April 3, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING β Revelation Chapter 9
Bible Text (King James Version)
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Explanation & Classification
Introduction
Revelation 9 is a striking and intense chapterβfull of imagery of judgment, supernatural plagues, and spiritual darkness. At first glance, it may seem frightening and difficult to understand. Yet as we go deeper, we see that Godβs intention is not destruction but repentance.
The trumpets symbolize warningsβGodβs call to awaken. In His mercy, God allows the consequences of sin to be revealed so that humanity may turn back to Him and live.
Commentary
Verses 1β12: The Fifth Trumpet β Demonic Locusts
Verses 1β2: A star falls from heavenβsymbolic of a being, likely Satan or a fallen angelβwho is given access to the bottomless pit. Smoke risesβsymbolizing confusion and spiritual darkness.
Verses 3β4: The locusts represent demonic forces. They do not harm nature but torment people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheadsβGodβs people are protected.
Verses 5β6: The locusts are not allowed to kill, only to torment for five months. This shows Godβs control and limitation of judgment. The torment is so severe that people desire deathβbut it escapes them.
Verses 7β10: The description is terrifyingβlionβs teeth, human faces, scorpion tails. These symbols reveal the deceptive, cruel, and destructive nature of these forces.
Verse 11: Their king is the angel of the bottomless pitβAbaddon/Apollyon, meaning “Destroyer.” This confirms that the source of suffering is not God but evil itself.
Verse 12: One woe is pastβtwo more are yet to come.
Verses 13β21: The Sixth Trumpet β Horsemen of Judgment
Verses 13β15: Four angels bound at the Euphratesβsymbolically marking the boundary between Israel and enemy nationsβare released. They are prepared for a specific time, showing Godβs sovereignty over events.
Verses 16β17: A massive army brings death through fire, smoke, and brimstoneβrepresenting a devastating spiritual and physical conflict.
Verses 18β19: A third of mankind is killed. The horses have power in their mouths and tailsβsuggesting the deadly combination of deception (words) and violence (action).
Verses 20β21: The most tragic partβthose who survive still do not repent. Despite everything, they cling to idolatry, immorality, violence, and occult practices.
Summary
God warns through judgmentsβbecause of His grace.
Humanity is confronted with the consequences of evil.
Godβs people are protectedβby His seal.
But many persist in rebellion.
Message for Us Today
This chapter speaks powerfully into our times. Even today, we see spiritual confusion, moral decay, and growing coldness in society. What was once described in symbols we now witness in cultural, social, and spiritual crisis.
The key question is not how “scary” this vision isβbut: Am I ready? Do I bear the seal of God?
God is calling us to repentanceβtoday.
Not through fear, but through truth.
Not by force, but by invitation.
Not somedayβbut now.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White β Steps to Christ
Chapter 11 β The Privilege of Prayer
Read online here
Explanation & Classification
Introduction
Prayer is more than a religious obligation or a cry for help in difficult times β it is the living connection between the human soul and the heart of God.
Chapter 11 of Steps to Christ shows us that prayer is not only possible, but a divine privilege β a channel of grace and communion with a loving, listening Father.
And yet β this gift is often neglected, to the great loss of our spiritual life.
Commentary
Paragraphs 1β4: The Necessity of Prayer
God speaks to us through nature, Scripture, providence, and His Spirit.
But without our response in prayer, the relationship remains incomplete.
Prayer is more than words β it is opening our heart to God and drawing near to Him.
Paragraphs 5β6: Jesus’ Example in Prayer
Jesus β though divine and without sin β felt the need for prayer.
He sought solitude, carried our burdens, and became our intercessor.
If the Son of God prayed, how much more do we need to pray!
Paragraphs 7β10: Godβs Willingness to Hear
God longs to bless us β and yet we pray so little!
The angels can hardly understand this β for they know the joy of constant communion.
Without prayer, we disconnect from heaven and stand defenseless against temptation.
Paragraphs 11β18: Conditions for Answered Prayer
Prayer must be sincere β coming from a heart that longs for God.
Repentance, confession, and forgiveness toward others are essential.
Faith is key β even when we see no immediate answer.
God hears β and answers at the right time, according to our real needs.
Paragraphs 19β25: The Power of Personal and Constant Prayer
Private prayer β in stillness and solitude β has great value.
But prayer can also be a continual connection, a life lived with God.
Biblical examples like Enoch and Nehemiah show us: true prayer is a lifestyle.
Paragraphs 26β30: The Danger of Neglected Prayer
Neglecting prayer leads to spiritual weakness and distance from God.
True devotion includes prayer, fellowship, and service.
Those who isolate themselves or pray without action lose the joy and power of prayer.
Paragraphs 31βEnd: The Joy of Prayer and Praise
Thanksgiving and praise should be central to our prayer life.
God wants our worship to be joyful, trusting, and full of love β not fear.
Praise opens our hearts to Godβs presence and prepares us to receive more blessings.
Summary
Prayer is a sacred gift of grace, through which we live in communion with God.
It is the βkey in the hand of faithβ that opens heavenβs treasure house.
Prayer is indispensable to the spiritual life β but its power depends on conditions: humility, faith, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Christ gave us the perfect example β and invites us to find strength, peace, and nearness to God through prayer.
Message for Us Today
In a world of noise, stress, and distraction β prayer remains our direct line to heaven.
βAsk, and it shall be given youβ¦β (Matthew 7:7)
God waits for us β not as a distant judge, but as a loving Father.
Prayer does not change God β it changes us:
Our trust deepens, our thoughts become clear, and our hearts are opened to His Spirit.
What does this mean for you today?
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Take time for silent, personal prayer β not out of duty, but for peace and strength.
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Stay connected with God throughout the day β in thought, in whisper, in silence.
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Trust His answers β even when they come differently than expected.
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Forgive others β we cannot ask for grace while holding onto bitterness.
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Praise God! Gratitude transforms the heart and prepares us for more blessings.
Prayer is not just speaking with God β it is living with God.
Let us live in the light of this grace-filled gift.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/3-04-2025-revelation-chapter-9-believe-his-prophets/