In this Bible study, we walk through one of Revelation's most challenging passages: the fifth trumpet judgment and the first woe. We'll explore the vivid imagery of the fallen star, the opened abyss, and the demonic locusts that torment those without God's seal. But this isn't just about scary apocalyptic visions. We'll discover how John draws heavily from Old Testament passages like Joel's locust plague and the Exodus judgments to show us that God's judgments are never random or vindictive. Instead, they're carefully measured warnings designed to bring people to repentance before it's too late. We'll examine the original Greek and Hebrew terms, unpack the symbolic language, and see how even in judgment, God sets strict limits on scope, duration, and intensity.

Most importantly, we'll address the question every Christian wrestles with when reading Revelation: How can a loving God allow such terrible judgment? We'll see that God's justice and love are not opposed to each other—they work together. God loves His creation too much to let evil destroy it forever, and He loves people too much to let them walk into destruction without warning them. We'll also find great comfort in verse 4, which reminds us that those sealed by God are protected from His wrath. If you've ever felt confused or frightened by Revelation, this study will help you understand these difficult passages through the lens of God's character and discover the hope that this book was always meant to give us.