I mentioned in yesterday’s post that it’s a good idea to partner your study with some fasting, and meant to share a link to some thoughts I shared a while back on fasting on my blog. I forgot to link it, so if you’re interested, go here. And, if you go here, you can download a whole FREE book called “the Rewards of Fasting”, coauthored by Mike Bickle (just scroll down to the bottom where it says “Mike Bickle ebooks”). Enjoy!
I’d also like to encourage you in this: One chapter of the Bible a day is really not that much. It’s really helpful to gain understanding to read each chapter more than once through, maybe even at different times in the day, so you can meditate on it and see what more the Holy Spirit will bring to you.
Chapter 9 is a continuation of chapter 8 where the trumpet judgments began to be released. Here is a full listing of them (chapter 8 and 9).
From Mike Bickle’s notes:
The trumpet judgments are supernatural acts of God through nature (first four trumpets) and through the release of demons (fifth and sixth trumpet) to destroy the Antichrist’s resources.
First trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth’s vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
First trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth’s vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth trumpet (Torment):releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth trumpet (Death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Sixth trumpet (Death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Something interesting happens here with the fifth and sixth trumpets. We see in verses 1&2 that “the Abyss” is opened. Apparently this is the holding tank (hell, presumably) for Satan and His demons. So in actuality it is the demons who are the ones who perpetrate the torture and killing of these judgments. But, it is the sounding of the angel trumpet, released under the leadership of Jesus that actually causes these things to happen.
This in an interesting interplay between two kingdoms, and needs to be understood. Many people believe that all the “bad stuff” that we see happen in the book of Revelation is the devil’s fault, because “God is so good, He would never do that”. It’s one reason many people stumble over the book of Revelation. So, see the clear distinction here. The demons ARE the ones torturing people (5th trumpet) and then killing people (6th trumpet), and clearly that is what demons love to do. However, the One in charge of it all is JESUS. So, the demons are expressing their wrath, but only to the extent that Jesus allows them to! Even Satan and his demons are simply pawns in the hand of the Lord. This is a tough concept to fully grasp, but it is true. Nothing happens that is not known, understood and allowed by Him.
This is true, even in our lives today! Sometimes we have spiritual attack, where demons may attack us, or trouble in our lives, but Jesus knows, and has even allowed these things to happen! Why, to punish us? Not usually. His leadership is perfect. His wisdom is perfect. He allows what He does because He is looking to produce something within us, NOT harm us. Look at these verses:
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
God has a purpose in EVERYTHING that He does in our lives! If we were not resisted, we would not gain strength. If we didn’t have trials that test our faith, we would not grow in perseverance or be mature. No situation is an accident, nor is it wasted in His purposes!
(Back to Revelation) So, what is His purpose in the 5th and 6th trumpets? See verse 20 – He wants people to repent! He is looking to bring MORE souls into His glorious Kingdom! They may not respond this time, but that IS His goal, but He doesn’t force anyone’s will. Remember that as you continue reading this book. I’ve heard it said this way: God is using the least severe means, to reach the greatest number of people, at the deepest levels of Love. I believe this is a trustworthy saying that deserves full approval :).
Just remember in the End Times Drama, there are three forces at work, reaching a climactic crescendo: 1. the judgments of God 2. the rage of Satan and 3. man’s sin (the depths of sin will be incredible!). God is orchestrating the tension of this crescendo into a perfect resolution as He will set His King (Jesus) on His holy hill (Psalm 2:6).
And don’t forget one very important fact, as noted before -WE HAVE A HUGE ROLL TO PLAY. Think about this for a minute – do the plagues released by the seven trumpets sound familiar at all? Interesting that they are called plagues . . think of the plagues in Egypt! God sent plagues on Pharoah’s evil Kingdom, setting His people apart and delivering them into the Promised Land . . and He used a man– Moses.. And in the End Times, He is going to send these plagues on the AntiChrist’s evil Kingdom, He’s going to set His people apart, and He’s going to do it through His Bride, the praying Church, perfectly partnered with Him in intercession before His Throne!!
May we learn His heart, so we can partner with Him, and may we allow the trials of this life to purify us to be a mature, equally-yoked Bride!
Comments welcome!
Let His come before the Throne of Grace!
Jessie Still 
I think this is exciting! 🙂
and, i just wanted to make sure the comments were working 🙂
HEY! This is Michelle by the way! and i agree with Erica how exciting this is. I used to be a bit scared but now that i’m starting to learn so much more about what’s to come, i’m more excited! one question though… In the fifth trumpet, when the Abyss is open and the locust come out of Hell, i feel like that is a kingdom attacking it’s own kingdom. The locusts are demons from Hell, but they are attacking the Anti-Christ’s forces. Jesus even said “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25) I know that Satan’s kingdom WILL fall, but i don’t understand why he would allow his demons to fill the Earth killing his kingdom? Could you clarify this for me?
GREAT question. It’s good to see that you are really thinking about this. Yes, it might seem like the devil is attacking his own kingdom here, and if demons were killing demons, this would be true. However, the target of the destruction is HUMANS, who bear the image of God, and the evil and all of his demons HATE God. Have you ever wondered why the devil and His demons are bent on stealing, killing and destroying us? It’s because when they see us, they see the image of God! Did you know, Satan even hates the most loyal and devoted Satan-worshipper? He has no affection, love or care for anyone, not even the other demons. He is full of hate and only hate; same for the demons. He wants the worship of the earth to be given to him, and that is why he raises up the Anti Christ in the first place, he wants worship! That’s what got him thrown out of Heaven in the first place — as one of the angels, he wanted to be in the place of God, and he still wants it. He will not succeed, and knows that his eventual end is to be locked in the Abyss forever, so until this he will vent his rage against God and anything that God cares about (noteably, us), and seek to be worshipped.
Make sense? Long answer, I know. But, it’s an important topic.
Yes that makes a lot of sense! thank you!
#whylocustswhy #fivemonths #bruh #whatkindoflocust #OhMyWoe #onethirdofmankind #bye #whatkindofhorses #RepentAlready