Everyday Life in Revelation: Part 6 the Trumpetsናሙና

Revelation 9:1–12 describes what happens at the blowing of the fifth trumpet. A star falls from heaven and opens the shaft of the “bottomless pit,” or literally, “the Abyss.” As in 1:20, this star is an angel, only this is a fallen angel, and his possession of the key to the Abyss indicates his authority over the Abyss, a place of evil. We have here an allusion to Satan’s fall from heaven and his authority over the forces of evil.

When the great pit opens, a large locus swarm is released. Immediately, we think of the locust plague unleashed on the Egyptians in judgment during the days of the Exodus. The book of Joel serves as a background here as well, for that prophet warned of locusts coming to judge God’s people in his own day (Joel 1:1–12). In the Exodus and most likely also in Joel, actual insects were in view. Revelation 9:1–12, however, speaks more symbolically. It is unclear whether John speaks of human soldiers or demons, or perhaps both. The image would have been horrifying to the book’s original readers, for whom actual locusts and military invasions were real threats in their day. These locusts are depicted as quite powerful. Breastplates of iron suggest strength; human faces suggest intelligence. Lions’ teeth and scorpion stings suggest pain. Again, this is a picturesque, symbolic imagery designed to evoke fear and horror.

As horrible as these locusts are, believers should not be afraid. They have the authority to harm only those who God has not sealed. In other words, they cannot hurt believers. Instead, they can hurt only those who are not sealed, that is, the enemies of God’s people. The Lord promises those who persecute His people will not escape judgment. He will even allow the forces of evil, human or demonic, to punish those who war against His church.

Throughout history, we see God allowing evil people and their armies to war against other evil people and their armies who have been opposing and oppressing His people. To be certain, God is sovereign over all forms of evil. He can even use it to advance His kingdom. We might sometimes be caught in the middle of this, but we can rest easy. We have nothing to fear; we have eternal life through Christ Jesus. And this will never be taken away.