When Hell is Loosed on Earth, pt. 1
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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!
The word “woe” is an exclamation of grief. The angel was grieving, not over what had already happened in the first four trumpets, but over what was ABOUT to happen with the next three!
Now let me remind you, the first four trumpets include the destruction of a 1/3 of the vegetation, 1/3 of the sea creatures and the ships., 1/3 of the fresh water supply is poisoned leading to the death of possibly millions, and they days are shortened further amplifying the devastation already being experienced.
You say, “How could it possibly get worse?” My friends, compared with what is about to happen, the first four trumpets are a trip to Disney World. Read these verses with me...
Shouldn’t we take this passage more figuratively? There is absolutely no reason not to take these words literally.
When these last trumpets blow, hell will literally be loosed on earth.
Briefly I want to share three truths about these events, and why you should interpret them literally. Notice first, their...
Leader v. 1-2; 11
Leader v. 1-2; 11
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. 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.
Notice the fact of:
Personality
The word “star” should not be taken literally, but that doesn’t mean the personality of the star should be.
Let me illustrate:
We say that Michael Jordan in his day, was the greatest basketball “star” the world had ever seen.
No one claims he was a burning ball of gas, but everyone agrees his talent and leadership brought the game of basketball to a whole new level
This is akin to what John is describing in Revelation, when he “saw a star fall from heaven”
He is referring to a person, or in this case, a being
He refers to him with direct pronouns
“...to him was given...”
“And he opened...”
It is clear John was describing a creature, something with a personality. It is also clear he is not referring to a human.
We notice not only the personality, but the...
Power
You will notice in the next point the word “power” is used two times in verses 3-10 in reference to the creatures that are let loose on the world. The word power in these verses means “authority”.’
It is important to understand that their authority does not lie with them, rather it is given to them by God.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that, even in the spiritual realm, God is in control!
The “star which fell from heaven” falls into the same category as the creatures from within the earth
He is ‘given” a key
He is allowed to open the bottomless pit
This power is not his, but it is given to him!
This is all important, especially when we understand who this “star” is, notice lastly before we move on his...
Position Revelation 9:11 “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.”
“They had a king over them” refers to the creatures, the locusts, we are about to discuss, but for now we are interested in just “who” their king is, this leader of the pit
John tells us he is the “angel of the bottomless pit”
First off, let me define the bottomless pit
The Greek word is “abyssos” from which we get our word “abyss”
It means a depthless pit, a hole so deep, so wide, it cannot be measured.
The Bible further indicates that there is an entrance to this pit someplace on the earth’s surface, and that it goes into the very center of the earth
Where is it?
The Bible doesn’t say, so I will not waste our time in guessing
Just know, it is real, and one day will be opened
Now that we have defined the pit, let’s look at the position of the leader
He is known as the angel of the bottomless pit, and I believe he is the same being described in verse one as the star
Who is he? Church, I am convinced this angel, this star, this king over these evil creatures is none other than Satan himself.
How do I know this? Consider the evidence:
Verse 1 - we read “I saw a star fall from heaven
The word ‘fall” is in the perfect tense, meaning that it could be rendered, “I saw a star that had already fallen from heaven”
Jesus said in Luke 10:18 “18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Jesus was indicating the events He witnessed following Satan’s rebellion against God
John was referencing the fact that this star had already fallen from God’s good graces and is on the earth
Verse 11 states that he is the “king over” the creatures and the “angel of the bottomless pit”
The Bible teaches that Satan led the rebellion in heaven against God
It tells us that countless creatures followed his lead in the rebellion and that many are under his command today.
Some are free, roaming the earth, causing havoc, and attempting to thwart the plan of God.
Some are actually imprisoned, and awaiting a future day when God will give Satan the key to the pit and let them out on the earth to bring devastation on humanity…more on that later.
Verse 11 also states another evidence that the “angel of the bottomless pit” is Satan. Notice his names...
Abaddon - destroying angel
Apollyon - a destroyer
Consider Jesus words in John 10:10 “10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Someone, somewhere, once said “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he did not exist”
Church, Satan is real. He is active, and he is waiting to strike. He is powerful, but he is not all-powerful! I am glad today that “Greater is He that in within me, than he that is in the world”!
Church, we’re not done yet. The trumpet has just sounded and the echo of its note is still bouncing off the walls. We’ve seen the leader, now look at the...
Locusts v. 3-4; 7-9
Locusts v. 3-4; 7-9
It is important to understand that once again John is describing something real, something literal by using figurative language. The use of symbolism does not negate the reality of what he is seeing. I want you to put yourself in John’s place. Imagine how terrified he must have been seeing this!
Notice…
The Darkness
Revelation 9:2 “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.”
Three times the word “smoke” is used
Once we read the word “furnace”
Friends, where there is smoke, there is fire.
The reference in this verse can only logically refer to “hades” commonly called hell
Did you know hell is a real place?
It is not some place where “bad” people go, but it is a place no one has to go!
It was designed by God for Satan and his angels, Matt. 25:41 “41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
No one has to go there, but many will just by their refusal to accept God’s offer of salvation
What we call hell today is merely a “temporary holding cell”
The ultimate destination for the devil, his angels, and his followers, is the lake of fire
It is eternal. It is awful. And, praise God, it is avoidable!
From this darkness issues smoke. further adding to the dimness from the sun, and from the smoke comes, what can only be described as...
Demons
How many angels followed Lucifer in his rebellion? No one knows
What we do know is they now follow him as evil spirits, spirits we commonly call demons
As I mentioned earlier, some are loose, roaming the earth now
The worst of the worse are bound in the pit awaiting this coming day.
Everyone reading John’s words understood the fear that real locusts brought
They would fly across the land, countless in number, blocking out the sun and devastating the crops
God would send locusts on nations, including Israel, in judgment for their disobedience, or for defying His commands.
These are no normal locusts, these creates John is describing are demons straight from hell. Notice their...
Directions
Unlike real locusts, they are commanded not to touch any green thing, no plants, no trees
Unlike real locusts, that are generally harmless to people, these locusts are to attack only humans, specifically those who had not trusted the gospel and been sealed by God.
Description v. 3-4 (We know these are not literal locusts because…)
Stingers like scorpions - real locusts have no stingers, these creatures have one purpose, to torment men
Shaped like battle horses - they will charge forth from the pit at full speed
Crowns on their heads - speaks of the victory they will have over men
Faces like men - speaks of their intelligence
Hair like women - speaks to their seductiveness/alluring nature. Have you ever seen a time when people are so drawn to the occult?
Teeth like lions - speaks of their ferocity
Breastplates of iron - speaks of their invincibility
Their wings sound like chariots - speaks of the swiftness of their attack!
Duration v. 5-6
Revelation 9:5 “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.”
Five months is the typical life cycle of a locust.
For this reason, God limits this terrible period to only five months
I use the phrase “only five months” very loosely
See the scorpion sting is typically not fatal to humans, but it ranks as one of the most painful insect stings imaginable.
The scorpion venom is a neurotoxin and causes
Swelling at the sting site, this is the most mild symptom, others include
Blurred vision
Difficulty breathing
Sweating
Increase blood pressure
muscle twitching
Unusual eye, neck, and head movements
For five months men will be repeatedly stung by these evil creatures
Imagine the pain
Imagine the psychological impact of just when you begin to feel better you are hit again!
The agony will be such that we read in Revelation 9:6 “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.”
There will be no escape from the torment in that day
God will not allow those suffering from this judgment to even end their own life!
Imagine the frustration
Entire generations of people who believed they were the masters of their own lives, now are unable to even take their own life.
They will learn at the tip of a demonic stinger that God is in control.
Conclusion: My friends what a terrible time this will be! Nothing like this has ever happened on the earth before, and from here it only gets worse!
You say, “How could this possibly get any worse?” This is just the beginning of hell being loosed on earth. Today we looked at only the first “woe” trumpet, next week we will look at the second. Read ahead if you like, but know this: This book is true. Every word of what is written will come to pass.
Listen to me, it is not God’s will for ANYONE to endure this awful time known as the tribulation period. You don’t have to go through this time. You say, “How can I avoid the tribulation?” There is only one way, by putting your trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
Let’s bow our heads for prayer as Gwen and Todd come forward...
Today, with every head bowed, every eye closed, if you know that you are saved, you’re on your way to heaven and you have Bible reasons to prove, it will you raise your hand.
IF you could not raise your hand just then I take it you are not sure where you’d spend eternity. Maybe you’d say today by raising your hand, “Pastor, I’m not 100% sure if I died today I’d go to heaven, but I’m 100% sure I do not want to go to hell.” If that’s you, would you admit it to God by raising your hand right now?