down] from the sky to earth. Although the basic rule of interpretation is to take each word and passage literally, when it is obvious God is using symbolism we interpret within context and the usage of the word in other scriptural settings. Within context the personal pronoun “he” describes this “star;” also, it is given a key - a transaction associated with a living being. In the Greek the word for “star” in this passage is aster. It is used metaphorically in various scriptural passages (a) of Christ, (b) of angels and (c) of certain “false teachers.” See Matthew 2:2-10; 24:29; Mark 13:25; 1 Corinthians 15:41; Jude 13; Revelation 1:16, 20; 2:1, 28; 3:1; 6:13; 8:10-12; 9:1; 12:1, 4; 22:16.
We also see that this “star” is given the key to the Abyss (this is not hell or Hades, but has been suggested to be the shaft to the “bottomless pit” that divides Hades and Paradise, see Luke 16:19-31). The Greek word here for Abyss (or “bottomless pit” in some translations), abussos, is used nine times in the New Testament. It is always used as a place of confinement. It is such a terrible place that the demons in Luke 8:31 begged Christ to send them into a herd of pigs rather than into the Abyss. Although Paradise was transferred from a position near Hades (in the earth) up to heaven when Christ rose physically from the grave and ascended to His Father, this doesn’t eliminate the need for the “bottomless pit.”
There are at least three orders of angels. There are angels of God who remained faithful to Him when Lucifer rejected God and led a rebellion against Him. There are the angels who followed Lucifer and are still working for him upon the earth, which may or may not be “demons.” [If not demons, then we are never told in God’s Word where demons come from.] And there are the angels who are so terrible (or powerful) that it was necessary for God to “lock” them up or keep them “bound” and secluded until He has use for them during the Tribulation Period (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Most of these are locked up in the “bottomless pit,” which continues along side Hades; and, there are four “bound at the great river Euphrates” (9:14).
Later in Revelation 20:1, we discover that this “star” is an angel who has the guardianship responsibility of the key to the Abyss. Some Bible scholars interpret this “fallen star” as Satan and relate this verse to other Satan-related scriptural passages. It is more accurate to see this “star” as he is revealed in Revelation 20:1, a good angel that comes “down out of heaven,” which definitely is not where bad angels are kept (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). The following argue for this “star” being a loyal angel of God:
1. The word “fallen” or “fall” (KJV) is the Greek word, pipto, which may be translated “fail,” “fall,” or “light on.” It is probably akin to the Greek word, petomai, which connotes the meaning “to fly.” It could have been translated “flew or came down to earth.” It refers to physical and not moral displacement.
2. Even though we know that Satan fell or was cast out of heaven according to Isaiah 14, to make this “star” Satan is a matter of conjecture.
3. It is a stretch to believe that God would relinquish control of the Abyss to Satan. It makes more sense for Him to be in constant control of His judgments and the “bottomless pit” where He has secluded certain sinful angels. It would be understandable for God to maintain control by delegating His authority through a loyal angel.
4. If this “star” is Satan to whom God gives the key to the Abyss, then when is it recorded that God takes the key back in order to give it to a loyal angel in Revelation 20:1. It is doubtful that this angel has a duplicate key.
5. If this “star” is Satan, his instruction not to harm those who have the seal of God in their foreheads makes no sense. It is illogical that Satan would wish to bring harm to “his children,” while mandating a hands-off policy for God’s children. It would make more sense, if this were Satan, that he would issue instructions to harm those “with the seal of God.”
6. It does no harm to the message in this chapter to believe the “star” is other than Satan.
This angel opens the Abyss (the shaft to the “bottomless pit”) releasing tremendous billows of smoke. This darkens both the sun and the sky from human view.
Revelation 9:3-6
And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
Out of this enormous smoke cloud an indeterminate number of creatures that John describes as locusts [large grasshoppers] appeared, which were given the stinging power of scorpions. These locusts were instructed not to harm earth’s vegetation (specifically the grass, plants or trees), but are given the mission to harm (but not kill) for a five-month period of time “only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” The harm they cause these people is that of a scorpion sting, and the sting will be so torturously intense that the agony of those stung will drive them to unsuccessfully attempt suicide.
We know for certain that the 144,000 Israelites who are given the seal of God on their foreheads as stated in Revelation 7 will not be subject to this judgment. This appears to be in contrast to 8:13 where the three “woes” are directed toward [all] the “inhabitants of the earth.” But instead of a contradiction, this is an amplification of God’s intent. We must remember that God doesn’t always give us all the details. At times we need to piece them together and, at other times, make assumptions. Whether or not God places His seal on other believers, be they Jews or Gentiles, during the Tribulation Period and therefore they will also not be subject to this judgment is a matter of conjecture. Some very adept prophetic scholars stand on both sides of this fence. Based on “past practice,” e.g., the judgments of God upon the Egyptians while passing over the Israelites, it may very well be that during the Tribulation God protects all His children while executing havoc on all children of the Beast. This view takes into account both the judgment and mercy natures of God. The next trumpet-judgment levies no such requirement of protection, but this does not necessarily mean it isn’t there. As said earlier, God doesn’t always give us all the details.
On the other hand at this point in the Tribulation, it may be that all who will possibly turn to Christ and be saved have already done so. It may be that due to their testimony they have also been martyred and are part of the great throng before the Throne of God depicted in 7:9 and 14. This then would leave only the 144,000 of chapter 7 to remain and witness God’s continuing judgments. They alone then would be those who “stand firm until the end,” “will be saved”(Matthew 24:13) and given the “crown of life” (James 1:12). Dogma will have only the 144,000 Israelites escaping this judgment; all else is conjecture. There is also the view that only Jews will be saved during the Tribulation Period and that this salvation comes upon their acceptance of the “gospel of the kingdom,” which is not the “gospel of heaven” (the message of God’s grace).
Those who hold this view believe that the end time message in Matthew 24 is only for and about the Jews. Although there is merit in this position, it is clear in many passages of God’s Word that salvation comes only by “faith” before and after the cross. The message of the cross was depicted through the symbolism of animal sacrifices before the cross. Since the cross, God’s disciples, who were Jews, made it very clear that henceforth there is only one gospel that brings spiritual salvation to both the Jews and Gentiles. That gospel is this - faith alone in Christ alone. The point being is that even if there is a distinction between the “gospel of heaven” and the “gospel of the kingdom,” since the cross and until Christ comes back to earth again, there is only one way in which a person, be he Jew or Gentile, may be spiritually saved. This is true even in light of the fact that the “gospel of the kingdom” will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then “the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) You see, the “gospel of the kingdom” was never a message of spiritual salvation. It was a message of civil deliverance, i.e., that Christ would eventually come to earth and set up His kingdom and thereby deliver His people from servitude. During the Tribulation Period these two “gospels” (good news messages) will not be in competition. They will only serve to reinforce each other.
Revelation 9:7-10
The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months.
Remember that John describes the “locusts” coming out of the smoke, and not out of the Abyss. This may lend credence to the view held by Hal Lindsey, a most notable prophetic scholar, that these locusts are actually “attack helicopters.” Of course he, along with John Hagee, also believes that the “fallen star” is Satan. In any case he interprets much of Revelation and particularly the judgments in light of today’s modern warfare and nuclear age. According to him in his book, Apocalypse Code, “these locusts are actually some kind of attack helicopters with a tail-mounted sprayer for chemical and/or biological weapons.” He bases his interpretation on the fact that “John is presenting us with a first-century description of what he saw in our times.” Although his view contains merit and has possibility, it is not the primary view of this commentary.
The locusts are demonic creatures (most likely evil angels that previously have been bound in “chains of darkness”) that have been released from the Abyss. To John they looked like horses prepared for battle. They wore something “like” crowns of gold, but they are not crowns of gold. Remember that Satan is the chief imitator of all time. Their faces resemble human faces, and they have hair like women’s hair and teeth like those of a lion. They are dressed with breastplates like breastplates of iron, and they have wings that emit a thunderous sound. Again he mentions that they have stinging tales like that of scorpions, which are used to torment man for five months.
Revelation 9:11, 12
They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
The “angel of the Abyss” leads this demonic (angelic) host of locusts. The words “of the” indicate position and/or location. In other words, this “angel-king” also comes out of the Abyss. Although certain scholars try to make him Satan, he cannot be Satan. Satan today is not confined in chains of darkness in the Abyss. He is also not the angel that comes down with the key to open the Abyss. He is probably one of Satan’s close assistants with whom Satan has had to do without (due to his lockup) for a very long time. Now, during the Tribulation, he is released to lead the demonic locusts. His name, both in Hebrew and Greek, is translated “destroyer.” This is typical of the followers of Satan. They are not constructive; they are totally destructive in nature. This completes the “first woe.” Two other woes are coming, and they are even more horrific.
Revelation 9:13-15
The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.
Here we have the second “woe,” which is the sixth trumpet-judgment. When the sixth angel sounds his trumpet, John hears a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. We are not told whose voice John hears, but it appears to come from the midst of the altar. The voice instructs the sixth angel who has just previously sounded his trumpet to release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. These are fallen angels who God has kept bound and “ready” for His appointed time - a specific time during the Tribulation Period that God has designated for the destruction (killing) of a third of earth’s population. At this point it is interesting to note the following:
1. Many (probably millions) will leave the earth at the Rapture (4:1).
2. One forth of those remaining on the earth after the Rapture will die when the fourth seal (the horseman called Death) is opened (6:8).
3. A great multitude will be martyred (6:9).
4. Many, many more (uncertain) will die from war, natural disasters and poisoned water (8:6-12).
5. One third of the remainder will die when these four angels are released (9:15).
The Euphrates River is first mentioned in Genesis. It was close to the Garden of Eden, the place of first sin, where Cain slew Abel, where the Flood began, where the Tower of Babel stood, where Babylon was built and where world government and world religion began. It has long been associated with astrology, idolatry, demon worship, witchcraft and other great sins. It is widely recognized as the boundary between East and West.
Revelation 9:16-19
The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.
The four demonic angels bring forth 200 million demonic (angelic) troops to accomplish their killing mission. They are frightening creatures with colorful breastplates and with horse heads that look like heads of lions. Out of the mouths of these demonic creatures come fire, smoke and sulfur, which is what they use to kill a third of the earth’s population. Not only are these creatures able to spew out death from their mouths, they also are able to inflict grave injury (pain and suffering) with their tails (which resembled snakes with injury-inflicting heads).
Now to be fair, I can’t be dogmatic with this view. For instance and in deference to Hal Lindsey, I will share with you his estimable view regarding this passage. In his book, Apocalypse Code, he states the following.
“Now let me tell you about these four angels. They were bound by God because they are tremendously powerful emissaries of Satan, who control the nations of Asia with their vast population. Their confinement at the River Euphrates is especially significant. It seems that if God had not confined them, an awful war would have been started in Asia toward the Western nations long ago. But they were confined at the ancient boundary line.
The first human sin was committed in this region, in the Garden of Eden. In this area the first murder (of Abel) took place. The first great revolt against God happened (Babel). And it was in nearby Babylon that the first world ruler, named Nimrod, set up his kingdom.
The Romans, Greeks and Babylonians all considered the Euphrates River the boundary line between the East and West.
It is clear that the four fallen angels of Revelation 9:14-15 immediately mobilize this army of 200 million soldiers from the nations east of Euphrates. As I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, Revelation chapter 16 will provide more details about this. I believe these 200 million troops will be led by the Chinese and will include Eastern allies. It’s probable that the industrial might of the Japanese will be united at this time with the economic and military might of the Chinese. For the first time in history there will be allowed a full-scale invasion of the West by the East…It’s also worth considering that there’s never been such a great invasion force in history. Why not? Only Asia could ever field such an army. As I have noted several times, it’s as if God placed a boundary line there, restraining the forces that cold have mobilized in Asia for a full-scale invasion. But with the releasing of these four mighty demons, there will be a full mobilization of ‘the kings of the East.’ (Revelation 16:12)
The Apostle John describes the army’s mounts as horses with heads like lions and with fire, smoke and brimstone coming out of their mouths. I believe he is describing some kind of mobile ICBM launchers of the Russian SS-25 and SS-26 variety that are currently being sold to China. This great army will apparently destroy one-third of the world’s remaining population while enroute from Asia to the Middle East. This could mean the destruction of the great population centers of the West….
John describes the means by which one-third of mankind will be annihilated by ‘fire, smoke and brimstone.’ All of these are part of a thermonuclear war….”
Revelation 9:20, 21
The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
After a third of the population has been killed by this hoard of demonic creatures, the remaining population upon the earth will still not repent of (or turn from) “their work of their hands.” Again it is critical to remember that before a person can obtain God’s salvation, he must turn from all his own personal works, good, bad or neutral. One may only be saved by faith alone in Christ alone. Not only will they not turn from their “works,” they also will not stop worshiping demons or idols. They also will not turn from their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Here we see five defining sins of the Tribulation Period. They are:
- Demon or devil worship (to include “witchcraft”)
- Idolatry (the worship of inanimate objects, figures or symbols)
- Murder
- Magic arts (Gk: pharmakeia, drug related activities)
- Theft
This picture is ever true today. We have literally thousands who are religious and who are depending on their good deeds and intentions to get them to heaven. They attend church regularly, they pray daily, they are kind to those around them and they give liberally to charitable organizations. Then we have those who actually worship the devil, demons and idols. They worship at the altar of wealth, influence and power. Others spend time believing in such programs as “Crossing Over,” trusting in some idiot (false prophet) who claims he talks with the dead. They indulge in all kinds of drug related activities, sexual immorality, thefts and murders. All of these, from those who are highly religious to those who are indulging in the basest of sins, will all be doomed to hell - that is, unless they turn to Christ alone by faith alone.
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