Revelation 9:8

• Some people view these locusts as symbols of attack helicopters, missiles, or other modern weapons. However, they originate from the Abyss, not from human creation. The description of these creatures, based on the appearance of locusts, is intended to cause fear and disgust.

• Their gold crowns show that their torment affects much of the earth.

The fifth trumpet is the first of the three terrors (Revelation 8:13). It brings a judgment of locusts from the bottomless pit, a place of horror. Ancient cultures thought the ocean depths, or the Abyss, was a home for demonic forces (see study note on Genesis 1:2).

The fifth and sixth trumpets show how God's judgment affects people worldwide and highlight how worthless it is to resist God. These judgments should lead to repentance, but they do not. Sin controls people so much that they choose to worship the evil forces that harm them instead of repenting and turning to God.

• The second series of judgments involves seven trumpets. Like the first series (Revelation 6:1–8:1), it includes a pause (10:1–11:14; compare 7:1–17) and concludes with a view of God's eternal kingdom (11:15–19; see 7:9–8:1).

• The trumpet judgments are similar to the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14–11:10). They aim to show that earthly gods (or evil powers) are powerless and to clearly demonstrate God's power and control.