The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet Judgments
I. OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST SIX TRUMPETS
A. The first four trumpets will destroy the natural resources of the Antichrist’s empire that support human life, instead
of directly touching people’s bodies (Rev. 8:7-12). However, some will die from drinking the bitter waters (Rev. 8:10-11).
B. The fifth and sixth trumpets are more intense as demons directly touch humans. The fifth and sixth trumpets
release two demonic armies on the earth. Hell is opened to let imprisoned demons torment their followers. This will allow
unbelievers to see how horrible the kingdom of darkness is. This will give opportunity to repent before progressing in evil,
by taking the mark of the beast which will be equivalent to blasphemy against the Spirit as an unforgivable sin (Mt. 12:31-32).
C. There will be two categories of unbelievers during the Great Tribulation. Those who take the mark of the Beast will
be reprobates. Unbelievers who refuse the mark may still be saved.
D. The trumpet judgments are released in part to warn the lost to receive salvation.
E. Now is the time that demons come to answer the “worship and intercession” of their followers. When the earth
worships demons, then God will release an army of demons to answer their cry. Demons hate humans who are fallen
image bearers. Demons have no capacity to love!
II. FIFTH TRUMPET: TORMENT BY DEMONIC LOCUSTS (REV. 9:1-11)
A. The fifth trumpet will release demonic locusts that torment men for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12).
1 The fifth angel sounded: I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.
2 He opened the bottomless pit…3 out of the smoke locusts came on the earth. To them was given power, as the
scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth…but only those men who
do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five
months…like the torment of a scorpion…6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die,
and death will flee from them. (Rev. 9:1-6)
B. Outline of Rev. 9:1-11: The origin of the demonic locusts (vv. 1-2), the effects of demonic locusts (vv. 3-6), and
the description of demonic locusts (vv. 7-11)
C. Locusts: These locusts are supernatural demonic beings not natural locusts. The details of this prophecy include
specific names, rank and a five month period of torment.
D. These details demand to be interpreted at face value rather than dismissing them as symbolic. Some interpret this
as a human army (with locusts as modern helicopters using ancient language or the Mohammedan army in the ancient
world).
E. The characteristics of these locusts make it clear that they are not natural locusts. They have a king whereas
natural locusts do not have a king (Rev. 9:11; Prov. 30:27). These have the ability to distinguish between unbelievers
who they hurt and believers who they do not hurt. Also, natural locusts do not come up from the depths of the earth and
do not sting with their tails.
F. The torment will last five months which corresponds to the time a locust pillages an area (May-Sept) and the 150
days with Noah. Believers will speak this time frame to unbelievers.
24 The waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. (Gen. 7:24)
G. The specific time must be taken literally since there is no contextual (biblical) reason to make this figurative or
symbolic. Scorpions are mentioned three times and the five month period is emphasized twice so that these could not be
mistaken or dismissed (Rev. 9:3, 5, 10).
H. God is the unexpressed agent granting permission seen in the phrase "it was given" (9:1, 3, 4, 5). God’s
sovereignty is manifest over these demons who can only move as far as allowed. Divine limitations are given to these
locusts in that they are not to hurt grass and trees, but only men without the seal and only for a five month period.
I. The strange forms of the locusts cause some to see them as symbolic. However, the four living creatures have
forms that are unusual to us, yet they are understood as literal descriptions. Demons can have unusual bodies that
resemble frogs (Rev. 16:13).
J. Seal of God: I do not believe this seal is limited to the 144,000 from Israel described in Rev. 7:4-8. As Israel was
protected during the plagues of Egypt, so God will seal believers to protect them from judgment. The Goshen Principle
is seen in Ex. 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 10:23; Zeph. 2:3; Ps. 91). Israel received a protective mark on their doors to save their first
born from death in Egypt.
K. The coals of God’s judgment were not poured out on Jerusalem until after the angel marked or sealed the
foreheads of the saints (Ezek. 9:4-6).
4 The LORD said to him, "Go through…the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh
and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." 5 To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through
the city and kill; do not let your eye spare…6 Utterly slay…but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark.”
(Ezek. 9:4-7)
L. Jesus has given the saints authority over scorpions.
19 I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy (physical and
spiritual scorpions), and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Lk. 10:19)
M. The saints are not the objects of God’s end-time judgments (Rev. 9:4; 7:1-4; 1 Thes. 5:9). The judgments are
released in answer to the prayers of the saints.
9 God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord… (1 Thes. 5:9)
N. The anguish of this sting was meant to cause men to repent. Multitudes will refuse to repent.
O. Bottomless pit: The bottomless pit is a temporary prison for fallen angels that will be released during the end times
(Rev. 9:1-2, 11; 11:7; 20:1-3). The bottomless pit or the abyss is not actually “bottomless” since it is in the earth. There
is a huge shaft extending from the earth’s surface to its depths that is currently sealed. The Antichrist comes from this pit
(Rev. 11:7; 17:8).
4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness,
to be reserved for judgment… (2 Pet. 2:4)
6 The angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under
darkness for the judgment of the great day… (Jude 6)
P. The underworld is described using five different words: Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tartarus and the bottomless pit.
The KJV translates all 5 words as hell. Sheol is a Hebrew term used only in the OT (translated grave, pit and hell in the
KJV). It was the place of the dead located in the earth. It had three distinct chambers before Jesus was raised from the
dead.
1. A chamber of torment for the unredeemed until they are cast into the lake of fire
2. A chamber of rest for the OT redeemed (before the cross) called Abraham’s bosom (Lk. 16:19-31). At Jesus’
ascension, He led the OT saints out of Sheol (Eph. 4:8).
3. A chamber or prison for demons bound by chains of darkness called Tartarus in 2 Pet. 2:4. The Greek name
Tartarus is translated as hell by most translations. It is also referred to as the bottomless pit (Greek: abysso/abyss;
Rev. 9:1-2, 11; 11:7; 17:8, 11; 20:1, 3)
Q. Hades is a Greek term that is used only in the NT. It speaks of the two remaining chambers of Sheol since those
in Abraham’s bosom were taken to paradise after Jesus’ resurrection. It is still the place of the unredeemed dead and
some disobedient angels (demons) are imprisoned. Hades contains Tartarus (place demons are imprisoned).
R. Hades is like the county jail in the spirit realm until the final sentencing occurs at the great white throne
(Rev. 20:11-15; Dan. 7:9-10). The lake of fire is like the federal prison. Hades (Mt. 11:23; 16:18; Lk. 10:15; 16:23;
Acts 2:27, 31; 1 Cor. 15:55; Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14) is translated as Hades (NKJV), hell (KJV), three times as depths
or death (NIV) and rarely the grave (1 Cor. 15:55). Both Hades and Gehenna are rendered Hell. Gehenna (NT) refers
to the lake of fire. Gehenna in the NT is translated as hell or hell fire (Mt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mk. 9:43,
45, 47; Lk. 12:5; Jas. 3:6).
S. Star: In Revelation, stars can speak of angels (Rev. 1:20; 12:4; Job 38:7) or inanimate objects (Rev. 6:13; 8:10).
The star in Rev. 9:1 is an intelligent being who is able to use a key.
1 I saw a star fallen (descended?) from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he
opened the bottomless pit… (Rev. 9:1-2)
T. There is debate about whether this is a good or evil angel. The argument is focused on the meaning of the word
“fallen”. Good angels are never described in Scripture as fallen. Therefore, if the angel “fell” in judgment, then this refers
to an evil angel (Lk. 10:18; Rev. 12:7-9). If “fallen” means “descended” from heaven, then this is a good angel paralleling
the activity of the angel who opens the bottomless pit to bind Satan in Rev. 20:1.
1 I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit. (Rev 20:1)
U. Jesus has all the keys or authority to open doors in the spirit realm (Rev. 1:18; Mt. 16:18-19).
18 I (Jesus) have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Rev. 1:18)
V. The scorpion sting does not bring its desired repentance, but instead men desire death. The anguish of a
scorpion sting drives men to such great despair that they seek to commit suicide. In an unspecified way, we are told that
they cannot kill themselves.
W. The eighth Egyptian plague of natural locusts is a prototype of this judgment (Ex. 10:12). The Egyptian plague of
locusts destroyed food but it did not inflict pain on people.
X. John described the demonic locust army (Rev. 9:7-11) by comparing them to horses prepared for battle wearing
golden crowns with human faces. John uses "like" 8 times in describing them. He starts by describing the head, then
moves down the demon’s body to their tail.
Heads: rowns with something like gold points to their supremacy (Rev. 14:14).
Faces: Human faces emphasize that these demons have human abilities like intelligence and emotion. If these demons
were men then they would not be likened to men.
Hair: Like women's hair emphasizes their human appearance.
Teeth: Locusts have teeth, but not strong ones like a lion with the ability to tear apart their prey.
Breastplates: Iron speaks of durability in battle (like the other demons in Rev. 9:17).
Wings: Sound of chariots running into battle will cause terror.
Tails: Power of the sting in their tails (Rev. 9:3, 5, 10)
Y. King: Satan has a hierarchy which includes a king over the locusts from the bottomless pit. His name is Abaddon
in Hebrew, but is named Apollyon in Greek. John gives the angel's name in two languages to enforce the literalness of
this being. Most of John’s audience spoke Greek (Rev. 16:16). This king is not Satan, who rules from the heavenly places
and not the bottomless pit (Eph. 6:12). He is the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2). Beelzebub is the ruler of the
demons (Mt. 12:24). Satan will be thrown into the bottomless pit after Jesus’ coming (Rev. 20:1-3).
Z. Green grass: The prohibition not to hurt the green grass (v. 4) points to the fact that the grass will have time to
grow back after the first trumpet some months earlier (Rev. 8:7). A worldwide drought will last for 3½ years making green
grass rare (Rev. 11:6).
3 They will prophesy 1,260 days…6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their
prophecy… Rev. 11:3-6)
III. SIXTH TRUMPET: DEATH BY DEMONIC HORSEMEN (REV. 9:12-21)
A. The sixth trumpet results in the release of demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth. In the fifth trumpet men
seek to die (Rev. 9:6). The demons they worship will now kill them.
13 I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the
trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 So the four angels, who had been
prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the
army of the horsemen was 200 million; I heard the number of them…17 Those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery
red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths
came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke
and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are
like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. (Rev. 9:13-19)
B. To emphasize the literalness of this judgment, John twice declared that 1/3 of the human race will be killed
(Rev. 9:15, 18), and he told us the specific number of 200 million horsemen and what they specifically will look like. He
also told us that there will be a specific hour, day and month that the four demonic angels will be released.
C. Killing 1/3: By 2025 AD the world population is estimated to be about 8 billion people. After 1/4 or approximate
2 billion die in the fourth seal (Rev. 6:8), six billion will remain. After another 1/3 of these die (another 2 billion), the death
toll would be about 4 billion. That is nearly 100 times the death toll of World War II (50 million people). For 4 billion people
to die in 3½ years (1260 days) means that an average of about 3 million will die daily or 100 million each month.
D. Isaiah prophesied of the time when God destroy the wicked (Isa. 13:6-13; 24:6).
9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger…He will destroy its sinners…10 The stars...
will not give their light; the sun will be darkened…11 I will punish the world for its evil…12 I will make a mortal more rare
than fine gold… (Isa. 13:9-12)
6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the
earth are burned, and few men are left. (Isa. 24:6)
E. Bound: The four angels who are bound and released are evil angels (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Good angels are not
bound.
F. Prepared: These angels were prepared for a specific work of judgment in the end times. They lead a demonic
army of 200 million horsemen (possibly each commands 50 million horsemen). If 200 million demons kill 2 billion people,
each demon would kill ten people on average).
G. Euphrates: It is great in size (nearly 1,800 miles) and in significance to God’s purposes. It is the eastern boundary
of the promised land (Gen. 15:18). The kings of the east cross it (Rev. 16:12).
H. Golden altar: A voice from the golden altar of intercession will commission the angel with the sixth trumpet to
release four demonic angels bound at the Euphrates River. This judgment is connected to the prayer movement in which
the prayers ascend at the golden altar (Rev. 8:3-5).
I. In the OT, there were two places of asylum, the horns of the altar and the cities of refuge. Those charged with a
crime ran and grabbed the horns to ask for mercy from death (1 Kgs. 1:50-51; 2:28-34). The saints will not fear this
plague, but will be assured that it is an expression of God’s mercy. We will hold onto the horns of the golden altar by
prayer, love and faith.
J. This mercy from the horns of the altar speaks of God giving judgment in favor of the saints.
22 The Ancient of Days (Father) came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time
came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (Dan. 7:22)
IV. WORLDWIDE HARDNESS OF HEART: 4 MAIN STRONGHOLDS IN SOCIETY
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they
should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Rev. 9:20-21)
A. Sin will reach its greatest heights in history with more demonized people than any time. Society will be dominated
by four primary strongholds of evil: murder, sorcery, immorality and theft.
23 In the latter time…when the transgressors have reached their fullness… (Dan. 8:23)
B. Sin will become ripe worldwide (Rev. 14:18; 17:4; 18:5). The wheat and the tares, the righteous and the wicked,
mature together at the end of the age (Mt. 13:29-30).
30 Let both (wheat and tares) grow together until the harvest… (Mt. 13:30)
C. Murder: Many will be possessed by demons of murder in this horrific murder-movement.
D. Immorality: Billions will be demonized with bondage to sexual perversion.
E. Sorcery: Satan worship and occult activity will fill the earth. The nations will be become more “spiritual”. Sexual
perversion will be dynamically connected to the spiritual realm. It will be more than hedonism, but will express aspects
of demon worship with a dark spiritually.
F. Theft: There will be many different manifestations of theft.
G. The Antichrist’s entire empire will have hardened hearts as Pharaoh did. God hardens the heart by turning
multitudes over to the sin they love by allowing them to experience its consequences.
24 God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts...26 For this reason God gave them up to vile
passions....28 God gave them over to a debased mind… (Rom. 1:24-28).