The book of Revelation is the pulling back of the curtain so that we can see what the future of God's people will be. This revelation is our glorious hope as we look to Jesus in these days of tribulation and know for sure he is coming back to take us home.

After a short interlude at the end of chapter 8, chapter 9 opens with the full force of the first woe that is brought on humanity who do not have the seal of the risen Lord Jesus on them. A plague of locusts, reminiscent of the plague that fell on Egypt, it presented as coming from the bottomless pit. They fly through the smoke and flame of the pit to bring havoc on a third of the earth. But their power is limited. They can only torment humanity but not kill them. But these locusts are not ordinary locusts. Their image is one that is different, but what is noticeable is that their power to inflict harm is in their tail, described as being like the tail of a scorpion.

The sixth trumpet sounds in verse 13 and the second woe begins. The image presented to us by John is of the enemies of God's people coming from the east across the River Euphrates. This is not to be understood as a physical place as God brings his judgement of death on a third of humanity, but digs into he history of Israel to remind them of the horrors that did come from the east by way of punishment from God for their unfaithfulness.

Revelation 9 warns us the severe judgments we will face if we rejection the salvation and lordship of Christ. God continues to display his grace while there is still time to trust in the Saviour and know the assurance of an eternal home in heaven.

Glorious Hope is a podcast teaching series from Annalong Presbyterian Church. You can find out more at http://www.annalongpc.org/sermons.

Get your copy of the ESV Scripture Journal (Revelation) wherever you get your Christian books to help your own study in this series.

A video of this podcast is available at https://youtu.be/SNLYg0BBDtY.