Bobservation Column - "The Fifth Trumpet"

John's Revelation from Jesus has shown God's judgment on the earth, first symbolized as the opening of seven seals, and now as the blowing of seven trumpets. Chapter 8 described the last seal, which inaugurated the trumpets. The first four resulted in catastrophic destruction to trees and grasses, the seas, fresh waters, and even natural light. Even so, the prior verses warned that the impending judgments would be even worse.The Trumpets which have been given to the angels have been raised to their lips – the cosmic blows that pierce the air will affect large fractions of the planet. Each are more extensive and devastating than the seals. With the sounding of the Fifth Trumpet, each judgment is aimed at those who still defy the rule of the Lord Jesus. The 5th trumpet releases a key to open the abyss. Many scholars believe this is the same abyss that the demons begged Jesus not to throw them in. It may be the same place where God locked up the spiritual beings who sinned by choosing to reproduce with human women.The key unlocks a disobedient demonic plague that sweeps over the Earth. Similar to the book of Job, God allows for these demonic forces to have their way with the people. However, the major difference is that it is not the righteous who will suffer from this plague but “the inhabitants of the Earth” which are the non-believers.