Daily Bread 2011- Revelation 9
Response to the 6th Trumpet
20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
What Does This Mean?
As the fifth and sixth trumpets are blown, two terrible things begin to happen. At the sound of the fifth trumpet a star fell from heaven that opened the shaft to the Abyss, where death and destruction and apparently lots more demonic forces were let loose. This was symbolized by locusts. Not ordinary locusts that had been seen in biblical times destroying crops et al, but locusts which had the power to torment but not kill anyone whose forehead had not been sealed with mark of God. They were given power to torment for five months and then this woe was past.
Notice this is the exact opposite of Luke’s description of the power and authority the disciples had over scorpions, snakes in the gospel. (see Luke 10:19) The power was reversed and these creatures now have the authority.
Next came the sixth trumpet, which brought four angels who had been held at the Euphrates River (the cradle of civilization) for this very time and hour. They numbered over 200 million, and were given power to kill a third of mankind. Then in the verses above stunningly we see that even though all of this happened, the people who were left did not repent (or turn from) their vices but continue to worship demons and idols and practice immorality.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Although this is quite a graphic and disturbing scene, what amazes me is the stubbornness of the people who do not turn from their evil ways. It seems unimaginable and yet maybe it is more realistic than we think. After all, today we see people who become addicted to drugs, alcohol and other things; and despite losing everything including family and friends, they return to their vice. Indeed the power of evil in the world and in our hearts is deceitful above all else.
This should make us more aware of the evil around us, and motivate us to avoid and shun evil at all costs. Sometimes we dabble in things of the world and think, well no big deal. Often I believe the devil does want us to get caught in big sins that would reach the evening news, but gets us to dabble in little endeavors that are outside the scope of what God has called us to do and be about.
As we are reminded about our own penchant for evil, it reminds us how great God’s grace is to save us from all of this. As we see these illustrations of judgment remember that those who are in Christ will escape all of this judgment. On that day we will have joy and thanksgiving beyond measure. But still this should spur us into action for those who still are not in Christ. It should motivate us to reach out to lost people who are oblivious that one day there will be a judgment. This doesn’t have to be scary or “in your face”, but a gentle sharing of our love for people and the great news that in Christ we are set free both in this life and in the life to come!
Jesus thank you for saving us from these things that will come in the last days. Teach us to say no to things that would entice us to get involved with the spirits of this world that are not of you. Help us to cling to and rely on the grace that is ours through life, death and resurrection. Amen.
20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
What Does This Mean?
As the fifth and sixth trumpets are blown, two terrible things begin to happen. At the sound of the fifth trumpet a star fell from heaven that opened the shaft to the Abyss, where death and destruction and apparently lots more demonic forces were let loose. This was symbolized by locusts. Not ordinary locusts that had been seen in biblical times destroying crops et al, but locusts which had the power to torment but not kill anyone whose forehead had not been sealed with mark of God. They were given power to torment for five months and then this woe was past.
Notice this is the exact opposite of Luke’s description of the power and authority the disciples had over scorpions, snakes in the gospel. (see Luke 10:19) The power was reversed and these creatures now have the authority.
Next came the sixth trumpet, which brought four angels who had been held at the Euphrates River (the cradle of civilization) for this very time and hour. They numbered over 200 million, and were given power to kill a third of mankind. Then in the verses above stunningly we see that even though all of this happened, the people who were left did not repent (or turn from) their vices but continue to worship demons and idols and practice immorality.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Although this is quite a graphic and disturbing scene, what amazes me is the stubbornness of the people who do not turn from their evil ways. It seems unimaginable and yet maybe it is more realistic than we think. After all, today we see people who become addicted to drugs, alcohol and other things; and despite losing everything including family and friends, they return to their vice. Indeed the power of evil in the world and in our hearts is deceitful above all else.
This should make us more aware of the evil around us, and motivate us to avoid and shun evil at all costs. Sometimes we dabble in things of the world and think, well no big deal. Often I believe the devil does want us to get caught in big sins that would reach the evening news, but gets us to dabble in little endeavors that are outside the scope of what God has called us to do and be about.
As we are reminded about our own penchant for evil, it reminds us how great God’s grace is to save us from all of this. As we see these illustrations of judgment remember that those who are in Christ will escape all of this judgment. On that day we will have joy and thanksgiving beyond measure. But still this should spur us into action for those who still are not in Christ. It should motivate us to reach out to lost people who are oblivious that one day there will be a judgment. This doesn’t have to be scary or “in your face”, but a gentle sharing of our love for people and the great news that in Christ we are set free both in this life and in the life to come!
Jesus thank you for saving us from these things that will come in the last days. Teach us to say no to things that would entice us to get involved with the spirits of this world that are not of you. Help us to cling to and rely on the grace that is ours through life, death and resurrection. Amen.
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