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Home , Abyss (religion), Revelation 11, Revelation 9

Woes #1 and #2 The 5th & 6th Trumpet Judgments

REV. 9:1-2 Ø WOE #1: The 5TH TRUMPET is Sounded—Plague of Demonic Locusts th The 5 TRUMPET is sounded. This TRUMPET JUDGMENT introduces a plague of ‘locusts’ with tails that sting like scorpions that are unleashed from the ‘bottomless1 pit2’ also called “the ”. We shall soon come to see that this is a description of demonic creatures used by God in Judgment. This judgment affects mankind and the earth’s atmosphere.

A “Star” (Gk. “aster”) was fallen from Heaven to earth and is referred to as “him” and “he” (vv. 1-2), denoting a heavenly messenger doing the LORD's bidding. So, unlike the ‘star’ rd described in the 3 TRUMPET JUDGMENT, we have a different kind of star here. This star appears to be person rather than a thing because it acts not only with intelligence but is given a key which “he” uses. No literal star could do this.

He [the “star”] is given the key to the bottomless pit or ‘abyss’ [see notes], which in this context can be considered a prison that is a deep shaft sealed with a hatch. Refer to Figure 9-1.

Possible Location of the Abyss: • The abyss is identified in connection with the ‘place of the dead’ in Romans 10:6-7 and which refers to (Heb) or Hades (Gk). See also Jonah 2:1-7 and Matt. 12:38-40. • However, there are two compartments in Sheol/Hades as we learn from in Luke 16:22- 26. A place of torment and a place of peace and rest, referred to by Jesus as ‘Paradise’ in Luke 23:40-43. When Jesus ascended into Heaven one of the things He apparently did was take the believers in Paradise Sheol with Him for such is implied in Eph. 4:7-10. This corresponds to the time that Jesus said that the Son of Man would be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”, i.e., Sheol {Matt. 12:40}. Thus, for a Christian to die (be absent from the body) is to be present with 2 Cor. 5:6-8 and that’s in Heaven where Christ is “on the right hand of God” {Acts 7:55-56; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:1; 1 Pet. 3:22}. • In 2 Peter 2:4 the angels that “sinned” (i.e., rebelled, “missed the mark”) were cast “down” to a place called “tartaroo” in the Greek, from “Tartaros”, the abyss of Hades according to Greek usage. This was the deepest part of Hades. It should be remembered that Hades is not , Gehenna or the "Lake of Fire", but is separate and distinct place. Hades itself, along with death and the unsaved, will be thrown into the LAKE OF FIRE {Rev. 20:14} at the end of the 1000 years. This event is referred to as the “second death”. • In Luke 8:30-31 the Jesus confronted [Legion] feared to be sent to the ‘deep’ (Gk. ‘abussos’: abyss) and pleaded with Him not to be sent there.

1 bottomless [12 abussos (ab'-us-sos)] abyss, lit. “without depth”; depthless. This word is also translated “deep” in Luke 8:31; Romans 10:7. It appears that a who comes from the abyss (:7; 17:3, 7-8) energizes (possesses) the 10-horned, 7-headed beast from the sea: the anti-Christ. Perhaps the same as the one called “Apollyon” in verse 11. pit [ 5421 phrear (freh'-ar)] refers to a pit or well dug for water, a cistern or well; a mine shaft or hole in the ground. Therefore, “bottomless pit” means lit. “well (hole, shaft) without depth”. (i.e. it's bottom cannot be seen or usually reached in this mortal life). Figuratively, an abyss (as a prison); like a missile silo with locking hatch 2 pit [ 5421 phrear (freh'-ar)] refers to a pit or well dug for water, a cistern or well; a mine shaft or hole in the ground. Therefore, “bottomless pit” means lit. “well (hole, shaft) without depth”. (i.e., its bottom cannot be seen or reached using conventional methods). Revelation 9 -1- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel IDENTITY OF THE STAR: We have already concluded that this ‘star’ is an angelic being that is given the key to the ‘bottomless pit’ (see notes on :20 for stars symbolizing angels). This star is different, rd therefore, from the literal star mentioned at the sounding of the 3 TRUMPET.

Although at least three notable scholars whom I admire tremendously, J. Vernon McGee, John F. Walvoord and Jon Courson all say this angelic being is /Lucifer who will be cast out of Heaven {Rev. 12:7-9}; I respectfully disagree for the following reasons:

• God will not need Satan to help judge the world and usher in Christ’s Kingdom. Even the idea that Satan would ‘relish’ the opportunity to release the vilest of demonic creatures from their prison upon mankind, I do not think God would give this job to him. {For an example of this see Acts 16:16-18}. • Christ Jesus holds all the keys {e.g., Rev. 1:18} including the one to the bottomless pit and I do not think He is going to hand it over to Satan. • If this ‘star’ was such an important angel as Satan then the ‘he’ would probably be associated with one of his other names such as “dragon”, “ancient serpent” or ‘the devil’ as elsewhere (e.g. :9; 20:2). • But finally, and conclusively, in :1-3, apparently this same angel reappears having the key to the bottomless pit but is also holding a great chain and takes Satan, lays hold of him, and casts him into the bottomless pit, shuts him up and puts a seal on him for 1000 years! Satan would not lay hold of himself, bind himself with a chain and cast himself into the abyss - after all, his messengers the demons did not want to go there. (Luke 8:30-31). Satan is not divided against himself (Matt. 12:25-26; Mark 3:26; Luke 11:17-22).

There is an old goldmine in Grass Valley, California, called the Empire Mine which has one of the deepest main shafts of any mine in the world – 8 miles deep! This mine is open to visitors and its entrance is well lit. However, when one stands on the steps at the top of the mine shaft and peers down into the throat of this hole, the tracks that the mine cars used to ride on disappear into literal ‘blackness’. No matter how hard one tries to see past a certain point there is only blackness. This is an example of an ‘abyss’.

There is evidently a lower part of Hades, reserved for the fallen angels or demons, where they are held prisoners, i.e., ‘chained’ until some are called upon by God to be used in His Judgment during the GREAT TRIBULATION. The abyss is where Satan will be bound for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3). Refer to the schematic diagram shown in Figure 9-1.

th At the sounding of the 5 TRUMPET then, a way is made open from the deepest part of Hades, the abyss, releasing a demonic army of creatures described as “locusts” which torment all those who do not have the SEAL OF GOD on their foreheads. They will be allowed to do this for five months.

Smoke from the abyss will rise like from a great furnace, further darkening the sun and air and making the sun and moon both appear red like blood. (NOTE: In Ephesians 2:2 we are told that Satan is the “prince of the power of the air”! This world, the earth, sea and air, which has been corrupted by Satan and men acting under his influence, is now being judged by God).

Revelation 9 -2- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel

-3- REV. 9:3-6 Ø THE ACTIONS OF THE DEMONIC “LOCUST” ARMY The action of the angel opening the bottomless pit causes ‘locusts’ to come out upon the earth. But these cannot be real locusts – they have the general appearance of a horse prepared for battle but they also have an arching, stinging tail like a scorpion. They are not real locusts but like them they are numerous and voraciously attack not the vegetation but mankind.

So what or who could these demonic locusts be? We know that they come from the bottomless pit and have seen [Figure 9-1] that this to be a place located deeper than Hades. It may then be the place that the apostle Peter describes in 2 Peter 2:4…….

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartaros and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment….

……..and which are extremely rebellious according to Jude 1:6:

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode3, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day…..

th But with the 5 TRUMPET plague these demonic creatures are freed from their prison and used by the LORD to punish the rebellious and those who are unrighteous.

These demonic locusts are given power like that of the scorpion, with ‘tails’ that sting men. In the Old Testament, locusts and scorpions were very prominent as instruments of God's judgment. See for example:

locusts: Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 1:1-20 scorpions: Numbers 21:5,6; Deuteronomy 8:11-17 divine judgement: Deuteronomy 28:38, 42; Nahum 3:15, 17 and Amos 7:1-3.

LOCUST CONTRASTS: We will come to see that there are three things distinctively different about these locust creatures compared to real locusts: • Real locusts eat vegetation – these are specifically told not to eat any vegetation (fruits and vegetables), grass or tree but only to torment men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. That is, only the non-believers will be tormented (not killed) in this fashion for five months. • Real locusts do not have a leader {Prov. 30:27} and they voraciously eat vegetation at random – these locust creatures have a king over them. • Real locusts do not have a stinging tail – these locust creatures do.

Locust plagues are well known in the Middle East where they are called ‘the armies of God’ since they can lay waste a whole country by their immense numbers and enormous appetites. They are known to strip even the bark off of trees {see e.g. Jeremiah 46:23 and Joel 1:4}.

While flying, a plague of locusts can occupy a space 10 to 12 miles long, 4 to 5 miles wide and be so thick and dense the sun cannot shine through4 - day is literally turned into ‘night’!

3 Refer to Genesis 6:1-6; Job 1:6; 2:1. 4 From Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Revelation 9 -4- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel It is interesting to note that the sting of a scorpion can produce results similar to that reported for demon possession i.e. falling to the ground in pain, gnashing one's teeth and foaming form the mouth. It will be men's desire to die, but they will not be able to. This is a "preview" of the Lake of Fire where Jesus says that “their worm does not die”.

In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 it says “the sting of death is sin”, but during the GREAT TRIBULATION mankind is so involved in sin and rebellion (it becomes the norm with everyone) that they are made ‘immune’ to physical death including that of the demonic locusts.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 tells us that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”! They will speak lies in hypocrisy and have their conscience “seared with a hot iron”! In other words, they will call “good evil and evil good” and they will be totally deceived and without feeling (see also 2 Timothy 3:1-7).

To those who rebel against God; to those who actively hate Him, who do not love the Truth but suppress His truth (Romans 1:18), God will send a “...... strong delusion” so that they will believe the “lie” of the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). There will be no “gray” areas, no “sitting on the fence” over the issue of Christ Jesus during the Great Tribulation; every decision will be “black & white”.

Matthew 24:37-39 Jesus tells us that “as the days of Noah were ..... so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”. In Genesis 6:5 we learn that during the days of Noah that the sin and rebellion of men was so great upon the earth and also that every imagination of the desires of men (“thoughts of the heart”) was only evil continually that it literally “grieved” the LORD in His heart ! He was sorry He made men. What a sad and shameful commentary on the sinful condition men can degenerate into! We shall see the same nature of men during the sounding of the 6th Trumpet, Rev. 9:20-21. See especially Romans 1:18-32 which gives an explanation of this process.

But, praise the LORD, that just as “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD”, many will find salvation during the Great Tribulation period (see Revelation 20:4).

REV. 9:7-10 Ø The Description of the Demonic “Locust” Army

This “locust army” is an awesome sight for John to see and he describes them as arrayed for battle - demonic creatures, yet with familiar characteristics:

• in general appearance shaped like horses • on their heads were crowns like gold • their faces resembled that of a man (human-like) • they had hair like a woman (long and fine) • they had teeth like that of a lion (strong and sharp) • they wore breastplates like iron • they had wings which sound like the chariots of many horses running into battle • They had tails like scorpions with a sting

This is the terrible “army” Joel's describes which will come and cover the earth just like locusts. See :1-14.

Revelation 9 -5- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel REV. 9:11 Ø THE ‘KING’ OF THE DEMONIC LOCUST ARMY This locust army is also organized; it has a king leading them, a demonic angel from the abyss, whose name in both Hebrew [] and Greek [Apollyon] means “destroyer”—this demonic king is named after Satan.

The leader of the demonic locust army is called Apollyon (derived from Gk. Apollumi to ruin or destroy fully). This then may be identifying the demon which energizes (possesses?) the anti-Christ (also known as the ‘lawless one’ or ‘man of sin’) by Satan’s power, throne and authority. (:2). For in :8 with 7 heads and 10 horns, upon which False Religion rides, is described as having come from the abyss and will go into perdition, that is, “destruction”. This is the beast described as “who was, is not, yet is” in the same verse.

We are told in Rev. 11:7 that the Beast ‘out of the sea’ with 7 heads and 10 horns described in Revelation 13:1-2 comes from the bottomless pit. So perhaps this high-ranking demon will possess the Lawless One (anti-Christ) so as to impersonate someone coming back from the grave? This occurs when the dragon [Satan] gives the anti-Christ his power, throne and authority. Compare Rev. 13:1-2 with Rev. 11:7; 17:3, 7-8.

It has been understood that these demonic locusts are ‘fallen angels” who are exceptionally evil and powerful for God to have imprisoned them in the abyss. These we are told have a ‘king’ over them named Abaddon/Apollyon [DESTROYER]. It is sometimes a name assigned to Satan. Perhaps this is the demon that Satan uses to possess the man of sin also called the ‘lawless one’ or anti-Christ when he give this man his power, throne and authority {Rev. 13:2}. It would in that sense explain the fact that the anti-Christ [the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns] comes up from the bottomless pit. Compare Rev. 13:1-2 with Rev. 11:7; 17:3, 7-8.

In contrast, the Beast ‘out of the earth’ in Rev. 13:11-18 is the human counter-part to the first Beast; he is the anti-Christ, the “man of sin”, the ‘lawless one’ which gives out the “mark of the beast”. This second beast is also called the “false prophet” in :13.

th th th REV. 9:12 Ø One “Woe” is past [5 TRUMPET], but two more “Woes” are to come (6 and 7 TRUMPETS). The first ‘Woe’ was pretty terrible – but her is the reminder that there are still two more to go!

REV. 9:13-15 Ø WOE #2: The 6TH TRUMPET is Sounded—200 Million Man Army

Revelation 9 -6- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel th The 6 TRUMPET is sounded. John hears a voice calling forth from the four horns of the golden altar before the throne of God cries out and orders four angels to be released. These four angels are said to have been bound at the great river Euphrates for such a time as this.

The golden altar mentioned here is a ‘master pattern’ altar. Note the bronze altar was one of the pieces ‘furniture’ used for sacrifice in both the Jewish Tabernacle and later the Temple. It had four ‘horns’, one on each corner, that could be used for tying down the sacrifice5. The earthly Tabernacle of the Israelites was set-up after the pattern in Heaven and as such was a fore- shadowing of things there {e.g., Heb. 8:5; 9:23-24} and we see an example of that here. Compare Revelation 11:19 where both the ark of God’s covenant and the tabernacle are seen.

Worship is to be based on praise and thanksgiving, prayer and sacrifice. On the Day of Atonement {Leviticus 23:26-32}, blood was taken from the altar of sacrifice [outside the tabernacle, the bronze altar] and sprinkled upon the four horns of the altar of prayer [which stood before the veil of the “Holy of Holies”]. See Exodus 38:33-39; 40:24-29 and Numbers 4:9-11.

The place that was used to provide atonement through animal blood, now serves to judge mankind for shedding innocent blood. From the place of prayer and sacrifice now originates Judgment from the LORD. Again, in answer to the prayers of Jewish believers at the opening of th the 5 SEAL, Rev. 6:9-11.

nd The following outline describes and summarizes the progression of the 2 WOE JUDGMENT:

(1) Restraint is Released (2) Repentance is Rejected (3) Result is Ruin (4) Reaction is Resistance

Again, some Bible scholars think that because these angels are ‘bound’ they must be demonic because God would not need to ‘tie up’ a good angel and no man would be able to do it.

However, although the word for ‘bound’ used here usually does refer to something tied up, it can also mean to be constrained until the proper time – waiting for the right time.

For example, in John 4:4 we are told that; “But He [Jesus] needed to [‘BOUND TO’] go through Samaria” in the sense he was constrained to. And indeed, that is the sense which is given here; for these angels are not activated until the hour, day, month and year was exactly right.

The four angels (messengers) at the Euphrates River then are not Satan's helpers, but are God's. They have been prepared for the hour, day, month and year for divinely motivated judgment, not demonically motivated judgment - the LORD is in control here. These angels prepare the way for this mighty army of 200 million men to slay 1/3 a part of men.

Note that this is the same fraction first four TRUMPET JUDGMENTS.

5 The sacrificial bronze altar use in the Jewish Tabernacle was designed with four protrusions or ‘horns’ on each corner that could be used to help tie down the sacrifice so it would not slip off the altar. Refer to Exodus 27:1-2. Revelation 9 -7- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel The four angels which were waiting at the river Euphrates are loosed and they prepare the way for an army of 200 million horsemen6 who slay 1/3 of the men, but there is going to be no repentance among the survivors! Where does this massive army come from?

th The clue is given in the corresponding 6 BOWL OF WRATH plague described in Revelation 16:12. In that judgment the Euphrates River actually dries up—a formidable military obstacle is taken out of the way7. The way is prepared for the “kings of the east” to cross over into the Middle East for the Battle of ! (Revelation 16:16).

NOTE: “East”: In :2 and 16:12 the word “east” is really a translation of two Greek words: ‘anatole’; rising and ‘helios’; sun. Together they literally mean “of the rising sun” the traditional name given to the region of the Orient!

This then describes a massive oriental army which most likely refers to China. It is interesting to note that China has boasted of a standing army of the same exact number8 given here, 200 million troops since the mid-1960’s! [This represents almost one fifth (1/5th) of their total population]. It was Napoleon who made the statement: “China is a sleeping giant and God pity the generation that wakes her up.”

THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ARMY: To get an appreciation of the sheer magnitude of such an army we can choose a hypothetical scenario. Let’s suppose that this army lost 100,000 soldiers each day and none of these soldiers were replaced. [This is more people that most U.S. cities and towns]. An army of 200,000,000 soldiers would last almost 5 ½ years at this casualty rate!

Comparing this with other wars we can get even a more amazing idea of the size of this army and its potential to kill 1/3 of mankind! In the War Between the States [American Civil War] 630,000 soldiers were killed. In World War I about 10 million soldiers were killed; World War II about 25 million soldiers were killed; in the Korean War about 430,000 soldiers were killed and the Vietnam War a total number of about 1.3 million soldiers were killed. Note that these numbers only include the combatants, not any ‘civilians’. Table 9-1 below shows how long each of these wars would have lasted if the number of soldiers were killed at this same casualty rate – 100,000 troops per a day. All of these wars would have lasted less than a year and two less than a week.

Table 9-1. Duration of Modern Wars at 100,000 Daily Casualty Rate. Conflict/War Number of Deaths Duration of War American Civil War 630,000 6 ½ days World War I 10,000,000 100 days World War II 25,000,000 250 days Korean War 430,000 4 ½ days Vietnam War 1,300,000 13 days

6 What makes this number so astonishing and staggering to imagine is that the entire world’s population around the time John wrote this (95 AD) is estimated to have been between 170 million to 400 million people [from sources listed at the US Census Bureau's Historical Estimates of World Population]. This is equivalent to number of troops given here! 7 The Euphrates River is one of the widest and longest rivers in the world and is about 1700 miles long. 8 Time magazine, May 21, 1965, p.35. Revelation 9 -8- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel The judgment described here is very terrible and shocking, but those who have refused the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His mercy have nothing left but the “wrath of the Lamb”. We must also remember and understand that God's Word teaches us that the world and man stands judged guilty before God already, see John 3:14-21, i.e. man stands guilty of sin/pride/rebellion before God until declared righteous (innocent) by Christ's blood through faith in Him. For example, see Romans 3:19-28; Ephesians 2:1-10 and Titus 3:3-7.

In addition, the Lord is patient with us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:8-10. But we shall see that man has a free will and in spite of all the judgement and suffering, many will still refuse to repent because of pride and the sin they enjoy (vv. 20,21). Christ has come to proclaim the “acceptable year of the LORD”, but after comes “...... the day of Vengeance of our God” and “comfort to all that mourn” (see Isaiah 61:1,2 and Luke 4:16-21).

REV. 9:16-19 Ø DESCRIPTION OF THE WEAPONS OF THE ARMY From the description given John, this army is distinct from the “locust army” of the 5TH TRUMPET. Here they are like horses, not locusts, and have heads like lions. Fire, smoke and brimstone come from their mouths. This is what kills 1/3 part of the men left ... the horses have power is in their mouths and their tails which are described as “serpent's heads” these are used as weapons9.

Here the horsemen have breastplates which appear like10:

• fire (Gk. “purinos”) fiery, flaming. • jacinth (Gk. “huakinthinos”) refers to the dark blue of the hyacinth flower, e.g. blue iris, sapphire. • brimstone (Gk. “theiodes”) appearance of gods refers to the golden yellow color of sulfur, then to the sulfur itself. Places touched by lightning were called "theia" as if the gods came down, lightning can leave a sulfur smell. Sulfur was used in pagan purification rites. (Although yellow in color, sulfur burns with a dark blue flame !)

REV. 9:20 Ø THE JUDGED ARE UNREPENTANT In spite of the terrible conditions and judgments, men still refuse to repent. Instead they continue to murder one another, worship demons – deal in drugs and the occult, engage in gross immorality and pornography and practice theft and idolatry! Idolatry is linked to covetousness which refers to a spirit of materialism and greed, e.g. see Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5. Refer also Romans 1:16-32 which gives the progression of man’s wickedness.

9 There are many animals and insects which God has created with unusual powers. Take for example the Bombardier Beetle which can ignite and shoot a very hot liquid (~100 ºC) out of its rear end in rapid fire (40,000 times a sec) to burn the beetle's enemies. It even has a little nozzle which it can swivel for aiming. Perhaps man will find a way to adapt features such as this from the animal kingdom into his arsenal of weapons. 10 It is probably not wise to speculate exactly what these weapons are (some have seen ‘attack helicopters’ here). They could be new ones never seen before or they may be conventional weapons of the day. Either way, John is describing to the best of his knowledge what he is seeing – and it may be modern weapons of warfare or something else. Revelation 9 -9- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel Why the continued rebellion? Because these men enjoy sin! This is why it is so hard to get the message of the gospel of Christ Jesus through to people. What is ironic is that men are willing to worship blind, deaf, and lame idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood -- in stark contrast to the True God, JEHOVAH! For God's commentary on idolatry see:

• Psalms 115:1-8 • Isaiah 44:9-20 • Jeremiah 10:1-12 • Habakkuk 2:18-20

The answer to the folly of idolatry is given in Jeremiah 9:23-24.

REV. 9:21 Ø THE LACK OF REPENTANCE & UTTER DEPRAVITY OF THE SURVIVORS Men will not repent of their sinful attitudes and actions in spite of the worst suffering! Many of the survivor's hearts will be ‘"hardened’, this means that their “true colors”, i.e. their character and nature, will become evident. On this see e.g. Romans 1:16-32; 9:14-18; (Exodus 33:19). Compare the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 11:9-10.

Why such a hard heart? The apostle Paul explains what happens and warns us that salvation for those who reject the Gospel outright will not be possible in the day of the anti-Christ [the lawless one] for the following reasons:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. – 2 Thess. 2:9-12

Application: Unbelief is a very scary and serious place for a person to be and they usually do not even know it. So when you share the Gospel with those who are rejecting it, remind them that after death there is no second chance {Heb. 9:27}. And if they make it into the GREAT TRIBULATION there is no guarantee that they will believe if they don’t do so now. Today is the “acceptable year of the LORD but the vengeance of the LORD” is coming {Isaiah 61:2}. See also Hebrews 3:15-19. The apostle Paul puts it this way in 2 Cor. 6:2:

For He says11: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

The men who survived these 6 TRUMPET JUDGEMENTS did not repent of four specific sins:

• Murders (Gk. “phonos”) to slay, slaughter. Intentional killing, homicide. • Sorceries (Gk. “pharmakeia”) medication, drugs, and by extension the use of drugs associated with magic, sorcery, witchcraft, the occult and idolatry. It is interesting to note that in 1 Samuel 15:23 that rebellion is the same as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness the same as idolatry.

11 Isaiah 49:8. Revelation 9 -10- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel • Fornication (Gk. “porneia”) harlotry, unlawful or immoral sexual desire for either sex, includes adultery, homosexuality and incest. Figuratively refers to idolatry. • Thefts (Gk. “klemma”) the act of taking what one does not own, the act of stealing which comes from a greedy attitude. Tied in with idolatry thru materialism. Comes from the Greek word "klepto" which means "to steal" and where we get our word "kleptomaniac". Note that a man is not a thief because he steals – rather, he steals because he is a thief! That is, all of these sins are a heart attitude.

It is worth reproducing the following commentary of Rev. 9:13-21 given by Dr. J. A. Seiss from his book, The , p. 106. What makes this commentary so amazing is not just the clear th interpretation of the conditions that are described when the 6 TRUMPET is sounded, but that this was written over 100 years ago—in 1906! Such is the timeless truth of God’s Word in every generation.

MURDER will be among the most common of crimes. Sensual and selfish passion will make sad havoc of human life, with no serious thought about it on the part of the leaders of public sentiment. Feticide [i.e., abortion], infanticide, homicide, and all forms of sin against human life, will characterize society, and be tolerated and passed as if no great harm were done. And well would it be for us, if such were not largely the state of things even now.

SORCERIES, impure practices with evil agencies, and particularly with poisonous drugs, is also given as one of the dominant forms of vice and sin in those days. The word especially includes tampering with one's own or another's health, by means of drugs, potions, intoxications, and often with magical arts and incantations, the invocation of spiritual agencies, the putting under influences promotive of sins of impurity both physical and spiritual. We have only to think of the use of alcoholic stimulants (NOTE: Matheetees, Apocalypse Expounded, says: "It is remarkable, that the sin of drunkenness is not among those here enumerated." He is entirely mistaken. The word [pharmakeia] – the use of [pharmaka] – directly embraces indulgence in intoxicating potions. It is a generic term including drunkenness among its leading species), of opium, of tobacco, of the rage for cosmetics and medicaments to increase love attractions, of resorts to the pharmacopoeia in connection with sensuality-- of the magical agents and treatments alleged to come from the spirit-world for the benefit of people in this-- of the thousand impositions in the way of medicines and remedial agents, encouraging mankind to recklessness in transgression with the hope of easily repairing the damages of nature's penalties-- of the growing prevalence of crime induced by these things, setting loose and stimulating to activity the vilest passions, which are eating out the moral sense of society-- for the beginnings of that moral degeneracy to which the seer here alludes as characteristic of the period when the sixth trumpet is sounded.

And interlinked with these sorceries, and reacting the one on the other, will also be the general subversion of marriage and its laws, and the deluging of society with the sins of fornication and adultery. The Apostle uses the word “FORNICATION” alone, as embracing all forms of lewdness, but as if to intimate that marriage will then be hardly recognized anymore. And already we hear the institution of legal wedlock denounced and condemned as tyrannical, and all rules, but those of affinity and desire, repudiated as unjust. Already, in some circles, we find the doctrines of free love put forth and defended in the name of right, a better religion, and a higher law. And it would be strange indeed, if the revival of the old pagan philosophies and religions, which justified, sanctioned, and sanctified promiscuous concubinage, did not also bring with it a revival of all these old pagan abominations. So also has the holy apostle written, that "in the last days ... men shall be ... incontinent." And here the seer enumerates "fornication" as one of the outstanding features in the social character of those times.

And last in the catalogue stands the statement of general and abounding DISHONESTY, the obliteration of moral distinctions, the disregard of other's rights, and the practice of fraud, THEFT, and deceit wherever it is possible.

Revelation 9 -11- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel It is appalling to note that many of the computer video games played by millions of people (mostly by those under the age of 25) promote and glorify the self same sins enumerated above! These type of computer games are nothing more than “spiritual pornography” (i.e., spiritual fornication and idolatry). They glorify the occult, sex, hate, rebellion, destruction and killing. Just as people become addicted to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, sex and death, they are becoming addicted to video games. These games visually (64-bit graphics) and audibly (hi-tech sound electronics) depict and allow the player(s) to indulge in these sins with graphic detail.

Some of these “games” are literally training children how to kill another human accurately and without remorse by using the same psychological and physical training methods used by law enforcement and military organizations. Namely, through the technique of “desensitization”, rapid hand-eye coordination and repetition. Just listen to some of the video game titles, they speak for themselves. NOTE: The following are the actual words in the ads.

12 LEGACY OF KAIN: SOUL REAVER : The advertisement for this game declares; [“Destroying your enemies isn’t enough .... you must devour their souls”]. Features promoted are: “Shift real-time between the material and spectral planes.” “Dark gothic story”. A review states: “ Vampire fans get ready – Soul Reaver could be the ultimate thriller ....” – GamePro magazine.

DOOM: One ad for this game says; [“We made it the toughest ever because you look so good in black.” “The last and most brutal Doom there will ever be ...... So now you can go out in a blaze of glory – or a body bag.”]. The ad openly, and obviously without a shred of shame, displays a goat's head pentagram (a primary Satanic symbol).

QUAKE: The advertisement for this game declares: [“Two player death match”. “ No tearful hugs. No warm handshakes. Just half a pound of buckshot to the chest. Or a railroad-size spike to the cranium. That’s how you say goodbye to a friend ....Because after all, nothing says you care like a load of screaming hot steel in somebody’s torso.”] Features promoted are: “The Nail Gun”. The ad shows a railroad spike flying through the air with the following messages displayed sequentially along the spike, from front to back: “Player 2, feels the sting of raw metal parting his skin and fatty tissues – Player 2 hears the grinding of his sternum as the spike passes through with ease – Player 2 lurches forward as rusty steel hollows out his chest cavity, bursting his inner organs.” “Player 1, despite himself, smiles.”

DESTREGA: The ad for this game states; [“Let the Slaughter Begin”.]

DEATHTRAP DUNGEON: The ad for this game glorifies sadomasochism and jokes about brutality. It states: “Beat me. Whip me. Just don’t hit that quit button”. It shows a woman dressed in skin hugging leather with the front slit down to her navel whipping a man chained to a wall.

12 This game is actually based on a modern vampire legend believed by many “Goths”. According to this legend, after Cain (i.e., Kain) killed his brother Abel (out of pride and envy; see Genesis 4:1-16) he was cursed to roam the earth as a vampire drinking the blood of his innocent victims. This is represented by the statement that “...... your brother’s blood cries out to me (God) from the ground”. Revelation 9 -12- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel The two young men attending Columbine High School in the Denver suburb of Littleton, who killed twelve of their classmates including a teacher trying to protect the students13, were both into violent, stalking type computer games noted for their realism. Twenty-three other students were wounded. The original plan also called for blowing up the school using improvised bombs made from propane tanks that failed to work as planned. When the shooting spree was over they turned their guns on themselves and committed suicide. Here is what one reporter says in his news report14:

Files on the Web site (Eric Harris’), discovered after the shootings, depicted him as an avid player of DOOM and QUAKE, two popular computer games in which players stalk their opponents through dungeon-like environments and try to kill them with high-powered weapons.

As Eric Harris and Dylan Kiebold blew away their fellow classmates (friends?) at the Columbine High School near Denver Colorado they were actually giggling – perhaps they thought they were only playing a "video game" that was just a little more realistic than the ones on their computer. The ultimate came when the two killed themselves with the same guns they had used to kill others.

This of course was a spiritual battle, God’s forces against Satan’s forces. It is documented that many of the kids were singled out and killed for their belief in God or Jesus Christ. See notes on Revelation 12:11.

Bibliography (1) New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988. (2) Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, 1 Corinthians-Revelation, Vol.5; The , J. Vernon McGee, pp. 876-1080, copyright © 1982 (3) The Apocalypse: Exposition of the Book of Revelation, by A Seiss, Copyright © 1998. (4) Bible Knowledge Commentary/, Cook Communications Ministries; Copyright © 1983, 2000. (5) Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright © 1986. (6) Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, New Testament, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tenn., Copyright © 2003.

13 This took place on April 20, 1999, the anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s suicide. Both Eric Harris and Dylan Kiebold wore swastika armbands to school and were into the “Gothic” sub-culture. 14 Press Enterprise, Thursday, April 22, 1999, p. A-9. Revelation 9 -13- Copyright  1999, 2007 K. G. Schiessel