In Revelation chapter 8 we read about judgment being sent
onto the earth after the first four trumpets sounded. We are also alerted to
the increasing severity of the judgments to come. Though the crises that occur
are severe, the fifth trumpet marks the beginning of satan’s fierce onslaught
against Man. As the fifth trumpet sounds, the door to the bottomless pit is
opened.
Satan’s demons arise from the pit to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The seal of God protects the minds of those who are saved. The demons are able to afflict and torment the minds of the unsaved because of their ability to cause fear; for fear brings torment (1 Jn 4:18). Perfect love casts out fear, therefore the demons cannot touch the minds protected by love.
The Lord profiles these demons as being liars and presenting falsehood. They appear to wear a victor’s crown and have women’s hair, representing strength and the glory of a bride. A man’s thoughts are the glory of his mind, and the woman is the glory of the man. Ye,t the thoughts these demons bring into the minds of men are false. The sting of the tail represents falsehood (see Isaiah 9:15). Those who listen to these demons will become unstable in their thoughts because the thoughts that seem wonderful at first will sting them in the end.
The mental instability caused by listening to these demons will not slay men; it will just torment them for five months. The number five is symbolic of service, or serving in one’s intended calling. For a time, many men will serve satan’s demons in their minds by agreeing with evil and accusatory thoughts. The demons ride horses whose wings make sounds like the thunder of horses running to battle. This represents their ability to strike the minds of men with overwhelming fear. The breast plates of iron represent man’s inability to slay them. God’s provision for protection is in the seal He places on the foreheads of those who love Him and their fellow Man. Those who don’t (love Him and their fellow man) have no protection and will suffer torment.
The iron teeth of these demons represent the ability to afflict severe, and possibly incurable wounds. We will see mental illness that does not respond to therapy or medications. We will see increases in suicide and murder, the ultimate mental illness. However, we must remember that in repentance is healing, and in obedience is overcoming.
The king of these demons, the Destroyer, is satan, who comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10). Jesus offers life to us. Perhaps, like Nebuchadnezzar, some who lose the soundness of their minds will repent, be restored, and will serve God, honoring Him with their lives (see Daniel 4: 36-37).
The demons depicted in Revelation chapter 9 will precede satan, preparing the hearts of the men they torment to become embittered against God. In this way satan seeks to gain the victory over God’s prized creation; Mankind. God offers forgiveness, and those who are formed into His image, forgive. Those who refuse to forgive will be handed over to their tormentors (Mt 18:34-35). Just as the greatest gift a man can receive is forgiveness from God, so the greatest gift he can give is to forgive his fellow man. In this way a man’s heart is protected from hate, and love will prepare him for an eternity with God.
Jesus defined love by living His life as a sacrifice; giving His life as a servant to God and for the benefit of others. So too, if we love as Jesus loved, we will serve God and live so as to benefit others. Those who live this way will have God’s seal of protection on their foreheads.
Satan’s demons arise from the pit to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The seal of God protects the minds of those who are saved. The demons are able to afflict and torment the minds of the unsaved because of their ability to cause fear; for fear brings torment (1 Jn 4:18). Perfect love casts out fear, therefore the demons cannot touch the minds protected by love.
The Lord profiles these demons as being liars and presenting falsehood. They appear to wear a victor’s crown and have women’s hair, representing strength and the glory of a bride. A man’s thoughts are the glory of his mind, and the woman is the glory of the man. Ye,t the thoughts these demons bring into the minds of men are false. The sting of the tail represents falsehood (see Isaiah 9:15). Those who listen to these demons will become unstable in their thoughts because the thoughts that seem wonderful at first will sting them in the end.
The mental instability caused by listening to these demons will not slay men; it will just torment them for five months. The number five is symbolic of service, or serving in one’s intended calling. For a time, many men will serve satan’s demons in their minds by agreeing with evil and accusatory thoughts. The demons ride horses whose wings make sounds like the thunder of horses running to battle. This represents their ability to strike the minds of men with overwhelming fear. The breast plates of iron represent man’s inability to slay them. God’s provision for protection is in the seal He places on the foreheads of those who love Him and their fellow Man. Those who don’t (love Him and their fellow man) have no protection and will suffer torment.
The iron teeth of these demons represent the ability to afflict severe, and possibly incurable wounds. We will see mental illness that does not respond to therapy or medications. We will see increases in suicide and murder, the ultimate mental illness. However, we must remember that in repentance is healing, and in obedience is overcoming.
The king of these demons, the Destroyer, is satan, who comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10). Jesus offers life to us. Perhaps, like Nebuchadnezzar, some who lose the soundness of their minds will repent, be restored, and will serve God, honoring Him with their lives (see Daniel 4: 36-37).
The demons depicted in Revelation chapter 9 will precede satan, preparing the hearts of the men they torment to become embittered against God. In this way satan seeks to gain the victory over God’s prized creation; Mankind. God offers forgiveness, and those who are formed into His image, forgive. Those who refuse to forgive will be handed over to their tormentors (Mt 18:34-35). Just as the greatest gift a man can receive is forgiveness from God, so the greatest gift he can give is to forgive his fellow man. In this way a man’s heart is protected from hate, and love will prepare him for an eternity with God.
Jesus defined love by living His life as a sacrifice; giving His life as a servant to God and for the benefit of others. So too, if we love as Jesus loved, we will serve God and live so as to benefit others. Those who live this way will have God’s seal of protection on their foreheads.
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