Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
Let's be honest, it's hard to watch the news or open Facebook and not think, “How much worse can things get?” It's scary to think that because somehow everyday there seems to be something more tragic or worrisome than the day before. The violence, division, and injustice of our world can feel overwhelming. At times it seems like darkness has an upper hand and chaos is running free.
That’s exactly how Revelation 9 reads. The trumpets sound, the abyss opens, and demonic forces flood the earth. That’s some terrifying imagery! A world unrestrained and unraveling. Yet, there is an important detail repeated that we need not miss:
“They were told…”
“They were given power…”
“They were not allowed…”
Every act of judgment unfolds under permission, not rebellion. Even the darkest powers move only within the limits God allows. The abyss has an edge. The storm has a leash. I think about the moment in the Book of Job that Satan entered heaven and had to ask God’s permission to test Job. Evil may rage, but it does not reign.
I don’t know about you, but there is some steadying confidence in that truth for me. God’s authority isn’t threatened by evil; it’s revealed in how He restrains it. Every boundary He sets is an act of mercy, protecting humanity from complete ruin and giving time for repentance.
And yet, Revelation 9 ends with words that weigh heavy: “The rest of mankind… still did not repent.” After all the shaking, many refused to turn toward the very God who could save them. It’s one of the most sobering sentences in Scripture. How stubborn the human heart can be!
This chapter isn’t meant to satisfy our curiosity about the end times; it’s meant to awaken our hearts in the present time. The restraint of God’s judgment is an open invitation to grace. He holds back what we deserve to offer what we could never earn, mercy through Jesus Christ.
Every boundary God draws is also a doorway. He limits evil so that people might still come home. The warning of Revelation 9 is not meant to scare us away from God but to pull us toward Him before it’s too late.
So, when everything feels upside down and the world looks like it is unraveling, don’t let it harden your heart; let it turn you toward hope. God is patient, but He’s also pursuing. The same power that restrains the darkness can redeem your life completely. Remember God’s limits are not just barriers of judgment but bridges of mercy.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
PRAY FOR TPW 2025
Over 500 students, nearly 200 volunteers, and dozens of Venture Church staff will attend Turning Point Weekend this Friday through Sunday. TPW is Venture Students’ annual fall retreat designed for students in grades 7th through 12th to reach a powerful turning point in their faith and walk with Christ. Students from every Venture Church campus will come together to build relationships, play games, and, most importantly, passionately worship Jesus Christ.
As a church, before the weekend, we want to PRAY FIRST. Join us in praying every day this week for one minute at 1:00 PM for God to move in the lives of students and leaders!
How to pray for TPW 2025 this week:
- Pray for protection - physical and spiritual.
- Pray for the students and their experience this weekend, that it would be a turning point in their faith that ripples through their families, schools, and communities.
- Pray for our team and all the leaders who will be volunteering their time.
- Pray for Salvations!