God Uses Evil to Judge Evil
God Uses Evil to Judge Evil
Revelation 9:1–21
In Revelation 9, God pulls back the curtain on the intensifying judgments of history, and what we see is both terrifying and clarifying: God is sovereign even over Satan, demons, and the destructive chaos of human evil. As the fifth and sixth trumpets sound, demonic forces are unleashed upon a rebellious world — not because God has lost control, but because He is actively governing all things toward His righteous end. As Pastor Stu reminded us, "The Devil is still God's Devil." Nothing happens outside the sovereign determination of God. And yet, with breathtaking sadness, the passage closes with humanity still refusing to repent. This is the indictment of our age — and the urgent call to the church to preach the gospel.
Takeaways
Application for this week
God uses this week as a call to alertness and faithfulness. The same spiritual warfare described in Revelation 9 is at work in our community today. Keep your eyes open. Stay rooted in the Word. Pray for those around you who are still under the wrath of God — they need the gospel, not more judgment. And rest in the truth that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Revelation 9:1–21
In Revelation 9, God pulls back the curtain on the intensifying judgments of history, and what we see is both terrifying and clarifying: God is sovereign even over Satan, demons, and the destructive chaos of human evil. As the fifth and sixth trumpets sound, demonic forces are unleashed upon a rebellious world — not because God has lost control, but because He is actively governing all things toward His righteous end. As Pastor Stu reminded us, "The Devil is still God's Devil." Nothing happens outside the sovereign determination of God. And yet, with breathtaking sadness, the passage closes with humanity still refusing to repent. This is the indictment of our age — and the urgent call to the church to preach the gospel.
Takeaways
- Ultimately, nothing happens apart from the sovereign determination of God.
- Spiritual warfare is real, intense, and aimed especially at those without the seal of God.
- When God removes His restraining grace, the consequences of human sin become catastrophic.
- The depravity of the human heart is so deep that even divine judgment does not produce repentance — only the gospel of grace can change a human heart.
Application for this week
God uses this week as a call to alertness and faithfulness. The same spiritual warfare described in Revelation 9 is at work in our community today. Keep your eyes open. Stay rooted in the Word. Pray for those around you who are still under the wrath of God — they need the gospel, not more judgment. And rest in the truth that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Four ideas to reflect on this week:
Devotional 1: The Sovereign God Over All Evil
James 1:13–15 - Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Reflection Question: When you look at the evil and chaos in the world around you, do you find yourself questioning God's control — or resting in His sovereignty? What does it mean practically to trust that "ultimately nothing happens apart from the sovereign determination of God"?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, when evil seems to be winning, remind me that You are never off Your throne. Anchor my heart in Your sovereignty, and give me peace that surpasses understanding even in the face of darkness.
Devotional 2: The Seal That Protects
Ephesians 1:13–14 - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Reflection Question: Revelation 9:4 tells us that the demonic locusts could not harm those who had the seal of God on their foreheads. How does knowing you are sealed by the Holy Spirit shape the way you face spiritual opposition this week?
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You that I am not left unprotected. Remind me today that I am sealed by Your Spirit, and help me to walk in the confidence that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.
Devotional 3: When Restraint Is Removed
Romans 1:24 - Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.
Reflection Question: The greatest expression of God's wrath in Romans 1 is God giving people over to their own desires. What areas of your life are you trusting God's restraining grace to guard? How do you respond when you see that grace being removed in the culture around you?
Prayer Prompt: God, I am sobered by what happens when Your restraining grace is removed. Keep me close to You. Protect my heart from the idols and desires that would lead me away from You, and make me grateful for every mercy You extend.
Devotional 4: Only the Gospel Changes Hearts
Romans 2:4 - Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Reflection Question: Revelation 9:20–21 reveals that even devastating judgment did not move the unrepentant to turn to God. W.A. Criswell wrote, "A man is really changed only by the Gospel of the grace of the Son of God." Who in your life needs to hear that gospel this week?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, break my heart for those who are hardening themselves against You even now. Give me courage to share the gospel, and remind me that it is Your kindness — not just Your judgment — that leads people to repentance.
James 1:13–15 - Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Reflection Question: When you look at the evil and chaos in the world around you, do you find yourself questioning God's control — or resting in His sovereignty? What does it mean practically to trust that "ultimately nothing happens apart from the sovereign determination of God"?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, when evil seems to be winning, remind me that You are never off Your throne. Anchor my heart in Your sovereignty, and give me peace that surpasses understanding even in the face of darkness.
Devotional 2: The Seal That Protects
Ephesians 1:13–14 - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Reflection Question: Revelation 9:4 tells us that the demonic locusts could not harm those who had the seal of God on their foreheads. How does knowing you are sealed by the Holy Spirit shape the way you face spiritual opposition this week?
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You that I am not left unprotected. Remind me today that I am sealed by Your Spirit, and help me to walk in the confidence that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.
Devotional 3: When Restraint Is Removed
Romans 1:24 - Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.
Reflection Question: The greatest expression of God's wrath in Romans 1 is God giving people over to their own desires. What areas of your life are you trusting God's restraining grace to guard? How do you respond when you see that grace being removed in the culture around you?
Prayer Prompt: God, I am sobered by what happens when Your restraining grace is removed. Keep me close to You. Protect my heart from the idols and desires that would lead me away from You, and make me grateful for every mercy You extend.
Devotional 4: Only the Gospel Changes Hearts
Romans 2:4 - Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Reflection Question: Revelation 9:20–21 reveals that even devastating judgment did not move the unrepentant to turn to God. W.A. Criswell wrote, "A man is really changed only by the Gospel of the grace of the Son of God." Who in your life needs to hear that gospel this week?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, break my heart for those who are hardening themselves against You even now. Give me courage to share the gospel, and remind me that it is Your kindness — not just Your judgment — that leads people to repentance.
Primary Scripture references from the sermon:
- Revelation 9:1–21 (
- James 1:13–15
- Romans 1:22–24
- Romans 2:4
- Genesis 19
- Exodus 10
- Joel 1–2
- Jeremiah 30:7
- Daniel 9:24–27
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