The fifth seal releases locusts from the bottomless pit (v1-12). Locusts were particularly worrying to communities in Bible time who depended so much on local agriculture. But these locusts are far from normal (v7-10).

The identity of these locusts becomes clearer when their leader is revealed (v11). Abaddon and Apollyon mean destroyer. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Apollyon is the name given to the devil. Apollyon and the locusts teach us of the spiritual battle that is going on this world. The locusts are fallen angels.

The locusts torment mankind but only those who don’t have the seal of God on their forehead (v4). The sealed are those who belong to God, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7 v4, 14).

The sixth trumpet releases four angels who lead a terrifying army to kill one third of the earth (v13-19). The key thing in these visions is not to try and identify them with specific events in this world, but rather to grasp the principles which are being taught.

With all the destruction they have seen in the world, with all the suffering they have endured, with all the death they had seen around them as a result of evil, still the people will not repent of their sinful ways (v20-21). Sin has brought so much suffering and still they will not let go of it.