Revelation 9:1-12  John carefully describes the consequences of the fifth trumpet which was sounded.  First, a "star from heaven" falls to the earth and holds a key.. " a key to the bottomless pit".   He opens this pit and releases these horrible creatures.. which John describes in great detail:

They are like locusts. 
They have tails like scorpions.  They are allowed only to sting men who do not have the seal of God.  Their sting causes great anguish for 5 months.  It is so painful that people will wish to die but they can't.
The locusts look somewhat like horses. They have crowns on their heads. They have faces like men. They have hair like women. They have teeth like lions. They have armor.. breastplates of iron. And they have wings. 
They also have a king, "the angel of the abyss", named Abaddon or Apollyon. 
This is the first woe.  Two more will come. 

Verses 13-21  The sixth trumpet brings the 2nd woe.. There are 4 angels released that had been "bound at the great river Euphrates".  With them are two hundred million horsemen.  These are not ordinary horses.. they have heads like lions, and tails like serpents.. with heads that do harm.  They have riders dressed in armor and they are given the authority to kill a third of mankind who are left, with fire and smoke and brimstone. 

"And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands.."  In the midst of such horror.. people still worshiped idols, they still murdered and stole.. They still tried sorcery and immorality.. they still rebelled against God. 

Even now we see the stubborn, sinful hearts of people who refuse to repent of their sins.  It is the saddest thing we see.. people who mock God and refuse to admit that they are in need of a Savior.  There have been many tragedies in our country and in our world in the last few years.. yet many still refuse to acknowledge that God is.. and that He desires to save them.. and that He will rescue them from the dominion of darkness.. if they will just call on His Name. 

Father, as I read about the coming judgements upon the earth, I come before You to ask for Your mercy upon the lost... even in my own family..  that You would bring them to the Truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  Oh, great God of heaven, how we need You! Bring repentance! Bring revival!  Stir Your people and fill us with Your Spirit so that Your Word will run freely through our country and through our world that many more will be saved, before it is too late. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for being long suffering.. We praise You and give You glory and honor, for You alone are worthy. Amen.