Revelation 9:2-12 “The Mystery of the Locust of Revelation”

Unraveling the Mystery of the Locust of Revelation

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 do when he opens the shaft to the abyss. The mystery lies in what comes out of this pit of hell.

The Eternal Fire

(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.

The Mystery of the Locust Unraveled

(Verse 3) John records locusts coming down upon the earth out of the smoke. Are these real locusts or a symbol of something else?

If we let scripture reveal scripture, we learn that the locust are symbols of literal beings that come to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the earth. In this case, they’re demonic spirits. How do we know this?

Locust don’t live in the pit of the abyss. They live on the surface of the earth. They’re given great power. We’ll learn in a few verses where this power comes from. We also see that they have a king. There king is Satan. Satan is the one 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.

The Foreshadowing of Demonic Possession in Revelation

Has scripture presented any foreshadowing of this demonic event in the past? Yes, absolutely!

“and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;” (Luke 8:2)

“They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.” (Mark 5:1-20)

These two gospel accounts of Luke and Mark foreshadow the events of the 5th trumpet of Revelation. They do this by demonstrating three things.

The Three Realities of Demonic Possession

First, it shows the reality of Satan’s demonic possession upon humans.

Second, it explains the fear that these demons have of Jesus and the power of God He possesses. Thus these spirits beg Him not to torment them. This is why they’ll be restricted from bothering those with the seal of God. Even though they have no power over those sealed, they don’t wish to confront God directly.

Thirdly, we see that the locusts are given more specific instructions not to kill their victims. They’re only allowed to torment them for five months. Just as in the above gospel accounts, the demons don’t kill but only torment their victims.

Interestingly, the five month period is the typical life span of locust, even though, they’re still symbols of demonic spirits.

People on earth are going to enter the 5th trumpet in total perplexity of the chaos and horrific sites that surround them. They’ll be in complete survival mode. And even before “hell on earth” is unleashed upon them, they’ll be suffering from something almost as horrible. There is something ripping apart their very flesh. Something so bad that it’ll lead them to want to take drastic measures upon their life.

They Will Seek Death!

(Verse 6) If we follow the natural progression of the first four trumpets and the strong 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.

Those who survived the nuclear confrontations will think for a moment that they’re the lucky ones. Then the radiation effect will begin to painfully destroy their flesh and internal organs. That lucky feeling will not last long as they’re screaming in agony from radiation poisoning.

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!

There will only be one desire in the what’s left of their heart. The 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)

Sadly, many lost people will perish. Everyone has free will to choose the world or God. Because someone chooses the world over God, should not ever lead anyone to believe that their free will, will allow them to exempt themselves from the will of God.

At the same time, these verses paint a beautiful background picture of God’s power and control over all things. We’re not witnessing a world falling apart. Instead, we see a world falling perfectly into place according to all the prophets who spoke of God’s word.

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.

As mankind fields images of death that will relieve them of their torment, death will escape them. It’s difficult for us to understand how that’ll happen. Especially considering that many will be on death’s doorstep. But death will be far from them.

Again, 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!

Mystery of the Locust of Revelation Unveiled One Last Time

(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.

What shocking detail is about to be revealed in the 6th trumpet of Revelation?

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