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Home , Abaddon, Revelation 11

UNLEASHING THE DEMONIC HORDES 9:1-21 2/11/07 PM

Satan is the prince of the fallen known as demons.

Satan and his demons have been at work tempting and attacking humans since the Garden of Eden. Their ultimate goal has always been to destroy humanity and drive a wedge between mankind and God. Up to this time God has severely limited their ability to attacked people. Satan had to ask permission for everything that God allowed him to do to job. People today are given over unto Satan when they are put under church discipline. Cf 1 Corinthians 5:5 A time will come when the invisible warfare that people experience today will be nothing compared to the frontal attack of the enemy’s army during the Great Tribulation. We see them unleashed in the 5th and 6th trumpet judgments. 1. The Fifth Trumpet: Releasing Demons From The 9:1-12 a. The Demons Released 1-2 The word star is often used in the of someone who is prominent or powerful. Of people, angels, church leaders, and Satan Notice that this star had fallen from heaven some time in the past. It is a fallen . This is permitted to open the bottomless pit and release these bound demons. Some demons are free and some are bound in . 1 Peter 3:19-20 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 2 Peter 2:4-5 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; Jude 1:6-7 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. CF Genesis 6:1-4 God sometimes allows unchained demons, using their own evil intentions, to ultimately fulfill His purposes. Cf Job 1-2 1 Corinthians 5:5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in . Satan and demons are only permitted to do what God allows them to do. We need not fear!!! James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the and he will flee from you. 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. The keys belong to Jesus :18; 3:7

2 The “bottomless pit” (Abyss) is the place where some of the fallen angels are kept. Luke 8:31 :7; 17:8; 20:1-3 b. The Demons’ Power 3-6 Their power is great, but it is limited by God. 4 They cannot hurt the vegetation 4 They cannot hurt the 144,000 who have God’s seal 5 They cannot kill anyone 5 They torment is limited to 5 months c. The Demons’ Appearance 7-10 7 Locust like horses prepared for battle on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold Stephanos- victors crowns- unstoppable their faces were like the faces of men. Intelligent, rational beings 8 the hair like the hair of women Most likely emphasizes their seductiveness their teeth were like the teeth of lions. Fierce ripping and tearing 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron Protected from destruction the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. There is no escaping them 10 They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. d. The Demons’ Leader vv. 11 and Apollyon both mean “destroyer”

3 Abaddon is used 6 times in the Old Testament. Some think it is referring to Satan. It most likely refers to one of his high-ranking lieutenants. 12 The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things. 2. The Sixth Trumpet: Satanic Slaughter 9:13-21 a. Four Angels Released vv. 13-15 They have been bound, so they are fallen angels. (demons) b. Their Army Described vv. 16-19 200 million Are these human armies or demons that they are leading? c. Their Deadliness Counted vv. 15, 18 They killed 1/3 of mankind. ¼ of the world’s population was killed during the fourth seal (:7-8) So by this point over ½ of the world’s population has perished. d. Mankind’s Response vv. 20-21 W would love to imagine that unbelievers would see these supernatural event, respond to the preaching of the 144,000 missionaries and be saved. But they harden their hearts and continue to worship demons and idols They continue in murder, sorceries, immorality, and thefts. Though given a chance to be saved, they will not repent. So What Now? a. Although demons are powerful and intimidating, they are limited by the power of . Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son 4 Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 5:6-9 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. b. We, who believe, should proclaim the good news of the gospel to all who will listen now. Vance Havner: The real test of how much we believe prophetic truth is what we are doing to warn men to flee from the wrath to come . . .To believe the solemn truths of prophecy and then make our way complacently through a world of sin and shame is not merely unfortunate, it is criminal.

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