Revelation 9

The book of Revelation was written as an encouragement to the early Church regarding the LORD Jesus Christ as risen, ascended and exalted; and to give the believers a scheme of things that would soon come to pass, Revelation 1:1. If you will study the history of the Church since Christ’s ascension, you will find that much of the book of Revelation has already been fulfilled, and that truly, the end of all things is at hand.

In chapter 9, many commentators understand this is describing what occurred in the 15^th century when the Turks and Islam became a world empire, marking the official end of the old Roman empire, which was corrupt and apostate. However, it was simply one corrupt power replacing another, both being ‘anti-Christ.’

Vs. 1-13: The fifth trumpet sounding from Heaven, brings about the rise of an army described as locusts whose influence and power is from Satan himself, called here ‘Apollyon.’ In Joel 2:25, the armies of Assyria were likened to swarms of locusts, brought against Israel. Here, the description seems to fit the Ottoman armies, who did rise and conquer from the great river Euphrates, v. 14. Although they brought much devastation and persecution, yet their power to hurt was, by God’s sovereign will, limited to a predetermined time, v. 10. V. 13 represents the sixth trumpet, which is but a continuation of the 5^th, wherein some commentators relegate this to the ongoing power of the Turks who waged war against the world and its religions.

Whatever the era here is what we know for sure:

1. God can make one enemy of the Church to be a scourge and plague to another.

2. God, in sovereignty, raises up armies of men to serve His own purpose.

3. The depravity of men is evidenced in sinners refusing to repent of their false religion, even when chastened by the LORD.

4. Impenitence under God’s judgments will most certainly bring the ruin of sinners.

5. All those that God the Father has chosen by Grace, saved and preserved in the LORD Jesus and called by the Holy Spirit, He does keep from all harm.