October 24: BY REASON OF THE SMOKE (part 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. Revelation 9:2 (KJV)
Yesterday’s closing verse ends with these words: neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49b) The Lord is pointing out this neglect as a practical way of helping His followers to prevail in the great battle of overcoming selfishness. In the heat of this battle, success manifests when we put forth effort to help those in need. There are unique blessings of character development tied to reaching out on behalf of others with the love of Christ.
In the fifth trumpet judgement, John saw that the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. The symbolism of the sun here refers to the righteousness of Christ. He is the light of the world (John 8:12), and metaphorically called the Sun of Righteousness…with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2). In addition, Jesus teaches His followers: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Paul reminded the believers at Philippi of the importance of obedience, saying, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure… that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:13,15).
What does the air symbolize? Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:2-4) The air represents the Holy Spirit working on men’s hearts. It is the Spirit of Christ that gently knocks on our heart’s door (Revelation 3:20). His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12) is in perfect harmony with His word.
As the papacy systematically moved away from the true teachings of Christ, Satan gained total control over the apostate church. The person of Christ was obscured, and His true followers were oppressed and silenced by the church as troublemakers. The Holy Spirit was pushed away—blasphemed—by corrupted hearts. Thus far in the fifth trumpet, Satan renders the earth in a chaotic state of spiritual darkness – a bottomless pit – through idleness and idolatry – smoke – resembling the horrendous immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah which became like a great furnace. Thus, the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. This history is replete, in studying the Dark Ages, with what Satan was doing in developing this false system of worship: the papacy. The fifth trumpet judgement is only the first of three woes (Revelation 8:13). We will continue examining this first woe…
The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Isaiah 3:9-12