Revelation: Trumpets of Warning

Revelation 9:1-21 

John Newton (1725-1807) was a slave trader until Jesus transformed his life. He became a pastor and songwriter while working to abolish slavery. Amazing Grace is one of his many hymns.

Newton preached fifty sermons on the biblical passages used in Handel’s Messiah.  One sermon is titled “The Lord Reigneth.” In that sermon, here’s what Newton said about the book of Revelation:

Being chiefly prophetical, [Revelation] will not perhaps be fully understood until the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near. But while the learned commentators have been hitherto divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts of this book well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians.[1]

I agree with Newton. The book of Revelation won't be fully understood until we experience it ourselves. Although many parts are perplexing, much of the book can be ascertained by “plain Christians.” Our goal is to grasp its deep truths without getting lost in the details. This study is for “plain Christians!” 

Last time, we discussed the first four trumpet judgments that impacted the physical earth. Today, we proceed to the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments in Revelation 9. 

The Fifth Trumpet: Satanic Torture (Rev. 9:1-12)
When the fifth angel blew his trumpet, John “saw a star fallen from heaven to earth” (Rev. 9:1a). Note that this is a star that had previously fallen to the earth.

A star can symbolize an object or a person. In this passage, the fallen star represents a person because “he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit” (Rev. 9:1b). Most commentators agree that the fallen star is Satan. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!”[2]

The bottomless pit (or the abyss in some translations) is the dwelling place of demons kept for this time. When Satan opened the pit, John saw smoke rise from it, like smoke from a giant furnace. So much smoke poured out that it darkened the sun and the sky for a while (Rev. 9:2). Out of the smoke came a horde of locusts. They were given the “power of scorpions of the earth” (Rev. 9:3). 

The locusts were not allowed to harm the grass, plants, or trees, “but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” (Rev. 9:4). We know from Revelation 7 that the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel had a protective seal, and many others had likely trusted in Christ through their witness. Therefore, it seems that all believers alive at this point in the tribulation were safeguarded from this judgment. But here’s what happened to those who did not have the protective seal. 

Revelation 9:5-6
They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.  And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.

Those without God’s seal will be under the control of demons. They want to die, but the demons won't allow it. This suffering will last for five months. 

In Revelation 9:7-11, John describes the appearance of the locusts. He said they were “like horses prepared for battle” (Rev. 9:7). Their faces looked like humans with women’s hair and lions’ teeth. They wore something on their heads that looked like golden crowns (Rev. 9:7-8). John also describes “breastplates like ... iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle” (Rev. 9:9-10). Is this description a picture of demonic forces, or is it a picture of modern military aircraft? John had never seen warplanes or helicopters, but the description of “many chariots with horses rushing into battle” would certainly match the sound. One thing we do know: the demons or demon-controlled aircraft will have a leader calling the shots. His name is Abaddon in Hebrew, Apollyon in Greek (Rev. 9:11). 

Remember the eagle announcing three woes in Revelation 8:13? Now, we are told that the first woe has passed, leaving two more (Rev. 9:12). 

The Sixth Trumpet: Devasting War (Rev. 9:13-21)
When the sixth angel blew his trumpet, four angels were released who were “bound at the great river Euphrates” (Rev. 9:14). The angels had been prepared for the very “hour, the day, the month, and the year” of this destruction. They oversaw 200,000,000 troops who ultimately killed a third of mankind.

In Revelation 9:17-19, John describes what many see as modern warfare. John says, “This is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates…and the heads of the horses were like lions’ heads” (Rev. 9:17a). The descriptions of “fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths” (Rev. 9:17b) and the power “in their mouths and in their tails” (Rev. 9:19) could easily represent armed vehicles and military aircraft. 

Back in Revelation 6:8, the pale horse and its rider, Death, killed a quarter of the earth’s inhabitants. That would mean two billion people were killed based on the current world population. The devastating war caused by the sixth angel would kill a third of the remaining six billion. So, through the six trumpet judgments, half of today’s population would be wiped out. 

You might think that the remaining populace would turn to God. The destruction could only be described as apocalyptic and supernatural. Yet despite these urgent and shattering warnings, humanity still refuses to turn to God. John wrote: 

Revelation 9:20-21
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. 

The issue with humanity in these unimaginable times remains the same as it is now—we want to be our own god. Even during the tribulation, people will refuse to submit to the One reigning on the throne of heaven. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 9:1-21. Focus on the warnings and repeated invitations to repent.

Talking to God: How does God’s protection of those sealed in Christ (Rev. 9:4) encourage you in seasons of fear, uncertainty, or spiritual attack?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist you as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you want to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you're seeking spiritual guidance.

LIVING GROUNDED OPPORTUNITIES

REIGNITE YOUR MARRIAGE IN 2026!
Refocus, reconnect, and recharge your marriage—starting January 10 with an in-person kickoff and online classes, ending with a Valentine’s Day recommitment ceremony.
Make this the year your love grows stronger than ever!
Learn more and register: livinggrounded.org/marriage

EXPERIENCE THE BIBLE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
Join us for a one-day Bible Immersion Experience at The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Explore the stories, artifacts, and history that will bring Scripture to life!
Date: January 17, 2026
Departure: 6:00 AM | Return: 11:00 PM
Don’t miss this inspiring trip!
Learn more and register: livinggrounded.org/biblemuseum

JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND! 
Join Living Grounded Ministry on an unforgettable Bible Immersion Experience to Israel, from November 4–15, 2026. Walk where Bible events happened, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. 
We’d love for you to be a part of this special tour—stay tuned for more details!