March 25, 2018
Passage:  Revelation 9:1-21
Speaker:  Bill Knepper
Main Point:  A hard heart misses the obvious truth.

I. The enemies of God are permitted to act.   (1-2)
         A. The fallen “star” is the devil.
                  1.  Revelation 12:7-9 reveals the war in heaven.
                  2.  Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the rebellion of Lucifer.
                  3.  Luke 10:18 records the prophecy of Jesus.
         B. The abyss is the dungeon for demons.  (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 1:4)
         C. The demons pour out of the abyss.

II. God allows demonic forces to confront hard hearts.   (3-12)
         A. They can do no more than what God allows.
                  1.  They cannot harm the earth.
                  2.  They cannot harm believers.
                  3.  They cannot kill.
         B. The demons are like locusts ravaging the earth.
                  1.  They are armor–plated.
                  2.  They fly with the thunder of running horses.
                  3.  They are marked by unique weapons of war.
         C. The leader of the demons is the devil.

III. God allows the hardened heart to reach its natural end.   (13-21)
            A. Four angels have waited for this exact time.
            B. War breaks out world–wide.
            C. Despite global tragedy, most do not repent.