In Revelation 9 we are introduced to a vision of a vast horde of locusts that torment unbelievers. This points to a demonic invasion of monumental proportions. In this message we survey the Preterist, Futurist, and Idealist perspectives on this judgment of God.

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The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit

Revelation 9:1-12

As we come to Revelation 9, we are in the midst of the blowing of the seven trumpets.  Four trumpets have been blown thus far.  When these trumpets are blown, things transpire on earth that are reminiscent of the plagues which God brought upon the Egyptians when He was in the act of delivering them from their oppressors.  Hail and fire are thrown to the earth, and the sea turns to blood.

Moreover, we see a reversal of what we saw in Exodus 15 with the waters of Marah.  Instead of a tree thrown into bitter waters to make them sweet, here we see a great star burning like a torch falling into the rivers, and sweet waters are made bitter.

Further, we see a third of the sun, moon, and stars being struck so that they do not give their light.  This is the language that is often used in the Old Testament to describe God’s judgment upon a nation, and its ensuing fall. But what nation is in view in Revelation 8.

My suggestion in our last study, was that instead of God bringing judgment on Egypt, here it appears that He is bringing judgment on Israel.  In fact, in Revelation 11:8, Jerusalem is referred to as Sodom and Egypt, where the Lord was crucified. But why would God bring judgment upon Israel, His chosen nation?  Because they have rejected God’s Son, the Savior, the Messiah, and have persecuted His apostles and prophets.  If you would like a refresher, read the end of Matthew 23 and the first half of Matthew 24.  Jesus said in Matthew 24, “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”  What things?  The things in the first half of Matthew 24, including all the stones of the temple being thrown down. Well those things did take place before the generation Jesus spoke to passed away. In 70 A.D., about 40 years from the crucifixion of Christ, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, tore down the temple, and killed about a million Jews. God’s judgment had fallen.

In Revelation 8:13 we see a vision of an eagle flying in heaven saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.”  In other words, if you think the first four trumpet judgments were bad, stick around. You haven’t seen nothing yet.

That brings us to Revelation 9, where we are given a vision of locusts from the bottomless pit.

1. The Identity of the Locusts

9:1 “I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit as given to him.”

Now, is this a literal star or a figurative star?  Well, it’s obvious that it can’t be a literal star, because if a literal star fell to the earth, there would be no more earth!  Not only that, but this star is a person.  “the key was given to HIM.”  “HE opened the bottomless pit…”

Well, if this star symbolizes someone, then who?  This star had fallen to the earth. That reminds me of something Jesus said to His disciples when they had returned from a short missions trip.  In Luke 10:17 they excitedly told the Lord, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  Jesus responds, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.”  Notice, that Jesus saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. I believe that’s who this star represents in Revelation 9.

The Bottomless Pit.  The Greek word is “abussos.”  That word is found in the mouth of a legion of demons in Luke 8:31, “They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.”  Jesus granted their request. Instead of casting them into the abyss, He cast them into a herd of pigs. These demons looked on the “abyss” as a terrifying place, that they wanted to avoid at all costs. They also understood that Jesus had the sovereign authority to send them to that place if He chose to do so.

In 2 Peter 2:4 we read, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment…”  Hmmm, interesting!

In Jude 6 we read, “And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day…”

In Revelation 20:1-3,7 we are shown a vision of an angel coming down from heaven with a key in his hand who lays hold of Satan and throws him into the abyss for a thousand years. Then when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison.

Therefore, evidently, there is a place, called the “bottomless pit” or the “abyss” in Scripture where evil spirits are incarcerated.  Only a portion of them are in this place, because there are a great many other evil spirits running around doing the devil’s will and seeking to bring destruction and misery everywhere they can.

So, what we have is a vision in which hordes of demons under the symbolism of locusts are released from captivity to do their mischief.

There are some Futurists, like Hal Lyndsay, who speculated that these locusts are actually Cobra helicopters that can spray nerve gas on their enemies.  However, if we examine what the text actually says, I think we will quickly discard that interpretation.

Now, why do I saw that these locusts symbolize demons?

1. Because of where these locusts come from. They spring from the bottomless pit, the abyss, which is the place demons are reserved and imprisoned.

2. Because of what these locusts do and don’t do.

It is obvious that these are not literal locusts because locusts harm vegetation. That’s why they are so destructive. They come swarming in to a region, and eat every plant in sight, every leaf, every blade of grass, so that famine is inevitable. However, these locusts don’t hurt any grass, green thing or tree (10:4).

Real locusts do not hurt people, only vegetation. These locusts do not hurt vegetation, but do hurt people. In fact they are able to inflict torment on people for five months. The pain is so terrible that those who are tormented long to die, but can’t.

3. Because of the king of these locusts.

In proverbs 30:27 we are told “The locusts have no king.”  Yet in Rev. 9:11 we are told, “They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.”

I believe the king over these locusts whose name is Apollyon is Satan. Apollyon means destruction.  That’s his chief aim. He seeks someone to devour. Satan is probably also the star which had fallen to the earth who was given the key to the bottomless pit.

So, what does this vision teach us so far. It teaches that God gave Satan permission to release great numbers of incarcerated evil spirits to do his mischief and carry out his destructive plans.

2. The Power of the Locusts

Notice that any power or ability that these locusts (demons) have, is because of God’s permissive decree.

9:1 “the key of the bottomless pit was GIVEN to him.”

9:3 “Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was GIVEN them”

9:4 “They were TOLD not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads”

9:5 “And they were NOT PERMITTED to kill anyone”

It is very clear that any authority or power these demons have, they have because God permitted them to have it. God is the sovereign king, not Satan. Satan is not God’s equal. He is a creature. He is no match for God. He is not omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent. God could crush and destroy him at any moment if He so desired. If God chose, He could put all these demons back into the abyss and lock them in again. However, He has reasons for what He permits.

Who does Satan and his demons have power to torment?  9:4 “only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”  He is referring back to Revelation 7 where the “bond-servants of God” are sealed on their foreheads, all 144,000.  The identity of the 144,000 is debated amongst scholars of the Revelation.  Many futurists believe they are Jews who are converted during the Tribulation during the last seven years of earth’s history.  Preterists believe they are Jews that are converted in the first century, before the destruction of Jerusalem.  Idealists see them as all those converted throughout history.  Whoever they are, we know they are God’s bond-servants and they are sealed. Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that those who believe the gospel are sealed with the Holy Spirit.  In fact everyone has some kind of mark.  Those who belong to the devil have the mark of the beast, those who belong to Christ have the seal of the Holy Spirit.

What can these demons do to non-believers?  9:5 “And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man.”  Interestingly, in Luke 10 Jesus likened the power of the demons to serpents and scorpions.

3. The Appearance of the Locusts 9:7-10

Like horses prepared for battle.  These demons are about to engage in spiritual warfare. We wrestle against principalities and powers.

Crowns like gold.  These crowns look like gold, and sparkle gold, but are not real gold. The crowns may signify regal authority.  The devil does not possess kingly authority. Jesus alone has all authority in heaven and earth. So, he puts on a great show, but his royal authority is only an illusion.

The faces of men.  This would suggest intelligence. These demons are rational creatures which can think and make plans.

They had hair like the hair of women.  This might suggest their seduction.  In the ancient world of Israel, women had long hair, but usually kept it hidden. If a woman let down her hair in public she was considered a loose woman. These demons are seductive spirits.

Teeth like the teeth of lions.  These demons are ferocious and terrifying. Satan is actually likened to a lion prowling about to devour people.

Breastplates of iron. This would suggest these demons are invincible. If a soldier had a breastplate of iron, the weapons of that day would not be able to penetrate to would or kill him. These demons cannot be defeated with human means.

Sound of wings like sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle.  This would be a deafening roar, suggesting great power.

So, if we take this description of the locusts as a whole, what does it reveal?  It would appear that these demons are a vast horde, intent on warfare and spiritual seduction, fierce and invincible, intelligent, powerful and terrifying.

Conclusion

Up to this point, the vision seems fairly clear.  The big question is when is this horde of demons unleashed on the world of sinful men?  Your answer will depend on whether you are a Preterist, Idealist, or Futurist.

1. The Preterist Perspective. The Preterist believes that the book of Revelation was primarily a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem.  They believe the 144,000 that are sealed were the early Christians saved in the first century. They believe that this demonic horde let loose upon the non-Christians, describes a great demonic attack on the unsaved Jews in Jerusalem during the Jewish War of 66-70 AD.  And, you can make a case for this.

David Chilton, a Preterist scholar gives evidence from history that the Jews during the Jewish War had literally become demonized. He writes, “The entire generation became increasingly demon-possessed; their progressive national insanity is apparent as one reads through the New Testament, and its horrifying final stages in the pages of Josephus’ The Jewish War: the loss of all ability to reason, the frenzied mobs attacking one another, the deluded multitudes following the most transparently false prophets, the crazed and desperate chase after food, the mass murders, executions and suicides, the fathers slaughtering their own families and the mothers eating their own children. Satan and the host of hell simply swarmed through the land of Israel and consumed the apostates.

David S. Clark writes, “In the siege of Jerusalem social and civil safeguards were thrown to the winds; and as if they had gone insane, as if possessed with devils, father was set against son and son against father, brother against brother till the inside of the city was a seething hell, and its deliverance impossible.”

Interestingly, the Romans laid siege to Jerusalem for 5 months in 70 A.D. before they breached the walls, and burned the city to the ground.  The locusts’ sting brings torment for 5 months.

2. The Futurist Perspective. The Futurist believes that during the last seven years of earth’s history, there will be a demonic attack unlike anything the world has ever seen. One Futurist writes, “For the first time in history all those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior will come under demonic possession and affliction.”

3. The Idealist Perspective. The Idealist believes that throughout the entire history of the church, Satan will be given permission to possess people and bring about destruction and misery upon unbelievers.

William Hendriksen, an Idealist commentator writes, “Can you conceive of a more frightful and horrible and true picture of the operation of the powers of darkness in the souls of the wicked during this present age?  These demons rob men of all light, true righteousness, holiness, joy and peace, wisdom and understanding.”

So, either this massive demonic attack takes place in the first century upon the unbelieving Jews during the Roman siege, during the final seven years of earth’s history, or is characteristic of what Satan is always doing during the entirety of history between the first and second comings of Christ.

What do I think?  This is a tough one for me. I lean towards the Preterist position, but also believe the Idealist position may be the correct one.

But, now matter which position you hold, there are some truths taught in this passage that we can all hold.

1. Evil Spirits Can’t Possess a Child of God. These locusts with the scorpion stings could only torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (9:4).  If you are a bond-servant of God, Satan can’t dwell within you, take possession of you, and control you. The reason is simple – the Holy Spirit already dwells with in you, has taken possession of you, and fills you.  I know that there are many charismatic ministries that have a huge emphasis on casting demons out of Christians.  I believe this is completely unbiblical.

1 John 5:18 “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

We have no example in Scripture of a born again believer possessed by an evil spirit. We also have no warnings in Scripture for Christians to watch out so that they do not become demon possessed.  The Holy Spirit already indwells the believer, and He doesn’t do roommates.

Yes, the devil can tempt you, and seek to get you to believe his lies, but he can’t move into your body and control you.  We have been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col. 1:13).

2. God Is Sovereign Over Satan. We see that very clearly in this passage. Satan and these demons can only do what God permits them to do. They can’t come out of the abyss until God gives Satan the key.  They are commanded only to harm the unsaved. They are not permitted to kill anyone, but only torment them for five months.

That shouldn’t surprise us right?  Satan could only do to Job and his family and possessions what God allowed him to do.  Satan demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat (Lk. 22:31-32).  Notice that. Satan had to get permission to sift Peter!

Satan is like a lion on a leash.  He can go only as far as his leash will allow him.

That should encourage us! If Satan attacks us, we know God gave him permission to do it.  And of course, because God is good and wise, there must have been some good reason for God to allow him to do it. Perhaps God wants us to learn how to war against him, and overcome him through the word of God, faith, and prayer.

Colossians 2:15 tells us that God disarmed the rulers and authorities, and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Christ.  Jesus has already defeated Satan.  He is a roaring lion, but all his teeth and claws have been pulled out.  His back has been broken. He has a ferocious roar, but can’t destroy you!

Rejoice in your victory in Christ!

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