Rev 9:13-16 | KingComments | STEP | . The sixth trumpet is sounded by the sixth angel. The result is that John hears a voice. That may be the voice of God or of the Lord Jesus. That voice comes “from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God”. That gives the impression that this judgment is the result of the prayers of the saints who had prayed for revenge and redemption ( ; cf. ). The four horns show that the judgment is full of power (horns) and that it is also general (the number four). . Here you read about something that had not happened with any of the previous angels. Namely, an order is given to the angel that has sounded the trumpet. In this way this angel becomes involved himself in the judgment he announces. He is ordered to release the four angels who are bound at the Euphrates river. The Euphrates river is always the border between Israel in the broadest sense ( ) and the eastern powers, especially Assyria. It was also the most eastern border of the Roman empire. These four bound angels must not be confused with the four angels that are ‘holding back’ in chapter 7 ( ). Here we have the release of powers and there the powers are held back. There we have the good angels who are preventing the outbreak of the evil a little bit longer, here we have the evil angels who are about to cause destruction. The fact that they must be released proves that they are evil angels. . It is remarkably written that the four angels “had been prepared” to be released at an exactly mentioned moment. It confirms the providence of God. He arranges everything in advance that everything may happen at the right moment. He determines the means and the time. God has prepared these angels for a long time already. He has everything in control and makes it come to pass just as it fits in His plan and serves His goal. That also goes for all destroying powers. They are released to “kill a third of mankind”. . With the release of the angels a huge army looms up. It seems that the four evil angels activate these armies. All armies, consisting of horses with horsemen, together form an army of two hundred million horsemen. John hears their number, for it was impossible for him to count. The number is mentioned to give an impression of the enormous mass that has been prepared to wage war. It is possible that this number should be taken literally. It is also possible that the demonic powers that control this army should be included in this number. These powers come from the east. Perhaps when you see these armies you can think of the great influence of Islam, which is asserting itself more and more strongly in the world. . John tells us that he sees everything in a vision. It is not actually present yet, but he sees with his spiritual eye what will take place. He not only sees events and the scene where it will happen, but he also sees the actors. These are frightening appearances. However, there is no fear with John. That should be the same with you. After all, they are creatures that are in God’s hand. He determines their actions and their way. The characteristics of these armies are those of hell; they wear the armor of hell. Fire and brimstone are the consuming elements which are used judicially ( ). They are also symbols of the everlasting torment ( ). Their breastplates again refer to their complete insensitiveness. The heads of lions is a picture of their superiority. What comes out of their mouth comes from their heart ( ; ), which makes clear that their heart is in connection with hell. Their eruptions consume and suffocate everything that is alive and lead into darkness and deception, with no way out. . Hellish means, “the fire and the smoke and the brimstone”, are used in this war to kill people. These armies harvest for death. The means to kill are mentioned twice in these verses and proceed out of their mouths, which is also mentioned twice. “Their mouths” indicate their voraciousness, that is, people are devoured by them. It is also possible that they approach people with an unprecedented eloquence, which causes those people to be captured and in that way become a prey to these armies. In this way they are killed, which in a spiritual sense means that any connection with God, in case there should still be a connection, is erased. . Again the devouring and deceptive nature of this army force is emphasized. The mouth indicates devouring. That the tails with heads indicate guile and treachery is evident from the comparison to serpents. The horsemen appear to have no role here, for there is only mention of horses. It is remarkable that ‘mouth’ is written here in singular – while before ‘mouths’ was twice mentioned, plural – and ‘tails’ in plural. That shows that on the one hand they are all animated by one spirit and that they act out of that one particular spirit, while the tails indicate the manifold teachings and lies of satan. That the tails have heads indicates that their wicked influence is guided by intelligence. . After the horses have done their pernicious work, a lot of people remain. They will see the massive slaughter wrought by this overwhelming army, but there is no movement among them toward the living God to turn to Him. They have abandoned Him and no trace of any thought arises in them to allow Him to enter their lives. These people have fallen prey to all kinds of idolatry, demonic powers of violence and destruction. They worship their cultural, technical and medical products, the achievements they have made, without any thanks to God Who enabled them to do so. The different values of the materials that are mentioned indicate that all layers of society, the rich and the poor have surrendered themselves to idolatry. Everyone makes himself an own idol to worship with the means that are available to him. That kind of idol that is worshiped is consistent with the behavior of the worshiper and shows what character he has. You see that in the next verse. Thereby you should consider that the people who are concerned here are the nominal Christians of Western Europe. It is the part of the world where the light of the gospel has been shining the clearest. But the gospel has degenerated into a social talk of humanitarianism, in which there is no longer any place for God in His holiness. That’s why the light has become darkness. When light becomes darkness, that darkness is the greatest possible darkness ( ). They did not repent of their idols, which means as it is written here, that they “did not repent of the works of their hands”. Their whole life, all of their daily routines was connected with idolatry in such a way that they were totally blind to the fact that they were practicing idolatry. About the idols it is again described that they are totally unable to come into any action. God’s Spirit mocks with that, as you read that also in Isaiah 44 ( ). . It is remarked once more that they did not repent. In the previous verse you have seen a sketch of the decay of professing Christianity. The works of human hands have become objects of worship. But this fact does not stand by itself. This worship of idols goes hand in hand with an inner depravity which is exposed in the most horrendous way. A borderless selfishness toward other people becomes clear. A total spiritual degeneration, such as the world has never known before, manifests itself. In worshiping his idols, man also follows the lusts of his corrupted nature without any reservation. In the deeds of man it will become clear that both characteristics of satan, lies and murder, will completely control man in the end time. It is not about incidents, but murder, sorcery, fornication and thefts are the order of the day. The things that are mentioned show the absolute selfishness of man and the total lack of respect for what belongs to someone else. Any intercourse forbidden by God is eagerly embraced by these people. Where the bond with God is not present ties in society become increasingly loose and respect for the rights and the possessions of others disappear. It's every man for himself. 1. “Murders” indicates the lack of respect for life. You see that today in the legalization of abortion – murder at the very beginning of life – and euthanasia – murder at the end of life. In between are the countless other violent murders. 2. In “sorceries” you see the illicit dealings with demonic spirits to be able to predict future ( ). 3. “Immorality” is a trampling on the marriage instituted by God and a disdain for the rights associated with it ( ). 4. “Thefts” are committed with the greatest naturalness, as if there is a right to another one’s possession. Morality has sunk so deeply that there is no longer any sense of sincerity and honesty. Now read Revelation 9:13-21 again. Reflection: Which forms of idolatry do you recognize around you? Do you also see in yourself the danger to worship an idol?

‏ Revelation of John 9:13-16

The Sixth Trumpet

Rev 9:13. The sixth trumpet is sounded by the sixth angel. The result is that John hears a voice. That may be the voice of God or of the Lord Jesus. That voice comes “from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God”. That gives the impression that this judgment is the result of the prayers of the saints who had prayed for revenge and redemption (Rev 6:9-11; cf. Rev 8:3). The four horns show that the judgment is full of power (horns) and that it is also general (the number four).

Rev 9:14. Here you read about something that had not happened with any of the previous angels. Namely, an order is given to the angel that has sounded the trumpet. In this way this angel becomes involved himself in the judgment he announces. He is ordered to release the four angels who are bound at the Euphrates river. The Euphrates river is always the border between Israel in the broadest sense (Gen 15:18) and the eastern powers, especially Assyria. It was also the most eastern border of the Roman empire.

These four bound angels must not be confused with the four angels that are ‘holding back’ in chapter 7 (Rev 7:1-3). Here we have the release of powers and there the powers are held back. There we have the good angels who are preventing the outbreak of the evil a little bit longer, here we have the evil angels who are about to cause destruction. The fact that they must be released proves that they are evil angels.

Rev 9:15. It is remarkably written that the four angels “had been prepared” to be released at an exactly mentioned moment. It confirms the providence of God. He arranges everything in advance that everything may happen at the right moment. He determines the means and the time. God has prepared these angels for a long time already. He has everything in control and makes it come to pass just as it fits in His plan and serves His goal. That also goes for all destroying powers. They are released to “kill a third of mankind”.

Rev 9:16. With the release of the angels a huge army looms up. It seems that the four evil angels activate these armies. All armies, consisting of horses with horsemen, together form an army of two hundred million horsemen. John hears their number, for it was impossible for him to count. The number is mentioned to give an impression of the enormous mass that has been prepared to wage war.

It is possible that this number should be taken literally. It is also possible that the demonic powers that control this army should be included in this number. These powers come from the east. Perhaps when you see these armies you can think of the great influence of Islam, which is asserting itself more and more strongly in the world.

Rev 9:17. John tells us that he sees everything in a vision. It is not actually present yet, but he sees with his spiritual eye what will take place. He not only sees events and the scene where it will happen, but he also sees the actors. These are frightening appearances. However, there is no fear with John. That should be the same with you. After all, they are creatures that are in God’s hand. He determines their actions and their way.

The characteristics of these armies are those of hell; they wear the armor of hell. Fire and brimstone are the consuming elements which are used judicially (Gen 19:24). They are also symbols of the everlasting torment (Rev 20:10). Their breastplates again refer to their complete insensitiveness. The heads of lions is a picture of their superiority. What comes out of their mouth comes from their heart (Mt 15:18-19 ; Mt 12:34; Rev 16:13), which makes clear that their heart is in connection with hell. Their eruptions consume and suffocate everything that is alive and lead into darkness and deception, with no way out.

Rev 9:18. Hellish means, “the fire and the smoke and the brimstone”, are used in this war to kill people. These armies harvest for death. The means to kill are mentioned twice in these verses and proceed out of their mouths, which is also mentioned twice. “Their mouths” indicate their voraciousness, that is, people are devoured by them. It is also possible that they approach people with an unprecedented eloquence, which causes those people to be captured and in that way become a prey to these armies. In this way they are killed, which in a spiritual sense means that any connection with God, in case there should still be a connection, is erased.

Rev 9:19. Again the devouring and deceptive nature of this army force is emphasized. The mouth indicates devouring. That the tails with heads indicate guile and treachery is evident from the comparison to serpents. The horsemen appear to have no role here, for there is only mention of horses.

It is remarkable that ‘mouth’ is written here in singular – while before ‘mouths’ was twice mentioned, plural – and ‘tails’ in plural. That shows that on the one hand they are all animated by one spirit and that they act out of that one particular spirit, while the tails indicate the manifold teachings and lies of satan. That the tails have heads indicates that their wicked influence is guided by intelligence.

Rev 9:20. After the horses have done their pernicious work, a lot of people remain. They will see the massive slaughter wrought by this overwhelming army, but there is no movement among them toward the living God to turn to Him. They have abandoned Him and no trace of any thought arises in them to allow Him to enter their lives.

These people have fallen prey to all kinds of idolatry, demonic powers of violence and destruction. They worship their cultural, technical and medical products, the achievements they have made, without any thanks to God Who enabled them to do so. The different values of the materials that are mentioned indicate that all layers of society, the rich and the poor have surrendered themselves to idolatry. Everyone makes himself an own idol to worship with the means that are available to him. That kind of idol that is worshiped is consistent with the behavior of the worshiper and shows what character he has. You see that in the next verse.

Thereby you should consider that the people who are concerned here are the nominal Christians of Western Europe. It is the part of the world where the light of the gospel has been shining the clearest. But the gospel has degenerated into a social talk of humanitarianism, in which there is no longer any place for God in His holiness. That’s why the light has become darkness. When light becomes darkness, that darkness is the greatest possible darkness (Mt 6:23).

They did not repent of their idols, which means as it is written here, that they “did not repent of the works of their hands”. Their whole life, all of their daily routines was connected with idolatry in such a way that they were totally blind to the fact that they were practicing idolatry. About the idols it is again described that they are totally unable to come into any action. God’s Spirit mocks with that, as you read that also in Isaiah 44 (Isa 44:9-20).

Rev 9:21. It is remarked once more that they did not repent. In the previous verse you have seen a sketch of the decay of professing Christianity. The works of human hands have become objects of worship. But this fact does not stand by itself. This worship of idols goes hand in hand with an inner depravity which is exposed in the most horrendous way. A borderless selfishness toward other people becomes clear.

A total spiritual degeneration, such as the world has never known before, manifests itself. In worshiping his idols, man also follows the lusts of his corrupted nature without any reservation. In the deeds of man it will become clear that both characteristics of satan, lies and murder, will completely control man in the end time.

It is not about incidents, but murder, sorcery, fornication and thefts are the order of the day. The things that are mentioned show the absolute selfishness of man and the total lack of respect for what belongs to someone else. Any intercourse forbidden by God is eagerly embraced by these people. Where the bond with God is not present ties in society become increasingly loose and respect for the rights and the possessions of others disappear. It's every man for himself.

1. “Murders” indicates the lack of respect for life. You see that today in the legalization of abortion – murder at the very beginning of life – and euthanasia – murder at the end of life. In between are the countless other violent murders.

2. In “sorceries” you see the illicit dealings with demonic spirits to be able to predict future (1Sam 28:7).

3. “Immorality” is a trampling on the marriage instituted by God and a disdain for the rights associated with it (1Thes 4:6).

4. “Thefts” are committed with the greatest naturalness, as if there is a right to another one’s possession. Morality has sunk so deeply that there is no longer any sense of sincerity and honesty.

Now read Revelation 9:13-21 again.

Reflection: Which forms of idolatry do you recognize around you? Do you also see in yourself the danger to worship an idol?