The World’s True Sovereign
12/9/25 Bible Thought (Revelation 9)
The Christian has a real enemy, but that enemy is really limited in his power and authority.
A Frightful Horde
In Revelation 9 we see the continuation of the seven trumpets from chapter eight with the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments.
These both unleash horrible, demonic creatures from the abyss that come to afflict humanity. First, there is a creature with some sort of base as a locust, but clearly this is no natural creature. It comes to bring such torture upon people that they would seek death and yet it wouldn’t be granted to them (Rev. 9:6).
Then the sixth trumpet brings the release of four angels who through a demonic calvary-led-pestilence kill a third of humankind (Rev. 9:15).
Now, the imagery of these chapters is certainly characteristic of apocalyptic literature which means it’s very confusing. Just how literally a demon-locust-horse-person-scorpion thing is to be taken should not be the focus of our study.
I appreciate what scholar, Robert Mounce, wrote regarding this:
“Exactly what this will involve and how it will take place will remain unknown until disclosed by history itself.”[1]
A Clear Truth
Rather than worrying about what is coming or trying to figure things out, one thing is abundantly clear. God is sovereign and He will keep those that are His.
The demonic horde of locusts came not to afflict the earth and trees like normal ones would. Instead, they afflicted people. However, not just any people, “but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” (Rev. 9:4).
The people of God that were sealed back in chapter seven aren’t subjected to the terrors of these judgments because that’s what God commanded.
This chapter, more than showing the powers of hell, shows the powers of the One who created all things. He alone is enthroned.
Nothing happens apart from God’s permission and timing. He is the King of Creation. He is the One who gave the angel the key to unlock the abyss and bring about these judgments in the first place! (Rev. 9:1).
Just as God once said to the sea you will come this far and no further, so it is with the judgments of Revelation. They are held in God’s sovereign hand, and they are not directed at His people who are sealed. Instead, they are meant to draw the unbelieving to repentance (Rev. 9:20-21).
Bringing it Home
It can be easy when reading apocalyptic literature to come away a bit shaken when we see the incredible calamities that are to come, but let us rest assured—God is in control.
He is the One who wrote the seven-sealed scroll that only the Lamb could loose. He is the One who gave us this book of Scripture to showcase that which is to come. He is the One who is ordering all of creation towards His sovereignly decreed end.
If we are on His side, we have nothing to fear. Again, the worst thing that can happen to any of us down here is being ushered into His presence sooner than we expected. At the same time, no demon in hell can touch us apart from His permission.
The knowledge that God is sovereignly ruling His creation should fill our hearts with hope, no matter what may be on the horizon.
Challenge for Today:
Do I ever find myself frightened as I look to the future?
Let us remember that God holds the keys to the end, and that it will all unfold according to His perfect plan.
[1] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 192.