In all great stories we have protagonists and antagonists, the good guys and the bad guys. It seems we can imagine anything and put it into a movie, but when it comes to the Bible we don’t want to believe what we read. The unusual event of locusts with stinging tails harming men for five months seems strange to us. When we read Revelation we realize that the Living God has many created beings and many different places that we know very little about. A rebellion that took place long ago which defiled humanity involved many spiritual beings, not just the satan. We were victims of that time, but today we are still victims of deliberately spread disinformation designed to keep us from knowing and loving the Living God. All of the information regarding hell and fallen spiritual beings has been hidden from humanity. It takes a bit of digging to uncover what used to be common knowledge in the first century. Today, we have human illusionists who wear big smiles and use fancy arguments to explain away the underworld so that we eventually believe it doesn’t exist. We have been trained to believe Hollywood stories, but not the Bible. We have been blinded to the other sons of God, the angels, who have assignments and are known by their position or functions. If those in the time of the first century understood these beings and these places, we have to uncover what it is they knew so the we can then understand what we are reading.
What we see in the fifth trumpet is that there is an angel with a key and another angel that is a king. This particular king has been around before. Our Creator has many spiritual beings which he created and as Job was rebuked for his limited knowledge, and for questioning his situation based on his own behavior, we do not want to find ourselves rebuked because we have rejected learning. The star/angel who is a king has a few names. This will make sense to us once we put it all together.
Revelation 9:1-12 (KJV)
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Revelation 9:1 G2532 And G3588 the G3991 fifth G32 angel G4537 trumped; G2532 and G1492 I saw G792 a star G1537 [2from out of G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G4098 1falling] G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth; G2532 and G1325 was given G1473 to him G3588 the G2807 key G3588 of the G5421 well G3588 of the G12 abyss.
4098 LSJ Gloss:πίπτω to fall, fall down
Dodson:πίπτω I fall, fall under I fall, fall under (as under condemnation), fall prostrate.
Thayer:
1) to descend from a higher place to a lower
1a) to fall (either from or upon)
1a1) to be thrust down
1b) metaph. to fall under judgment, came under condemnation
2) to descend from an erect to a prostrate position
2a) to fall down
2a1) to be prostrated, f
πίπτω, πέτω
piptō petō pip'-to, pet'-o The first is a reduplicated and contracted form of the second (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); probably akin to G4072 through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally of figuratively)
KJV Usage: fail, fall (down), light on.
As we saw a few weeks ago when studying the seals, the word piptō petō suggests either meteors falling to earth or actual angels leaving their positions (alighting) or prostrating at the rolling back of the sky like a scroll. As Jesus explained in chapter 1 of Revelation, stars are angels. This star/angel falls out of heaven or leaves his position. We can see that this is not an inanimate object, as “it was given him the key of the well of the abyss”. John’s description of an angel as a star does two things, he prostates himself and alights or leaves. He now has a key. Keys open things. Just like Wormwood, this star/angel has a name, but we are not given his name. Let’s go on.
2807 LSJ Gloss:κλείς that which serves for closing
Dodson:κλεῖς a key.
Thayer:
1) a key
1a) since the keeper of the keys has the power to open and to shut
1b) metaph. in the NT to denote power and authority of various kinds
κλείς
kleis klice From G2808; a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: key.
5421 LSJ Gloss:φρέαρ a well
Dodson:φρέαρ a pit, well a pit, well, cistern.
Thayer:
1) a well
2) the pit of the abyss (because the nether world is thought to increase in size the further it extends from the surface of the earth and so resemble a cistern, the orifice of which is narrow)
φρέαρ
phrear freh'-ar Of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), that is, a cistern or well; figuratively an abyss (as a prison) KJV Usage: well, pit.
12 LSJ Gloss:ἄβυσσος with no bottom, bottomless, unfathomed
Dodson:ἄβυσσος the abyss, the unfathomable depth
the abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits.
Thayer:
1) bottomless
2) unbounded
3) the abyss
3a) the pit
3b) the immeasurable depth
3c) of Orcus, a very deep gulf or chasm in the lowest parts of the earth used as the common receptacle of the dead and especially as the abode of demons
ἄβυσσος
abussos ab'-us-sos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a variation of G1037; depthless, that is, (specifically), (infernal) “abyss” KJV Usage: deep, (bottomless) pit.
This is an unfathomable pit in the lowest parts of the earth. There are several compartments in the underworld. We mistakenly call all of them hell, but they are all different places. There is Tartarus, the Nether world, Hades, Gehenna, and the Abyss. If we misunderstand this we will not understand the Book of Revelation.
When Jesus was casting out demons, they asked not to be sent to the abyss.
Luke 8:30 G1905 [3asked G1161 1And G1473 4him G3588 G* 2Jesus], G3004 saying, G5100 What G1473 [3 given to you G1510.2.3 1is G3686 2 the name]? G3588 And he G1161 G2036 said, G3003 Legion; G3754 because G1140 [2demons G4183 1many] G1525 entered G1519 into G1473 him.
31 G2532 And G3870 they appealed to G1473 him G2443 that G3361 he should not G2004 give orders G1473 to them G1519 [2into G3588 3the G12 4abyss G565 1to go forth].
The devil will be cast into the abyss. Notice, another angel with a key.
Revelation 20:1 G2532 And G1492 I saw G32 an angel G2597 coming down G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven G2192 having G3588 the G2807 key G3588 of the G12 abyss, G2532 and G254 [2chain G3173 1a great] G1909 in G3588 G5495 his hand. G1473
2 G2532 And G2902 he seized G3588 the G1404 dragon, G3588 the G3789 [2serpent G3588 G744 1ancient], G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G1228 the devil, G2532 and G3588 G4567 Satan, G3588 the one G4105 misleading G3588 the G3611 [2inhabitable world G3650 1entire]. G2532 And G1210 he bound G1473 him G5507 a thousand G2094 years.
3 G2532 And G906 he cast G1473 him G1519 into G3588 the G12 abyss, G2532 and G2808 locked, G2532 and G4972 set a seal G1883 upon G1473 him, G2443 that G3361 he should not mislead G4105 G2089 [3any more G3588 1the G1484 2nations] G891 until G5055 [4be fulfilled G3588 1the G5507 2thousand G2094 3years]. G2532 And G3326 after G3778 these things G1163 it is necessary G1473 to loose him G3089 G3397 a little G5550 time.
Solomon explained the days of the fallen angels and Noah’s escape.
Wisdom 14:6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation. KJV
Peter says that they are in the infernal tartarus.
2 Peter 2:4 G1487 For if G1063 G3588 G2316 God G32 [2of angels G264 3sinning G3756 1spared not], G5339 G235 but G4577 in chains G2217 of the infernal G5020 region G3860 delivered them up G1519 for G2920 [2judgment G5083 1being kept for];
2217LSJ Gloss:ζόφος the gloom of the world below, nether darkness
Dodson:ζόφος darkness, murkiness darkness, murkiness, gloom.
Thayer:
1) darkness, blackness
1a) used of the darkness of the nether world
ζόφος
zophos dzof'-os Akin to the base of G3509; gloom (as shrouding like a cloud) KJV Usage: blackness, darkness, mist.
5020 Dodson:ταρταρόωI thrust down to Tartarus I thrust down to Tartarus or Gehenna.
Thayer:
1) the name of the subterranean region, doleful and dark, regarded by the ancient Greeks as the abode of the wicked dead, where they suffer punishment for their evil deeds; it answers to Gehenna of the Jews
2) to thrust down to Tartarus, to hold captive in Tartarus
ταρταρόω
tartaroō
tar-tar-o'-o
From Τάρταρος Tartaros̄ (the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment
KJV Usage: cast down to hell.
Enoch explains these fallen angels.
Enoch 10:4 And again the Lord said to Raphael: 'Bind Azâzêl hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening in the desert, which is in Dûdâêl, and cast him therein. 5. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may not see light. 6. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. 8. And the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azâzêl: to him ascribe all sin.'
Enoch 8 lists what these fallen angels taught mankind. This was the event that caused the need for the scapegoat offering.
Enoch explains further that the children of the Watchers (who are now called the Nephilim) should destroy themselves from off the earth, but Semjaza and his associates should stay in the valley of the earth until they are judged and go to the abyss of fire.
Enoch 10:9. And to Gabriel said the Lord: 'Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication: and destroy [the children of fornication and] the children of the Watchers from amongst men [and cause them to go forth]: send them one against the other that they may destroy each other in battle: for length of days shall they not have. 10. And no request that they (i.e. their fathers) make of thee shall be granted unto their fathers on their behalf; for they hope to live an eternal life, and that each one of them will live five hundred years.' 11. And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjâzâ and his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in all their uncleanness. 12. And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgement and of their consummation, till the judgement that is for ever and ever is consummated. 13. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever. And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end of all generations. 15. And destroy all the spirits of the reprobate and the children of the Watchers, because they have wronged mankind.
Enoch wrote about the levels or compartments of the underworld.
The Secrets of Enoch VII. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe114.htm
Of how Enoch was taken on to the second heaven.
7:1 AND those men took me and led me up on to the second heaven, and showed me darkness, greater than earthly darkness, and there I saw prisoners hanging, watched, awaiting the great and boundless judgement, and these angels were dark-looking, more than earthly darkness, and incessantly making weeping through all hours.
2 And I said to the men who were with me: 'Wherefore are these incessantly tortured?' they answered me: 'These are God's apostates, who obeyed not God's commands, but took counsel with their own will, and turned away with their prince, who also is fastened on the fifth heaven.'
3 And I felt great pity for them, and they saluted me, and said to me: 'Man of God, pray for us to the Lord'; and I answered to them: 'Who am I, a mortal man, that I should pray for angels? who knoweth whither I go, or what will befall me? or who will pray for me?'
If we read all of Enoch we will understand that the fallen Watchers were to help mankind, not procreate with mankind. These offspring would be known as evil spirits (Enoch 15). We know from Jubilees that Noah asked that these evil spirits be bound and 90% were bound (Jubilees 10). The fallen Watchers on the second heaven were the leaders of the rebellion. The Grigori were the brothers of these leaders.
The Secrets of Enoch XVIII http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe125.htm
Of the taking of Enoch on to the fifth heaven.
18:1THE men took me on to the fifth heaven and placed me, and there I saw many and countless soldiers, called Grigori, of human appearance, and their size was greater than that of great giants and their faces withered, and the silence of their mouths perpetual, and there was no service on the fifth heaven, and I said to the men who were with me:
2 Wherefore are these very withered and their faces melancholy, and their mouths silent, and wherefore is there no service on this heaven?
3 And they said to me: These are the Grigori, who with their prince Satanail rejected the Lord of light, and after them are those who are held in great darkness on the second heaven, and three of them went down on to earth from the Lord's throne, to the place Ermon, and broke through their vows on the shoulder of the hill Ermon and saw the daughters of men how good they are, and took to themselves wives, and befouled the earth with their deeds, who in all times of their age made lawlessness and mixing, and giants are born and marvellous big men and great enmity.
4 And therefore God judged them with great judgement, and they weep for their brethren and they will be punished on the Lord's great day.
5 And I said to the Grigori: 'I saw your brethren and their works, and their great torments, and I prayed for them, but the Lord has condemned them to be under earth till heaven and earth shall end for ever.'
6 And I said: 'Wherefore do you wait, brethren, and do not serve before the Lord's face, and have not put your services before the Lord's face, lest you anger your Lord utterly?'
7 And they listened to my admonition, and spoke to the four ranks in heaven, and lo! as I stood with those two men four trumpets trumpeted together with great voice, and the Grigori broke into song with one voice, and their voice went up before the Lord pitifully and affectingly.
It seems the leaders of the fallen angels are going to be in the second heaven until judgment day, and then they will go on to the the fiery abyss. Peter calls this second heaven the infernal region, the nether world, or zophos tartarus. The Grigori on the fifth heaven are not bound for the fiery abyss, they were rebellious along with the satan. They did not behave as badly as the fallen Watchers on the second heaven. Enoch encourages them to worship, even in the fifth heaven, as if perhaps they may find mercy for corrupting the earth and humanity.
There is also a place called Hades. The Lord speaking to Job asks if the gates of death open in fear of Job or do the gatekeepers of Hades see him (Job) and become alarmed. The Lord is using the art of sarcasm.
Job 38:17 G455 [4open G1161 1And G1473 5to you G5401 6in fear G4439 2 do the gates G2288 3of death]; G4440.1 and did gatekeepers G1161 G86 of Hades, G1492 in beholding G1473 you, G4421.1 become alarmed?
86 Dodson:Ἇ Hades Hades, the unseen world.
Thayer:
1) name Hades or Pluto, the god of the lower regions
2) Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead
3) later use of this word: the grave, death, hellIn Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus, the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, Lu. 16:23, Rev. 20:13,14; a very uncomfortable place. TDNT.
ᾅδης
hadēs hah'-dace From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492; properly unseen, that is, “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls KJV Usage: grave, hell.
The Lord God speaks with Job out of the whirlwind and clouds and he is a bit sarcastic because Job is not all knowing and all powerful. Hades and Death are not afraid of Job. The Lord reminds Job in chapter 40 that He created the serpent and that Job can’t catch him and play with him (verse 20), as compared to the angels who were made to play with the giant beasts (verse 14). This reminds us, through the Lord’s sarcasm, that he created all these different beings and all these different places. Who are we to judge what the Lord has created. We should be humble and recognize we only have limited knowledge.
The interesting thing that we see here is that death has gates and Hades has gatekeepers. Yet Jesus now has the keys to both. Hades and death will be thrown into the lake of fire and this time is called the second death. But there is another place, Gehenna. Jesus warns us to fear the Living God who has the power to destroy the body and soul in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:28 G2532 And G3361 fear not G5399 G575 of G3588 the ones G615 killing G3588 the G4983 body, G3588 [5the G1161 1but G5590 6soul G3361 2not G1410 3being able G615 4to kill]! G5399 But you fear G1161 G3123 rather G3588 the one G1410 being able G2532 both G5590 the soul G2532 and G4983 body G622 to destroy G1722 in G1067 Gehenna!
1067LSJ Gloss:γέεννα ge-hinnom
Dodson:γέεννα Gehenna Gehenna, and originally the name of a valley or cavity near Jerusalem, a place underneath the earth, a place of punishment for evil.
Thayer:
1) Hell is the place of the future punishment call "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.
γέεννα
geenna gheh'-en-nah Of Hebrew origin ([H1516] and [H2011]); valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment
KJV Usage: hell.
Gehenna is a place of fire, represented by the valley of Hinnom, a place where garbage burned day and night. Human bodies were also burnt here and it was also the place of child sacrifice. But in Jesus’ time it was a garbage dump surrounded by natural rock walls. Gehenna is a place for humans as Jesus warns us. Enoch also told us of Gehenna.
The secrets of Enoch X. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe117.htm
Here they showed Enoch the terrible place and various tortures.
10:1 AND those two men led me upon to the Northern side, and showed me there a very terrible place, and there were all manner of tortures in that place: cruel darkness and unillumined gloom, and there is no light there, but murky fire constantly flameth aloft, and there is a fiery river coming forth, and that whole place is everywhere fire, and everywhere there is frost and ice, thirst and shivering, while the bonds are very cruel, and the angels fearful and merciless, bearing angry weapons, merciless torture, and I said:
2 'Woe, woe, how very terrible is this place.'
3 And those men said to me: This place, O Enoch, is prepared for those who dishonour God, who on earth practice sin against nature, which is child-corruption after the sodomitic fashion, magic-making, enchantments and devilish witchcrafts, and who boast of their wicked deeds, stealing, lies, calumnies, envy, rancour, fornication, murder, and who, accursed, steal the souls of men, who, seeing the poor take away their goods and themselves wax rich, injuring them for other men's goods; who being able to satisfy the empty, made the hungering to die; being able to clothe, stripped the naked; and who knew not their creator, and bowed down to soulless (sc. lifeless) Gods, who cannot see nor hear, vain gods, who also built hewn images and bow down to unclean handiwork, for all these is prepared this place amongst these, for eternal inheritance.
Gehenna has fearful and merciless angels bearing angry weapons and merciless torture. This tells us that along with angels as gate keepers of these regions, this place has angels who torture those there. This is a place of eternal inheritance. Hades is not eternal, but death and Hades will give up the dead for judgment (Revelation 20:13-14), and death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Gehenna is eternal. Gehenna is located on the third heaven, along with Paradise. If we remember what Jesus said, in Hades there was a place called Abraham’s Bay, and then there is a chasm between the two places. We also know that the gates of hell could not hold Jesus and he took those in Abraham’s Bay to Paradise, the Eden of God.
Understanding that there is more to the unseen world, we can make sense of what is going on during this trumpet judgment.
Revelation 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Revelation 9:2 G2532 And G455 he opened G3588 the G5421 well G3588 of the G12 abyss, G2532 and G305 ascended G2586 smoke G1537 from out of G3588 the G5421 well, G5613 as G2586 smoke G2575 of a furnace G2545 burning. G2532 And G4654 [6were darkened G3588 1the G2246 2sun G2532 3and G3588 4the G109 5air] G1537 by G3588 the G2586 smoke G3588 of the G5421 well.
4654LSJ Gloss:σκοτίζω to make dark
Dodson:σκοτίζω I darken.
Thayer:
1) to cover with darkness, to darken
2) to be covered with darkness, be darkened
2a) of heavenly bodies as deprived of light
2b) metaph.
2b1) of the eyes
2b2) of the understanding
2b3) of the mind
σκοτίζω
skotizō skot-id'-zo From G4655; to obscure (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: darken.
109 LSJ Gloss:ἀήρ the lower air, the air
Dodson:ἀήρ air air, the lower air we breathe.
Thayer:
1) the air, particularly the lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air
2) the atmospheric region
ἀήρ
aēr ah-ayr' From ἄημι aēmi (to breathe unconsciously, that is, respire; by analogy to blow); “air” (as naturally circumambient) KJV Usage: air.
When this pit opens the sun is darkened by the smoke that comes out of it. The lower air is filled with this smoke. Who is the ruler of the lower air? His realm is covered in smoke.
Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Revelation 9:3 G2532 And G1537 out of G3588 the G2586 smoke G1831 came forth G200 locusts G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth; G2532 and G1325 [2was given G1473 3to them G1849 1authority], G5613 as G2192 [5have G1849 6authority G3588 1the G4651 2scorpions G3588 3of the G1093 4earth].
200LSJ Gloss:ἀκρίς a locust
Dodson:ἀκρίς a locust.
Thayer:
1) a locust, particularly that species which especially infests oriental countries, stripping fields and trees. Numberless swarms of them almost every spring are carried by the wind from Arabia into Palestine, and having devastated that country, migrate to regions farther north, until they perish by falling into the sea. The Orientals accustomed to feed upon locusts, either raw or roasted and seasoned with salt (or prepared in other ways), and the Israelites also were permitted to eat them.
ἀκρίς
akris ak-rece' Apparently from the same as G206; a locust (as pointed, or as lighting on the top of vegetation) KJV Usage: locust.
1849LSJ Gloss:ἐξουσία power
Dodson:ἐξουσία power, authority, weight (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.
Thayer:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
1a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privi
ἐξουσία
exousia ex-oo-see'-ah From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence KJV Usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
4651LSJ Gloss:σκορπίος a scorpion
Dodson:σκορπίοςa scorpion.
Thayer:
1) a scorpion, the name of a little animal, somewhat resembling a lobster, which in warm regions lurk, esp. in stone walls; it has a poisonous sting in its tail
σκορπίος
skorpios skor-pee'-os Probably from σκέρπω skerpō , an obsolete word, (perhaps strengthened from the base of G4649 and meaning to pierce); a “scorpion” (from its sting) KJV Usage: scorpion.
The locusts are given exousia like the scorpions have. Isn’t that interesting? Scorpions have authority or jurisdiction to sting. Now these locusts have the same jurisdiction, but they are not allowed to touch the 144,000 that have been sealed.
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4 G2532 And G4483 it was said G1473 to them G2443 that G3361 they should not G91 injure G3588 the G5528 grass G3588 of the G1093 earth, G3761 nor G3956 any G5515 green thing, G3761 nor G3956 any G1186 tree; G1508 except for G3588 the G444 men G3441 only, G3748 the ones who G3756 have not G2192 G3588 the G4973 seal G3588 G2316 of God G1909 upon G3588 G3359 their foreheads. G1473
Here are our 144,000 who are on the earth. They will not be harmed by these locusts. What are these creatures? They are coming out of the abyss, but they are unlike any locusts we have on earth today. They will torment men for five months.
Revelation 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Revelation 9: 5 G2532 And G1325 was given G1473 to them G2443 that G3361 they should not G615 kill G1473 them, G235 but G2443 that G928 they should be tormented G3376 [2months G4002 1five]; G2532 and G3588 G929 their torment G1473 G5613 was as G929 the torment G4651 of a scorpion, G3752 whenever G3817 it should smite G444 a man.
6 G2532 And G1722 in G3588 G2250 those days G1565 G2212 [2shall seek G3588 G444 1men] G3588 G2288 death, G2532 and G3766.2 in no way G2147 shall they find G1473 it; G2532 and G1937 they shall desire G599 to die, G2532 and G5343 [2shall flee G575 3from G1473 4them G3588 G2288 1death].
Men will be so tortured that they will try to kill themselves, but they will not be able to. Scorpion stings are painful and can cause muscle twitching, sweating, and drooling. Men will be tortured on the earth by some weird looking locusts.
Revelation 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
Revelation 9:7 G2532 And G3588 the G3667 representations G3588 of the G200 locusts G3664 were likened G2462 to horses G2090 being prepared G1519 for G4171 war; G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 G2776 their heads G1473 G5613 as G4735 [2crowns G5552 1golden], G2532 and G3588 G4383 their faces G1473 G5613 as G4383 faces G444 of men. 8 G2532 And G2192 they had G2359 hair G5613 as G2359 hair G1135 of women, G2532 and G3588 G3599 their teeth G1473 G5613 [2as G3023 3lions G1510.7.6 1were]. 9 G2532 And G2192 they had G2382 chest plates G5613 as G2382 chest plates G4603 of iron; G2532 and G3588 the G5456 sound G3588 G4420 of their wings G1473 G5613 was as G5456 the sound G716 [2chariots G2462 3of horses G4183 1of many] G5143 running G1519 to G4171 war.
The locusts were similar to horses ready for battle. They are wearing a golden crown of twine. These beings seem like they are evil, but they are wearing royal garments, dressed as horses are dressed when going out for war and are wearing golden crowns. As strange as this my be, they have faces like humans, hair like women, and teeth like lions. They wear armor, and they sound like chariots and horses.
Revelation 9:10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
Revelation 9: 10 G2532 And G2192 they have G3769 tails G3664 likened G4651 to scorpions, G2532 and G2759 stings, G2532 and G1722 in G3588 G3769 their tails G1473 G1849 [2authority G2192 1having] G3588 G91 to injure G3588 G444 men G3376 [2months G4002 1five].
11 G2192 They have G935 a king G1909 over G1473 them -- G32 the angel G3588 of the G12 abyss. G3686 His name G1473 G* in Hebrew G* is Abaddon, G1722 and in G1161 G3588 the G* Greek G3686 [2 the name G2192 1he has] G3588 G* Apollyon.
G3Dodson:Ἀβαδδών Abaddon Abaddon, Destroyer (i.e. Destroying Angel) or "place of destruction" (personified).
Thayer:
1) ruin
2) destruction
3) the place of destruction
4) the name of the angel-prince of the infernal regions, the minister of death and the author of havoc on the earth
Literal: Abaddon = "destruction"
Ἀβαδδών
Abaddōn ab-ad-dohn' Of Hebrew origin [H11]; a destroying angel
KJV Usage: Abaddon.
H11אבדּון
'ăbaddôn ab-ad-done' Intensively from H6; abstractly a perishing; concretely Hades KJV Usage: destruction.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions
אבדּון
1. place of destruction, destruction, ruin, Abaddon
Origin: intensive from H6
TWOT: 2d
Parts of Speech: Proper Name Location
G623 Dodson:Ἀπολλύων Apollyon, Destroyer Apollyon, The Destroying One, a Greek translation of the Hebrew: Abaddon.
Thayer:
1) the angel of the bottomless pit, the Destroyer
Literal: Apollyon = "Destroyer"
Ἀπολλύων
Apolluōn ap-ol-loo'-ohn Active participle of G622; a destroyer (that is, Satan) KJV Usage: Apollyon.
The locusts have stingers on their tails, their king is the angel of the abyss. The locusts have a king. Abaddon is the destroyer. At the time of the captivity in Egypt, the Destroyer passed over the people who put the blood over the door lintel and the door posts. This destroyer is Abaddon or Apollyon. The king of the abyss is also the king of the locusts and he has another name.
Exodus 12:23 (AMP)
23 For the Lord will pass through to slay the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood upon the lintel and the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to slay you.
Exodus 12:23 G2532 And G3928 the lord will go by G2962 G3960 to strike G3588 the G* Egyptians. G2532 And G3708 he shall see G3588 the G129 blood G1909 upon G3588 the G5393.2 lintel G2532 and G1909 upon G297 both G3588 of the G4712.4 doorposts. G2532 And G3928 the lord will go by G2962 G3588 the G2374 door, G2532 and G3756 he will not G863 leave off G3588 the G3645 annihilating G1525 so as to enter G1519 into G3588 G3614 your house G1473 G3960 to strike.
3645LSJ Gloss:ὀλοθρεύω to destroy utterly
Dodson:ὀλοθρεύω I destroy I destroy, cause to perish.
Thayer:
1) to destroy
ὀλοθρεύω
olothreuō ol-oth-ryoo'-o From G3639; to spoil, that is, slay
KJV Usage: destroy.
Hebrews reminds us of the Passover and the destroyer.
Hebrews 11:28 (AMP)
28 By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) he instituted and carried out the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch those [of the children of Israel].
Hebrews 11:28 G4102 By belief G4160 he observed G3588 the G3957 passover G2532 and G3588 the G4378 pouring G3588 of the G129 blood, G2443 lest G3361 G3588 the one G3645 annihilating G3588 the G4416 first-born G2345 should touch G1473 them.
Paul reminds us of those who murmured against Moses and Aaron, that they also were killed by the destroyer, Abaddon/Apollyon.
1 Corinthians 10:10 (AMP)
10 Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
1 Corinthians 10:10 G3366 Neither G1111 grumble! G2531 as G2532 also G5100 some G1473 of them G1111 grumbled, G2532 and G622 perished G5259 by G3588 the G3644 annihilator.
3644 LSJ Gloss:ὀλοθρευτής a destroyer
Dodson:ὀλοθρευτής a destroyer.
Thayer:
1) a destroyer
ὀλοθρευτής
olothreutēs ol-oth-ryoo-tace' From G3645; a ruiner, that is, (specifically) a venomous serpent KJV Usage: destroyer.
The King James version does a terrible job of translating this word, but the Amplified does it well.
Job 26:6 (AMP)
6 Sheol (the place of the dead) is naked before God, and Abaddon (the place of destruction) has no covering [from His eyes].
Job 28:22 (AMP)
22 Abaddon (the place of destruction) and Death say, We have [only] heard the report of it with our ears.
Job 31:12 (AMP)
12 For [uncontrolled passion] is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (to destruction, ruin, and the place of final torment); [that fire once lighted would rage until all is consumed] and would burn to the root all my [life's] increase.
Psalm 88:11 (AMP)
11 Shall Your steadfast love be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in Abaddon (Sheol, as a place of ruin and destruction)?
Proverbs 15:11 (AMP)
11 Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord—how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?
Proverbs 27:20 (AMP)
20 Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the place of destruction) are never satisfied; so [the lust of] the eyes of man is never satisfied.
If we remember, angels have names that correspond to their functions. Abaddon is a place, an angel, and a star. But this angel known as the destroyer/Abaddon/Apollyon, has another name. Gog.
Amos 7:1 Thus has the Lord God shewed me; and, behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east; and, behold, one caterpillar, king Gog. 2 And it came to pass when he had finished devouring the grass of the land, that I said, Lord God, be merciful; who shall raise up Jacob? for he is small in number. 3 Repent, O Lord, for this. And this shall not be, saith the Lord.
4 Thus has the Lord shewed me; and, behold, the Lord called for judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and devoured the Lord’s portion. 5 Then I said, O Lord, cease, I pray thee: who shall raise up Jacob? for he is small in number. Repent, O Lord, for this. 6 This also shall not be, saith the Lord.
Gog is the king of the locusts (as mentioned in the Book of Amos) and Gog is also a place. If we look at Gog with the understanding that Gog is the locust king, the same destroyer who either passed over or killed the first born in Egypt and who also killed those who murmured over Moses and Aaron, we will understand Ezekiel 38 and 39 much better.
Ezekiel 38:16-19 (AMP)
16 And you shall come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. In the latter days I will bring you against My land, that the nations may know, understand, and realize Me when My holiness shall be vindicated through you [vindicated and honored in your overwhelming destruction], O Gog, before their eyes.
17 Thus says the Lord God: Are you he of whom I have spoken in olden times by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for years that I would bring you [Gog] against them?
18 But in that day when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, says the Lord God, My wrath shall come up into My nostrils.
19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I said, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking or cosmic catastrophe in the land of Israel,
The Book of Revelation is the time of vengeance and the Living God’s holiness will be vindicated. The Lord God spoke through the prophets for our benefit that He, the Lord, would bring Gog against them.
The Creator created beings and gave them freedom of will. He does not force his created beings to do the right thing. What do we know or understand of these beings and these places? We should remember the way the Lord spoke to Job as a reminder to our own selves. This fifth trumpet sounds crazy, and scary. If the destroyer/Abaddon/Gog came at two other occasions, he can and will come again. This time he won’t be alone, he will have an army of stinging locusts. The stinging goes on for five months. This is the first woe.
Revelation 9:12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
Revelation 9:12 G3588 The G3759 [2woe G3588 G1520 1one] G565 went forth, G2400 behold, G2064 comes G2089 still G1417 two G3759 woes G3326 after G3778 these.
There are two more woe’s. Again we notice that the earth is opening and releasing beings from the underworld to torture men. The trumpets are the time that the earth is cleansed by harming sin laden humans. If we remember who created the heavens and the earth which became formless, void, and dark, and remember the architect (the Spirit of Wisdom) who was also in the beginning, and also remember who the millennial king is, we will understand the need for the earth to shed evil. Let’s close with a look at Proverbs 8.
Proverbs 8:22-31 (AMP)
22 The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.
23 I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed.
24 When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 While as yet He had not made the land or the fields or the first of the dust of the earth.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it,
28 When He made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep,
29 When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth—
30 Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men.
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