Revelation 9 - Lake Erie Bible Church

Chapter 9
THE REVELATION TO JOHN
19. The very mention of locusts is designed to conjure up the image of God’s wrath and
certainly brings to mind the 8 th Egyptian plague. Exo.10:1-20
20. Others have described accounts of locust swarms that flew overhead for 5 days,
darkening the sky and leaving droppings everywhere, totally devastating the land.
21. Yet, these demon locusts are not allowed to harm the land or imbibe upon the natural
vegetation common to locusts. Rev.9:4a
22. These demons are referred to as locusts because they provide a function as locusts
historically have as a judgment of God and plague on mankind.
23. Vs.3b then records the act of Divine sovereignty associated with this trumpet, “and
power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power”.
24. The term “power/e v x o u s i , a – exousia” has a base meaning of decision-making, the
power or authority to act in a specific manner.
25. Both nuances are in view as these creatures are given authority over those that dwell
on the earth as well as power to inflict harm and pain on them similar to a scorpion
sting (vs.5).
26. Again it is clear that even under God’s permissive will, nothing happens unless God
allows it, a regular theme in the Bible denoting He controls all aspects of history.
27. There may be those that think Satan has autonomy from God and can do as he
pleases, but that is simply not the case.
28. Further, we should readily see that all the actions of Satan and his evil forces are part
of the Divine Decrees and God is using their evil to advance His plan and fulfill His
purposes. Job.42:2; Isa.46:10; Jer.4:28
29. We are now introduced to the first point of dissimilarity between these demonic
creature and literal locusts as they are liken to scorpions completely uncharacteristic
of the grasshopper family.
30. Specifically, their power is likened to that of scorpions that are venomous arthropods
that are considered to be relatives of spiders, mites, and ticks.
31. Scorpions are linked with snakes as dangerous residents of the desert (though found
in all types of habitat), and the scorpion became a metaphor for terrible punishment in
the OT. Deu.8:15; 1Kgs.12:11
32. Scorpions are characterized by an elongated body with a segmented tail that is tipped
with a venomous stinger.
33. Scorpions are nocturnal, predatory animals that feed on a variety of insects, spiders,
centipedes, small lizards, mice, and other scorpions.
34. The venom of scorpions is used to capture its prey and is comprised of a complex
mixture of neurotoxins (poisons that act on the nervous system) and other substances.
35. Generally speaking, the venom of most species of scorpions is not deadly to humans
in spite of the fact that it has a reputation for being so.
36. The venom will produce severe pain and swelling at the site of the sting, and can
result in numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing, muscle spasms,
and convulsions.
37. With this understanding, one can recognize that when these creatures have power
given to them that is likened to scorpions, it denotes a painful and destructive
power, but not fatal.
Lake Erie Bible Church
P-T Ken Reed
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