Revelation Chapter 9
Knowing that there were three angels ready to also blast their trumpets and with each sounding more judgement would be poured out; it must have caused John to tremble as he observed the power of a Holy God. What John sees next is not a star falling but notice that it is past tense; this star has already fallen. This fallen angel could be a demonic angel, or it could be Satan himself. Nevertheless, he has been given a key that will make Satan feel powerful for a temporary period of time. He will have power over some scary creatures that will be released from the abyss or the bottomless pit. This word comes from the Greek word “abussos.”
In Luke 8:26-33Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
The abyss is a pit where not even the demons want to be sent to. Maybe Jesus sent many demons to the abyss while on earth as He healed people who were possessed. But now God is allowing the door to be opened to carry out His judgement. The first woe is about to be unleashed on the people of the earth. It will cause them great pain and agony.
Let's Reflect
1. Some have thought these creatures could be John trying to describe modern warfare machines, but the fact that they come from the abyss does not fit. How are these creatures described? Does this remind you of the locusts plague in the Old Testament? Only these creatures are far worse.
2. When people are stung by these creatures, they will probably be laid out sick. We know that they wish what would happen to them?
3. What people will not be harmed by these creatures?
4. How long will these creatures torment people on the earth?
5. The one ruling over these creatures is called Abaddon in the Hebrew and in the Greek he is called Apollyon. This name means destruction and the one who destroys. What does John 10:10 say about Satan?
6. The attack of the creatures from the abyss was the first woe and there are still two more woes – times of great suffering to mankind. The sixth trumpet is blown and four angels who have been kept bound for this specific moment in time are unleashed. They are released from their positions around the Euphrates River. What is their commission?
7. What follows is a description of an army larger than any army the world has ever seen. This army has 200 million soldiers. Correction – 200 million demonic soldiers or human soldiers that are demon possessed. John describes these soldiers as riding on what? Were these ordinary animals? This is a possible description of modern-day helicopters, but we just don’t know for sure. What we do know is that these soldiers have turned on the people and they are killing them, lots of them.
8. At this juncture we would think that the people on the earth during the tribulation would fall to their knees and repent, but what does the Bible say about that?
