Chapter Summary

Judgments of the fifth and sixth trumpets.

Discussion Questions for Revelation, Chapter 9

1. In ancient times, stars were considered to be spiritual beings. Who is the fallen star? Does the text say that he fell when the fifth trumpet blew? When did he fall?
2. Why do you think that the fallen star was given the key to the abyss? What does this say about God's character and His relationship to sin?
3. Locusts are known throughout the Bible as a force of nature that God uses to judge people through the destruction of their crops. What is the significance of the locusts plaguing the people themselves instead of the people's crops?
4. These locust creatures are horrifying to say the least. Should we try to interpret this description of the locust creatures in a spiritual sense or from a modern warfare perspective? Why or why not?
5. Even with this plague, the Lord shows grace to the remaining people by only allowing these terrible creatures to harm people for five months. This broken life here on Earth might be the closest thing that some people ever experience to Heaven. What other forms of grace has the Lord given to non-believers? How can we use these forms of grace to point people to Christ?
6. The name of the king of the abyss means "destruction" or "destroyer." How has this name been proven throughout the Bible?
7. If the angels in verse 14 were bound, what does that say about them? How does God use the wickedness in their hearts for His glory? How does God use the wickedness of humans for His glory?
8. We often hear that murder, drug use (sorcery), sexual immorality, and theft is on the rise. Does this mean that we are in this time that chapter 9 describes? Why or why not?
9. Despite the death and destruction, the people that remained on the earth still didn't repent. What other narrative in the Bible does this remind you of? How is that narrative a type or foreshadowing of the Day of the Lord here in Revelation?
10. The worst part of this chapter is that even after all of this death and destruction, the people still did not repent. What have you seen in your life that has caused people to harden their hearts to the Gospel? What can be done for these people?

Key Words/Phrase

Trumpet woes, v. 12.

Characters

God, angels, John, Abaddon.

Strong Verse(s)

6