As we continue looking at the subordinate images in the first six trumpets, we find a great deal of the demonic at work in the present evil age in which we live. The images John uses to show this are:

The burning mountain, falling stars, Wormwood, demonic locusts, from the Abyss, Abaddon, Apollyon, and a demon army.

Throughout chapters 8 and 9, John has sought to emphasize the demonic nature of the affliction of the earth. Examples such as those of stars falling from heaven in the third and fifth trumpets make this clear. As we have already seen, stars in apocalyptic language usually represent angels, falling stars represent fallen angels; demons. The first of these turns the water bitter; John calls it “Wormwood”. It is interesting to note that the Greek word used is apsinthion meaning bitter or calamity. It is associated with the English word “absinth” which is the name of a plant that is said to be bitter yet delicious and both intoxicating and toxic. The Hebrew word is la’anah meaning bitterness; accursed, poisonous and is found in Lamentations 3:15 and Amos 5:7.   Other appearances of “Wormwood” (la’anah) in the Old Testament are Amos 6:12; Jer. 9:15; 28:15; Deut. 29:18 and Prov. 5:4. In the New Testament, the word (apsinthion) is only found in Rev. 8:11.

The second falling star (Rev. 9:1 ff.)  opens the Abyss meaning the “deep”  and in John’s time, this was thought to be the dwelling place of the dead or of demons. The Abyss is opened and a horde of demons comes forth into the world. This demonic army is led by the “king over them” who was called “Destroyer”. Is this Satan? Scholars debate this of course; it is certainly possible. In either case, notice that they can only do so much. You might find it interesting to compare Rev. 9:1 ff. with Job 26:26; 28:22; Prov. 15:11and Psalm 85:11 in which “Destruction” (Abaddon) is equated with death.

At the second trumpet blast, something like a mountain all ablaze is thrown into the sea (Rev. 8:8) This would appear to be another reference to demonic power and comes from 1 Enoch 18 which describes evil angels as “burning mountains” being imprisoned until the final judgment. In the OT, there are a couple possible sources for this imagery as well: Jer. 51:24-25 and Amos 7:24.

In Rev. 9:15, “four angels” are released to lead a demonic army of 200,000,000 to kill a third of the earth’s population. Throughout chapters 8 and 9 John shows us that God has allowed these demonic activities to go forward, but within limits. With this in mind, you might find it interesting to read and consider the story of Job in Job chapters 1 and 2, in which God allowed Satan to test Job, but within strict limits. Job’s experience was a terrible one, but at the end of the story, Job was doing just fine, thank you very much.

In the next post, let’s consider these subordinate images in the light of the New Testament theme of perseverance.