Revelation 9:12

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

Revelation 9:12 (KJV)

Context

The book of Revelation, written by the apostle John, is a prophetic vision given to him by Jesus Christ. It unveils future events leading up to the end times and the establishment of God’s kingdom. In this verse, John describes the sounding of the fifth trumpet, which unleashes a woe upon the earth.

Meaning

The woes in Revelation 9:12 refer to the three trumpet judgments that follow the initial four trumpets. Each of these three trumpets introduces a more intense and severe judgment upon the earth. The fifth trumpet brings the first woe, while the sixth and seventh trumpets bring the second and third woes, respectively.

When John states, “One woe is past,” he indicates that a judgment has already taken place. In this case, it refers to the events that occurred when the fifth trumpet was sounded, which brought great suffering and affliction upon the earth. The phrase “behold” draws attention to the certainty and importance of what is to come, urging the reader to take heed.

John then declares that there are two more woes to come after the first one. This implies that the future judgments, unleashed by the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets, will be even more severe and dreadful than what has already transpired. The term “woe” denotes a pronouncement of judgment or sorrow, and each successive woe is more intense than the previous one.

Biblical connections

The fifth trumpet judgment, described in Revelation 9:1-11, unleashed a plague of demonic locusts that tormented those without the seal of God on their foreheads for five months. The sixth trumpet, in Revelation 9:13-21, brings the second woe, involving a great army of demonic horsemen causing massive destruction and death. The seventh trumpet, in Revelation 11:14-15, brings the third woe, followed by the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.

Application

The woes described in Revelation serve as a reminder of God’s justice. They reveal that God will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely and that there will be consequences for disobedience and wickedness. The judgments depicted in Revelation are meant to spur people toward repentance, calling them to turn away from sin and turn to God. The repeated mention of woes emphasizes the urgency of responding to God’s call.

As believers, we can find comfort and reassurance in the midst of the tribulations described in Revelation. God remains in control of all events, and His ultimate purpose is to establish His kingdom and bring about redemption and restoration. The woes may be distressing, but they are part of the process leading to the final victory of God. By holding on to our faith and remaining steadfast, we can find hope and strength in the assurance that God will triumph over evil in the end.

Reflection

This verse serves as a solemn reminder of the certainty and progression of God’s judgments upon the earth. It emphasizes that the judgments are not random but are part of a divine plan that will culminate in the ultimate victory of God over evil. The phrase “behold” calls for attention, urging readers to take seriously the warnings of coming judgment and to live in faithful obedience.