What does the first woe in Revelation reveal? Many have wondered about the locust of Revelation and its meaning in the biblical prophecy.
The Abyss has been opened.
Smoke pours out like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky grow dark.
Then something emerges from the smoke. John calls them locusts. But these are not ordinary insects.
They have power like scorpions. They are commanded not to destroy vegetation, but to torment people. Their victims will desperately seek death—but death will escape them.
This is the first woe in Revelation.
And it is about to reveal just how terrifying God’s judgment can become.
📍Where Are We in Revelation?
Behind us:
The first four trumpets devastated the earth, sea, fresh waters, and heavens. The Abyss is opened, releasing the next stage of judgment.
Where we are:
Terrifying locust-like beings emerge from the Abyss and torment those who do not have God’s seal. Intensity is becoming almost unbearable to the point of death.
Ahead:
The sixth trumpet brings the second woe and an even greater loss of human life. Then the third and final woe where God’s wrath reaches its peak.
Key thought:
The trumpet judgments have moved from devastation upon creation to direct supernatural torment against humanity.
The Abyss Opens—and Darkness Covers the Sky: First Woe Begins (Revelation 9:2)
Bible Study Guide
As we explore this passage, we’re going to allow scripture to unravel the mystery of the locust of Revelation. You’ve probably all heard the phrase, “hell on earth.” This is exactly what Satan is about to unleash when he opens the shaft to the abyss. The mystery lies in what comes out of this pit of hell.
(Verse 2) It’s quite possible that John is emotionally and psychologically exhausted at this point. He’s a 90 year old man watching some of the most perplexing and disturbing visions ever to come before his eyes.
Keep in mind, whenever you read scripture, there are no wasted words or fluff added to fill the pages or pad the word count. Every sentence is perfectly structured in it’s original text. There is no word added that doesn’t include a purpose for it being there.
As Satan opens the shaft to the abyss, smoke rises up into the sky out of a gigantic furnace. The Bible has always presented hell as a literal place. It has used many different terms, but they all point to a literal place of eternal torment. Hell is not a figment of the imagination, a myth or some state of mind.
Hell is a literal place where the fire that burns is eternal. If God can create a sun that burns and warms a solar system for tens of thousands of years, He most certainly can create a place that burns for eternity.
“And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where“ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ (Mark 9:47-48)
“His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)
The eternal fire is so great that it produces enough smoke to darken the sun and the sky.
What Are the Locust of Revelation? (Revelation 9:3-5)
(Verse 3) John records locusts coming down upon the earth out of the smoke. Are these real locusts or a symbol of something else?
The locust are symbols of literal demonic beings that come to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the earth.
The locust of Revelation is therefore not simply a picture of an agricultural plague. John describes something far more terrifying and supernatural.
They’re given great power. This power comes to them from their king.
Abaddon = place of destruction
Apollyon = destroyer
These are names given to Satan who’ll give them their power.
(Verses 4-5) The locust are instructed to do the opposite of what locust do. They’re told not to harm any vegetation on earth. These locust have a very specific task. To attack those on earth, but not just anyone on earth. They’re only allowed to harm those who don’t have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Who are those that have the seal of God on their foreheads? These are the 144,000 Jewish evangelist of the twelve tribes of Israel. Satan’s demons know better than to attempt to torment those with the seal. These demons are not ignorant of the power of God and they don’t want any direct confrontation with Him.
God places a limit on their authority. They cannot torment forever. They cannot act beyond the time God permits. Even when supernatural forces are unleashed for five months, God remains in control of the boundaries.
| Ordinary Locusts | Revelation’s Locusts |
| Destroy vegetation | Attack people |
| Consume crops | Torment for 5 months |
| Natural phenomenon | Emerge from the abyss |
John is describing something unlike anything humanity has experienced before.
They Will Seek Death From the Locust of Revelation! (Revelation 9:6)
(Verse 6) If we follow the natural progression of the first four trumpets and the possibility that John is witnessing nuclear war on earth, then verse 6 would be the natural conclusion.
Those who will survive the nuclear fires, the thermal blasts and the scorching heat will have to contend with the worst of it. These survivors will be exposed to immense waves of radiation from these nuclear detonations.
The radiation effect will begin to painfully destroy their flesh and internal organs.
Jesus says things will be so bad in this time period of the Tribulation, that people will faint from the horror.
“People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26-28)
In the midst of all of this nuclear fallout, the 5th trumpet will release the locust of Revelation. Then demons will add to the unimaginable misery that they’re already dealing with. It’s difficult for the human mind to even comprehend the immense agony mankind will experience during the last seven year period of this age.
It’ll leave them uttering four simple words. What are these words?
I Want to Die!
Those suffering will have one remaining desire. To escape from immeasurable torment by means of death.
“During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.” (Revelation 9:6)
Imagine reaching the point where death appears preferable to continuing the torment—and yet death remains beyond reach.
This is not merely suffering. It is judgment without escape.
Just as God removes His restraining power over the demonic spirits and their king to torment humans. He also applies His restraining power to not allow those seeking death to die.
Again, John witnesses the power of God in full control. God’s hands are on all things. All things are moving in the direction of His will and purpose. Who can stop it? None!
Reflect & Apply: What Are You Trusting to Save You?
Revelation 9 describes a day when human strength will offer no protection from God’s judgment.
Wealth and Governments won’t stop it. Technology and human achievement won’t stop it. The only refuge Scripture gives us is Jesus Christ.
What are you trusting today?
Are you trusting Christ—or trusting that you can handle whatever comes?
Prophecy forces us to confront that question before the future becomes the present.
Locust of Revelation: End of the First Woe (Revelation 9:7-12)
(Verses 7-10) Jesus gives John one last glimpse of these locust. This one is a closeup look at these symbols of demonic spirits who reside in the abyss.
John sees in his closeup, locusts that look like horses prepared for battle. They have human faces and gold crowns upon their head. Their breasts are covered in iron and they have teeth like a lion. The sound of thunder comes from their wings.
(Verse 11) They have a king whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in the Greek is Apollyon. Both of these terms mean, Destroyer. We know Satan has many names given to him in scripture. Destroyer is another. This is the angel of the abyss. The one called Satan.
From our perspective in studying this passage, we get a clear picture that humanity is at the end of their rope. What else can they withstand?
(Verse 12) But wait! There’s more!
This was only the first of three “Woes!” There’s another “Woe” assigned to each of the last two trumpets.
The Abyss may open, demons may be released, and judgment may intensify—but God never loses control.
What shocking detail is about to be revealed in the 6th trumpet of Revelation? Continue to the Sixth Trumpet →
Continue Studying: Book of Revelation Chapters 1–11 Study Guides
Reflect & Apply: The Spiritual World Is More Real Than We Think
Revelation 9 pulls back the curtain on a spiritual realm most people rarely consider.
The Abyss. Demonic forces. Spiritual authority. Judgment.
Scripture tells us that what happens in the visible world isn’t the whole story.
There is a spiritual battle taking place beyond what our eyes can see.
That reality should make us take God’s Word—and our relationship with Jesus—far more seriously.
What If Someone Remembers What You Told Them?
Someone may dismiss Revelation today. They may think prophecy is too extreme. They may laugh when you tell them Jesus is coming.
But someday, they may remember.
When they enter the Tribulation and the world begins experiencing things they once thought impossible, the words you shared could become a seed.
That’s why we teach prophecy.
Not to win arguments. Not to sensationalize judgment.
To point people to Jesus while there is still time. Teach others how to follow Jesus. →
Closing Reflection: The Battle We Cannot See
Revelation 9 pulls back the curtain on a spiritual reality that most of the world refuses to acknowledge. What John sees is not simply another earthly disaster. The spiritual realm is real, demonic forces are real, and the battle between good and evil reaches far beyond what our eyes can see.
Paul reminds us:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
This changes the way we understand the world around us.
If we see every conflict, every act of evil, every deception, and every assault against God’s truth as nothing more than human behavior, we miss an important part of the picture. People are responsible for their choices, but Scripture tells us that spiritual forces of evil are also at work.
Revelation 9 shows us just how terrifying that spiritual battle will become during the Tribulation for the unbelievers. Demonic forces are released from the Abyss, and their torment becomes so severe that unbelieving humanity will long for death.
What we see in Revelation 9 is a warning of where rebellion against God ultimately leads.
And it should cause us to look differently at the world today.
We don’t need to blame every evil action on Satan. But we also shouldn’t ignore the spiritual reality Scripture tells us exists. There is more happening around us than what we can see with our physical eyes.
Understanding the spiritual battle helps us understand why deception is so powerful, why evil can become so destructive, and why humanity’s rejection of God has consequences far beyond this physical world.
But there is hope.
Satan is not God’s equal. The demonic world is not outside God’s authority. And Jesus Christ has already won the ultimate victory.
That is why Paul doesn’t tell us to live in fear. He tells us to stand firm.
Know the battle. Recognize the enemy. Put on the armor of God. And keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ—the One who has already overcome the darkness.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Open our eyes to the spiritual battle taking place around us. Help us recognize that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil.
Give us discernment when deception surrounds us, strength when we are attacked, wisdom when we are tempted, and courage when we are called to speak Your truth.
Lord, protect our minds and hearts. Clothe us with Your armor and teach us to stand firmly upon Your Word. Help us never to fear the power of darkness, because our confidence is in Jesus Christ, who has already won the victory.
Give us compassion for those who are deceived and boldness to warn them while there is still time. Use us to point people away from darkness and toward the only true source of salvation—Jesus Christ.
Keep us watchful and faithful. Keep us standing. And when the spiritual battle intensifies, remind us that You remain in control.
In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.