Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Sermon preached on Revelation 9 by Rev. W. Reid Hankins during the Morning Worship Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 02/23/2025 in Petaluma, CA..
Sermon Manuscript
Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
We continue working through the seven trumpets, this time considering the fifth and sixth. We will then have another interlude before coming to the seventh which will again describe the end at Christ’s return. Last week we concluded the seven seals and considered the first four trumpets. I explained how the seven seals and the seven trumpets give complementary perspectives of the time between Christ’s first and second comings. The seven seals pictured the beginning of God’s judgments on this world even while recognizing how the world is persecuting Christians. Remember how the martyrs were seen crying out to be vindicated. The seven trumpets have so far pictured God’s escalating judgments on this wicked world that serve like the ten plagues to Egypt. They are both a warning to repent before God’s final judgment and a beginning of God’s vindication of his people. Last week’s study of the first four trumpets revealed plagues of judgment against the various parts of the created order, afflicting the land, sea, freshwater, and sky. Those first four trumpets were clearly meant to be understood as a group. Now, these next two trumpets are also meant to be taken as a group, under the language of three woes, with these two trumpets being the first two woes. In our first point, I will have us notice the several similarities between these two trumpets to help us begin to interpret them. Then we’ll further consider each of the trumpets separately. We will see that these two trumpets describe the spiritual and even demonic affliction God uses against the wicked as part of his judgment upon them.
We begin then by considering the similarities between these two trumpets. First, these trumpets continue to echo back to the ten plagues of Egypt, like we saw with the first four trumpets. We see that with the swarm of locusts here, which was also the ninth plague of Egypt. We also see this in how the chapter ends noting that the wicked still were hardened in their sin after all these plagues. That’s reminiscent of Pharoah’s continued hard heart after all the plagues he endured. So, these two trumpets today continue to remind us of the plagues against Egypt and function in a similar way. Likewise, last week we saw that the destruction brought by the trumpets was escalating, but still just partial, with the emphasis on 1/3 of this or that being destroyed. So too, we see that same theme of only partial destruction in these two trumpets. So, those are some things that these two trumpets have in common with the other trumpets.
But, let us also note some of the differences these two trumpets now have, differences that they share in common and serve to group them together. First, the target for these two trumpet plagues are now targeting human beings directly, not just the creation. They particularly target the wicked, since verse 4 reveals that the sealed of the Lord are not affected. This is similar to how Israel was protected in Goshen during the ten plagues of Egypt.
The other major thing these two trumpets have in common from the others is the description of spiritual, angelic forces involved, especially suggestive of demonic powers. Notice first the angelic imagery, in general. The locusts in the fifth trumpet are released by some star in verse 1 that is clearly symbolic for some angelic being and then verse 11 speaks of how the locust army are led by an angel. Similarly, in the sixth trumpet, the destructive cavalry of mounted horsemen are somehow closely connected with the four angels mentioned in verse 15, suggesting they are spiritual forces led by these angels. Furthermore, let us note that both trumpets give a basic description of the destruction followed by an extended and strange visual description of the source of the destruction. Verses 7-10 detail the appearance of the locusts and verses 17-19 detail the appearance of the cavalry. The descriptions for both are clearly other-worldly. There is no locust or cavalry in all creation that looks like these descriptions. But what the descriptions do sound like is how apocalyptic visions often describe angels, like how we saw the four living creatures earlier described back in chapter 4. So, in general, these two trumpet plagues describe an angelic source of their destruction.
But then let us notice that these seem to not just be angels, but some sort of demonic forces. Remember, that demons are basically evil, fallen angels. In the fifth trumpet, the locusts come from the bottomless pit, the “abyss” in some translations. Scripture elsewhere describes such an abyss as a prison for evil spirits. Now these evil spirits are unleashed and allowed to wreak havoc on this world as part of God’s judgment. Also, notice that both the locusts and the mounted horses have power in their tails, verses 10 and 19. The locusts’ tail are described as a scorpion’s sting. The mounted horses’ tails are described as serpents. This is the imagery of demons, as you might remember Jesus gave the seventy-two “authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” This surely explains why the power is in their tails here, because that is the deceptive way to strike an enemy, not from the front but from behind. Even in the Garden of Eden, it was the craftiness of serpent that was highlighted. This speaks to how these evil spirits might afflict people, not just through direct attacks, but so often in some deceitful way to the people’s great ruin.
So then, these two trumpets speak collectively of demonic attacks on wicked humanity, on non-Christians. These also are part of the escalating divine judgments on this world pictured with the seven trumpets. It is sobering to consider that God would allow evil spirits to afflict people as a way to punish them. Then again, evil people who have rebelled against the LORD will face a far worse punishment if they don’t repent. For God to remove his hand of protection from the wicked, even allowing demons to prey on them, is a consequence of their forsaking God. It doesn’t have to be that way for them. Indeed, these demonic attacks are trumpet blasts that warn them before the final judgment comes.
Let us now turn to consider the fifth trumpet specifically. We’ll look at the basic description first then the detailed description of the locusts’ appearance. In verse 1, a star falls from heaven and unlocks the abyss. In chapter 1’s vision, stars were interpreted as angels, and that is clearly what is represented here. We possibly are meant to understand this as a fallen angel, though it’s hard to be certain of that. This scene makes me think of various scary movies where a character is about to let some evil creatures escape from their prison, and everything tells you that is a bad idea. But that is what happens, the shaft of the abyss is opened up and out pours a tremendous amount of smoke from which a huge army of locust comes. Let me remind you this is an apocalyptic vision to be interpreted symbolically, not a video camera recording of real-life footage. The locust surely represent demons that are unleashed from prison, not somehow actual locusts. We know they aren’t real locusts, for one reason, because they aren’t going to eat any of the vegetation on the earth, like a real locust would.
Let us understand that the reason these demons are unleashed is because God unleashed them. This wasn’t a jail break. God is the reason these trumpet blasts are going off. This is also why in verse 4 it says they were not permitted to harm any of those sealed by God. God won’t allow these released demons to afflict his people in the way described here. They are under God’s protection from this.
Let us notice the destruction they cause. This locust army is allowed to wound, but not kill, with this terrible sting. The sting is so painful for that people will seek death but death will flee from them. I always think of how my father would like to describe food poisoning as one moment you are afraid you will die, and another moment you are afraid you won’t die. Some suffering can be so bad that it can make a part of you long for death. The irony here is that this fifth trumpet has wicked people longing to die because life is so bad, in contrast to the fifth seal which had Christian martyrs whom the wicked had put to death resting glorified in heaven.
The destruction caused by this army of locust is literally named Destruction. I refer to verse 11 that describes the king of this locust army as Abaddon and Apollyon, which roughly means the same thing in both Hebrew and Abaddon. I think this helps remind us of the symbolism here. It’s not about a literal name but is interpreting the image. This king of this host of demons is bringing destruction to the world, like how a swarm of locust would bring destruction on crops. Why is the name given to us in both Hebrew and Greek? One thought is that both Jews and Greeks will experience this demonic destruction. Yes, there are both Jews and Greeks among the saved of the Lord. But there are also both Jews and Greeks among the unsaved. Remember, earlier Revelation spoke of Jews who were really a synagogue of Satan. Surely, those will taste the sting of this trumpet blast.
Notice that this affliction, this stinging torment, will last for five months. Commentators like to note that five months is the typical lifespan for locust. That detail serves this vision by telling us that their destruction is partial or limited. Most of the trumpets speak of limiting the destruction to 1/3 of what they are destroying, and this functions in a similar way. This locust army will be allowed to wound all the wicked, to cause this terrible sting, but only for a short season. It is not the final, enduring judgment that will yet come at the end.
So then, we see the see vivid visual description of the locust there in verse 7. These locust-like demons are dressed for war as war horses. Their crowns suggest them as conquering kings. Their human faces might suggest their intelligence. Their women’s hair might imply their ability to seduce their foes as part of their deceptive strategies. Their lion teeth speak to their ferociousness. Their iron breastplates describe their strength – they are not easily defeated. Their loud wings as war chariots speaks to their large numbers. And we’ve already mentioned their scorpion tails that likely reflect a more deceptive weapon.
I’ve already begun to interpret this locust army as representing a host of evil spirits allowed to afflict but not kill unbelievers. We can expect that people in this world may experience seasons of intense attack by these evil spirits. Now, yes, we might recall some of the descriptions in the gospels of the more overt ways that unclean spirits afflict people. That might be how this is manifested in someone. But it is surely more common for these evil spirits to be craftier. It may be an evil spirit that tempts someone to hook up with a bunch of people and they find themselves either physically stung by venereal diseases or spiritually stung as they finally recognize the emptiness and moral filth they have brought on their soul. It may be an evil spirit that incites someone to betray a spouse only to learn how much that really stings. It may be a demon convinces someone to love money only to be wounded by the deceitfulness of riches. The examples are so many.
Let us turn now in our final point to the sixth trumpet. Starting in verse 13, a voice is heard from God’s altar to release the four angels who are bound at the Euphrates. Yes, this is also language of prisoners being set free. These angels, probably fallen angels, had been bound but now they too will be released to bring destruction to the wicked. Let us appreciate that the imagery of the Euphrates River in Scripture is that Israel’s great enemies generally came from beyond the Euphrates, Assyria then Babylon. Indeed, this imagery will be further developed in the sixth bowl when we get to chapter 16.
May we not miss that verse 15 tells us that unleashing of these destroying angels all happened according to God’s plan, to the very hour. Again, we take that in the symbolism of the vision, but it surely teaches us again what we saw with the fifth trumpet. These devils can only do what they do because God has sovereignly permitted it. They may rage their evils and their destructions, but the boundaries and timing of their raging is always governed by God and his good purposes.
We see then that these angels somehow bring forth a humongous army. The count of the forces is double ten thousand times ten thousand. My math says that equals two million cavalry. Again, the vision is not about giving a literal number but saying this represents some humungous force. Just like the locust army came as some outrageously large number, so here again with this trumpet. Again, if it wasn’t God doing this, we might wonder why anyone would unbound such destructive spirits.
We see that these horse-mounted troops are allowed to kill a third of mankind. By the way, I understand this to also be directed against unbelievers. Not only by analogy with the previous trumpet, but also verse 20 seems to imply the people who were spared are wicked. In other words, only the wicked were ever the target. But, again, we see how these trumpet blasts are this escalating judgment by the return of the 1/3 scope of destruction. This is massive destruction unleashed on this world, but not full and complete destruction. Not yet, that is.
We are reminded in verses 20 and 21 of some of the evil that the unbelieving world is guilty of. False religion. Idolatry. Murder. Sorcery. Sexual immorality. Theft. That is just a sampling of their evil, but it shows how their evil works follow them and leave them guilty subject to God’s ever-increasing wrath.
We note, then, the vivid visual appearance of this spirit cavalry. They too are dressed for war. They also have breastplates, but they are colored to represent apparently three main plagues they will bring, fire, smoke, and sulfur. That language reminds us of various Scripture that speaks of God’s punishments coming in fire and brimstone. These demons now somehow wield it against the wicked. The horse of these horsemen have lion heads, which also speak to their ferociousness, like we saw with the locusts. Yet, unlike the locust, these warhorses have weapons both on their tails and in their mouths, verse 19. In other words, this evil horde will sometimes kill in deceptive ways like the locust, and other times in a bold, direct, frontal assault. That surely reflects a further escalation of the judgment and destruction. I can imagine how someone might progress in their involvement with evil spirits. Maybe, at first, they trick and deceive people into their crafty schemes. But over time, people who’ve entertained such temptations can begin to embrace evil all the more overtly and be killed because of it.
So then, I’ve already begun to interpret this humongous cavalry as some sort of evil spirits looking to kill a significant portion of the wicked world. These attacks will result in great death. Is this going to be physical death? Or is this going to be spiritual death? Frankly, we can think of how evil spirits can bring either or both to someone. If someone decides to obey the deceptions or directives of demons, their end will ultimately be destruction.
Trinty Presbyterian Church, these two trumpet blasts again remind the world to repent and turn to Christ before it is too late. If you are someone here who has already been stung by the lies of the devil, don’t harden your heart against God anymore. The good news is that you can find forgiveness and grace by repenting of your sins and turning to the Lord in faith. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. If you are not living your life for Jesus, then whether you realize it or not, you are listening to demons. Stop now while you still have opportunity.
For us who are in Christ, let us take comfort today by these trumpet blasts. Like the plagues to Egypt, they not only were a warning to the godless Egyptians, they were also an encouragement to God’s people that he was at work to deliver them. Until that deliverance is complete, we may find life hard in this world. The fact that demons are operating in this world can be frightening, but this passage reminds us that their boundaries are set by God. We who are sealed by the Lord are encouraged today that the Lord is our keeper. Let us be encouraged again today for patient endurance. Let us take heart to know God has a plan. Let us yet testify to the world of the salvation that is in Jesus alone, even if there is some bitterness yet ahead in this life before the final victory when Christ returns.
Amen.
Copyright © 2025 Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
All Rights Reserved.
