Revelation 9: Torment is bounded, and repentance is refused

The fifth and sixth trumpets intensify the woes, but the Book of Revelation keeps placing limits beside the terror. A star receives a key to the bottomless pit and releases locustlike creatures whose targets, duration, and power are restricted. They cannot harm vegetation, cannot touch those with God's seal, and cannot kill, though their five months of torment are dreadful. Their composite bodies borrow the language of locusts, scorpions, lions, armored cavalry, and rushing chariots. The sixth trumpet releases four bound angels at an appointed time and an immense mounted force that kills a third of humanity. Yet the chapter does not end by staring at the army. Its closing diagnosis concerns the survivors, who continue worshiping lifeless idols and refuse to repent of murder, sorcery, fornication, and theft. The final emphasis falls on persistent allegiance rather than spectacular destruction.