Revelation 9: The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

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Revelation 9 reveals the terrifying judgments of the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets—demonic torment and apocalyptic war unleashed upon the earth. As the abyss opens, locust-like creatures torture unbelievers, while a vast army brings destruction, yet many still refuse to repent. This chapter underscores God’s righteous judgment, the reality of spiritual warfare, and humanity’s stubborn rebellion. Through these end-time plagues, we see both divine justice and mercy, calling people to turn to God before final judgment. Revelation 9 warns of the consequences of sin while pointing to the urgency of repentance.

Revelation 9 Overview

The Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the Abyss (Revelation 9:1-6)
The Appearance of the Locusts (Revelation 9:7-12)
The Sixth Trumpet: The Army from the Euphrates (Revelation 9:13-16)
The Destruction of the Army (Revelation 9:17-21)

The Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the Abyss

1 The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5 They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion, when it strikes a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

The Appearance of the Locusts

7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon,” but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon.” 12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.

The Sixth Trumpet: The Army from the Euphrates

13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.

The Destruction of the Army

17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the horses’ heads resembled lions’ heads. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm.

20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can’t see, hear, or walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

Bible Commentary

▷ Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Bible, taken from e-Sword app.

Revelation 9:1-12

Upon sounding the fifth trumpet, a star fell from heaven to the earth. Having ceased to be a minister of Christ, he who is represented by this star becomes the minister of the devil; and lets loose the powers of hell against the churches of Christ.

On the opening of the bottomless pit, there arose a great smoke. The devil carries on his designs by blinding the eyes of men, by putting out light and knowledge, and promoting ignorance and error. Out of this smoke there came a swarm of locusts, emblems of the devil’s agents, who promote superstition, idolatry, error, and cruelty.

The trees and the grass, the true believers, whether young or more advanced, should be untouched. But a secret poison and infection in the soul, should rob many others of purity, and afterwards of peace. The locusts had no power to hurt those who had the seal of God. God’s all-powerful, distinguishing grace will keep his people from total and final apostacy. The power is limited to a short season; but it would be very sharp.

In such events the faithful share the common calamity, but from the pestilence of error they might and would be safe. We collect from Scripture, that such ( 1 Corinthians. 11:19 ) early writers plainly refer this to the first great host of corrupters who overspread the Christian church.

Revelation 9:13-21

The sixth angel sounded, and here the power of the Turks seems the subject. Their time is limited. They not only slew in war, but brought a poisonous and ruinous religion. The antichristian generation repented not under these dreadful judgments. From this sixth trumpet learn that God can make one enemy of the church a scourge and a plague to another.

The idolatry in the remains of the eastern church and elsewhere, and the sins of professed Christians, render this prophecy and its fulfilment more wonderful. And the attentive reader of Scripture and history, may find his faith and hope strengthened by events, which in other respects fill his heart with anguish and his eyes with tears, while he sees that men who escape these plagues, repent not of their evil works, but go on with idolatries, wickedness, and cruelty, till wrath comes upon them to the utmost.

Sermon Themes

The judgments in Revelation 9 remind us that God’s wrath is real, yet His mercy still calls people to repentance. How does this chapter challenge you to examine your own heart and turn from sin? Explore the following themes and topics to shape your sermon on this chapter of Revelation. Let them inspire you to share God’s truth with clarity and impact.

The Abyss Unleashed – The pit of the abyss represents the terrifying reality of demonic forces released upon the earth (Revelation 9:1-2).
The Inescapability of God’s Judgment (Revelation 9:6): The inability to find death despite seeking it reveals the inescapable nature of divine judgment and the profound distress it will bring.
The Terrifying Reality of Demonic Entities (Revelation 9:7-10): The vivid and disturbing description of the locusts illustrates the formidable and malevolent nature of demonic forces.
The Angel of Destruction (Revelation 9:11): The identification of Abaddon/Apollyon as the king of the abyss highlights a powerful, destructive spiritual being leading demonic forces.
The Scale and Severity of Future Judgment (Revelation 9:16-19): The immense army and the horrific plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur depict the unprecedented scale and severity of God’s future judgments.
The Hardness of the Unrepentant Heart (Revelation 9:20-21): The refusal of the remaining population to repent despite such severe plagues reveals the depth of human rebellion and the danger of a hardened heart.
Spiritual Torment is Real (Revelation 9:5): Recognize that spiritual attacks can cause significant pain even without physical harm.
The Seal of God’s Protection: Seek salvation and live under God’s protection through faith in Christ (Revelation 9:4).
Appearance Can Be Deceptive (Revelation 9:7-9): What appears powerful or attractive may hide a destructive nature. This calls for discernment beyond superficial appearances.
The King of Destruction – Satan (Abaddon/Apollyon) reigns over chaos, yet his power is limited (Revelation 9:11).
Guard Your Heart from Hardness (Revelation 9:20-21): Be careful not to become desensitized to sin and resistant to God’s call.
Confess and Turn from Sin (Revelation 9:21): Confront and repent of specific sins that hinder your relationship with God.
The Futility of False Worship – Idolatry blinds people to the true God (Revelation 9:20).

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▷ Scripture quotations taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.

Revelation 9: The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets – Demonic Torment and War