November 8th, 2010 by Kristi Stephens

This post is part two of a look at the first woe, the beginning of Revelation 9. You can find part one here.

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

Revelation 9:1-6

This description is poignant. Satan is granted authority to open the Abyss, and demons pour out in numbers that are likened to a plague of locusts.

Again, these are not literal locusts – insects known to swarm in numbers so vast that they can literally darken the sky and consume every plant in the fields. These “locusts” are not harming plants – they are harming people, specifically people who have not been marked as belonging to God. In addition, verses 7-11 make clear that these were no run-of-the-mill insects. These are demonic hordes.

The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).

They are described as “torturing” and “tormenting” the inhabitants of the earth. For five months.

I’m not a big fan of horror movies… and this scene surely would make a great one. Not only is humanity hunted and stung by terrifying demons for months on end, but even when all hope is lost and suicide seems to be the best option, even death will be elusive.

During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. (9:6)

Imagine the terror and utter horror of this scene. People driven nearly mad by constant, terrifying, stinging attacks – driven to jump off of buildings, turn weapons on themselves, to seek death in myriad ways… only to find themselves still living, still suffering, still seeking relief that will not come.

Perhaps you have heard hell described as a party where all the “fun” people will go. This image could not be more wrong. When we are removed from the mercy and grace of God and stand willfully in our sin, the only thing left for us is utter torment. Incomprehensible suffering. A complete lack of relief in any form. Those in the Abyss take no mercy.

The difference between hell and this suffering under the first woe is this: these individuals still have the opportunity to repent. To be marked as one of those who have embraced Jesus Christ as their only hope would end their suffering… and yet they cling to their rebellion.

When we have set our hearts against God, no amount of suffering will drive us to our knees. How deep is the dark night of the soul. Let our hearts not be hard, Lord.