CHAPTER NINE - TRUMPETS SOUNDING - WOES CONTINUE - MAN REFUSES TO REPENT - WAR - TRUMPETS!

9:1-3 The fifth angel sounded and a star fell from heaven who had a key to open the bottomless pit (Hell). Dark smoke arose out of the pit which darkened the air and sun. Then out of the smoke come locusts who have power like scorpions.

Things are getting worse on the earth. Satan is loosed in greater power. The locusts could represent several things. In a financial sense they could represent financial crises, inflation, countries collapsing and defaulting on their debt. They can also represent continuing warfare due to the financial chaos. They can represent warring nations and armies as in the Book of Joel. Locusts destroy everything in their path.

9:4-6 The locust were told to not hurt any green thing, grass, and trees. They are to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The locust’s are to torment men for five months--to sting them like a scorpion. In those days those men without the seal of God will desire to die. Ref DNA, Transhumanism, extended life cycles--Men wanting to die, but cannot.

During the great depression men committed suicide as their fortunes collapsed. Losing your fortune would be a terrible sting that would drive men to suicide. If the world financial system is shaking it would lead many to despair. Could the green trees and grass be the people of God? God providing for them and keeping them safe during this time? Remember God protected Moses when all babies were being killed. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt during the same situation. God’s people are bringing life to those who will hear.

:7-11 The locusts are like horses prepared for battle with golden crowns on their heads. They are fierce looking and are dressed for battle. Their wings are making sound like chariots. They have stings in their tails and they had power to hurt for five months. Their king is Satan--Abaddon.

When crises unfold one after another it is like a battle. Things happen so quickly and men panic not knowing what to do. Stings in tails could be missiles or taser guns. Martial law would bring out many weapons that sting men into submission. Nation is coming against nation. It is a time of chaos in world events.

9:12-21 Things are moving at a rapid pace. One woe is past, two more are coming. The sixth angel sounded and a voice from the horns of the golden altar in heaven tells the sixth angel to loose four others from the area that is now Iran and Iraq. They are to slay a third part of men. John sees horses in the vision having breastplates of fire, heads of lions, and mouths issuing fire and brimstone. There are two million of them. They have power in their mouths and tails to hurt. Those men not killed repented not of the works of their hands. Man still refuses to recognize the sound of the trumpets warning him to repent!

This could be fierce warfare in the middle east between Iran and Europe. The Muslim threat in Europe is real and is destroying the culture of many European countries. This could be the backlash to that. Iran attacking or threatening Israel is possible. The fire out of their mouths could be tanks and the sting of the tail could be missiles (Daniel 11:40-43). Could the king of the south be an Iran led coalition facing off against a European coalition or king of the north? Could this be when the city of Jerusalem is divided? This could also be a time of expulsion of Jews from Jerusalem and Israel. This could be a war between Europe and Islam. This war could divide Jerusalem putting it under European control. Zechariah 14.1-3 Is this the beginning of the first 3.5 years of the tribulation? Rev 11