The Fifth Trumpet/First Woe
The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
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I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth
As stated at the end of the fourth trumpet post, trumpets 5, 6 and 7 are all referred to as woes, and that because of the severity of their fear factor, being demonic in nature. These trumpets will be worse than any Hollywood horror movie could depict.
The use of the word “star” here in the first verse is a good example of the context alerting the reader to apply a meaning other than literal, for if a literal star were to fall to the earth, the earth would be destroyed and there would be no need to go on with the rest of the trumpets and bowl judgments. And second, the verse states that the star “was given” the key to the shaft of the Abyss and that the star opened it, which would suggest that the star is an entity.
Since the context states that the star fell from heaven, then the star is most likely figurative of representing an angel. The word “star” in fact is also used symbolically to represent Satan’s angels in Revelation 12:4 as “sweeping a third of the ‘stars’ out of heaven and flinging them to the earth.’”
The word Abyss is translated from the Greek “Abussos” meaning “the abyss, unfathomable depth, bottomless, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits.” The Abyss is the same place that those demons collectively called “Legion” of Luke 8:30 begged Jesus not to send them into. In addition, it is also the current dwelling place of the angel of the Abyss, called Abaddon and Apollyon, meaning destroyer, which is the beast that comes up out of the Abyss here at the fifth trumpet. It is also the same place where Satan is thrown into and is restricted for a thousand years when Christ returns to the earth to end the age, as stated in Rev.20:1-3.
Of note is that, once the Abyss is opened here at the fifth trumpet, it remains open during that entire last 3 ½ years until the Lord returns to the earth to end the age, where at which time a mighty angel seizes Satan and throws him into the Abyss where it will be locked back up. – Rev.20:1-3
When the angel opens the Abyss, smoke billows out of the opening like a giant furnace which is indicative of the infernal characteristics of its lower regions and which also darkens the sun and sky. And out of the opening and within the smoke come locusts upon the earth. As we read about their characteristics it immediately becomes apparent that these are not your garden variety locusts. The first clue being the fact that they are coming up out of the Abyss and two, that they are given power with tails and stings like that of scorpions. The following is a list of their descriptive characteristics:
As I said, and which is obvious, these are not your garden variety locusts. Also, the fact that they are told not to harm the grass, plants or trees would also lend to the idea of these not being literal locusts, as eating everything that is green is what locusts normally do, not to mention the fact that locusts do not have tails and stingers like scorpions, or any of the other characteristics, except for having wings. In addition, the fact that "they are told” not to harm the greenery but only those inhabitants who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, would infer intelligence and discernment. And regarding those who are sealed on their foreheads, this would be referring to those 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel who were sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads in Chapter 7. Therefore, this group of 144,000 are the only ones who are protected from these demonic locusts, meaning that everyone else on the planet during that time will be exposed to their torment.
As an aid in revealing the identity of these locusts, verse 11 states that they have as their king the angel of the Abyss, that along with their previously mentioned characteristics and the fact that they come out of the Abyss, these are none other than a type or class of demonic beings.
Another interesting fact, is that there are no fatalities associated with this trumpet plague of wrath, for its purpose is only to torment, and that for five months. And regarding this, verse 6 states that “people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.” We know that people can take their own lives by one method or another, as we have unfortunately seen many celebrities and rock stars who have committed suicide. However, here at the fifth trumpet the inhabitants will long to die, but death will elude them, so that they won’t be able to die and escape the torment from the fear and pain of these demonic beings. Regarding fear, I refer back to their description. Very scary stuff to say the least! Thanks be to God that as believers in Christ, we are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath.
One last thing, I believe that Joel 2:1-11 may be prophesying of these same locust/demons.
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste—nothing escapes them.
They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
http://christianchat.com/blogs/ahwatukee/
The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.
7The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
12The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth
As stated at the end of the fourth trumpet post, trumpets 5, 6 and 7 are all referred to as woes, and that because of the severity of their fear factor, being demonic in nature. These trumpets will be worse than any Hollywood horror movie could depict.
The use of the word “star” here in the first verse is a good example of the context alerting the reader to apply a meaning other than literal, for if a literal star were to fall to the earth, the earth would be destroyed and there would be no need to go on with the rest of the trumpets and bowl judgments. And second, the verse states that the star “was given” the key to the shaft of the Abyss and that the star opened it, which would suggest that the star is an entity.
Since the context states that the star fell from heaven, then the star is most likely figurative of representing an angel. The word “star” in fact is also used symbolically to represent Satan’s angels in Revelation 12:4 as “sweeping a third of the ‘stars’ out of heaven and flinging them to the earth.’”
The word Abyss is translated from the Greek “Abussos” meaning “the abyss, unfathomable depth, bottomless, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits.” The Abyss is the same place that those demons collectively called “Legion” of Luke 8:30 begged Jesus not to send them into. In addition, it is also the current dwelling place of the angel of the Abyss, called Abaddon and Apollyon, meaning destroyer, which is the beast that comes up out of the Abyss here at the fifth trumpet. It is also the same place where Satan is thrown into and is restricted for a thousand years when Christ returns to the earth to end the age, as stated in Rev.20:1-3.
Of note is that, once the Abyss is opened here at the fifth trumpet, it remains open during that entire last 3 ½ years until the Lord returns to the earth to end the age, where at which time a mighty angel seizes Satan and throws him into the Abyss where it will be locked back up. – Rev.20:1-3
When the angel opens the Abyss, smoke billows out of the opening like a giant furnace which is indicative of the infernal characteristics of its lower regions and which also darkens the sun and sky. And out of the opening and within the smoke come locusts upon the earth. As we read about their characteristics it immediately becomes apparent that these are not your garden variety locusts. The first clue being the fact that they are coming up out of the Abyss and two, that they are given power with tails and stings like that of scorpions. The following is a list of their descriptive characteristics:
- Come up out of the Abyss
- Tails and stingers like that of scorpions
- Not allowed to kill but only to torment for five months
- Look like horses prepared for battle
- Something like crowns of gold on their heads
- Faces resemble human faces
- Hair like women’s hair
- Teeth like lions teeth
- Breastplates like iron
- Wings
As I said, and which is obvious, these are not your garden variety locusts. Also, the fact that they are told not to harm the grass, plants or trees would also lend to the idea of these not being literal locusts, as eating everything that is green is what locusts normally do, not to mention the fact that locusts do not have tails and stingers like scorpions, or any of the other characteristics, except for having wings. In addition, the fact that "they are told” not to harm the greenery but only those inhabitants who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, would infer intelligence and discernment. And regarding those who are sealed on their foreheads, this would be referring to those 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel who were sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads in Chapter 7. Therefore, this group of 144,000 are the only ones who are protected from these demonic locusts, meaning that everyone else on the planet during that time will be exposed to their torment.
As an aid in revealing the identity of these locusts, verse 11 states that they have as their king the angel of the Abyss, that along with their previously mentioned characteristics and the fact that they come out of the Abyss, these are none other than a type or class of demonic beings.
Another interesting fact, is that there are no fatalities associated with this trumpet plague of wrath, for its purpose is only to torment, and that for five months. And regarding this, verse 6 states that “people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.” We know that people can take their own lives by one method or another, as we have unfortunately seen many celebrities and rock stars who have committed suicide. However, here at the fifth trumpet the inhabitants will long to die, but death will elude them, so that they won’t be able to die and escape the torment from the fear and pain of these demonic beings. Regarding fear, I refer back to their description. Very scary stuff to say the least! Thanks be to God that as believers in Christ, we are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath.
One last thing, I believe that Joel 2:1-11 may be prophesying of these same locust/demons.
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand—a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste—nothing escapes them.
They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry. With a noise like that of chariots they leap over the mountaintops, like a crackling fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army drawn up for battle.
At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command.
The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.
http://christianchat.com/blogs/ahwatukee/