Revelation 9 - Lake Erie Bible Church

Chapter 9
THE REVELATION TO JOHN
38. One major difference we will see between these creatures and scorpions is that
scorpions are not aggressive and will generally only attack when threatened; if you
get stung, it is likely only a defensive response.
39. Vs.4a further indicates that we are not speaking of literal locusts, “And they were
told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor
any tree”.
40. The opening phrase is literally “And it was said to them” indicating a personal
address.
41. It is clear at the time of their release that the events described under the 1st trumpet
have not yet fully come to pass.
42. As we have suggested, this scenario coincides with the nuclear holocaust upon the
U.S. that will take some months to have its full affect upon the planet.
43. These creatures are apparently so destructive when they are released that they have to
be restrained from completely destroying the earth’s environment.
44. While the environment is protected from these creatures, their power to harm is
extended to mankind in vs.4b, “but only the men who do not have the seal of God
on their foreheads ”.
45. That mankind is not exempt is seen in the exception clause introduced by “e i , m h . – ei
me/but, if not, except or unless”.
46. All men that fall into the category of not having the seal of God on their foreheads
are subject to the incredibly debilitating power of these creatures.
47. The only group that is specifically stated to be exempt from these creatures and their
trauma are the 144,000 that were sealed in chapter 7, unless others are sealed and we
are not told.
48. This certainly documents the fact that the 144,000 Jewish males will still be present
and protected on planet earth during Daniel's 70th week and even during the heights
of the worst devastations and attacks in the A/C.
49. The question that is not addressed here is whether or not all men (believers and
unbelievers) will be subject to this plague, or if God will also supernaturally protect
believers from this torture.
50. Two possibilities exist:
A. God seals all that believe after the rapture and we are only told of the 144,000.
2Tim.2:19
B. Believers and unbelievers alike will be subject to this plague, just as they are
subject to the wormwood water and other judgments.
51. Based on the statement that the eagle makes in Rev.8:13, coupled with the fact that
God knows who are His, the implication is that believers will not be subject to this
torture, since these three woes are directed toward “those who dwell on the earth”.
Cp.Rev.9:20-21
52. Vs.5 provides more specific information about the power that they will be given over
mankind, “And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five
months ”. as seen in the passive verb di,dwmi (didomi—give).
53. While the passive verbs in vss.3-5 do not have a discreet subject identified, most
interpreters recognize that the agent is God.
Lake Erie Bible Church
P-T Ken Reed
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