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 Revelation Chapter 9

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Roy
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Roy


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PostSubject: Revelation Chapter 9   Revelation Chapter 9 Icon_minitimeFri Jun 30, 2017 4:03 pm



The Fifth Trumpet: The First Woe

"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit" (Rev. 9:1).

The “star” that will fall to the earth from heaven is not a literal star, but an intelligent being, as is clear from the fact that personal pronouns and personal acts are ascribed to it, Rev. 9:1-2. Only an intelligent being can be given a key and a command to open the door of the pit. Satan's angels are referred to as stars, Rev. 12:4-9. It is clear that the angel fell from heaven right there before John in vision and that indicates that he will actually fall from heaven, in the tribulation period, the very moment the fifth trumpet sounds.

This angel is, no doubt, the same one that binds Satan at the beginning of the Millennium in Rev. 20:1-3. Christ has the keys of the underworld, Mt. 8:29; Lk. 8:31; Rev. 1:18; 20:11-15. It seems unreasonable that Christ would trust Satan or one of the fallen angels with the key which holds captive millions of Satan's own subjects, lest he would take advantage of this trust and loose all the demons of the pit in order to swell the ranks of Satan in his last stand against God before he is bound. God could not trust a fallen being with this key, seeing that they betrayed His confidence when they fell. God always gives responsibility to those whom He can trust.

Further, this angel is not the “angel of the bottomless pit” of Rev. 9:11 for if he is a trusted angel of God, as is evident, he cannot be a king of demons. It is clear that “the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon,but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon,” is a fallen angel who is bound in the abyss with the demon locusts and who will come out of the pit with them as their leader in this terrible woe. In the description of locusts out of the pit the literal reading is, “they have over them a king, an angel of (out of) the abyss.”
This angel out of the pit name is given Abaddon and Apollyon, which means “destruction” and “destroyer.” These names are never used of Satan in the Bible, hence he cannot be Satan or the Antichrist as some teach. He be a fallen angel bound at the present time in the abyss. He will be loosed when the angel of Rev. 9:1 comes from heaven and opens the pit for the purpose of loosing him and his demon locusts to torment men, as stated in this verse.

"And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit" (Rev. 9:2).

When the abyss is opened, smoke will come out of it “as the smoke of a great furnace” which will darken the sun and the air. It can be seen that since the darkening of one-third of the sun, moon, and stars under the fourth trumpet they may have become normal again. The physical smoke that comes up surely will obscure the sun and diminish the light. In the spiritual, it will diminish the Light, as well.

The abyss is the home of fallen angels and the demons. When the angel opens the abyss, here come the demons in force to deceive and destroy. They have such a vicious nature that God had to bind them to keep the human race from being annihilated before the appointed time, but now the restrains are off. If you have trouble believing God could ever make a hell, remember it was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Those who go to hell, are in essence choosing to spend eternity with Satan rather than with Christ.

"And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power" (Rev. 9:3).

Out of the smoke came forth demon locusts upon earth and to them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power. The smoke indicates that the abyss is a place of fire, but it is not to be confused with Hades, Tartarus, or the Lake of Fire mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. The Greek akris, translated “locusts” here is always translated such, Rev. 9:3, 7; Mt. 3:4; Mk. 1:6. Ordinary locusts were the principle meat of John the Baptist. They are classed as “clean” food by the law and have been eaten for centuries, Lev. 11:22: Eccl. 12:5.
These are not normal locusts, however, but specially prepared ones that are merely the outward form of demons, who, like locusts, will bring swarming desolation (Cf. Joel 2:2, 4). “Like” appears several times in John’s description; he finds it difficult to describe what he sees in a way the reader can understand.
“Scorpions”: An arachnid that inhabits warm, dry regions and has an erect tail tipped with a venomous stinger. A scorpion’s victim often rolls on the ground in agony, foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth in pain. The demons in locust form are able to inflict the physical, and perhaps, spiritual, pain like the scorpion (verse 5).
The appearance of these locusts is both frightening and repulsive (verses 7-10), and they do not act in an unorganized way. In fact, John says, "They had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. This seems to be one of the plagues that God sends on the followers of Antichrist to hinder them from proselytizing among the uncommitted of the world. It may also give Tribulation saints some time to prepare themselves for the horrors of the soon to come Great Tribulation. If any religious activity is still going on at this time, there will be a flood of false doctrine and defaming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be a kind of religion of the flesh, (anything goes religion). It sounds very much like what is going on today in many churches.
Verses 4-6: They do not harm the vegetation, as ordinary locusts would, but only “men” who do not belong to God. They are “not” allowed to “kill” anyone at this point. They only “torment unbelievers for “five months”. The pain will be like that of a “scorpion”. The “torment” will be so great that they will “desire to die”. But part of the judgment will be that men cannot die to escape it.

"And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads" (Rev. 9:4).

And they were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

The description of the locusts indicates that they are demons who are given physical forms in order to manifest their destruction and torment. Horses show their warlike character. Their crowns depict them as conquerors. Human faces show intelligence. Their feminine hair perhaps makes them seductive and attractive. The teeth of lions show them to be destructive and hurtful. Breastplates of iron make them indestructible. Wings symbolize swiftness. The stings in their tails give them the power to hurt. Fortunately for mankind, their period of torment is limited to five months. But the next judgment is even worse.
Notice, these have to be demons as they had no power in and of themselves. It was given unto them.
“Men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads”: Everyone on earth except the two groups mentioned in chapter 7, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and their converts.
This is an attack on the person, which makes us take another look at it spiritually. They have orders not to hurt the vegetation or the 144,000 who have been sealed in their foreheads. Real locusts would eat every green thing that they could find, and they do. Looking at this from the spiritual standpoint, these locusts are demon spirits turned loose upon this earth. The devil, or his demons, cannot really hurt anyone covered in the blood of Jesus.
They were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man" (Rev. 9:3-5). God's instructions are in essence: "You may torment those who have the Antichrist's mark, but you may not kill them." Also, "you may not touch those who belong to Me." The angel's power is under strict control over those sealed by God, both now and in the Tribulation. Though this will be a period of great anguish, it is really the grace of GOD at work. I'm sure that the LORD is seeking to make mankind think because of this terrible torment and to decide to come to Him.

"And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment [was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man" (Rev. 9:5).

“Five months”: The normal life cycle of locusts is 5 months, usually from May to September.
Here again, whether this is physical pain and torment from fallout causing sores and torture, or whether this is spiritual and terrible suffering, it is brought on by constant attack from the angel from the pit and his demon scorpions for five months. It is terrible. As at Hiroshima, those who survived the bomb, wished they were dead. Great sores, deformities and torment beyond our comprehension took place. In many cases, it took five months to die. A terrible burn would have the pain of a scorpion's sting.
At this point, let's look at something we've studied before. Remember the 144,000, where the four angels held back the winds until they had been sealed (in chapter 7:1)?
Not only were the 144,000 sealed but also those who turned to Christ during the Tribulation. Those are the Tribulation Saints and they too were sealed by God just as all true Christians of today have God's seal on them.

"And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them" (Rev. 9:6).

“Seek death, and shall not find it”: The tormented will find no relief. Even their unimaginable attempts to end their misery in suicide will be unsuccessful.
Death would be a welcome relief to all this suffering. These forces of evil turned loose (unrestrained), upon the earth, whether physical or spiritual, will be so terrible that men will beg to die but will be unable to during this punishment.

Verses 7-10: The description of the “locusts” indicates that they are demons who are given physical forms in order to manifest their destruction and torment. “Horses” show their warlike character. Their “crowns” depict them as conquerors. Human “faces” show intelligence. Their feminine “hair” perhaps makes them seductive and attractive. The “teeth … of lions” shows them to be destructive and hurtful. “Breastplates of iron” make them indestructible. “Wings” symbolize swiftness. The “stings” in their “tails” give them the “power” to “hurt”. Fortunately for mankind, their period of torment is limited to “five months”. But the next judgment is even worse.

"And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men" (Rev. 9:7).

Here John describes the locusts (demons), as he gives a detailed description of their appearance in his vision. They are described as locusts as they will bring massive and devastating judgment from God.
This demon host will be virtually unstoppable and man will have no weapon that can harm them or cure for the terrible torment they will inflict.
Their “faces of men” is probably a reference to these demonic creatures as rational, intelligent beings, not insects.

"And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as [the teeth] of lions" (Rev. 9:Cool.

Having “hair as the hair of women” emphasizes their seductiveness. Perhaps to lure unsuspecting unbelievers to come close to them before striking them. (Jeremiah 51:27), refers to locusts having bristles like hair.
Having teeth like the teeth of lions means they will be more fierce, powerful and deadly than lions.

"And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle" (Rev. 9:9).

“Breastplates of iron”: Breastplates were designed to protect the vital organs and sustain the life of the warrior. These creatures are invulnerable.
In short, they will be impossible to resist or to destroy. There will be no escaping their worldwide onslaught as there will be nowhere to run or hide from them.
In a metaphor drawn from a battlefield, John compares the sound of their wings to a moving army, noting that it was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. The sound alone will be enough to put fear into the hearts of the unbelievers.

"And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months" (Rev. 9:10).

As these demons are compared to scorpions, it is clear that their mission is to hurt men. The very nature of this full scale demonic torment that drives men to seek death and not find it, or to pursue death and not catch it, is not described.
There are references in the bible where there are demon possessed people, such as found (in Matthew 8:28; 4:23-24; 8:6; Mark 9:20-22).
This stresses God's sovereign power over the timing of their assault. Eventually God will return them to the abyss with their evil master, then send them to the lake of fire (chapter 20).

Verses 11-12: The “king” over these demons is apparently Satan's follower, who is given temporary authority over the Abyss. The name “Abaddon” is Hebrew for “Destruction” (compare Job 28:22; Prov. 15:11; 27:20). Its Greek equivalent is “Apollyon” meaning “Destroyer”. Since the Roman emperor Domitian called himself Apollo incarnate, the mention of Satan as “Apollyon” (from the same root as Apollo), may be an intentional play on words. “Two” more “woes” are still coming. As the end approaches, the intensity and severity of the trumpet judgments increase dramatically.

"And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon" (Rev. 9:11).

Abaddon … Apollyon”: Although locusts normally have no king (Prov. 30:27), these demonic creatures do. There is a hierarchy of power among the demons, just as among the holy angels.
Angels, as we have said before, are ministering spirits. These fallen angels (demons), are ministering pain and suffering. Their mission is to destroy. Their leader, is the epitome of evil. He has been their king since they were cast out of heaven by God. Their abode, when they are not on a mission of destruction, is in the abyss. This is where they were loosed from (in verse 2). They are continuously causing war, both spiritual and literal. Their mission is to destroy any way they can.

Remember all of this happens because God's wrath is kindled. God alone can stop Satan and his ministering legion of evil companions. This time God does not want to stop him. God allows, and even orders, this to happen. Satan, Apollyon, Abaddon, Lucifer, the devil, or whatever you care to call him, they are still obedient to God. He, as we or any other being, or angel, are created and subject to the desires of the Creator. God alone could stop this destruction.
Jesus had and has many names. Satan is a counterfeiter, so he has many names as well. People throughout history have tried to put names of modern conquerors to these, but I do not believe that is intended here.

Parenthetical Announcement:

"One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more hereafter" (Rev. 9:12).

This parenthetical announcement, as if this is not terrible enough what we have been hearing about, there are two more woes. The open warfare on the streets of Lebanon and Israel remind us very much of the things we read about in the last lesson. A mother in that area of the world has no idea when her family leaves the house whether they will return alive or not.
The descendants of Ishmael and Isaac (the flesh and the spirit), are still in mortal combat after all the thousands of years that have passed. Just as there is a spiritual battle of the flesh and the spirit that we must face each day, there is a physical battle in Israel between the Arab and the Jew. Ishmael was told that his descendants would live around the Jews and would be fighting continuously.

The Bible is true. A woe is a terrible calamity.

The Sixth Trumpet: The Second Woe

Verses 13-15: The “sixth” trumpet results in the death of a “third” of the surviving unbelievers on the earth. The “four” bound “angels” are fallen angels or demons who have been temporarily “bound” by God. They are “loosed for the purpose of killing a “third” of the population of the world. They appear to be in charge of the horde of demonic horsemen who will actually accomplish the massacre (verses 16-19). The “river Euphrates” was the northeastern boundary of both the Roman Empire and the promised kingdom of Israel, (compare Gen. 15:18; Deut. 11:24; Joshua 1:4; Isa. 8:5-Cool.

"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God," (Rev. 9:13).

The voice here may be the voice of an angel of heaven to whom it is given to cry this command to the sixth trumpet angel: “Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” Such unidentified voices are common to this book, 5:2; 7:2; 8:13; 14:7-9, 15; 18:2, 4. Besides these, which are voices of angels, there are many others spoken of in the book without reference to the nature of the one who speaks, Rev. 6:6; 10:4, 8; 11:12; 12:10; 14:13; 16:1, 17; 18:4; 19:5; 21:3. Still other voices are those of Christ, etc. as is clear in the passages themselves, Rev. 1:10-15; 3:20; 4:1; 5:11-12; 6:7,10; 7:10; 10:3; 11:3; 14:2-5; 19:1-6. Blood upon the horns of the alter in the earthly tabernacle spoke of mercy to those who had sinned in ignorance (Lev. 4), but here mercy has been changed to judgment because of willful ignorance and rejection of Christ and the truth.

"Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates" (Rev. 9:14).

The four angels bound in the Euphrates are fallen ones because good angels are never bound. These four are the leaders of the 200 million demon horseman who will be loosed out of the abyss after the plague of the demon locusts is finished. Each of these four angels will command 50 million of these infernal cavalry. They will go in the four directions “to slay the third part of men through the plagues of fire and smoke and brimstone.” Euphrates is connected with the judgment in the tribulation, as is clear from this woe. It is also mentioned in “the day of the Lord,” at Armageddon, Rev. 16:13-16; Jer. 46:4-10. At least one-third of the Old Roman Empire of the day will be affected by this plague, if not one-third of the earth. Approximately 98 million men will be slain by these horsemen if the territory is limited to the boundaries of the Old Roman Empire. The figure will be about 296 million if the territory includes the 26 present states of Rome's Europe.
Euphrates. One of the 4 rivers that flowed through the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:14). Starting with Babel, this region has spawned many of the world’s pagan religions.
God views the Euphrates River as the dividing line between East and West. In fact, the old Roman Empire also saw it that way. Everything east of the Euphrates was called the Far East or Asia. The region just to the west of the great river was known as the Near East or Asia Minor.
The Euphrates symbolically was where Israel's enemies came from (they thought).

"And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men" (Rev. 9:15).

The literal reading of Rev. 9:15 is, “and were loosed the four angels who had been prepared for the hour, and day, and month, and year, that they might kill the third part of men.” This refers to a fixed point of time, not a period or length of duration. These demon cavalry will slay men at a given time as the first born were slain in Egypt on the night of the Passover.

“An hour, and a day, and a month, and a year”: God works according to His predetermined plan (compare Mark 24:36; Acts 1:7).
When these angels are loosed, they immediately inspire the great population centers of Asia to launch an attack on the Western and Middle Eastern strongholds. These demons are effective, because they cause just over half billion people, a third of the remaining population, to be killed in short order.

The Apostle John wrote, "And the four angels, who had been prepared for the Hour and Day and Month and Year, are released, so that they might kill a third of mankind. And the number of the armies of the horsemen (demons), was 200 million; I heard the number of them."

Verses 16-19: John “heard” the “number” of the “horsemen” that was 200,000,000; literally, “two myriads of myriads”. Although the majority of manuscripts reads “a myriad of myriads”, or 100,000,000 (compare 5:11; Psalm 68:17; Dan. 7:10). John had no time to count such a large “army”. The riders (and perhaps the horses), wore “breastplates”. An armored cavalry was always a most formidable opponent. “Brimstone” is yellow Sulphur. The “heads of lions” symbolize cruelty and destruction. The “fire, smoke,” and “brimstone” are three separate plagues, which together kill a “third’ of mankind. In light of their description, and the fact that they are ruled by four fallen angels, these horses and riders are probably demons as well. The demons of the fifth trumpet do not kill, (which were compared to scorpions), but these demon riders do kill. Their “power” to kill is in the “mouth”, from which come the “fire”, “smoke”, and “brimstone”. Their “tails” have “heads” like “serpents”, with the “power” to “hurt” people. This sixth trumpet, combined with the fourth seal we saw in (6:Cool, reduces the population of the earth to one half its pre-tribulation level.


"And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them" (Rev. 9:16).

“The army”: Some see this as a reference to forces accompanying the kings of the east (16:12), and identify them with a human army coming from Asia. But that event occurs in connection with the seventh trumpet, not the sixth. No human horsemen ever were or ever will be like these creatures, as is evident if we take the passage literally. The language is better understood as referring to a demon force that makes war with the earth’s inhabitants and kills one-third of humanity (verse 15).
Now in addition to the demons who have roamed the earth throughout history, spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12), recently cast to earth (12:4), and the numerous demons recently released from the abyss at the sounding of the 5th trumpet, comes a new demonic army that is two hundred million strong.
The 200 million are not to be taken as humans. They are a literal unnatural, demon like evil spirits that come out of the abyss, advancing under the leadership of the four bound angels. Only the unrepentant will be killed by this judgment.
For these and other reasons not mentioned, it is not realistic to assume that the armies (of 16:12), are synonymous with those of (9:16). The 200 million horsemen who come on the scene will obviously be supernatural, creatures that are so awesome to look on that they actually frighten some people to death. And their sting "is in their mouth and their tails", and with them they kill one third of the world's population of those who reject Christ and commit themselves to Antichrist.

"And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone" (Rev. 9:17).

The general appearance of theses demons will be that of horses having heads like lions. Out of their mouths will issue fire, smoke, and brimstone which will be the three causes of the death of men in this plague. They also have tails like serpents with heads on the end of them “and with them they do hurt. ”They have riders on them who have breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone.
“Brimstone”: Brimstone is a yellowish, sulfuric rock that often attends fire and smoke in Revelation (14:10; 19:20; 20:10). Common in the Dead Sea region, when ignited such deposits melt and produce burning streams and suffocating gas.
Many have tried to associate the meaning of this scripture with weapons of war, but this can't be. John would have no problem with associating a lion's head with what these appeared to look like.

"By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths" (Rev. 9:18).

This second woe will really be three plagues in one. “These three” and “these plagues” of Rev. 9:18, 20 refer to the fire, smoke, and brimstone.
John saw three ways the demon horses killed their victims and all ways depict the violent and devastating fury of hell. They incinerated them with fire, then asphyxiated with smoke and brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths.
The end result of this demonic 200 million was that a third of the remaining mankind would be killed. Note that a quarter of mankind was killed during the seal judgments, leaving three quarters of the remaining population. As one third is now killed, 50% of mankind now has been killed.
The death of one third of the earth's remaining inhabitants will be the most catastrophic disaster to strike the earth since the flood during the days of Noah.

"For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt"(Rev. 9:19).

“Tails were like unto serpents and had heads”: John’s language represents the demons’ ability to vent their destructive power in both directions.
Not only were these demonic horses able to kill with their mouths, but also death was in their tails. Their tails are like deadly poisonous serpents.
But these images are describing the supernatural deadliness of this demon force in terms that one would normally understand in the natural world.
Unlike the demonic scorpion stings of the 5th trumpet judgment, the bites of these demonic creatures will be fatal.

Verses 20-21: By this point in the Tribulation period, most surviving unbelievers will have permanently made up their minds concerning Christ. They will refuse to repent, even under this terrible judgment. Their religious activities will involve “worship” of “idols” and demons (“devils”), and “sorceries” or witchcraft, with the use of magic potions (Greek pharmakon, from which English “pharmacy” derives). Idolatry is in fact, the worship of demons (compare 1 Cor. 10:20). Three of the four sins in verse 21 are specifically prohibited in the Ten Commandments (compare Exodus 20:3-17). For “sorceries” (compare 18:23; 21:8; 22:15; and Galatians 5:20).
God lists 5 sins that are representative of their defiance.

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:" (Rev. 9:20).

The rest of the men who are not killed by these three plagues will not repent to give God glory, or to give up their demon and idol worship and vile sins, on account of which the plagues are sent. These verses (20-21) picture the awful moral conditions of the whole tribulation.
“Devils”: Reminiscent of Paul’s comments about idolatry (Cf.1 Cor. 10:19-20); demons impersonate the stone and wood idols men make.
It is so unimaginable that after many years of suffering and death by this time from the horrible judgments of God, combined with the 144,000, the two witnesses, an angel who gives the Word of God to humans, not to mention the countless number of Tribulation Saints, that the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plaques, did not repent.
These "men" are not just males, but all of mankind. Women will have to answer for their own actions, as well as the men. What in the world has to happen before they will repent? All of these things worshipped (in verse 20), describes our day. These are things of the world. Trying to out do the neighbors with: a bigger house ("wood or stone"), finer jewelry ("gold and silver"), expensive ornaments ("brass"), and worship of the devil ("worship devils").
All of these things listed are inanimate objects and have no power to accomplish anything.

Anything or anyone who does not elevate Jesus Christ to deity is in error and worshipping the devil. Jesus said Himself that "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew 12:30).
We are either on the side of Jesus or the devil. There is no middle ground. We are not to worship God's creations. We are to worship the Creator.

"Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts" (Rev. 9:21).

At that future point in history, idolatry, mysticism, spiritism, satanism and all forms of false religion will become the norm as demons lead people into more wicked and vicious behaviors. Violent crimes like murder will be absolutely rampant. Without any sense of morality, the evil, unrepentant people will imitate the demon horde's murderous blood lust. Of course, believers in God will doubtlessly be their prime targets.
Drugs in the ancient world were used to dull the senses and induce a state suitable for religious experiences such as séances, witchcraft, incantations and cavorting with mediums (21:8; 22:15.
Once again, people will refuse to repent of their sins as the world of unrepentant people compete for the scarce supplies of food, clothing, water, shelter and medicines.
Under the influence of the massive demon forces that has been unleashed upon the world, false religion, murder, sexual perversion and crime will be unparalleled in human history.

The Big Four Sins: (Rev. 9:21), lists the four most prominent sins of the Tribulation period. The significance of these sins is great in light of present trends in the world. It's no coincidence that the four major sins listed here are today four of the most serious problems facing law enforcement.
(1) The first of these characteristic sins is murder. For whatever reason, societal permissiveness, lack of punishment or lack of faith, there has been an alarming increase in murder throughout the US and the world. One factor is the rejection of absolute standards of right and wrong. When a judge who posts the Ten Commandments in his courtroom is sued, you know society has its priorities upside down (Judge Roy Moore of Alabama). Anyone who was awake in the latter part of the 20th century could see the violence around us. I don't think I need to elaborate on this point.
The murder of unborn children in our day is a stench in God's nostrils. Women and men should repent of these murders. Murder with a deadly weapon is not always with a gun or a knife. One of the most useless murders in our day is drunk drivers killing people with their automobiles. Some are drunk on alcohol and some on drugs. All of these are useless killings that do not accomplish anything.
President Clinton vetoed a bill, passed with bi-partisan support in both the house and the senate, that would have prohibited partial birth abortions.
(2) The second prominent sin of the Tribulation era will be drug related occult activities. The word sorceries is used (in Rev. 9:21). It comes from the Greek word meaning pharmacy, and refers here to the practice of the occult tied to the use of drugs.
Drug use in the 1990's doubled from the 1960's and early 70's. In 1997 more than 11% claimed to use drugs every month. According to a study by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York, today's daughters are 15 times more likely than their baby boom mothers to have begun illegal drug use by age 15.
Another category of skyrocketing use is in so called designer drugs, such as methamphetamine. Charles Rangel, Democrat of New York, stated when Bill Clinton was president that "I have never, never, never seen a president who cares less about this issue."
There is a strong link between drug use and demon possession. As far back as 1971, the International Journal of Social Psychiatry dealt with the reality of demon possession and how to diagnose it.
There is a need to ascertain if there is any involvement in drug addiction, as it is common that addicts, especially with heroin and alcohol, become involved with black magic and vice versa. Some have been known in some cases to have been very religious people who defaulted, and thus left themselves open to some power other than God to control their lives.
Sorceries can also be anything associated with the occult: palm reading, horoscope, etc. So many people in our society today are playing around with mind control, transcendental meditation, and other false religions. All of this type of activity is to undermine our belief in God.
(3) The third prominent sin of the Tribulation will be rampant immorality. "Porneia," the Greek word used in this verse, refers to all kinds of sexual activity outside of marriage. Apparently, there will be a complete breakdown in the institution of marriage. Well, folks, as anyone can plainly see, we're almost there!
More than 70,000 women are sexually assaulted every year in the US. (1 every 45 seconds). It is the most rapidly growing violent crime in the country.
Domestic violence is more widespread than ever. Each year between 2 and 4 million women are battered; 1,500 women are murdered by their intimate partners; 1.8 million elderly folks are victims of maltreatment; 1.7 million child abuse reports are filed. Fornication covers living with someone before you are married. Fornication covers being married and dating someone else. Fornication covers all homosexual and lesbian acts.
The US Supreme court rules as unconstitutional Colorado's Amendment 2 to the state constitution, a simple and popular attempt to prohibit local governments from turning homosexuals and other sexual deviates into the latest protected political class. By the court's reasoning, as dissenting Justice Antonio Scalia pointed out, any state that bans Polygamy is also in trouble.
It's actually a matter of debate in the House of Representatives and US Senate, whether men should be allowed to marry men and women marry women (1997). Unfortunately, at the time of this update (2016), it has become commonplace.
(4) The fourth characteristic of the Tribulation will be thievery of all kinds. Crime in all of its manifestations is on the upsurge today. The experts say a youth crime crisis is right around the corner. At the current growth rate, there were nearly one half million more adolescent boys in the year 2010 than there were in 2000. That trend would mean there will be 30,000 more chronic juvenile delinquents on the streets in 20 years (from 1997). Though representing only 7% of all male teens, these chronic offenders commit 70% of all serious crime in their age group.
When a nation, founded as one nation under God, gives up its sovereignty under God in favor of "interdependence" on the world, you can see where the future lies. To be a friend of this future system in the sense of compromising God's viewpoint of life and letting the world squeeze you into its mold is to commit adultery, spiritually speaking. Remember also, that in a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ, believers are viewed as being the "Bride" of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). That's another reason that playing around with false religion is viewed throughout the Bible as spiritual adultery.
For the last 30 years, America has been engulfed in a culture war that threatens the nation's very foundation, its very survival. God's word tells us (in Luke 12:48), that "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."
In the history of the world has any nation been more blessed than the US? Yet there is always a cost to immorality. And today we are beginning to pay it. In the past 30 years, there has been a 560% increase in violent crime. Illegitimate births have increased 419%. Divorce rates have tripled. The number of children living in single parent homes has tripled. The teen suicide rate has increased 200%. Student Achievement Tests have plummeted 80 points.
It should not surprise us that Billy Graham said years ago, that if God didn't judge America soon, He would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. But it's not just the US. The entire world is in a headlong plunge into the morality of Sodom and Gomorrah and unfortunately into the same judgment.
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