GETTING THE MESSAGE/Christ’s light exposes evil

Satan and darkness are prominent themes in the gospels and the rest of the New Testament. Christ is the light of the world, but when his light shines brightly it exposes the evil in the world. In Revelation chapter nine we see the veil taken off demonic evil. The true colors of the devil and his legions are revealed in this trumpet judgment. 

In Revelation 9:1, the fifth angel blows his trumpet, and John saw a star fallen from heaven to earth. When the disciples of Jesus returned from proclaiming the kingdom of God, they remarked that even the demons submitted to them. Jesus replied that he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. So, the star mentioned likely represents the devil.

The devil is given a key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. When he opens it, smoke like the smoke of a great furnace rose up and darkened the sky. It is an ominous scene that gets worse. From the smoke came locusts. They come to the earth, but restrictions are imposed on them by the Lord. They are not allowed to harm the green vegetation and are only allowed to harm people who do not have the seal of God on their forehead. 

The locusts are not the kind that eat up vegetation, like the Old Testament locust plagues upon Egypt. These locusts are demonic hordes that attack the souls of men and inflict scorpion like pain, but it is spiritual and psychological suffering. This word for torment is later used to describe the suffering of people when Babylon falls, along with all their hopes.  There are some key points to remember in this trumpet judgment.

First, Christ is sovereign over this demonic plague upon the earth. He gives the key to the abyss. He sets the parameters on the demonic assaults and the length of time that they will be so intense. Christ has all power and authority. Christians are shown Christ’s sheltering wing in this passage. The faith, hope, and love of his people will endure through this world.

The vital thing is being one who has the seal of God. Those without Christ have no hope. The world is exposed to these foul creatures that are described as locust like in impoverishing the souls of men. The Christian doesn’t rely on his own power against such an enemy. Our hope is in Christ and the salvation he has wrought for us. This is the solid ground we stand upon.

Another point that we should consider is how grave a judgment this is. God doesn’t infuse any hardness of heart or blindness into men. All influences from heaven are good. But God does give men over to the counsels of their own sinful hearts. And this is more than bare permission from God to allow these demonic assaults. It is a judicial act against the idolatry and depravity of men. It is a severe warning we should consider well.

Yet, we should never forget that God loves mercy. He is patient with men. Any who turn from their sinful ways and fall upon the grace of Christ are speedily welcomed and embraced, no matter how great a sinner. In his earthly ministry, Jesus showed himself harsh toward those who rejected his word and refused correction. But he had a warm and gentle attitude toward the sinful woman, and any soul who came to him, knowing that he was the hope of the world.

In Revelation 9:7-11, the description of this demonic army conveys power and evil intent. They have crowns of gold, meaning powers and principalities (Ephesians 6). Their king has the name that means destroyer in Greek and Hebrew. In other words, that is what God calls him.

Satan does not want to appear this way to us. He is a subtle enemy. Christ takes the mask off evil. The weapons Christ used to destroy the power of the devil were his poverty, afflictions, reproaches, suffering, and death. His principal weapon was his own accursed death on the cross. He defeated the devil with the devil’s own sword. This passage is a warning to those without Christ, but an encouragement to the believer. When the devil opposes you, God loves you. When the devil pursues you, God defends you.