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Affliction & Adversity Multiplied Revelation 9: 1-21
We may divide this chapter of woe into two parts. Well did the eagle cry out "Woe! Woe! Woe!", because here unrepentant, sinful man is singled out for multiplied affliction and adversity. The first half of this chapter clearly seems to speak of demons under the imagery of locusts. Stripped of their poetical imagery, their sting is that of the pain and influence of demonic oppression. As evidence for this view, we should note five items. First, there is a star that has fallen from heaven. This is reminiscent of Isaiah 14: 12 "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!" Jesus also affirms this idea in Luke 10: 18 "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Second, their origin is the bottomless pit which may be symbolic of infernal regions. By opening the abyss he incites the demons to evil. The world is filled with the wicked influences and operations. Third, their task is to afflict men but only for a limited time. This time period in this passage may be linked to the five month siege of Jerusalem from April to August of 70 AD. Although the historian Josephus makes no express reference to demoniacal possession during that last siege of the Holy City, he does note the extreme barbarity and iniquity of Jerusalem during the final days. Listen to his description: "It is therefore impossible to go distinctly over every instance of these men's iniquity. I shall therefore speak my mind here at once briefly: - That neither did any other city ever suffer such miseries, nor did any age ever breed a generation more fruitful in wickedness than this was from the beginning of the world ..." Fourth, the names of their ruler means Destroyer. And what is destroyed here is a man's will to live. We see in verse six that men desire death, but will not find it. Fifth, these demons are restricted from killing. Their torment is likened to a scorpion sting, which does not actually kill but causes such agony and misery that a person longs to be dead. Under this symbolism John describes the powers and influences of hell operating in the hearts and lives of wicked men. While this passage may have a specific application in the affliction of all Israel who rejected the Messiah, we must also consider that this picture also describes the operation of the powers of darkness in the souls of the wicked during our own time. Even today there are demons, robbing men of all light, holiness, joy, peace, wisdom and understanding. Satan's work is well described in this passage for he brings in all times terror and destruction. Will men notice the stress of these woes? Will men learn to seek the truth of our God in time? All of this affliction and all men have learned to do is to seek death! Such a tragedy. Yet, half way through this chapter a sixth trumpet is sounded and a second woe is let loose. This woe is the woe of military might cut loose to do its work. Here is a picture of war. Just as Jerusalem fell to the destruction of the armies of Titus, so war whenever it is released is a great destroyer of mankind. Even this destruction is limited to a symbolic third. Earlier under the fourth seal war is mentioned as a trial or tribulation which believers, along with the rest of the world must endure. Here this war is described as a punishment and a warning voice for unbelievers. Like the destruction of the Romans in 70 AD this war is a final conflict for a particular society. Time after time those nations which refuse to repent and recognize the hand and rule of God are certainly and finally destroyed! This type of war comes from the four angels whose intentions are not subservient to our Father and our God. They appear to relish the idea of plunging mankind into war. But, they can do nothing unless God permits them. The destruction's of these armies are horrible indeed. In fact, the descriptions here are modern in symbolism! Certainly, the huge number is symbolic in nature. Just as certainly the horses of war here symbolize war machines not realized in ancient times. Our vision of the six trumpets do not paint a pretty picture. Perhaps we can summarize the spiritual message of these trumpets. The prophet Jeremiah in no way overstates the case when he observes that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." The main purpose for the trumpets was that they might serve as warnings from God to unbelieving sinners, that they might turn from their evil ways and seek the Lord. Throughout the whole period between the first and second coming, our exalted Lord Jesus Christ, who rules all things, will again and again punish the persecutors of the Church by inflicting upon them disasters in every sphere of life, both physical and spiritual. And yet, the wicked repent not at all. Look at verse twenty and twenty-one where unrepentant mankind becomes increasingly hardened. Both tablets of of God's law are broken. Verse twenty shows their rejection of the first four commandments and twenty-one shows the same for the second six. How beyond our comprehension it is that God does not just go ahead and make a full end of judgment right away. But, still He warns. Still the gospel is preached. Still sinners are exhorted but their refusal to repent will eventually bring in the last judgment. God's patience will end and the day of grace will be over. Of these events there is no need for any fear on our part. We have God's seal of ownership and protection upon us. The things revealed as the trumpets are blown must come to pass, and the intensity of these events may increase over the course of time. But still we need not be afraid even if we are touched by these happenings. Remember, Jesus wants us informed, He wants us to look at the afflictions and adversity common in this world. He wants us to learn one lesson well today. And that necessary lesson is this: If we do not listen and learn when we are affected by the terrible events that regularly happen in this world, then we too may stand in the place of the wicked whose hearts will not hear and whose mouths will not confess Jesus Christ as Lord. The plagues of these trumpets are recorded for our benefit, may it be that the Holy Spirit will lead us into a commitment to put our complete faith and trust in the Son of God before whom all mankind will bow either willingly or unwillingly. Remember our times are in His hands and if we are His all things will work for our good. May you be encouraged to place your life in His perfect keeping. Amen.
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213 Rev 09a 28 January 90
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