DISASTERS OF THE 5TH AND 6TH ANGELS
Revelation 9.1-21
In verse 4 marking of the people of GOD mentioned again and it specified that they will be marked on their foreheads. These marked people will not be hurt by locust, but only those will be hurt who do not have the mark of GOD.
~ 4. *Marking (sealing) GOD'S people: (Exodus 12.7.13) (Ezekiel 9.4-6) (John 3.33, 6.27) (Ephesians 1.13, 4.30) (2Corinthians 1.21-22) (2Timothy 2.19) (Revelation 7.2-8, 9.4, 14.1.9-11, 22.3-4)
As it was written in chapter 8, similarity between plagues of Egypt and these future events mentioned here is quite analogous of those done in Egypt (Reminder of the Curses of Egypt: Deuteronomy 28.27.60). It seems like whole nature and entire Earth with all its variety and diversity of things and with its force will rebel against humankind for pollution of the Earth by innocent blood, evil, corporate pollution, and injustice.
Locust actually appeared many times in human history in some parts of the world and always with devastating effect. And again, it will appear on the scene in the future as a punishment on humankind, but this time it will be not ordinary locust (3-11).
Perhaps the most striking statement in this chapter is in verse 6. People will seek death because of these horrific disasters and tribulations, but they would not find it, the death will escape from them. It is not surprising that during our sufferings some of us seeking death to end our misery as the only exit and solution and get relief from our distress and pain that we cannot tolerate any longer.
Now imagine a situation in which there is no such option to have relief from our suffering, no treatment, no healing, no cure, no help at all! It is almost like Hell in which exist continuous eternal torture and suffering but no death to escape from its torment. Here during these inflictions of punishment, the same thing will happen on Earth, no death to escape to.
But there is other no less amazing passages in this chapter that tell us that even after these dreadful calamities, humankind will not repent before GOD! (20-21). No wonder that human stupidity, foolishness, stubbornness, and evil nature are stronger than Hell and Death combine.
In verse 11 also mentioned "abyss," "Abaddon," and "Appolyon." All of these words point to one object, the Hell, the World of Dead, also described as "bottomless pit," in verses 1-3.
~ 11. *Abaddon and Apollyon. These names translated as "Destroyer," most likely means as destroyer of life.
~ "Its general meaning of "ruin, destruction" is variously translated in such passages as: (Job 26.6, 28.22, 31.12) (Psalm 88.11) (Proverbs 15.11, 27.20)."
The New International Dictionary of the Bible. J. D. Douglas, Merrill C. Tenney.