The first four trumpets brought natural calamities. The next three are called “woe” trumpets because of the terribleness of the judgments. The will bring about supernatural calamities.
I.
THE SOUNDING OF THE FIFTH TRUMPET 9:1‑12
A. The fallen star and the bottomless pit. 9:1‑2
1. The fallen star. Isa. 14:12‑17; Luke 10:18
a. He has the key to the pit.
b. He is able to open the pit and let forth demons.
2. The bottomless pit.
a. The abode of demons. Luke 8:31
b. The place of detention for wicked angels.
c. Satan will be bound here for a thousand years. Rev. 20:1‑3
B. The demons let loose, are to torment the earth. vv. 3‑6
1. The locusts which are loosed are not the natural kind.
a. They have power like scorpions ‑ A Divine judgment on this wicked world.
b. They are commanded not to hurt anything that the natural locust would eat.
c. They are to hurt or torment only those who are Christ rejectors.
2. God has used locust for judgment before. Ex. 10:12‑20; Joel 1:4‑7
3. Man has no choice but to suffer, he can't die.
C. The locust described 9‑11
1. Like horses prepared for battle.
2. on their heads were crowns like gold.
3. Faces were like the faces of men.
4. Hair as the hair of a woman.
5. Teeth as the teeth of a lion.
6. Breatplates of Iron.
7. Wings sounded like many horses running to battle.
D. Satan is their king.‑v.11
1. ABADDON, APOLLYON, both mean destroyer. Satan's character
2. Now he is a angel of light, in the tribulation his covering is stripped off and his true character is seen.
*‑Note: Verse 12 ‑ The word woe refers to some great calamity usually a judgment from God.
A. A voice from the four horns of the golden altar. v.13
1. The voice is under divine authority, can speak only on command.
2. The altar is related to the judgment of the sixth trumpet.
Rev. 8:3 indicates that this may be the answering of the saints.
B. Four angels in the Euphrates River, v. 14
1. These are evil angels.
2. They have been bound for this occasion Jude 6.
3. The Euphrates river is the area where Satan made his first attack.
C. These four evil angels are loosed.
1. God directs the exact time.
2. They are loosed to kill 1/3 part of the population.
3. These four angels lead a destroying army.
a. 200 million horses from hell.
(1) To destroy the 1/3 part of man.
(2) They do the killing with the fire, smoke, and brimstone that comes from their mouths.
b. Ten proofs these are literal creatures.
(1) They have angelic leaders.
(2) Their number proves them to be individuals.
(3) They can kill, so must have bodily contact.
(4) Intelligent creatures, able to follow commands.
(5) They are able to carry riders.
(6) Spirit beings because the pit they are from does not kill them.
(7) They have been bound, proving they are sinful.
(8) Men can't kill them.
(9) They have bodies because they wear breastplates.
(10) They have mouths, heads, and tails.
A. One‑half of the world population is left.
B. Those who are left, go on in their sins.
1. Worshipping devils.
2. Idolatry ‑‑ Carrying on a pretense of worship.
3. Men will still kill.
4. They are superstitious.
5. They still commit fornication.
6. They will steal.
C. Men may wait until that day, but they still will not repent.