Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Rev 9:1-12

  1. #1
    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Everett, Washington
    Posts
    1,629
    Thanked: 1786
    Blog Entries
    1

    Rev 9:1-12

    I'm doing a study on the 7 trumpet judgments in Revelation.
    Revelation 9:1-12 Describes a demonic horde of locusts like creatures being released from the abyss, or bottomless pit. They have a king or leader over them called;
    "Abaddon or Apollyon' which means "Destroyer".

    A possible reference or comparison to these locusts creatures is found over in Joel 2: 4-10.

    Their function is that they should not kill but torment. They do not harm nature but torture men. These creatures will do this for 5 months (literal locusts have a life span of around 5 months from spring to fall). John wrote that during this event men will seek death and not find it. These demonic locusts creatures are compared to scorpions with stings in their tails capable of inflicting excruciating pain. People seeking relief from this tormented misery by committing suicide will be impossible. Death will not be found.

    The "Dispensational Interpretation" view is that the 144,000 Jewish remnant who have the seal of God upon their foreheads are protected or exempt from the 5 month torment inflicted upon the human race by the demon creatures.

    The descriptive characteristics of horses, chariots, lions, men, and scorpions seem to demonstrate that the locusts may not be literal, but symbolic, but nonetheless real because of their figurative character. Some scholars believe the angel of the abyss is a being other than Satan, while another group agree that they are one and the same being.

    I tend to shy away from the dispensation view or a pre-trib rapture. If the above future events are literally going to occur, and we are here in the midst of this onslaught of horror being exhibited; Ephesians 1:13 says, "we are sealed in Him" meaning that we would not be tormented by the demonic locusts creature stings, but would witness this hell being unleashed on the unsaved.

    Please offer any further comments to help me further digest the 5th seal of Revelation chapter 9 if you are available to do so. Thank you!
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Everett, Washington
    Posts
    1,629
    Thanked: 1786
    Blog Entries
    1
    The seven trumpets announce a severe judgment upon the earth in the last days before Christ's return. In some ways, the first four remind us of the plagues that that God brought upon Egypt through His servant Moses. The first 4 affect the natural world, and the last 3 affect primarily those who have rejected Christ ( involving demonic devastation). Yet, many believers will not escape the wrath of man as they are killed because of their faith in Christ (Rev 6:9) and are also affected by the divine destruction of earth's ecology (Rev 7:16). Although the first 4 trumpets are unimaginable, they will be nothing like the three to come (I started this thread commenting on the 5th trumpet).

    As 1st trumpet is sounded, a 3rd of the earth is burned up affecting the trees and the grass (Rev 8:7). This could be the result of a nuclear exchange or volcanic eruptions produced by earthquakes creating cosmic gases and lava flows that would devastate 1/3 of the earths landscape.

    The 2nd trumpet blast (Rev 8:8-9). affects a 3rd of the sea (similar to the Nile turned into blood in the 1st Egyptian plague). John describes a fierily mountain being cast into the sea. I would suggest that this could be a huge meteor or asteroid impacting the sea which would create a tidal wave destroying a 1/3 of the worlds ships. Red tides are caused by billions of dead micro organisms poisoning the water that would result from a meteor 's collision, or it may be actual blood from the loss of dead sea life.

    The 3rd trumpet causes a 1/3 of the fresh waters to become poisonous (Rev 8:10-11). John saw a falling star burning like a torch most likely referring to a celestial phenomenon such as a comet leaving a fiery tail scattering over the globe. Wormwood is mentioned as it relates to a 1/3 of the fresh waters being contaminated by such of an event. The water would no longer be drinkable, but bitter and poisonous (Rev 8: 10-11).

    The 4th trumpet (Rev 8:12) darkens a 3rd part of the heavens. Instead of 'the day should not shine for a 1/3 part of it, and the night in like manner' (again, similar to the Egyptian plague of darkness). This could be the result of some sort of atmospheric comic catastrophe or a divine supernatural reduction of the celestial bodies by 1/3. Regardless of what causes this event to occur, the loss of solar heat will cause a radical drop in temperature, producing severe temporary changes in meteorological, botanical, and biological cycles.

    Even in the midst of such horrendous and life changing events such as described above, God, through His infinite patience, is looking for repentance from the inhabitants upon the earth.
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Smitty For This Useful Post:

    Ezekiel 33 (09-11-2017), Quest (09-05-2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Everett, Washington
    Posts
    1,629
    Thanked: 1786
    Blog Entries
    1
    I've touched basis on the first 5 trumpets. Let me conclude here with final comments on the last two (6th & 7th).
    I will try and condense this as it relates to Revelation 9:13-21, 10:1-11, 11:15-19.
    To save time and space, you may read these passages at your leisure.

    The 6th trumpet brings a demonic army from the Euphrates, a scene that appears to resemble the proceeding plague of the 5th trumpet. John uses familiar imagery of the onslaught in the last days of a fierce host of cavalry, but transforms the horses into fiendish monsters, as he has already done with the locusts, and represents them as instruments of God's wrath on an evil and unrepentant world society.

    There are four angels restrained or bound at the great river (Euphrates) said to be 1780 miles long and the most important river in western Asia. These angels described as being bound, are fallen, yet are angels to decree God's wrath. They will be freed to accomplish His judgment through their horsemen. God's control extends even to the demonic forces as He releases His divine assignment in the last days agenda. The horsemen seem to be of little account; it is the horses that terrify and destroy. They have heads like lions' heads. They belch fire and smoke and sulphur from their mouths. They do harm also with their tails, which look like serpents, with heads. Remindful of past Greek images of the chimera. A fire-spouting monster whose fore part was a lion and whose hinder was a serpent. The language is better understood as referring to a demon force (200,000,000) that makes war with earth's inhabitants and kills 1/3 of humanity.

    The fire,...smoke, and brimstone (sulphur) are so deadly that they are now called plagues. In the midst of 1/3 of the earths population being decimated, those who were spared neither repented of their wickedness nor their worthless idolatries. Even divine retribution will not soften hardened wicked hearts, but only increase fist shaking rebellion.

    An unexpected situation that requires my immediate attention in which I have to leave the house has arisen. I will conclude the rest of this post at a latter time. Thank you!
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Smitty For This Useful Post:

    Ezekiel 33 (09-11-2017), Quest (09-10-2017)

  6. #4
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Ashville, Alabama
    Posts
    5,920
    Thanked: 3402
    Blog Entries
    2
    Smitty, do you wonder if we have so embraced the imagery that we are not able to see how it can play out in the natural?

    I wonder how much is spiritual activity manifesting in the natural and we are like the frog in water...?

  7. #5
    Senior Member Tehilah Ba'Aretz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Posts
    563
    Thanked: 647
    I'm a Pre-Trib guy and therefore out of sync from the start. I do, however, think that the weird insects are probably figurative as are several of the creatures in the Revelation. In truth, it says so in the text for some of them. But other than the obviously figurative things, I prefer to take the position that John intended for us to take the Revelation literally.
    As for believers suffering, that is true today. In fact, most of the horrors listed in the apocalyptic writings are actually happening all around us. It even says clearly in the Bible that, "In the world you have tribulation." (John 16:23) Christians living in Iran would testify that this is true. This may well be a signal that we are indeed living at the end of Mankind's time on Earth. On the other hand, I just bought a house as part of my long term retirement plans. I'm reminded of an old hymn that says, "Ready to go, ready to stay. Ready, Oh Lord, thy will to obey."

  8. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Tehilah Ba'Aretz For This Useful Post:

    Ezekiel 33 (09-11-2017), GodismyJudge (09-10-2017), Nikos (09-10-2017), Quest (09-13-2017)

  9. #6
    Senior Member Nikos's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    12,927
    Thanked: 7617
    Blog Entries
    49
    Amen!

  10. #7
    Senior Member Ezekiel 33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Northern Lower Michigan
    Posts
    3,970
    Thanked: 2924
    After watching Dr. Bill Warner's videos on the spread of Islam I would like to do a study on how that part of world history ties in with the book of Revelation, along with WW1 and WW2. Many of the things described in Revelation took place during the birth and rise of islam. According to the maps that Warner shows, that entire middle-eastern region was Christian by the time that islam came along. Then Christians were forced to convert or die, many being beheaded for their faith.

    WWI seems to be another struggle between islam and the world.

  11. #8
    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    7,640
    Thanked: 5995
    Blog Entries
    2
    My Bible College Dean a very good teacher and scholar said many years ago he felt Islam would play a big part in the last days and they are mentioned in the book of Revelation.

    He was one of the first teachers that I can remember linking Islam to scriptural end times before it became fashionable.
    Many preachers etc are now saying the same thing due to the many terrorist attacks but very few recognised the danger of Islam years ago.

  12. #9
    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    7,640
    Thanked: 5995
    Blog Entries
    2
    Don't agree with all the theology of Chick Tracts but to give them credit Jack Chick was warning about Islam decades ago.

    Many believers today are against Chick comics because they feel they were extreme yet Chick had far more discernment regarding cults than most Christians.

    Who said God can't use comic books

  13. #10
    Senior Member Smitty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Everett, Washington
    Posts
    1,629
    Thanked: 1786
    Blog Entries
    1
    Revelation 10:1-11 speaks of another mighty angel.
    Some believe this to be Jesus Christ, but I do not.
    The Greek word translated "another" means one of the same kind, that is , a created being.
    He is one of the highest ranking in heaven, filled with splendor, greatness, and strength.
    It is my personal opinion this angel is no other than Michael the arch angel.

    He will execute the Day of the Lord. Revelation 10:6 ""there should be delay no longer."
    This initiates the last plagues of the Day of the Lord, and that the time the disciples anticipated (Mt 24:3).
    However, as the end of this current age comes to a close, it is not to be confused with the ushering in of eternity,
    but rather the beginning of the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ on earth.

    Revelation 10:7 "the mystery, "meaning "to shut or close."
    A mystery could also mean a truth that God concealed, but has revealed through Christ and His apostles.

    Here the mystery is the final consummation of all things as God brings this final evil age to a close (current world system) and ushers in the kingdom age.

    As the 7th trumpet is blown (Rev 11:15-18) the resurrection takes place and the Day of the Lord follows (God's wrath).

    There is so much more that can be written here, but I am short on time, so this is a very condensed version.

    As always, this is open for dialog or further discussion.

    In summary, let me close with this.

    1260 days (Rev 11:2-3) "great tribulation or "Jacobs trouble" (Jer 30:7).
    "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the 1335 days (Dan 12:12).

    1260 days + 30 days + 45 days = 1335.

    1260 days -- Little horn, or Antichrist reign.

    30 days -- Final plagues, God's wrath, Armageddon.

    45 days-- Jesus determination of the mortal survivors of the tribulation who are allowed to enter the 1000 year millennial kingdom.
    First, Israel for entrance into the millennial reign. Then, the Gentiles of the nations and His separation of the same for entrance into the kingdom age.
    This gathering (tribulation survivors) were not included in the first resurrection ((Rev 20:5) at the last trump (1 Cor 15:52).
    Anti-Christ and the false prophet will be thrown alive into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20).

    Again, this is all very condensed end time theology. I don't expect all will agree with my opinions, especially those who are in the pre-trib camp.
    But its ok to disagree with last days beliefs, and those who hold a different opinion (not a salvation issue) as long as it doesn't violate the whole counsel of God.
    If you put God First, you have Him at Last.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
You can forget about unexpected and expensive with an extended service plan for your Audi. Many vehicle repairs can cost thousands of dollars in unexpected expense, now may be the time to consider an extended service plan for your vehicle.