Revelation 9 - Lake Erie Bible Church

Chapter 9
THE REVELATION TO JOHN
52. Grammatically, the verb “have/e ; c w – echo” is a present tense following the usage of
past tenses in verses 7-9 and is designed to further emphasize the ongoing action of
the swarm as they torment their victims.
53. Secondly, the word for stings is separated from the initial clause and placed last to
emphasize and draw further attention to that stinger.
54. While it is not explicitly stated, the fact that the power to hurt men lies in their tails is
designed to point to the stinger as it is accentuated by the grammar.
55. Ironically, in a story dated May 1, 2003 “ The trendy and the elite in India's wealthy
western state of Gujarat, bored with mundane drugs, are turning to the sting of a
scorpion to get their kicks, a press report said yesterday. The Times of India said the
affluent head in their cars to tribal areas near the coastal town of Bharuch, where
scorpions abound, seeking their fixes. Locals have put up stalls under trees and keep
a number of the arachnids in tin cans with perforated lids. After the customer pays a
fee of 150 to 200 rupees (about $6.00) the scorpion is produced and placed on the
body of the thrill-seeker, who is then viciously stung. Users say after the initial pain
the venom produces an illusionary, floating feeling. "You won't die," promises one
vendor, named in the report only as Nathu. ‘You should try it at least once ... a
lifetime experience.’”
56. We can probably guarantee that this aspect of men’s STA will no longer seek the
thrills of lust in that area once these demons are engaged.
57. Yet, even with the means to reel in the STA provided in a magnified way, -V remains
incorrigible.
58. John reiterates the facts introduced earlier in vss.4-5 that these creatures have their
power limited (they could easily kill all men), and are allowed to function only for a
specific period.
59. This is the third mention of time in this judgment and collective and sequentially they
denote:
A. The first mention of 5 months emphasizes the beginning of the period of
judgment. Vs.5
B. The phrase “in those days” fills in the gap. Vs.6
C. The final mention of 5 months emphasizes its conclusion.
60. Vs.11 then confirms the interpretation that these are not to be taken as literal locusts,
“They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is
Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon”.
61. As the Bible states, real locusts do not have kings. Pro.30:27
62. The very suggestion of a king implies the concept of organization, a hierarchy, and
purpose.
63. It is recognized that there is a certain principle of internal unity and a description of
the power of effective leadership in the ranks of the fallen angels. Eph.6:10ff
64. While we are provided his name in two languages, we are not specifically told who
this king is again causing speculation with 4 feasible primary views:
A. The angel of the abyss is the same angel that blew the trumpet in 9:1.
B. The angel of the abyss is the same person as the angel/star that fell to the earth in
9:1.
C. The angel of the abyss is the same as the beast that ascends from the abyss in
Rev.11:7.
Lake Erie Bible Church
P-T Ken Reed
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