Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Rev 9:1 and following. Indeed, let us call that this whole third part of John’s vision is future. For it concerns only the interval of a few years separating the coming of the Lord to seek his Church from the beginning of his millennial reign. The first of the trumpets that announce misfortunes, brings to the stage symbolic grasshoppers. These animals are here a figure used to describe countless hordes of marauders and looters. Let us then note that the first misfortune corresponds to the one hundred and forty-four thousand that were sealed between Israel, just as the second, that is, that of the horsemen of the Euphrates, is in the same way, in relation to the innumerable multitude of Gentiles of chapter 7. As one might assume that this contrast exists only in an undefined way, let us further clarify this thought: It is said, in a formal way, that grasshoppers should harm only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Isn’t this a clear allusion to those among Israel that God had set apart?
On the other hand, if the riders of the Euphrates are the instruments of a torment inflicted on men, they give much more the idea of an aggressive power. For torment characterizes above all the misfortune symbolized by the grasshoppers; the horsemen more distinctly represent the ruin brought by the rapid march of an imperial power, and described in the most energetic features: They fall on men and destroy them. But here “the third” reappears. According to the explanation given above, this would imply that this misfortune must indeed melt on the Gentiles, and more particularly, on the Western Roman Empire.
It also seems clear that these two misfortunes present what will take place during the first acts of the Antichrist in Judea. The first misfortune, that of the grasshoppers, consists of a torment inflicted on men. As a result, at their head, we see Abaddon, the destroyer, characterized in a particular way as the angel of the abyss. It is not yet the fully formed beast (see chap. 11:7; 13:1; 17:8), but it is easy to understand that there will be a first manifestation of evil; just as grace will carry out in the residue the beginning of what is good.
For the fifth angel sounds the trumpet (chapter 9), and someone who by his position, should have been an instrument to spread the light and maintain the governmental order on earth, is seen as falling from his place. The power to unleash all of Satan’s dark influence is given to him. It opens the well of the abyss – the place where evil is enclosed and chained, not the one where it is punished, that is, the lake of fire. The supreme authority and all heavenly light on earth, as well as the salutary influence of the order, are obscured and come to an end, as a result of the evil satanic influence that spreads freely. And that’s not all: direct and numerous instruments of satanic power come out of this evil influence: crowds of moral locusts with the spur of false doctrines in their tails. This is not to destroy temporal prosperity on earth, but to torment the ungodly Jews; not to kill them, but to harass and torture them. This evil must continue for five months, because it is not the final judgment. The torment inflicted is worse than death – it is the pain and anguish of the heart.
These grasshoppers present the image of an imperial military power; they are crowned, and for those who see them from the front, they offer an appearance of masculine energy; but when we see them from behind and the secret of what they really are is discovered, they appear weak and in subjection. They are armed and covered with the armor of a hardened conscience; they are under Satan’s orders and direct instruments of his power. The angel of the abyss leads them, he who rules the depths of Satan’s tricks, as governor of the power of darkness. We are too incredulous about Satan’s direct influence to obscure the minds of men when it is permissible for him, when men are abandoned to his blinding influence. Cruel torments that leave them no rest, torments worse than death, and blindness of spirit, become the portion of those who were once God’s beloved people. A misfortune has passed.
The sixth angel sounds the trumpet. The misfortune that follows is much more characterized by the action of man, and is more providential. It is directed against the inhabitants of the Latin Empire. The instruments of this judgment are unleashed from beyond the Euphrates – an innumerable crowd of horsemen. But that’s not all. Their consciences (the armors) and their words (their mouths) are under the power of Satan, in judgment on the part of God.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The fifth trumpet; the abyss is open; the sixth trumpet:
- Divine protection promised to believers
2 Ch 16:9 For the Lord extends His gaze to the whole earth, to sustain those whose hearts are entirely his. You have acted foolishly in this matter, because from now on you will have wars. Ps 34:8 The angel of jehovah stands around those who fear him, and he tears them from danger. Ps 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and you will find refuge under his wings; His fidelity is a shield and a breastplate. Ps 125:2 Mountains surround Jerusalem; Thus the Lord surrounds His people, now and forever. Lk 21:18 But not a hair of your head will be lost;
- Tanks used for war
Jos 11:4 They and all their armies went out with them, forming an innumerable people like the sand that is on the edge of the sea, and having horses and chariots in very large quantities. Jg 1:19 Jehovah was with Judah; and Judah made himself master of the mountain, but he could not drive the inhabitants out of the plain, because they had iron chariots. Ps 20.8 These rely on their chariots, these on their horses; We invoke the name of Jehovah, our God. Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who descend to Egypt for help, Who rely on horses, And rely on the multitude of chariots and the strength of the horsemen, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, And do not seek the Lord!
- Visions, examples
Gen 15:1 After these events, the word of Jehovah was addressed to Abram in a vision, and he said, Abram, fear not; I am your shield, and your reward will be very great. Gen 46:2 God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night, and He said, Jacob! Jacob! Israel replied: Here I am! Ez 37:1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and the Lord carried me in spirit, and laid me in the middle of a valley filled with bones. Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple named Ananias in Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias! He answered: Here I am, Lord! Rev 1:12 I turned around to find out what voice was speaking to me. And, after turning around, I saw seven golden candlesticks,
- Hardness of the heart, examples
Ex 8:11 Pharaoh, seeing that there was slackening, hardened his heart, and he did not listen to Moses and Aaron, according to what Jehovah had said. Ps 78:32 Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not believe in his wonders. Dn 5:20 But when his heart rose and his mind hardened to the point of arrogance, he was thrown from his royal throne and stripped of his glory; Mk 3:5 Then, looking out at them with indignation, and at the same time afflicted by the hardening of their hearts, he said to man: Extend your hand. He stretched it out, and his hand was healed.
From all the above, we note that here we have these two misfortunes that are like the prelude to what will follow. First, a cruel torment that falls upon the land of Israel (Joel 2), but does not reach those who are sealed among the twelve tribes; then, the horsemen of the Euphrates, unleashed on the Roman Empire, overwhelming the Gentiles, and in particular this empire, the object of God’s judgment. The 5th trumpet, or first misfortune, frees from the abyss a swarm of terrible locusts, direct instruments of Satan, which inflict on the ungodly Jews a moral torment worse than death. At the 6th trumpet appear fantastic horses, spitting fire, smoke and sulfur, sowing death in their path. Their riders wear breastplates, an image of hardened consciences (1 Tim 4:1-5). At the same time, scorpion- or serpent-like stings and tails represent the false and poisonous doctrines that Satan will use more than ever (Esa 9:12-15). The use of a trumpet to announce these judgments gives them the character of warnings to men. But so hard are hearts that even these unprecedented disasters will not lead them to repentance. This time, the men are beaten with death. The mouths of these instruments of judgment exude Satan’s power, and their doctrinal influence is satanic; by these two things they harm. And death here is not just physical, it becomes apostate. The rest of the men who have not fallen in this way, however, do not repent of their idolatry, and of their evil works. May the Lord Jesus keep us from it.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the angel with the little book opened before the sound of the seventh trumpet. “
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.