The Last Three Trumpets

[Davy]

Line upon line, chapter by chapter, that is God's Way of Bible study. I'm assuming those reading this have already studied the previous Revelation chapters and the rest of the Books of God's Word.

The last 3 trumpets in our Lord Jesus' Book of Revelation serves as a type of key to the timeline event order for the last days. Reason they are emphasized in God's Word is because each of those last 3 trumpets has a Woe attached to them. Each trumpet - woe serves as a particular period of time in the end.

At the end of Revelation 8, we are given a special warning about these coming last 3 trumpets with woes...

Rev 8:13
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"
KJV

Then the 5th Trumpet - 1st Woe begins in Revelation 9...

1st Woe:
Rev 9:1-12
9:1 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.

What star of old fell from heaven to the earth long, long ago? It was Satan. Our Lord Jesus said He beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven (Luke 10:18). In Revelation 12:3-4 we are shown how the red dragon drew a third of the stars to earth, and are later shown in that same chapter that the name "dragon" is just another title for Satan.

What is that "bottomless pit"? It's the abode of the wicked called Haides, or hell. It is Satan's abode in the heavenly dimension. It's where his pit prison is. So who would have the key to it? Peter? Not in this sense here. Apostle Peter certainly did not as a star fall from heaven. It's Satan's abode, so he has this key, and it is Satan that is getting ready to open up this pit and loose something upon the earth...

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.
3 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.

Did you notice the sun gets darkened at the loosing of these locusts? That's a sign for the last days at the end of this world (Isaiah 13:10; Joel 3:15). But this event shows its smoke that causes this darkening, and that smoke is from the pit! Do you think this may be a fake darkening of the sun, a mimic by Satan? Yes! That is exactly what it is, smoke & mirrors to cause deception.

These locusts were first mentioned by God through His Old Testament prophet Joel (yes, there still is a lot of OT prophecy not fulfilled yet today). Turn to Joel 2...

Joel 2:1-5
2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

The timing is set here by that "day of the LORD cometh, for it is night at hand". That is the last day of this present world. So this locust army event is to occur just prior to that day of the LORD.

2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

God goes on to describe what kind of time it will be. Then He mentions "a great people and a strong" that has never been the like before upon the earth, nor ever again, loosed upon the earth. This is covering the time of the end, including into the time of "great tribulation" our Lord Jesus forewarned of in His Olivet discourse (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).

This "great people and a strong", meaning a strong people, are the ones God began describing as symbolic locusts in the Joel 1 chapter; turn to Joel 1 ...

Joel 1:4-7
4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

6 For a nation is come up upon My land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

7 He hath laid My vine waste, and barked My fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
KJV

He is using the idea of HOW real locusts in nature attack the vines and trees and plants, leaving destruction in its wake.

In Revelation 9, we will be shown about the locusts out of the pit having teeth like lions, and riding horses like an army, etc. This in the Book of Joel shows we were supposed to understand about these locusts here in Joel first...

The locusts are a symbol for a certain people, a strong people, and they symbolically strip the bark off the trees of God's people, meaning their wealth and blessings from God.

Back to Joel 2...

Joel 2:3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Nothing will defeat them (except God Himself). Like real locusts, in front of them is like a plush garden of Eden, and what's left behind them is like a barren desert land destroyed. This of course is all in the spiritual destruction sense. But our Heavenly Father knows how to get the point across with this kind symbology, doesn't He?

4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

There's the like horsemen in battle array idea linked to Revelation 9 we'll see later.

5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
KJV

Now it is more clear that these locusts are LIKE an army. This isn't about a real military army though, God is only using these symbols to get His point across as to How they operate like an army.

Now continuing in Revelation 9...

Look at Revelation 9:3 again about the symbolic locusts having power LIKE scorpions:

Rev 9:3
3 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.
KJV

Since God is using symbols here to get His point across with this "nation" of Joel 1 that operates like locusts, we should understand how a scorpion works its power too.

A real scorpion in nature has no digestive system. It stings its prey numbing it. Then the scorpion throws up an acid-like fluid into the victim's mouth which turns the victim's insides literally to mush. Then the scorpion sucks the victim's insides up that serves as digested food. Terrible sounding I know, but that's how a real scorpion works. Now apply all that in the 'spiritual' sense as to HOW these symbolic locusts attack God's people.

These great people and a strong represented by these locusts in Joel 2, attack God's people, steal their wealth, and through lies and deception leave the deceived of His people like an empty shell after a scorpion got done with it. Later in Rev.9 we learn their power is in their 'mouths'. What comes out of one's mouth? Words! Thus words to cause deception is their main mode of working against God's people, be that in the world of politics, finance, education, or religion.

Joel 2 further describes the locusts as climbing the wall like mighty men, and they will enter into the windows like a thief. That can easily represent today's media machine influence, education systems, etc. So these symbols have a wide application in how they actually apply to what this locust army has been working upon God's people in the last days.

(Continued...)

 

[Davy]

(Continued... Part 2)

Rev 9:4-21
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.

That makes it plain that these locusts are not real locusts, but symbols for the "nation" God described back in Joel 1 & Joel 2 that comes upon His people to steal their land and wealth, and most of all, to deceive them. In Joel 2:25 God calls this locust army "My great army which I sent among you." He promised His people He will restore what the locusts ate up.
This Rev.9:4 reveals these locusts aren't allowed to hurt ANY green thing. By that we well know these aren't real locusts our LORD is talking about here. They are symbolic for that "nation" of Joel 1 that attack LIKE locusts. They are allowed to hurt ONLY men that do not have God's sealing. That's important to keep in mind, along with how their power is to hurt (i.e., as a scorpion stings its prey).

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.

The locusts will not be allowed to literally kill those not sealed with God's seal, but only 'sting' them like a scorpion does, for a period of five months. Remember, this scorpion stinging is NOT literal here, it is only being used symbolically for how these men attack the deceived.

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.

That is a time marker for the very end, during the great tribulation. Our Lord Jesus showed it will be a time when all wars and rumors of war have ended (Matt.24). It is a time when Apostle Paul said the deceived will be saying, "Peace and safety" (1 Thess.5).

7 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.

There's the horses like unto battle idea from the Book of Joel. Those crowns are "as it were" like gold, meaning what? They are fake crowns. One of the main deceptions to occur for the tribulation is the coming of the "man of sin" that Paul warned us about that will sit in a new temple of God in Jerusalem, exalting himself as God, and over all that is called God or that is worshiped (2 Thess.2). In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul warned how no marvel that Satan's ministers disguise themselves as the ministers of righteousness and even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. These with these fake crowns of gold most likely represent Satan's fake ministers of righteousness in that future time of the tribulation.

8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

There's another one of the Joel symbols with the teeth of lions. When a lion attacks its prey, it will never let go and tears and rips its prey. It kills ferociously. The hair of women symbol represents smoothness, sweetness, the way these false ministers work against God's people with soothsaying, speaking and teaching what the people want to hear, and not Truth by what God wants them to hear and learn in His Word.

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.

These breastplates of iron represent a spiritual matter, since these locusts represent a nation of deceivers upon God's people, of which religion is one of their main arenas. The breastplate of the Hebrew priest is one of beautiful jewels. One of iron in contrast could represent the fake, so it could point back to those false ministers of righteousness of 2 Cor.11 again. Notice the "five months" period is given again for emphasis.
Can't kill 'em, but only sting 'em for five months. Is this what ministers today in the pulpits are teaching? Afraid not. A lot of them instead try to teach this Rev.9 chapter is about the battle of Armageddon on the last day. No, this event is a long deception which culminates with the sounding of the 6th Trumpet.

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.
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

That king is Satan himself. Those titles of Apollyon and Abaddon mean The Destroyer. That is one of Satan's titles in the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 12:23; Hebrews 11:28; 1 Corinthians 10:10). He is over the bottomless pit, his home away from home. The name Apollyon comes from the Greek word that means 'to perish'. Satan and his angels have already been judged and sentenced to perdition in the future "lake of fire" (Matthew 25:41).

That ends the 1st Woe period. It represents a time just prior to the great tribulation, but also covers some operations that will take place for the tribulation, like the stinging for five months.

2nd Woe:
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, "Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates."
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

The river Euphrates represents the original northern border which God gave to Abraham and the children of Israel (Genesis 15:18).

Here, it symbolically represents the opening up of that border like it was a wall of protection, and suddenly the protection is removed, and Satan's locust army comes across it to attack God's people. This is being used here as a symbol for the start of the "great tribulation" at the end of this world, a specific time that has been prepared.

Many have tried to explain who these "third part of men" are. I will try also. Zechariah 13 reveals that God is going to purify a third and bring them through the fire, while two thirds will be cut off. The third He purifies represents His elect that will be persecuted for the tribulation by the Antichrist. The locusts are prepared "for to" slay that third (God's elect that are sealed with His seal). The Greek word of "for to" can mean 'intent'. The locusts have the 'intent' to slay a third of God's elect; it doesn't mean they will be successful in slaying them though. My interpretation is God's elect are specifically... the ones that Satan and the locusts want to kill, mainly because those elect will not be deceived nor subject to the scorpion sting.

(Cont.)

 

[Davy]

(Cont.)

Rev.9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

Some believe these represent a literal military army. But those have completely missed our LORD's use of symbols here and in the Book of Joel. This army of horsemen are the locusts described earlier in the chapter on the 5th Trumpet - 1st Woe period. They are symbolic for a certain people that attack the power and wealth of God's people (and of the whole world for that matter).

Notice the breastplates again, this time with an actual reference to "jacinth", which points to a gem of a deep blue color. I believe this is pointing to the idea of the priestly breastplate, not simply a military one.

Again, what comes out of one's mouth? Words. The fire and smoke and brimstone are symbols for the lies that come out of their mouths. That is where their power to destroy is.

18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

That verifies what I just said about what comes out of their mouths. It's about lies that cause deception, not literal fire coming out of their mouths like some Hollywood movie.

19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Our LORD kind of emphasizes this point about their power in their mouths, doesn't He? Yet He just gave in the above another pointer as to who these locusts represent with that "serpents" idea. Now their tails are 'like' serpents instead of like scorpions. This is to point out who these locusts work for and what they will try to do upon the earth for the tribulation. Revelation 12 about the waters as a flood that comes out of the serpent's mouth will be another pointer to this idea.

20 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.
KJV

The rest mean the two thirds of Zechariah 13. Those do not represent God's people. They represent the wicked.

 

[Timtofly]

Many have tried to explain who these "third part of men" are. I will try also. Zechariah 13 reveals that God is going to purify a third and bring them through the fire, while two thirds will be cut off. The third He purifies represents His elect that will be persecuted for the tribulation by the Antichrist. The locusts are prepared "for to" slay that third (God's elect that are sealed with His seal). The Greek word of "for to" can mean 'intent'. The locusts have the 'intent' to slay a third of God's elect; it doesn't mean they will be successful in slaying them though. My interpretation is God's elect are specifically... the ones that Satan and the locusts want to kill, mainly because those elect will not be deceived nor subject to the scorpion sting.

Can any explain who God’s people are in the last 3 Trumpets? There are 144K Jewish male virgins. Yes they are sealed by God, chosen, elected for a job. They are never told they would be killed. There are still about 6 billion lost souls on the earth. Then an army of 200 million kill almost 2 billion people. The number 144K does not relate to a third of either 200 million or 2 billion. Yet those who were not killed still were not God's people, but they still turned their backs on God. Who are these alleged God's people persevering till the end? It cannot be the 144K they have been elected to preach, not endure. They have been given a hedge about them, that no being or creature on earth can harm them. They are not enduring. They are obeying God because that is all they can do. They have no will to do anything else.

Revelation 14:1-5

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Tziyon; and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing waters and like the sound of pealing thunder; the sound I heard was also like that of harpists playing on their harps.
3 They were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living beings and the elders, and no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who have been ransomed from the world.
4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they have been ransomed from among humanity as firstfruits for God and the Lamb;
5 on their lips no lie was found — they are without defect.

They follow the Lamb wherever He Goes. They were His Disciples on earth during the 6 Trumpets.

Revelation 7:2-4
2 I saw another angel coming up from the east with a seal from the living God, and he shouted to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea,
3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!”
4 I heard how many were sealed — 144,000 from every tribe of the people of Isra’el:

Revelation 9:4
"They were instructed not to harm the grass on the earth, any green plant or any tree, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads."

We know at least 144K were sealed. Perhaps some turned to God as converts, and when they did, they were also sealed? But later we see, that even if some were spared because of their conversion, humans still rebelled against God.

 

[Davy]

Continued...

Revelation 9:13 with the 6th Trumpet - 2nd Woe begins the time of great tribulation, the specific time that is prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, which is an expression for a specific time on this earth like never has been before, nor ever will be one like it again. The goal of the locust army, Satan's host, is the intent to slay the third part of men. In that time the only ones that the whole world will hate are those in Christ Jesus (Mark 13).

The 6th Trumpet - 2nd Woe period continues all the way into Revelation 11. This next Revelation 10 chapter is a parenthetical chapter, like a parenthesis that gives some info before going on with the 6th trumpet - 2nd woe period.

Rev 10
10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."

When John started to write down the voices of the 'seven thunders', he was told not to. Why? Most likely because the idea of thunder means the lightning has already struck and is over. You see lightning first, then hear thunder from it. This will be made more plain in the next verses...

5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by Him That liveth for ever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.

When that 7th Trumpet sounds, the angel declared there will be time no longer, and the mystery of God is finished as declared by His prophets. Thus we are given a pointer with this info, and it's to look for the sounding of the 7th angel, or trumpet to bring the end of this present world.

8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, "Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth."
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, "Give me the little book." And he said unto me, "Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey."
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."
KJV

The angel told John to take the 'book' and eat it. Apostle John said to give it to him. But the angel said 'take it.' That shows one must show discipline in God's Word to symbolically 'eat it' (i.e., get a working knowledge of God's Word in one's mind). Once that is done, it will be sweet to the taste, but bitter in the belly, symbolically. God's Truth in His Word is indeed sweet regarding His Salvation through His Son, showing how much He loves us. But His Word also has some bitter parts, because there won't be a another rebellion a second time against Him. Some of His children He created are going to be destroyed in the future lake of fire. Imagine how you would feel if you were forced to execute one your own children because of their wickedness?

(Cont...)

 

[Davy]

Cont...

Revelation 11 is still the 6th Trumpet - 2nd Woe period timing. It is tribulation timing, which will become more clear in this chapter.

Rev 11
11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, "Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

Apostle John, being in the Spirit, is given a reed (measuring stick) likened to a rod (staff). A reed in Egypt was used as a measuring stick, or a pen, or type of scepter. John is told to go measure, so it is a measuring reed here. But it is 'like' a rod, or staff, but why? Per the context of the next verse we should understand what kind of rod is meant, for it represents a punishing rod, because of what is going on there.

This view of a temple of God is about a stone temple in Jerusalem for the end of this world. John is told to measure not just the temple itself, but also measure the altar, and... those who worship in it. The idea is suggesting to measure up what is going on there. The outer court is given to the Gentiles, and they will tread the holy city (Jerusalem) under foot, for 42 months. That time is equal to the three and one half years of the latter part of Daniel's symbolic final "one week" (Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7). It is the same time period of Revelation 13:4-8 when the "dragon" is given to make war with the saints.

Per Daniel 11, the "vile person" will make a "league" in Jerusalem with a small people, with the existence of another Jewish temple built in Jerusalem for the end, with sacrifices started up again, meaning the startup of the old covenant worship again by the orthodox Jews. That vile person will then end the sacrifices and place an idol abomination in that temple for false worship. This is the event our Lord Jesus warned us about regarding the "abomination of desolation" from the Book of Daniel. This Revelation 11 temple is a view of that future stone rebuilt stone temple in Jerusalem for the end. It is required in order to fulfill the Daniel abomination of desolation prophecy our Lord Jesus quoted in His Olivet discourse.

3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

God is going to provide two literal witnesses to give a Testimony for Him, in Jerusalem, for the end. The 1260 days is the same timeframe as the 42 months. One is reckoned by a lunar calendar (months), and the other by a solar calendar (days). It is the same latter half of Daniel's symbolic final "one week" of Daniel 9.

4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Our Lord Jesus said the seven candlesticks are the seven Churches. These two candlesticks represent not just these two witnesses that are to appear in Jerusalem for the end, but also for two Churches that represent Christ's elect that will not be deceived.

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
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.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

These two witnesses will be given power on earth for their 1260 days of testimony. After the 1260 days, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will kill them, and leave their dead bodies laying in the street of Jerusalem, which is the city where our Lord Jesus was crucified. So no mystery where this will take place, it's about Jerusalem.

9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

How will the peoples of the nations see the dead bodies of the two witnesses? This actually dates the era when this will happen, because it hasn't been that long ago when satellite technology was created to allow global communications and TV transmission. The fact that all nations will see their dead bodies puts this event in our time.

10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

That is, the deceived who dwell on earth will rejoice over their dead bodies.

11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, "Come up hither." And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

At this point, the 7th Trumpet is getting ready to sound. Remember what we were told back in Revelation 10 when the seventh angel sounds, that the mystery of God will be finished as written via God's prophets. This is the point when the deceived will be saying the "Peace and safety" that Apostle Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians 5. Then a "sudden destruction" will come upon them. That is getting ready to happen here with that 7th Trumpet.

13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever."

Just like Rev.10 said, it's all over when the 7th trumpet sounds. On that 7th trumpet ALL kingdoms of this present world become those of The Father and His Son, taking reign over all the earth. This is about the day of Christ's 2nd coming to gather His Church and go to Jerusalem to begin His 1,000 years reign over all nations, with His elect.

16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned."

That will be said when our Lord Jesus takes that reign, sitting upon the throne of David on earth over all nations and peoples.

18 And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
KJV

The only timing when the saints are given their rewards by Christ is at His 2nd coming. So there's no mistaking what timing this 7th trumpet is. It is the day of His 2nd coming to gather His Church. And it is the day of His wrath upon the wicked prophesied on the "day of the Lord". That wrath is what that final 3rd Woe with that 7th trumpet is about. It is the 7th vial event too, and the Rev.19 event of Jesus coming on a white horse with His army from Heaven.

 

[Stumpmaster]

What is that "bottomless pit"? It's the abode of the wicked called Haides, or hell. It is Satan's abode in the heavenly dimension. It's where his pit prison is. So who would have the key to it? Peter? Not in this sense here. Apostle Peter certainly did not as a star fall from heaven. It's Satan's abode, so he has this key, and it is Satan that is getting ready to open up this pit and loose something upon the earth...

(Rev 9:1) 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.

Sychronising the sounding of the 5th Trumpet:

• a star fallen from heaven is observed by John
• the key of the abyss is given to this star who is most likely an angel
• the abyss is opened
• darkness occurs due to smoke from the abyss
• locusts with sovereign power & scorpion tails emerge from the smoke
• those without God's seal are the only ones tormented by the locusts
• no-one is killed
• the angel of the abyss is Abaddon who rules as king over the locusts

If Satan is the angel that opens the abyss it seems strange that he would release locusts with the sole purpose of tormenting all those in his own kingdom, but then destroying the peace and comfort of whomever he can has always been the secret mission of this Adversary of Christ.

 

[Davy]

(Rev 9:1) 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.

Sychronising the sounding of the 5th Trumpet:

• a star fallen from heaven is observed by John
• the key of the abyss is given to this star who is most likely an angel
• the abyss is opened
• darkness occurs due to smoke from the abyss
• locusts with sovereign power & scorpion tails emerge from the smoke
• those without God's seal are the only ones tormented by the locusts
• no-one is killed
• the angel of the abyss is Abaddon who rules as king over the locusts

If Satan is the angel that opens the abyss it seems strange that he would release locusts with the sole purpose of tormenting all those in his own kingdom, but then destroying the peace and comfort of whomever he can has always been the secret mission of this Adversary of Christ.

1. In Revelation 12:3-4, "stars" is used as a symbol for the angels that fell, which Satan (red dragon) drew in rebellion with him in the old world.
2. In Luke 10:18, Jesus said He saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Thus the Revelation 9:1 fall of the star being about Satan is supported by two witnesses in God's Word.
3. the smoke is a symbol used to represent deception, i.e., the fog of the unknown
4. the locusts are symbolic only, and were first used as a symbol in Joel 1 for a certain "nation" that is sent upon God's people.
5. those without God's seal are ONLY TORMENTED FOR FIVE MONTHS and NOT killed. This means those of God's servants that ARE SEALED CAN BE KILLED. That is what we are to especially understand by that passage. It is an example of the 5th Seal, when those under God's Altar ask 'how long', and are told to wait yet a little while, until their fellowservants on earth were beheaded for the Witness as they were.
6. The name "Abaddon" and "Apollyon" are symbolic names for Satan. Apollyon comes from the Greek root that means 'perdition'. It fits Satan especially because only he and his angels so far are the only ones already judged and sentenced to perish in the future "lake of fire".
7. Satan is a king over the bottomless pit. He wants to be The KING (Jesus Christ), which is how he originally rebelled in that old world. He is coming to try it again for this present world at the end.

The Rev.9 description of the locusts is totally about deception. If you don't have God's Seal, it means possibly being deceived into worshiping Satan when he comes to play Christ at the end of this world. That's the real danger for the last days. And it also applies to the deceived in Christ's Church from not staying in God's Word and not listening to Him by The Holy Spirit.

So can a believer on Christ not be 'sealed' with God's Seal for this coming event? Yes, if they have allowed men's traditions to overrule God's written Word about the end. This is why Lord Jesus forewarned us with parables like the ten virgins, and about the unprofitable servant. The locust army represents false priests, the disguised ministers of righteousness that Apostle Paul warned us about in 2 Corinthians 11.

 

[Davy]

Can any explain who God’s people are in the last 3 Trumpets? There are 144K Jewish male virgins. Yes they are sealed by God, chosen, elected for a job. They are never told they would be killed. There are still about 6 billion lost souls on the earth. Then an army of 200 million kill almost 2 billion people. The number 144K does not relate to a third of either 200 million or 2 billion. Yet those who were not killed still were not God's people, but they still turned their backs on God. Who are these alleged God's people persevering till the end? It cannot be the 144K they have been elected to preach, not endure. They have been given a hedge about them, that no being or creature on earth can harm them. They are not enduring. They are obeying God because that is all they can do. They have no will to do anything else.

Revelation 14:1-5

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Tziyon; and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing waters and like the sound of pealing thunder; the sound I heard was also like that of harpists playing on their harps.
3 They were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living beings and the elders, and no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who have been ransomed from the world.
4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they have been ransomed from among humanity as firstfruits for God and the Lamb;
5 on their lips no lie was found — they are without defect.

They follow the Lamb wherever He Goes. They were His Disciples on earth during the 6 Trumpets.

Revelation 7:2-4
2 I saw another angel coming up from the east with a seal from the living God, and he shouted to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea,
3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!”
4 I heard how many were sealed — 144,000 from every tribe of the people of Isra’el:

Revelation 9:4
"They were instructed not to harm the grass on the earth, any green plant or any tree, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads."

We know at least 144K were sealed. Perhaps some turned to God as converts, and when they did, they were also sealed? But later we see, that even if some were spared because of their conversion, humans still rebelled against God.

I showed you in my coverage of the last 3 trumpets, if you were paying attention.

 

[Stumpmaster]

1. In Revelation 12:3-4, "stars" is used as a symbol for the angels that fell, which Satan (red dragon) drew in rebellion with him in the old world.
2. In Luke 10:18, Jesus said He saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Thus the Revelation 9:1 fall of the star being about Satan is supported by two witnesses in God's Word.
3. the smoke is a symbol used to represent deception, i.e., the fog of the unknown
4. the locusts are symbolic only, and were first used as a symbol in Joel 1 for a certain "nation" that is sent upon God's people.
5. those without God's seal are ONLY TORMENTED FOR FIVE MONTHS and NOT killed. This means those of God's servants that ARE SEALED CAN BE KILLED. That is what we are to especially understand by that passage. It is an example of the 5th Seal, when those under God's Altar ask 'how long', and are told to wait yet a little while, until their fellowservants on earth were beheaded for the Witness as they were.
6. The name "Abaddon" and "Apollyon" are symbolic names for Satan. Apollyon comes from the Greek root that means 'perdition'. It fits Satan especially because only he and his angels so far are the only ones already judged and sentenced to perish in the future "lake of fire".
7. Satan is a king over the bottomless pit. He wants to be The KING (Jesus Christ), which is how he originally rebelled in that old world. He is coming to try it again for this present world at the end.

The Rev.9 description of the locusts is totally about deception. If you don't have God's Seal, it means possibly being deceived into worshiping Satan when he comes to play Christ at the end of this world. That's the real danger for the last days. And it also applies to the deceived in Christ's Church from not staying in God's Word and not listening to Him by The Holy Spirit.

So can a believer on Christ not be 'sealed' with God's Seal for this coming event? Yes, if they have allowed men's traditions to overrule God's written Word about the end. This is why Lord Jesus forewarned us with parables like the ten virgins, and about the unprofitable servant. The locust army represents false priests, the disguised ministers of righteousness that Apostle Paul warned us about in 2 Corinthians 11.

(Rev 9:6) In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

Death is not an option in those days.

 

[Davy]

(Rev 9:6) In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

Death is not an option in those days.

For those that are not sealed with God's seal, yes.

Mark 13:11-13
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
KJV

 

[Curtis]

(Rev 9:1) 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.

Sychronising the sounding of the 5th Trumpet:

• a star fallen from heaven is observed by John
• the key of the abyss is given to this star who is most likely an angel
• the abyss is opened
• darkness occurs due to smoke from the abyss
• locusts with sovereign power & scorpion tails emerge from the smoke
• those without God's seal are the only ones tormented by the locusts
• no-one is killed
• the angel of the abyss is Abaddon who rules as king over the locusts

If Satan is the angel that opens the abyss it seems strange that he would release locusts with the sole purpose of tormenting all those in his own kingdom, but then destroying the peace and comfort of whomever he can has always been the secret mission of this Adversary of Christ.

Exactly. The locusts are clearly demons. We won’t be able to see them, anymore than we see the demons around us now - but their effects will be felt, and will probably be plagues and disease - just as the demons Jesus cast out that caused sickness.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Exactly. The locusts are clearly demons. We won’t be able to see them, anymore than we see the demons around us now - but their effects will be felt, and will probably be plagues and disease - just as the demons Jesus cast out that caused sickness.

Yes, given that the Apocalyptic Afflictions of the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls are Divine Initiatives taking place in tandem with the intense devotions of the Heavenly Host, the dynamic of God's Righteous Judgment upon all that is opposed to Him is cause for Christians to celebrate.

 

[Davy]

Exactly. The locusts are clearly demons. We won’t be able to see them, anymore than we see the demons around us now - but their effects will be felt, and will probably be plagues and disease - just as the demons Jesus cast out that caused sickness.

I think this point is important for us to understand, because Revelation 12:7-9 points to no more place in heaven found for Satan and his angels once he and his angels are cast down to this earth for the end of this world.

Some of men's traditions keep pushing the falsehood that the image of 'man' requires being in a flesh body to be seen in our earthly dimension. God's Word says different, as even in Hebrews we are told to be mindful to entertain strangers, because some have entertained angels and didn't know it. And the sodomites of Sodom and Gomorrah saw the two angels sent to Lot as 'men' showing they had the image of man while walking upon this earth, and even Lord Jesus also when He appeared to Abraham at his tent door in Genesis 18.

So if angels can manifest upon this earth in OUR dimension, so can Satan and his angels, with the image of men.

The following is a parable in Ezekiel 28 about Satan, using the titles of the prince and king of Tyrus (which means 'rock'; per Deuteronomy 32:31; Satan wants to be The ROCK, but he is the little 'rock', a fake.)

Ezek 28:17-19
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
KJV

Those living in the coming great tribulation time are going to literally 'see' Satan and his angels right here on earth. That is why it's going to be the greatest time of deception on earth that has ever been, because he is coming to play God with the power to do miracles, and the whole world will believe it (except for Christ's elect).