The Book of Revelation 

We have a terrifying picture when we get into the 9th chapter of Revelation.  I say terrifying, not because of the creatures described, but because of a king that is about to appear.  Remember, the 8th chapter closed with an angel crying  "Woe, Woe, Woe". 

As Revelation chapter 9 opens, we read of the 5th trumpet sounding and we have the first mention of the bottomless pit.

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. 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."

What happens next is very hard to discern whether this is a literal or a figurative (symbolic) description.  These "locusts" mentioned in Revelation 9:3 could very well be a literal, physical type of beast or they could be symbolic of something else.  At this point in Revelation, the description we have sounds like a science fiction novel. There is no mention of any such beasts in the entire Bible such as those found here and without further references it is absolutely impossible to state with certainty just what these "locusts" may be. 

Many modern day scholars have attempted to state with absolute certainty that these locusts represent helicopters, or some other weapon of war.  While it is possible for this to be true, it is just as possible for these to be some sort of living creatures.  Notice the commands given to these locusts:

Revelation 9:4  "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."

Revelation 9:5  "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."

They were commanded that NOTHING was to be hurt except those men who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. I'm not at all sure that a helicopter or other weapon of war fits those descriptions, although with chemical warfare, it would be entirely possible that the "torment" would last five months.    Can a helicopter discern who has the seal of God and who does not?  It is highly unlikely.

There is speculation concerning the ones with the "seal of God", however there should be no doubt that these are the protected, sealed, servants of God from Revelation 7!  All other men are "fair game". 

Verse 5 presents the command that the locusts should not "KILL" men but only torment them for five months.  Note the comparison of the torment to the sting of a scorpion.  The poison of a scorpion causes excruciating pain coupled with an extreme burning sensation radiating from the area of the sting.  It is, again, very possible that this is some sort of chemical warfare, but it is just as possible that these are physical creatures! 

There is a note of importance that must be understood:  Upon whom is this trumpet going to have effect?  Upon the whole earth?  No, but upon the area of the Middle East.  Don't assume that every scripture of Revelation is relevant to every man upon the face of the earth.   The area involved is mostly the area spoken of by Gabriel to the prophet Daniel: 

Daniel 9:24  "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, . . ." 

Verse 6 of Revelation 9 presents and interesting scenario that is extremely difficult to explain: 

Revelation 9:6  "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."

This is a scripture that has often been quoted as this:  that men will try to commit suicide and won't be able to, or some other similar explanation.  It is entirely possible that this is the case but there is no precedent and no further explanation of such a thing anywhere in the Word of God.  I refuse to discount this theory because we simply don't know.  My personal belief, however is a bit different.

I believe rather, that the scripture simply means that the torment will be so grievous that "in those days" (the days of the five months of torment), men will desire above all things to die and will not.  Job was in such torment and wished that he had never been born. 

He would not take his own life to end the torment, but he sure wished death would find him:

Job 3:11  "Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?"

This is the manner in which I personally understand this scripture to be speaking:  Men will wish to die but will not die:  "death shall flee from them".

Verses 7-10 give us an interesting description of these "locusts". Let me say again, it is impossible to tell exactly what these "locusts" are without further descriptions from the Bible.  Unfortunately, we don't have those descriptions available.

In covering the next verse (verse 11), there are numerous other scriptures that must be considered.  I think most people today will be quite shocked when we finish covering other scriptures that describe to us this "King of the Bottomless Pit".

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.

Abaddon, Apollyon:  the angel of the bottomless pit.  Some today have taught in times past this was Sadaam Hussein, some have claimed it was other men, but friend, the Bible says that until the 5th trumpet sounds, this "angel of the bottomless pit" is exactly where the Bible says he is:  IN THE BOTTOMLESS PIT!

The shocking reality of this "angel of the bottomless pit" becomes disturbing when other passages are examined. 

As we continue, please turn to Revelation chapter 17. 

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