Revelation 9 – Demonic Judgments Unleashed Two Trumpets. Two Woes. No Repentance. ⸻
1. The Fifth Trumpet – The First Woe Begins (vv. 1–6)
“And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.” (v. 1)
A star (a being, not a literal celestial body) has fallen—likely Satan or a powerful demonic agent (cf. Luke 10:18). He’s given a key—implying divine permission. God is still in control.
“He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit…” (v. 2)
The Abyss is opened. Smoke billows forth, darkening the sky—echoing Joel 2:2: “a day of darkness and gloom.”
“From the smoke came locusts… given power like the power of scorpions…” (v. 3)
These are not insects—but grotesque demonic beings released for judgment, not destruction. Their mission? Torture the unsealed.
“They were told not to harm the grass… but only those… who do not have the seal of God…” (v. 4)
God protects His own. This connects directly to Revelation 7, where 144,000 Jews are sealed. Like in Egypt during the plagues, God draws a line of protection.
“In those days people will seek death and will not find it…” (v. 6)
Suicidal despair will sweep the globe—but even death is denied. A terrifying glimpse of a living hell.
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2. The Locust Army Described (vv. 7–11)
“In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle… their faces were like human faces… teeth like lions… tails like scorpions…” (vv. 7–10) A nightmarish hybrid—intelligent, fierce, and unstoppable. This army mimics characteristics of war beasts, predators, and human reasoning. They are warriors of torment, not killers. “They have as king… the angel of the bottomless pit… Abaddon (Hebrew)… Apollyon (Greek).” (v. 11) Unlike natural locusts (cf. Prov. 30:27), these have a ruler—the Destroyer, possibly Satan or a chief demon. His names mean “Destruction”—his nature and mission. ⸻
3. The Sixth Trumpet – The Second Woe Begins (vv. 13–15)
“Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet… ‘Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates.’” (vv. 13–14) These bound angels are likely fallen, restrained until this precise moment. Euphrates marks a prophetic boundary—the eastern edge of Israel’s inheritance (Genesis 15:18). “The four angels… were released to kill a third of mankind.” (v. 15) Unlike the fifth trumpet, this judgment is lethal. The death toll is astronomical—over 2 billion based on today’s population. ⸻
4. The 200 Million Horsemen (vv. 16–19)
“The number… was 200 million; I heard their number.” (v. 16)
John emphasizes he heard the number—not a guess. A supernatural army.
“The horses… had heads like lions… out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur.” (v. 17)
The weapons? Not swords or arrows—but fire, smoke, and sulfur—echoes of Sodom and God’s wrath (Genesis 19:24).
“Their tails… like serpents… with heads… they wound.” (v. 19)
They destroy in both directions. Death surrounds them.
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5. No Repentance – The Hardened Heart of Humanity (vv. 20–21)
“The rest of mankind… did not repent… nor give up worshiping demons and idols… nor did they repent of their murders… sorceries… sexual immorality… or thefts.”
Despite global trauma, mankind doubles down on sin. The word “sorceries” here is pharmakeia—from which we get pharmacy, referring possibly to drug use, occultism, or both.
This recalls Pharaoh—whose heart hardened plague after plague (Exodus 7–11). Judgment does not produce repentance in rebellious hearts—(Romans 2:4).
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Faith Takeaway
God’s mercy is seen even in wrath. He limits the locusts’ harm. He spares the sealed. He still calls to repentance.
Hell is real, and it spills onto Earth in the Tribulation
God is just and patient—but judgment will not delay.
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Cross References
•Joel 2:1–10 – Locust invasion and darkness
•Exodus 10:13–15 – The eighth plague: locusts
•2 Peter 2:4 / Jude 6 – Angels bound in darkness.