The trumpet judgments probably begin at the midpoint of the seven-year Great Tribulation which will start after the Rapture. The first four trumpet judgments destroy one-third of the vegetation, sea creatures, fresh water, affecting the air, economy, food and water supplies. In His mercy, God allows two-thirds of these resources to remain, allowing man to still survive. The fifth trumpet is known as the first “woe” (Rev 9:12). “Woe” describes something that is grievous.

God’s mercy in allowing them to see (Rev 9:1-5): At the first woe, God sends an angel to open the bottomless pit, releasing grotesque-looking locusts which have the power to sting like a scorpion, but multiple times. Only those who do not have the mark of God will be stung. God allows the people to experience with their five senses the spiritual battle between God and the devil, a battle which used to be hidden from fallen man. Satan has deceived man to strive for, and to falsely rely on, earthly treasures for security and to believe in false theories (such as evolution) which teach that there is no God, and hence man is not accountable to anyone; and that it is better to die than to live, without realising that eternal damnation after death is worse than all the suffering in the world. Then, at the first woe, with the destruction of one-third of the world, God wants man to realise that they need to make a choice. One option is to choose to have the mark of the beast and live a little longer on earth, and then be condemned to eternal damnation after death. A second option is to choose to believe in Christ, face possible immediate death (since they cannot sell or buy), and then have eternal life with Christ after death. There is no place for procrastinators. As their eyes are opened to see the reality of spiritual darkness around them, they will need to decide. Today, unbelievers are still blind to the spiritual realm. Our lives must show forth Christ, so that unbelievers may see Christ, and that there are eternal consequences. Pray for the unbelievers, that they will not be hardened against the Gospel.

God’s mercy in withholding death (Rev 9:5-6): When the locusts sting the unbelievers, they cannot die. God is telling man that He controls death. In preventing death, God is giving man time to seek Him and to repent. Those who believe and receive Him will have life abundant.

God’s mercy in death (Rev 9:7-12): Revelation 9:7-10 describes how terrible the locusts look, hurting men for five months. And verse 11 reveals that their king (the angel of the bottomless pit) is named “Apollyon,” meaning “destroyer.” The prospect of death will reveal that earthly treasures and attractions are vanities.

Rest in the Lord, and spend our time wisely and fruitfully for His glory. Those who believe in Christ will escape the Great Tribulation. Believe in Him now.