REVELATION 9:1-11
Let’s begin this week of the passage by reading it in its entirety: Revelation 9:1-11.
The fifth trumpet is given considerably more explanation than the previous four trumpets. This is due in large part to the increase in the severity of the events coming upon the earth. What we have seen up till now is one physical catastrophe after another. In the fifth trumpet, we see an unlocking and unleashing of spiritual warfare as never before experienced on earth. According to Rev. 9:1, demons once locked up in the Abyss will be released to inflict great damage.
What is the Abyss? In Luke 8:31 we find Jesus prepared to send a legion of demons into the Abyss. The demons begged Jesus not to send them there. This would mean that the Abyss is a place not even demons like — a sort of prison or detention center. From this Revelation passage, the Abyss holds demons in such a way that prevents their influence upon the earth. But a terrible thing will happen in the fifth trumpet judgment. The Abyss will be unlocked, and the power of the demons within will be released like “smoke from a great furnace.” The darkening of the skies reflects the darkness of the world that will be characterized by spiritual corruption and oppression.
The judgments on earth begin with physical destruction and continue to escalate with greater impact as time goes by. What is interesting to me is that the escalation, while it began with an increasing amount of physical destruction, now rises to spiritual destruction. Spiritual destruction is seen as worse than physical destruction. And isn’t that true today? I find it true in myself that I will often reflect and respond to physical needs more than spiritual needs. But the truth of the matter is that our spiritual needs are more important than our physical needs. As Jesus asks (rhetorically), “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)
Thinking on your life, how have you found this to be true? When have you seen spiritual neglect bring greater disturbance in your life than say a physical need?
