Spiritual Vigilance in Times of Chaos
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delve into Revelation Chapter 9, a chapter filled with vivid imagery and profound lessons. As we begin, I want to set the stage by recalling the trumpets that have been blown, each bringing a different form of destruction and chaos to the world. We start with the fifth trumpet, where John describes a star falling from the sky to the earth, opening the abyss, and releasing smoke that darkens the sun and sky. This imagery is akin to a gigantic furnace, and it sets a dark, foreboding tone for what is to come ([48:02]).
As the abyss opens, locusts emerge, given power like that of scorpions. These are not ordinary locusts; they are described with terrifying detail—faces resembling human faces, hair like women's hair, and teeth like lions' teeth. They are commanded not to harm the grass or plants but to torment those without the seal of God on their foreheads for five months. The agony they inflict is so severe that people will seek death but will not find it ([56:24]). This torment is a stark reminder of the spiritual battles we face and the importance of being sealed by God.
Moving on to the sixth trumpet, we hear a voice from the golden altar before God, instructing the release of four angels bound at the Euphrates River. These angels are released to kill a third of mankind, and the number of mounted troops is described as twice ten thousand times ten thousand. The imagery here is overwhelming, with horses having heads like lions and tails like snakes, inflicting injury and death through fire, smoke, and sulfur ([01:07:16]). This scene is reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt, drawing a parallel between the stubbornness of Pharaoh and the unrepentant hearts of people during these end times.
Despite witnessing such catastrophic events, the rest of mankind does not repent of their sins. They continue to worship idols and engage in immoral activities. This lack of repentance, even in the face of divine judgment, is a sobering reminder of the hardness of the human heart ([01:15:42]). It challenges us to examine our own lives and ensure we are not falling into similar patterns of stubbornness and sin.
As we conclude, I want to leave you with three key words: Alert, Armor, and Resist. These words are crucial for our spiritual survival. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us to be alert and of sober mind because our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We must be vigilant and aware of the spiritual dangers around us ([01:18:34]).
Ephesians 6:11 instructs us to put on the full armor of God so that we can stand against the devil's schemes. The devil has had centuries to perfect his strategies against us, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves with the armor of God ([01:19:35]).
Finally, James 4:7 tells us to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us. By submitting to God and resisting the devil, we can overcome the spiritual battles we face daily ([01:20:15]).
In closing, let us pray for God's guidance and strength to be alert, armored, and resistant to the devil's schemes. May we remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of chaos and destruction, knowing that God has a plan for those who are faithful to Him ([01:21:20]).
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance: 1 Peter 5:8 calls us to be alert and of sober mind because our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This vigilance is crucial in recognizing and resisting the subtle and overt attacks of the enemy. Being spiritually alert means being aware of the influences and temptations that can lead us away from God. [01:18:34]
2. Equipping Ourselves with the Armor of God: Ephesians 6:11 emphasizes the need to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Each piece is vital in protecting us from spiritual attacks and enabling us to stand firm in our faith. [01:19:35]
3. The Power of Submission and Resistance: James 4:7 teaches us to submit to God and resist the devil, promising that the devil will flee from us. Submission to God involves surrendering our will and desires to Him, while resistance requires actively opposing the devil's temptations and lies. This dual approach empowers us to overcome spiritual battles. [01:20:15]
4. The Consequences of Unrepentance: Revelation 9:20-21 highlights the stubbornness of those who, despite witnessing divine judgment, refuse to repent of their sins. This serves as a warning about the hardness of the human heart and the importance of repentance. It challenges us to examine our lives and turn away from anything that separates us from God. [01:15:42]
5. God's Protection for His People: Even amidst the chaos and destruction described in Revelation, those with the seal of God on their foreheads are protected. This assurance of God's protection for His faithful ones encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God has a plan and purpose for us, even in the darkest times. [01:20:52]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [37:51] - Opening Prayer
3. [38:34] - Tithes and Offerings
4. [44:14] - Announcements
5. [46:23] - Introduction to Revelation 9
6. [48:02] - The Fifth Trumpet
7. [50:32] - The Abyss Opens
8. [56:24] - The Locusts' Torment
9. [01:07:16] - The Sixth Trumpet
10. [01:15:42] - The Unrepentant Hearts
11. [01:18:34] - Be Alert
12. [01:19:35] - Put on the Armor of God
13. [01:20:15] - Submit and Resist
14. [01:20:52] - God's Plan for His People
15. [01:21:20] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 9:1-6 (NIV)
> "The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes."
2. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
> "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
3. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
> "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."
4. James 4:7 (NIV)
> "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What imagery does John use to describe the opening of the Abyss and the locusts that emerge from it? ([48:02])
2. According to Revelation 9:4, who are the locusts commanded to harm, and who are they to leave unharmed? ([54:25])
3. What are the three key words mentioned at the end of the sermon that are crucial for our spiritual survival? ([01:17:43])
4. How does John describe the appearance and sound of the locusts in Revelation 9:7-10? ([01:01:37])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might the darkening of the sun and sky by the smoke from the Abyss symbolize in a spiritual context? ([48:02])
2. How does the description of the locusts in Revelation 9:7-10 enhance our understanding of the spiritual battles we face? ([01:01:37])
3. Why do you think the rest of mankind did not repent despite witnessing such catastrophic events, as described in Revelation 9:20-21? ([01:15:42])
4. How do the concepts of being alert, putting on the armor of God, and resisting the devil apply to the spiritual battles described in Revelation 9? ([01:17:43])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually attacked. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to be more spiritually vigilant? ([01:18:34])
2. What specific steps can you take this week to "put on the full armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6:11? ([01:19:35])
3. In what areas of your life do you need to submit more fully to God to resist the devil effectively? ([01:20:15])
4. How can you ensure that you are not falling into patterns of stubbornness and sin, similar to those who did not repent in Revelation 9:20-21? ([01:15:42])
5. Identify one way you can be more alert to the spiritual dangers around you. How can you implement this awareness in your daily routine? ([01:18:34])
6. Think of a situation where you need to resist temptation. What practical steps can you take to resist the devil in that specific context? ([01:20:15])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of chaos and destruction? ([01:21:20])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Vigilance in a Chaotic World
Description: The importance of spiritual vigilance cannot be overstated. 1 Peter 5:8 calls us to be alert and of sober mind because our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This vigilance is crucial in recognizing and resisting the subtle and overt attacks of the enemy. Being spiritually alert means being aware of the influences and temptations that can lead us away from God. In Revelation 9, we see the chaos and destruction unleashed by the fifth and sixth trumpets, yet many people remain unrepentant and unaware of the spiritual dangers around them. This serves as a stark reminder that we must stay vigilant and spiritually awake, recognizing the signs of the times and the enemy's schemes. [01:18:34]
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."
Reflection: What are some subtle influences or temptations in your life that you need to be more vigilant about? How can you stay spiritually alert in your daily routine?
Day 2: Equipping Ourselves with the Armor of God
Description: Ephesians 6:11 emphasizes the need to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Each piece is vital in protecting us from spiritual attacks and enabling us to stand firm in our faith. In Revelation 9, the imagery of locusts with the power to torment and the mounted troops causing destruction highlights the intensity of spiritual warfare. Just as soldiers prepare for battle with armor, we must equip ourselves with the spiritual armor provided by God to withstand the enemy's attacks and remain steadfast in our faith. [01:19:35]
Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Reflection: Which piece of the armor of God do you feel you need to strengthen in your life? How can you practically incorporate this piece into your daily spiritual practice?
Day 3: The Power of Submission and Resistance
Description: James 4:7 teaches us to submit to God and resist the devil, promising that the devil will flee from us. Submission to God involves surrendering our will and desires to Him, while resistance requires actively opposing the devil's temptations and lies. This dual approach empowers us to overcome spiritual battles. In Revelation 9, despite witnessing divine judgment, many people refuse to repent and submit to God, continuing in their sinful ways. This serves as a warning about the consequences of unrepentance and the importance of submitting to God and resisting the devil's schemes. By doing so, we can experience victory in our spiritual battles and draw closer to God. [01:20:15]
James 4:8-10 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: The Consequences of Unrepentance
Description: Revelation 9:20-21 highlights the stubbornness of those who, despite witnessing divine judgment, refuse to repent of their sins. This serves as a warning about the hardness of the human heart and the importance of repentance. It challenges us to examine our lives and turn away from anything that separates us from God. The imagery of the locusts and the mounted troops causing torment and destruction is a vivid reminder of the consequences of unrepentance. Even in the face of such catastrophic events, many people continue to worship idols and engage in immoral activities. This lack of repentance is a sobering reminder of the need for a softened heart and a willingness to turn back to God. [01:15:42]
Jeremiah 5:3 (ESV): "O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent."
Reflection: Is there a specific sin or habit in your life that you have been reluctant to repent of? What steps can you take today to turn away from it and seek God's forgiveness?
Day 5: God's Protection for His People
Description: Even amidst the chaos and destruction described in Revelation, those with the seal of God on their foreheads are protected. This assurance of God's protection for His faithful ones encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God has a plan and purpose for us, even in the darkest times. The imagery of the locusts being commanded not to harm those with the seal of God is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and care for His people. In times of spiritual battles and trials, we can take comfort in knowing that God is our protector and that He will guide us through the challenges we face. [01:20:52]
Psalm 91:1-4 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's protection and faithfulness in times of difficulty? What practical steps can you take to dwell in the shelter of the Most High in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We need to be alert because there is an enemy that's out there trying to devour us, trying to destroy us, trying to bring us down. So we need to be alert. We need to be alert each and every day. Be alert of the enemy that's out there like a lion. You know, when lions actually eat or when they actually have a kill, it's not a pretty sight. And that's why they describe it like that. Like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." [01:18:34]
2. "So we need to submit to God each and every day. Submit our sinful nature. Submit our flesh, our meat that wants to do these things. And give it to God. By being alert. By putting on the full armor of God. And by submitting ourselves. We resist the devil at that point. We resist the attacks that he's coming through us. And that's the beautiful part. Because see all this destruction. All this chaos. Was going on to the people that didn't have the seal of God on their forehead. So even through all the chaos. Even through all the storm. And through everything that we, that they're living through at that moment. He has a plan for his people." [01:20:15]
3. "So let's imagine I have a grill right here. And I put some hamburger meat and some hot dogs. And they're grilling. They're doing their thing. And then here comes. I don't know. Here comes someone. And, hey, Angel. And then so they call me. And I start talking to them. And I'm like, hey, what's going on? And they're talking to me. And they're sharing with me the story. I don't know. Something that happened during the week. Blah, blah, blah. And then they're like, oh, what's going on with the grill? Because I forgot that I had my hamburgers and my hot dogs on the grill. So I look at my grill. I'm over here. And I look at the grill. And you know that site where smoke starts coming out through the edges of the grill? So that's what I'm looking at right now. I'm looking at, like, smoke starting to creep out. And I'm like, oh, that doesn't look good." [50:32]
4. "So if you've been in a real, real, real thunderstorm, man, it makes the house shake. It makes the plates shake. It makes the TV shake. Like everything in the, it's almost like being in an earthquake. That's how strong and, you know, that's the impact that this thunder has. And so that's what it's telling me that I'm going to be hearing wings, the thundering of many horses. And chariots rushing into battle. That's the sound that he's describing. The sound of thundering like horses and chariots rushing into battle." [01:03:05]
5. "So it's crazy to see that these locusts were released to make people suffer. I mean, I've never been in a situation like that. I was talking with Erica this week, and we were driving down, and I'm talking to her. And I'm like, hey, you know, this is interesting what it says, you know, in Revelation, how they're going to be in so much pain, so much pain. They're going to want to, they're going to be seeking death, but they're not going to find it. But just the part about seeking death, that they were going to be in so much pain, so much agony that they're going to long to die." [57:36]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We need to be alert because there is an enemy that's out there trying to devour us, trying to destroy us, trying to bring us down. So we need to be alert. We need to be alert each and every day. Be alert of the enemy that's out there like a lion. You know, when lions actually eat or when they actually have a kill, it's not a pretty sight. And that's why they describe it like that. Like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." [01:18:34]
2. "So we need to submit to God each and every day. Submit our sinful nature. Submit our flesh, our meat that wants to do these things. And give it to God. By being alert. By putting on the full armor of God. And by submitting ourselves. We resist the devil at that point. We resist the attacks that he's coming through us. And that's the beautiful part. Because see all this destruction. All this chaos. Was going on to the people that didn't have the seal of God on their forehead. So even through all the chaos. Even through all the storm. And through everything that we, that they're living through at that moment. He has a plan for his people." [01:20:15]
3. "So let's go ahead and finish this chapter, verse 20 through 21. It says, the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons. And idols of gold, silver, bronze. And stone and wood. Idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts." [01:13:57]
4. "So we need to put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against those schemes. So we need to be alert. And we need to put on the full armor of God. And the last thing is submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. So we need to submit to God each and every day. Submit our sinful nature. Submit our flesh, our meat that wants to do these things. And give it to God. By being alert. By putting on the full armor of God. And by submitting ourselves. We resist the devil at that point. We resist the attacks that he's coming through us." [01:19:35]
5. "It's crazy for me to understand this. This is where none of this made sense to me. Because again, I try to put myself in their shoes. I try to put myself in, what are they thinking? What are they feeling? What are they going through? What are they, you know. Like I try to put myself in their shoes. But I just can't think that you're in a point in your life. Where you harden your heart so much. And you see all this chaos going around you. You see all this craziness. And you still can't repent. Like how much, how blinded were these people by their own sinful nature. By their own sinful acts. That they can't repent." [01:15:42]
6. "So it's crazy to see that these locusts were released to make people suffer. I mean, I've never been in a situation like that. I was talking with Erica this week, and we were driving down, and I'm talking to her. And I'm like, hey, you know, this is interesting what it says, you know, in Revelation, how they're going to be in so much pain, so much pain. They're going to want to, they're going to be seeking death, but they're not going to find it. But just the part about seeking death, that they were going to be in so much pain, so much agony that they're going to long to die." [57:36]
7. "So now imagine what I just described. Imagine it in a scale where it's big enough or it's large enough to darken the sky and the sun. Can you imagine how that feeling, how that weird, you know, how that would look? So much smoke coming out of this abyss. Now thinking about abyss, my mind goes straight to something that I've been to, which is Carlsbad Caverns. Like when I think of an abyss, I think of Carlsbad Caverns. It's perfect. It's like the shape. Who's been here to Carlsbad Caverns? Any hands? Yeah. A lot of people have been to Carlsbad Caverns. So you know when you're walking into it, when you go the long way and you walk into it and you're going down and you're going down, it's like a huge, just like cylinder shape going up. And then you just walk down this path. That's what I'm imagining when I see this." [53:14]
8. "So if you've been in a real, real, real thunderstorm, man, it makes the house shake. It makes the plates shake. It makes the TV shake. Like everything in the, it's almost like being in an earthquake. That's how strong and, you know, that's the impact that this thunder has. And so that's what it's telling me that I'm going to be hearing wings, the thundering of many horses. And chariots rushing into battle. That's the sound that he's describing. The sound of thundering like horses and chariots rushing into battle." [01:03:05]
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