Revelation 9:1-21
THE FIFTH
TRUMPET: THE FIRST OF THREE TERRIBLE WOES
Verse 1,2 - And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
I. The star is not a literal star, because the Bible calls this star a “him”.
A. Compare the wording of Revelation 9:1 to Revelation 8:10.
1. In both cases, an angel sounds the trumpet and a star falls from heaven to the earth.
2. Revelation 8:10 records that a great star fell, while Revelation 9:1 records a star fell.
B. Who is the star?
1. Some say it is Jesus Christ, because he has all keys, which is obviously error because Revelation 9:1 reveals the star is given the key of the bottomless pit.
2. Some say it is Satan, who, in his anger against God, turns on his own people, by opening the bottomless pit against them.
a. Satan will destroy everything he has to keep God from getting it.
b. Satan doesn’t not understand the power of God, nor what he will possess.
3. Some say it is one of God’s angels, whom he directs to open the pit, while others believe it is a fallen angel, whom Satan directs.
4. I believe it is either Satan, more likely an angel of Satan, partly because the key is given to him, revealing he does not have the key.
a. In Revelation 8:11, the great star falls, but the star of Revelation 9:1 is an “ordinary” star, who is given the key to the bottomless pit while still in heaven, then falls to the earth to open the bottomless pit.
b. Isaiah 14:12 - How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
c. Revelation 9:1 states the star fell from heaven, not jump, walk, run or graciously descend, indicating an involuntary leaving.
C. 1 Corinthians 15:41 – There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
1. Satan’s kingdom is filled with stars.
a. Daniel 8:10 – And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
1) This prophecy declares the anti-Christ shall cast some of the stars of heaven to the earth.
2) This is, of course, a symbolic gesture, that is fulfilled in Revelation 8:10 and Revelation 9:1.
b. Amos 5:26 – But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.
1) The casting down of the gods of Moloch and Chiun is fulfilled in Revelation 9:1.
2) Satan has his stars, which is very similar to Hollywood “stars”.
c. Acts 7:43 – Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
d. Jude 1:13 – Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
2. God’s kingdom is also filled with stars.
a. Numbers 24:17 – I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
b. Matthew 2:2 – Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
c. 2 Peter 1:19 – We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
d. Revelation 1:20 – The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
e. Revelation 22:16 – I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
D. This description sets the tone of the fifth trumpet as literal, and not figurative, even though the events mentioned in this trumpet seem more than literal.
1. Some might believe this star is Jesus Christ, but this is not likely so.
2. It seems better to know this star is the same star as Revelation 8:11.
3. This star opens the bottomless pit and terrible creatures are let loose on this wicked earth.
II. The key of the bottomless pit.
A. The key is the right or authority of passage, and God holds all keys.
1. Isaiah 22:22 – And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
2. Matthew 16:19 – And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
3. Revelation 1:18 – I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
4. Revelation 3:7 - And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
5. Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
B. The key changes hands.
1. The star of Revelation 9:1 is a lesser star of Revelation 8:11, who receive the keys of the bottomless pit from God, who holds all keys.
a. Revelation 1:18 states that Christ has the keys of hell and of death.
b. Isaiah 22:22 states that Christ has the key of the house of David.
c. Matthew 16:19 states that Christ has given the keys of the kingdom to his newly organized local Baptist church.
d. Anything Satan does, as in hurting Job, must be approved by Christ before he does it, because Christ has complete authority over all things.
e. Therefore it is not difficult to see that Christ gives the keys to the bottomless pit to this star, who opens the pit and lets loose these terrible calamities upon the earth.
2. Revelation 20:1 records that an angel from God now has the keys of the bottomless pit, which he opens and chains Satan for 1,000 years.
3. The key changes hands only by consent of God. [1]
III. The bottomless pit.
A. Definition of the deep, which is the bottomless pit.
1. If the bottomless pit were hell, the Bible would call it hell, not the bottomless pit.
a. The language of the Bible is very exact, so there will be no confusion.
1) The family of God is all the saved of all the ages.
2) The kingdom of God, in relation to the saved on the earth, refers to the saved on the earth at any given time.
3) The church of God refers to the assembly of believers, never to the family of God, or the kingdom of God.
4) Outer darkness is not hell, or the Bible would have called it hell, not outer darkness.
b. God did not leave us to figure out what words mean, but faithfully gives us the definitions of words by comparing scripture with scripture.
2. Luke 8:31 describes “the deep”, as the bottomless pit, a place the demons know they belong.
a. The bottomless pit, or the deep, is a holding area until the judgment comes.
b. Christ established “a hold”, where a criminal is put until it is determined what will be done to them, but the Puritans established a jail for punishment or rehabilitation.
c. Acts 4:3 states, And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
3. Romans 10:6-7 also contains the word “deep” or bottomless pit”.
a. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
b. These verses are not a part of this discussion, especially as these verses are not stating that Christ went into hell when he died.
c. The context clearly proclaims it is as impossible for a person to establish their own righteousness (salvation) as it is impossible as a person to go into heaven to bring Christ down to the earth, or into eternal judgment to bring him back to the earth again.
1) Romans 10:1-3 states the Jews were going about to establish their own righteousness, but it is impossible.
2) Romans 10:8-9 states that righteousness comes by confession of sins and belief in Christ.
B. The bottomless pit is probably in this center of the earth where Satan is “held in place” by gravitational forces, because the star fell from heaven to the earth, where the bottomless pit is located.
1. In the end, it doesn’t make much difference as everything not of God is cast into the Lake of Fire.
a. Revelation 17:8 – The beast that comes from the bottomless pit shall go into perdition (or final and complete destruction).
b. Revelation 19:20 – The anti-Christ and the false prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire.
c. Revelation 20:14-15 – death and hell and whosoever was not found written in the book of life are cast into the Lake of Fire.
2. Those “creatures” associated with the bottomless pit do not have a final judgment, but those “creatures” associated with hell have a judgment.
C. The bottomless pit is mentioned only in Revelation.
1. In relation to the fifth trumpet.
a. Revelation 9:1-2 – And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
b. Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
2. In relation to where the beast comes from to torment those on the earth.
a. Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
b. Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
3. In relation to where Satan will be bound for 1,000 years.
a. Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
b. Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
D. The opening of the bottomless pit involves two inseparable events: (1) the horrible consequences and, (2) the establishment of Satan’s kingdom.
1. The terrible plagues of this trumpet begins as a result of the opening of the bottomless pit.
a. Galatians 5:19-21 reveals the fruit of Satan’s kingdom is terrible hurt, destruction and misery.
b. Galatians 5:22-23 reveals the fruit of God’s kingdom is better than we can understand.
c. Compare the many different facets of torment from Satan’s kingdom and peace from God’s kingdom.
2. The bottomless pit is also the origin of Satan’s kingdom.
a. It is not just the terrible locust who torment men five months (Revelation 9:5), but also the full and final establishment of Satan’s kingdom that delivers torment.
1) Satan promises deliverance, but delivers terrible final destruction.
2) Men flock to Satan because they believe his promises, but the end of not trusting Christ is worse than can ever be imagined.
b. Where Satan’s kingdom comes from.
1) Revelation 17:8 states, The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
2) The beast is not the Anti-Christ, but the kingdom of the Satan, personified and represented in the person of the Anti-Christ.
a) The beast (kingdom of the dragon) comes out of the bottomless pit, then goes into perdition (eternal and final, utter destruction).
b) The Son of Perdition is a name given to Judas in John 17:12, and to the Antichrist, II Thessalonians 2:3.
(1) This is the well-known Hebrew idiom by which a person typically embodying a certain trait or character or destiny is called the son of that thing.
(2) The name therefore represents Judas and the Antichrist as most irrecoverably and completely devoted to the final destruction.
c) Scriptures:
(1) John 17:12 – While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
(2) II Thessalonians 2:3 – Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
c. Revelation 13:1-2 – How Satan’s kingdom comes in the earth.
1) These verses speak of the history of Satan’s kingdom, beginning with the Babylonians and ending with the Revived Roman Empire.
2) Satan’s kingdom began earlier than the Babylonians, but the kingdoms mentioned in Revelation 13:2 are world kingdoms.
E. The sequence of events that follow the sounding of the fifth trumpet.
1. At the sounding of the fifth trumpet, Satan’s kingdom is finally established because the hindering spirit of God is removed, II Thessalonians 2:7.
2. Revelation 9:13-11:14 – The sixth trumpet sounds, and final preparations are completed for a great battle between God and Satan, which will be fought on the earth, not in heaven.
3. Revelation11:15-14:20 – The seventh trumpet sounds and descriptions are given of the history of both Satan’s kingdom and God’s kingdom, which leads to the pouring out of the seven final vials of wrath.
4. Revelation 15:1 through the end of Revelation speak of the victory of Christ over Satan’s kingdom. [2]
Verse 3-6 – And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
I. The locusts.
A. The locusts are literal, not symbolic, spiritual, or weapons of warfare.
1. The A-millennialists either spiritualize, symbolize, or allegorize literal passage out of their own minds, to suit their own interpretations.
2. Pre-millennialists use the Bible to discover what God declares about difficult passages.
3. Because the Bible is the final authority, pre-millennialists let the Bible inform us of the meaning, while a-millennialists use their own interpretations.
4. Because the a-millennialists use their own imaginations to determine the meaning of scripture, there are no Bible verses to prove their opinions with.
B. They come from the smoke which come from the bottomless pit.
1. Joel 2:1-11 refers to the conquering army of Assyria as they come into the land of Israel to take the ten northern tribes of Israel into captivity.
a. The literal interpretation of Joel 2:1-11 is of a literal Assyrian army.
b. The long term prophecy is of another conquering army – during the Great Tribulation period.
1) Verse 2 speaks of darkness and thick darkness, referring to Revelation 9:2.
2) Verse 4 speaks of horses, referring to Revelation 9:7.
3) Verse 5 speaks of the noise of chariots, referring to Revelation 9:9, the sound of their wings.
4) Verse 7 speaks of the torment they shall cause to all, referring to Revelation 9:6.
5) Verse 8 speaks of their indestructibility, referring to Revelation 9:9, breastplates of iron.
6) Verse 9-10 speaks of their inescapability, referring to Revelation 9:4,5, none shall escape, except those with the seal of God in their foreheads.
2. Compare the smoke of Satan and the smoke of God.
a. Revelation 8:4 speaks of the sweet smelling smoke of the incense from the altar of God, which is filled with the prayers of the saints, while Revelation 9:3 relates that the smoke of Satan produces evil locusts of terrible description, which torment select men for five months.
b. Genesis 19:28 gives a picture of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by stating, And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
c. Exodus 19:18 gives a picture of the glory of God by relating, And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
d. II Samuel 22:9 speaks of the smoke of the wrath of God, There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
e. Psalms 37:20 comparing Psalms 37:1-2 relates the soon destruction of all the wicked, But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
f. Isaiah 6:4 reveals the smoke of God does not destroy, rather it convicts of the power, majesty and splendor of God Almighty, And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
3. Revelation 9:2-3 records the smoke from the bottomless pit was so thick the sun and the air became dark.
a. It was from this thick darkness the locusts “unexpectedly” came.
1) There is no escape, as they are everywhere, and coming out of the thick darkness, they would always be a surprise.
2) The surprise of their attack, plus the extreme pain from their sting would make men terrified.
b. It is amazing to think that men have desired and actively worked toward this end, but they did not expect the end would be like this, even though they were told many times, and had the evidence within themselves as recorded in Romans 1:19.
1) John 3:19 - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
2) Men love sin and the darkness of sin, because they believe that will give them true and lasting pleasure, but it only brings complete and final destruction.
3) Men will be shocked and surprised when the locust began to torment them, but they will never see their torment is based on their own wickedness.
4. It is important to understand there are only two “denominations” on the earth during the time of the Great Tribulation.
a. Revelation 17:5 speaks of the great whore, who is the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.
b. All false religions come from this great whore.
c. In this present world, there are many denominations, and many false religions.
d. All false religions teach works for salvation, while true religions teach salvation by grace through faith, a work of God in the heart of believers.
e. All pagan religions, whether the so-called “Christian” Catholic church, or New Age religions, or Muslim, Islam, or many of the Eastern religions, Native American religions and mythologies, as well as non-Abrahamic ethnic religions.
5. The Bible records there is only one government, although there are many nations.
a. Revelation 6:15 reveals there are many kings over the earth, who hide themselves when the sixth seal is opened.
b. Revelation 13:7 records the beast (the Anti-Christ government) will have power over the nations.
c. Revelation 17:18 relates that the great whore reigns over the kings of the earth.
d. Revelation 18:9 states the kings of the earth shall bewail the destruction of the great whore.
e. Revelation 19:19 informs that the kings of the earth will gather their armies together at Armageddon to battle God.
f. Revelation 20:7,8 records that Satan will go to the nations of the earth to gather together his army to fight against God at the battle of Gog and Magog.
1) During the millennium there will continue to be many nations, but only one government – dictated by Jesus Christ through the nation of Israel.
2) Any disagreement with the government of Christ will be met with fierce plagues. [3]
II. The locusts are refrained from coming out of the bottomless pit until God allows them to be released.
A. Satan would use all his tactics and all his evil ways, but God restrains him.
B. God is not afraid of what Satan and his dupes will do, but restrains Satan out of mercy for the lost and saved alike.
C. When Satan is turned loose on this earth, there is widespread death (caused when lost people take their anger out on believers and torment and kill them) and destruction, and increased misery, which God knows is justly coming.
Verse 7-10 - And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
I. A description of the locust.
A. Satan combines the unnatural.
1. The fallen nature of man causes him to desire the unnatural, but his desire will backfire on him.
2. Fallen man desires unnatural sexual arrangements, and unnatural marriages, which end is destruction, yet men fail to see the relationship between unnatural acts and unnatural results.
B. Verse 7 – Their shapes are like horses, which are covered with armor as they are prepared for battle.
1. They do not come to bring peace, but terrible torments.
2. Revelation 6:1-8 – The opening of the seals reveals the Anti-Christ coming to power through peace, but delivers torments.
C. They have a crown on their head like gold.
1. The crowns are not gold, but like gold.
2. I Kings 14:25 relates that King Rehoboam made shields of brass to replace the shields of gold taken by Shishak, king of Egypt.
3. Both the crowns and shields are fake, but look like the real thing.
D. They have faces as men, hair as women (long, on their shoulders) and teeth as lions.
1. Faces as men on shapes like horses would be terrifying indeed.
2. The face of men framed with hair as women and teeth as lions would add to the terror.
3. Satan always combines the unnatural, and men love the unnatural because of their darkness, but men will not love these unnatural beasts because of the hurt they bring.
E. The covering of their breasts is made of iron – they cannot be hurt.
1. The breast covers the heart, which supplies blood to the body.
2. Men can do nothing to stop these locusts, only God can do that.
F. They have wings, which make a sound of many chariots rushing into battle.
1. This very loud racket will warn of their approach, and men will try to get away from them, but be unable.
2. The loud racket will assault the ears, as well as causing terror to fill the heart.
G. They have tails like scorpions.
1. I have never experienced a scorpion sting, but my dad tells me when a person is stung on the toe, the first pain is in the top of the head, and travels down to the toe, filling the body with very intense pain, a lot like fire.
2. It is very likely every man will be stung more than once, therefore the terror of the approaching wings will cause the pain to be anticipated.
II. The locusts will torment wicked men five months.
A. Revelation 9:4 records the locusts will not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, or those men who have the seal of God in their foreheads.
1. I do not know if lost people will understand the torment of the locusts is to last (only) five months.
2. If they read their Bibles, or listened to true preaching, they would understand the length of the locust torment.
3. Believers will likely know how long the locusts torment will last, especially if they are acquainted with Revelation.
B. This torment will continue for five months.
1. Luke 1:24,25 states concerning Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
2. As Elizabeth hid for five months to take away her reproach, so God will hide those that have his mark in their foreheads from the locusts to take away their reproach and prove to all they belong to God.
3. The seal of God in the forehead and the lack of injury from the locusts will be two undeniable proofs of God’s blessings upon believers.
Verse 11 - And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
I. Verse 11 – The authority of the locusts come from their king.
A. Revelation 9:11 - The names of the king of the bottomless pit.
1. Hebrew – Abaddon – " destruction"
a. ruin, destruction, of the place of the ruined dead.
b. The name of the angel-prince of the infernal regions, the minister of death and the author of havoc on the earth and is rendered in the Greek Destroyer.
2. Greek – Apollyon – “destroyer", the angel of the bottomless pit.
B. Satan is king of the bottomless pit, but his power is limited to what God gives him.
II. Verse 4 – The locust are commanded – they must take orders from Christ, even if they do not want to do.
A. Some might think Satan issues the command in verse 4, but it seem very reasonable to believe Christ issues this order.
1. Satan would command the locusts to kill, maim or destroy anything and anybody who stood in his way.
2. Christ, however, has continual mercy on his children, and will not allow Satan or any of his destructive workers to harm any of his children.
B. Luke 8:26-31 – the demons were commanded by Christ, even if they disagreed.
C. The locusts are commanded only to hurt, not kill, those that do not have the mark of Christ in their foreheads.
1. God’s people are safe from the locust, but they are not safe from Satan’s people.
2. When the locust torment Satan’s people they take their anger and frustration out on the people of God.
D. Verse 6 states that lost people will seek death, but will not find it.
1. Lost people believe death, and what will happen to them after death, is better than facing the locusts, but they are sadly mistaken.
2. Lost people do not understand the wrath of God during the Great Tribulation is restrained because in their fleshly bodies, lost people can only endure so much of the wrath of God.
3. But when lost people die, they go into hell, a place of infinitely more torment than they ever faced on this earth.
E. The locusts cannot hurt the structure of the earth, which has already been hurt, and is reserved for other injuries later.
Verse 12 – One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
I. Concluding thoughts of the fifth trumpet.
A. All the terrible things men imagine in horror movies and such as coming to pass will come to pass.
1. Rebellious people who melt away as they stand upon their feet will come to pass; compare Indiana Jones movies with Zechariah 14.
2. Horrible creatures devouring people and people being very afraid, yet never turning to Christ, nor repenting of any of their wickedness.
3. As bad as this woe is, there are still two woes to come, each with equally terrifying results, but the end is not yet.
B. The end will come only when Satan and all his dupes are cast into the Lake of Fire forever.
II. The differences in the three woes (the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets).
A. Revelation 9:1-12 – The fifth trumpet (the first woe) seems comprised of physical judgments, which are very, very terrible, and almost unending to unbelievers (because they probably haven’t read their Bibles, and don’t know the torment will last five months), and cannot end with death.
B. Revelation 9:13-11:14 – The sixth trumpet (the second woe) involves more physical torment, but including the death of a third of the lost living on the earth.
1. Revelation 10:1-4 – Included in the time frame of the second woe is the seven thunders, of which we know nothing.
2. Revelation 10:5-11 – A declaration that time should be no more, and a promise to John that he shall prophesy again before many people, nations, tongues and kings.
3. Revelation 11:1-14 – A description of the two witnesses, whose death and resurrection ends the time frame of the sixth trumpet (the second woe).
C. Revelation 11:15-19:21 – The seventh trumpet (the third woe) includes all the remaining wrath of God upon the earth until the end of the Great Tribulation.
1. Revelation 11:15-19 – A declaration that the kingdoms of this world belong to God Almighty.
a. Revelation 12:1-17 – A description of the history of God’s people and how God has miraculously preserved them from Satan all these years.
b. Revelation 13:1-29 – A description of the history of Satan’s kingdom and his present government.
c. Revelation 14:1-5 – a glance into heaven at the 144,000 Jews who are victorious over Satan.
d. Revelation 14:6-7 – An angel preaches the gospel before the final destruction.
e. Revelation 14:8 – A second angel announces the destruction of pagan Babylon.
f. Revelation 14:9-13 – A third angel announces that all who follow Satan will be destroyed with Satan, but all who follow Christ will be rewarded with Christ.
g. Revelation 14:14-20 – the Son of Man comes and the earth is reaped.
2. Revelation 15 and 16 follow with the seven vials of wrath, which are a part of the seventh trumpet, and begins only when the seventh trumpet sounds.
a. Please understand the vials of wrath are absolutely terrible, as these vials are God’s wrath against a very disobedient people.
b. Also please understand the three woes of Revelation 9:1-14:20 are also terrible, but not nearly so awful as the seven vials of God’s wrath.
c. But none of the three woes, or the seven vials of God’s wrath is as bad as hell, and hell is not nearly as bad as the Lake of Fire.
3. Revelation 17-19 is also included in the third woe, as descriptions are given of the destruction of pagan (religious) Babylon, and pagan (economic) Babylon and pagan (governmental) Babylon. [4]
Verse 13 – And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
I. The voice from the four horns of the golden altar.
A. The first thing John hears after the sounding of the sixth trumpet is the voice from the altar.
1. Satan, or any of the forces of evil, have no voice.
a. 1 Kings 18:26 – And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
b. Satan and his evil forces give the impression they have much power, authority and strength, but in reality, they do not even have a voice.
c. Compare all the idols of Satan, who do not speak, see, hear, or have the ability to move.
2. Obviously, it is the voice of authority, the voice of God, who speaks from the four horns of the golden altar.
a. Moses heard the voice of God speaking from the mercy seat in the tabernacle of the congregation.
b. Numbers 7:89 – And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
3. We should not be so concerned with the sound of the voice, as we are with what the voice is saying.
a. Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
b. John 16:13,14 – The Holy Spirit of God always speaks of God. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
4. The voice of authority speaks to the angel who sounds the sixth trumpet, instructing that angel to loose the four angels, which are bound in the river Euphrates.
B. What is the voice?
1. To completely understand this point, it is necessary to study the four horns, discerning the voice comes from the golden altar, not the brazen altar.
a. It is the voice of God, speaking from between the horns of the golden altar.
b. Revelation 8:1-6 reveals that before the sounding of the trumpets, there was silence for the space of a half hour, then the prayers of the saints was offered on the golden altar which was before the throne of God.
c. After the sixth trumpet sounds, the voice continues to give instructions concerning the wrath of God, tempered with the prayers of the saints.
2. God will judge this world in righteousness and truth, but the prayers of saints have much to do with those judgments.
a. God’s judgments do not come from the brazen altar of burnt offering, where blood is shed for sins.
b. God’s judgments come from the golden altar of incense where prayers of mercy are offered.
II. The four horns.
A. There are four horns on the brazen altar of burnt offering (judgment) and the golden altar of incense (mercy).
1. The brazen altar of burnt offering.
a. Exodus 27:2 is God speaking to Moses, giving instructions concerning the altar of burnt offering by stating, And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
1) Notice this altar is overlaid with brass, not gold.
2) Exodus 28:2 records that Moses build the altar of burnt offering exactly as God commanded by saying, And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.
b. The altar of bunt incense is described in Exodus 30:2, and it seems there are four horns to this altar, one on each corner, A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
1) Exodus 37:25 describes the building of the altar of incense, exactly as God commanded, by stating, And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.
2. Ezekiel 43:15 describes the altar of burnt offering that shall be in eternity. So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
a. The description of this heavenly vision begins in Ezekiel 40 and continues to the end of the book.
b. Ezekiel 43:20 describes the worship of God to Israel for forgiveness of sins. And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
B. The golden altar of incense speaks of the mercy and glory of God, compared to the altar of burnt offering, which was made of brass and speaks of the judgment of God.
1. It is very appropriate that the altar of burnt offerings is overlaid with brass, because the judgment of God is portrayed on that altar.
2. It is also very appropriate that the altar of incense, which relates to the intercessory mercies of God, is overlaid with gold, because the longsuffering patience and mercy of God is portrayed on that altar.
C. The horns of the altar speak the authority of God to rule and reign, to give mercy or judgment.
1. The horns of the anti-Christ.
a. Revelation 13:1 states, And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
b. Daniel 7:7 states, After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
c. Daniel 8:8 confirms, Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
d. Zechariah 1:18 continues, Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. These are the four horns (kings with authority) that scattered Israel throughout all the world.
2. The horns of Christ.
a. Revelation 5:6 states, And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
b. 2 Samuel 22:3 – The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
c. Luke 1:69 – And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
3. The horns of the brazen altar reflect the mercy and judgment of God.
a. The mercy of God extended to Adonijah.
1) 1 Kings 1:50 states, And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
2) Solomon extended mercy, just as God often extends mercy to sinners.
b. The judgment of God exacted on Joab.
1) 1 Kings 2:28 states, Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.
2) Solomon did not extend mercy on Joab, because he was following instructions from his father, King David.
4. Revelation 9:20,21 relates that sinners still have opportunity to repent of their sins and find forgiveness, but they do not repent, therefore they face the wrath of God.
a. God’s grace and mercy is amazing, because sinners still have opportunity to repent even as the Great Tribulation comes to a close.
b. The thief of the cross was saved, even as he died, showing the longsuffering mercy of God.
c. God’s grace and mercy is why we are saved, and not destroyed. [5]
Verse 14 – Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
I. Why are there four angels?
A. To gather the people of God together.
1. Matthew 24:31 states that God will send angels (four?) to gather his elect from the four winds (they have been “scattered” everywhere) of the earth. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
a. We understand from previous lessons the four corners represent the far corners of this earth, not that the earth is square.
b. God will gather his people to himself, regardless of where they are, or how insignificant they may seem to this world.
2. It seems appropriate that God will send four angels to retrieve his children that have been scattered all over this world by the four winds.
a. It also seems appropriate that God will use four angels to protect his children from his wrath, which will come through another four angels.
b. It is very thankworthy that God never leaves his children alone, but continually provides for them, protects them, and brings them to himself.
c. Luke 16 records that even in death, children of God are carried by angels into a place of safety.
B. To bring the judgment of God.
1. Revelation 7:1-2 records there are four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, which are stopped from destroying the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.
a. If this passage is linked to Matthew 24:31, it is easy to see the carefulness of God in protecting his children.
b. Psalm 91 speaks of God’s protection to those that would walk in his secret places.
2. Zechariah 6:5 records there were four angels, linked to the four horsemen (which are linked to the opening of the first four seals of Revelation 7), who bring destruction to the earth.
II. The river Euphrates.
A. History begins and ends with this great river: Genesis 2:14 to Revelation 16:12.
1. Genesis 2:14 states, And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
a. The Garden of Eden was located somewhere in this area.
b. We don’t know exactly where the Garden of Eden or the river Euphrates was located, because the flood likely changed the topography of the world.
c. The names of these great places remain with us as a token of how God will continue to bless and curse this land.
B. Some events linked to the river Euphrates.
1. Sin and the promise of the coming Saviour started somewhere in this area.
a. Genesis 2:10-14 – The river Euphrates was one of four rivers that flowed out of the Garden of Eden.
b. Three of the rivers went into various parts of the world, but there is no description of where the river Euphrates went.
c. If the river Euphrates watered the area surrounding the Garden of Eden, it seems likely sin started close by the Euphrates.
2. The first murder was committed somewhere in the area of the river Euphrates.
a. Again, I am assuming Adam and Eve did not travel far from the Garden of Eden, hence the Cherubims with flaming swords at the entrance to the Garden.
b. There was no reason for Adam and Eve to travel far, so they probably settled close by the Garden of Eden.
3. Very likely, the area about the river Euphrates was the birthplace of false religion, idolatry, and paganism, beginning with Cain and continuing to this day.
a. Genesis 10:8-14 gives the details concerning Nimrod’s establishment of an empire in the area that would later become the kingdoms of Babylon and Assyria.
b. Micah 5:6 speaks about the time …when the land of Assyria shall be wasted, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof.
4. It was likely in the general area of the river Euphrates that Noah build the ark of God.
5. It seems probable that the flood began in this place, then spread to all the world, just as sin, rebellion against God and the matured paganism began in this general area, and spread, completely corrupting the entire world.
6. Genesis 11:1 – The tower of Babel was probably erected somewhere in this area, as the land of Shinar seems to be located near the river Euphrates.
7. The people of Israel were given the area south of the river Euphrates, and it was from this area they went into captivity because of their rebellion against God.
8. It is from this same area that the major end time events occur, as Satan launches his most vicious attack against God and his chosen people. [6]
C. The northern border of the promised land is the river Euphrates.
1. Genesis 15:18-21 – To Abraham: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
2. Exodus 23:30 – Before the 40 years of wilderness wanderings: God told Israel he would not give them the entire possession all at once, but would set his fear on the inhabitants of the land, and give them the land a little bit at a time, as they grew into a prosperous nation.
3. Deuteronomy 1:1-7 – After 40 years of wandering, but before the land is conquered: When Israel left Egypt, the command from God was to possess the promised land, using the river Euphrates as a northern boundary.
4. Deuteronomy 7:22 – After the 40 years of wilderness wanderings: this promise of God is so sure and so important God gave the same commandment twice, yet Israel fail to heed the precious promises of God.
a. This command is given twice, so Israel would be very sure as to their northern boundary.
b. Israel, like us, failed to accept the promises of God, and obey him, therefore they lost the entire possession.
5. Joshua 1:4 – Joshua repeats the promises of God and the boundaries of Israel: The northern border of Israel is the river Euphrates.
a. God means what he said, therefore he continually repeats himself.
b. Israel, and all men, are dull of hearing, therefore God repeats himself.
D. II Kings 23:29 – King Josiah was killed when he, in error, went to war against the king of Egypt at Euphrates.
1. Pharaohnechoh, king of Egypt, was instructed by God (he said) to go against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates, but King Josiah confronted him, which was (perhaps) against the will of God, and met his death.
2. II Chronicles 35:20-27 gives a more detailed account of Josiah’s battle and subsequent death with Pharaohnechoh in the valley of Megiddo.
a. II Chronicles 35:21 indicates God had not yet commanded Pharaohnechoh to come against Judah, but to attack the Assyrians at the river Euphrates.
b. It seems reasonable to assume King Josiah “read the handwriting on the wall”, and determined Pharaohnechoh was lying to him, and, in defending Judah, attacked him at Megiddo.
3. Events in Judah after King Josiah was killed, when Egypt ruled Judah for three years.
a. II Chronicles 36:1-2 – The people established Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, as king, who ruled three months before being deposed by Pharaohnechoh.
b. II Chronicles 36:4 – Pharaohnechoh took Jehoahaz to Egypt, where he died, and established Eliakim (who he named Jeroiakim), another son of Josiah as king, who reigned eleven years.
c. II Chronicles 36:6-9 – Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took Jeroiakim to Babylon, where he died, and established Jeconiah, the grandson of Josiah, (changing his name to Jeroiachin) as king over Judah, who reigned for three months and ten days.
1) Jeroiachin was taken to Babylon where he remained as a eunuch, Isaiah 56:3.
2) Matthew 1:11-12 records that Jechonias (also called Jeconiah or Jeroiachin) begat Salathiel, thus preserving the lineage of Christ.
d. Nebuchadnezzar established Mattaniah, another son of Josiah (whom he renamed Zedekiah), as the final king of Judah.
E. Jeremiah 13:1-11 – Jeremiah was commanded by God to bury his girdle in a hole of the rock at Euphrates.
1. A girdle is a “belt” that goes around the waist, and signifies many different things.
a. It mainly signifies strength, according to the type of material.
b. A leather girdle is worn by the common man, and typifies his strength.
c. A linen girdle is finer and is worn by people of higher class.
d. A sackcloth girdle is worn during times of grief and trouble.
2. When God commanded Jeremiah to bury a linen girdle in the hole in the rock, located near the river Euphrates, it typifies Israel losing their strength near Euphrates, but their strength will be retained in the Rock of Ages.
a. After many days Jeremiah was commanded to retrieve the girdle, which was marred and ruined.
b. The prophecy is that God will mar the pride of Israel.
c. It is no accident that God used the area of the river Euphrates to describe how God will destroy the pride of Israel and force them to come to him as their only eternal Saviour.
F. Jeremiah 46:1-12 – (See verses 2, 6, and 10)
1. This prophecy, as many prophecies, have a two fold meaning.
2. The primary meaning is the destruction of Jerusalem by Egypt.
3. The secondary meaning relates to the destruction at the end of the world, described in Revelation.
a. Verse 7 speaks of a flood that come to destroy, compare to Revelation 12:15.
b. Verse 9 speaks of many horsemen, compare to Revelation 9:16.
c. Verse 10 speaks of being drunk with blood, compare to Revelation 17:2,4.
G. Jeremiah 51:63 – Jeremiah is commanded to cast a book describing the destruction of Babylon into the river Euphrates.
1. As the book sank in the river, so shall Babylon sink and will not rise from the evil that God brings upon her.
2. It is no wonder Revelation 9:15 declares the four angels of destruction are prepared in the river Euphrates for a specific period of time.
3. The beginning time of their preparation would be 8 months, a day and an hour before the sounding of the fifth trumpet (the first woe).
a. A year, a month, a day and an hour equals 13 months a day and an hour.
b. The torment of the fifth trumpet lasts 5 months, therefore 8 months, a day and an hour before the sounding of the fifth trumpet, the destroying angels in the river Euphrates began their preparation to destroy the world.
c. What a God we have that is able to begin all this preparation before it is apparent destruction is necessary!
4. Revelation 16:12 states, And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
a. The river Euphrates plays a part in all of history.
b. The last days are no exception, as the river Euphrates restrains the kings of the east from coming against the nation of Israel.
c. When the time is right, God will dry up the waters of the river Euphrates so the kings of the east will gather themselves at Armageddon for the final battle of the Great Tribulation.
d. It could be the emptying of the river Euphrates causes a flood of armies against Israel. [7]
I. The prepared angels: an hour, a day, a month, a year.
A. I could find no verse in the Bible that uses the words “hour”, “day”, “month” and “year”, except Revelation 9:15.
1. I believe this wording refers to the careful timing of God toward his children, and the pouring out of his wrath.
2. This timing is clearly seen by a simple study of the river Euphrates, how God has used this river as a continual symbol of his waiting judgment.
3. God is in complete control of this entire world, even to the second.
4. Our timing may be completely off, but God’s timing is completely on.
a. Compare Adam and Eve’s timing when Cain was born – they missed it completely.
b. Compare Abraham and Sarah’s timing when Ishmael was born – they missed it completely.
5. Revelation 20:7-9 – How long is this “little season”? (Verse 3)
B. Exodus 23:20 states, Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
1. God has prepared a place for Israel, the land of Canaan.
2. Israel is warned to heed the Angel of God, lest they face his wrath.
3. Exodus 23:26-33 gives the detail of God giving the land of Canaan to Israel a little at a time, and why he will not give them the land all at once.
C. The purpose of the invading army.
1. To destroy a third of the inhabitants of the earth.
2. When the fifth trumpets sounds, there is an invading army that is restricted from killing any person, even though people will try to die.
3. Now their desire to die will be fulfilled.
4. The people who die may think they are getting relief from the afflictions they face, but when they get into hell, they will know their earthly afflictions, even though they were bad, is nothing compared to the afflictions of hell.
II. A description of the army.
A. There is no description of where the army comes from.
1. John hears the number of the army, therefore he knows exactly how many are in the army.
a. It would be very difficult to count this many warriors, or to estimate the number.
b. God always provides that which we do not know, if we need to know it.
2. It is often assumed this is an earthly army, but the Bible states the four angels, not the invading army, are commissioned to destroy one third of earth’s inhabitants.
a. The angels use this vast army to destroy 1/3 of the earth’s inhabitants.
b. I do not know how long this plague will last, but I don’t think it will last long.
c. There will probably be many mass graves, as these folks need to be buried.
3. I have heard this 200,000,000 army described as coming from China, because that country has the population to provide an army that large.
a. In just a few days, the nations of Japan, China, and India could assemble 200 million troops.
b. In 1965, China alone could provide that many troops.
c. A casual reading of this passage reveals this army is not an “earthly” army, but evidently a “super-natural” army, especially prepared to destroy.
B. The horses and horsemen.
1. They had breastplates of fire, and jacinth, and brimstone.
a. The breastplate is the part of the body from the neck to the navel, where the ribs end, which was protected by plates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone.
b. The breastplates were fire, or at least resembled fire.
c. Jacinth is a very dark red color, almost bordering on black.
1) Like hyacinth – a plant.
2) Not necessarily the material of the breastplate, but the appearance.
d. Brimstone resembles a sulphur type material, which reminds me of yellow or orange, marked with black.
e. This army could be protected by Satan and the forces of hell as they bring God’s judgments on the earth’s inhabitants.
2. The horses heads looked like lions.
a. The Bible doesn’t say the horses heads are lion’s heads, but they looked like lion’s heads.
1) Christ is the lion (the king) of the tribe of Judah.
2) Horses are an animal of war while a mule is the animal of a king.
b. It could be the horses heads are covered for protection.
c. These “prepared” horses appear to have final authority and bring terror.
3. Fire, smoke, and brimstone came out of their mouths.
a. It is unclear whether this refers to the horses or the riders.
1) It really doesn’t make any difference, because the final destruction is the same.
2) Some might think it does make a difference, but if it did, Christ would have told us.
b. God has a sharp two-edged sword, which proceeds from his mouth.
1) Revelation 1:16 relates, And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
2) Revelation 19:15 states, And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
3) The rule of Christ will be to everlasting life from the Word of God, which comes from his mouth, while Satan’s destruction also comes from the mouth of these terrible creatures.
c. 1/3 of earth’s population is killed by fire, smoke, and brimstone.
1) Fire – this is literal fire, by which men are killed.
2) Smoke – this is literal smoke, by which men are killed.
3) Brimstone – this is literal brimstone, by which men are killed.
4. The power in the tails.
a. The word “power” refers to the authority given to these creatures to take life, and is in their mouth and their tails.
b. The tail is evidently shaped as a serpents tail, yet with a head.
c. The word “head” refers to the head of a living creature, where life is controlled.
d. Since the loss of the head destroys life, this word is used in the phrases relating to capital and extreme punishment.
Verse 20-21 – And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
I. The result of the sixth trumpet, which is the second woe.
A. 1/3 of the earth’s inhabitants die, but the remaining 2/3’s do not repent.
B. Their sins that brought this judgment.
1. The works of their own hands.
a. Romans 1:25 relates this false worship, Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
b. Wicked men think they will be accepted by God because men accept the work of their hands.
c. II Corinthians 10:12 informs about correct comparing, For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2. They worshipped devils.
a. Worshipping devils is different from worshipping idols.
b. Paul on Mar’s Hill did not say devils were worshipped, but that the people were too superstitious (religious).
c. Devils can act and perform actions, but idols can do nothing.
3. They worshipped idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood.
a. The different materials an idol is made from indicates the varying wealth of the worshipers.
b. It makes no difference what an idol is made of, it is still an idol.
c. No idol can see, hear or walk.
4. They did not repent of their murders, sorceries, fornications, or stealing.
a. They do not repent because they justify themselves before each other.
b. The evil works of their hands (verse 20) is evidently different from the sins described in verse 21.
c. Murder is the slaughter of the innocent.
d. Sorceries is witchcraft, often by the administering of drugs, which leads to poisoning of the body and mind.
e. Fornication is illicit sexual intercourse, whether this intercourse is adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, or incest. It could also symbolize spiritual depravity and worshipping of devils and idols; not dedicating oneself to the living God.
f. Thefts is a person taking that which does not belong to him. This could be literal, or spiritual: taking glory to oneself that rightly belongs to God.
II. Why don’t they repent?
A. It is often thought that when severe trials come, men will repent of their wickedness, but it isn’t true.
1. When physical trials come because of continual sin, men do not generally repent.
2. Smokers continue to smoke, even though they have lung cancer or emphysema.
3. Methamphetamine users continue their drug use, even as the police close in on them, and their teeth decay away.
4. Sexual criminals continue their wickedness, even in the face of being caught.
5. Sins become a force this body of flesh cannot overcome.
B. It is often thought that miracles and wonders and signs will bring repentance.
1. The miracles performed in Egypt did not convince Pharaoh, the Egyptians, nor the Israelites, which generation failed to capture the promised land.
2. The miracles Jesus performed did not convince the Jews he was the promised messiah.
3. John 18:10 – When Jesus healed the high priests servants ear, whose name was Malchus, the mob did not see the power of God to stop the bleeding, or the power that replaced the ear.
4. Revelation 14:6 – It is likely few will hear the message of the angels who fly though the heavens, declaring the gospel of Christ.
5. The gospel is the power of God.
a. Romans 1:16 states, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
b. 1 Corinthians 1:18 relates, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
c. It is the “still, small voice of God” that speaks loudly to the children of God, not the large miracle, or the roaring crowd.
C. It is not given to them to repent.
1. Romans 9:13 confirms, As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
2. John 15:16 states, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
[1] Preached to here August 13, 2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[2] Preached to here 09/03/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[3] Preached to here 09/10/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[4] Preached to here 10/01/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[5] Preached to here 10/08/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[6] Preached to here 10/15/2008 IBC Wednesday Evening
[7] Preached to here 11/22/2008 IBC Sunday Evening