ISB ~ Revelation 9 v1 - 12

The fifth trumpet unlocks the abyss, releasing volcanic smoke and swarms of warrior locusts. These are demonic forces let loose to torture and terrorize the earth. Four restrictions are placed on this first woe:(1) vegetation is to be left unharmed (9:4); (2) only the wicked are to be targeted for torment (9:4); (3) victims are not to be killed (9:5); and (4) the plague is to end in five months (9:5). Limitations such as these suggest that God is administering remedial or corrective punishment that is aimed at bringing about repentance (9:20-21).

• The prophet Joel once described an invasion of locusts that overran Judea in OT times. As in John’s vision, he compared them to an army of war horses (9:7; Joel 2:4) with lion’s teeth (9:8; Joel 1:6) and wings that sounded like chariots (9:9; Joel 2:5). This, too, was a plague from the Lord intended to induce repentance (Joel 2:12-16).