Revelation 9:13-21
Please read your Bible text: Rev 9:13-21
While the fifth trumpet judgment touches on humans but not bringing death, the sixth trumpet judgment brings death and one-third of the world population would be wiped out. This is the second woe. In chapter 9:1-12, the fifth trumpet unfolds the first woe, and here in chapter 9:13-21, the sixth trumpet reveals the second woe.
Demonic Angels send out to kill – vv.13-15
Initially, it is a demonic-initiated attack on human flesh not leading to death but now, the demonic incited world war resulting in the death of many. With the blasting of the sixth trumpet, 4 demonic angels bound at the 4 corners of the earth are released to kill humanity. These demonic angels are held at bay until the very hour, the very day, the very month, and the very year. Even demonic powers are subjected to the divine time frame. There is nothing ever to happen without the foreknowledge of the Almighty God. I hope this is a comforting and reassuring thought for you.
I believe there is coming, a third world war that is going to be fueled by demonic forces. We are living in a time and in a situation when many things, including international affairs, are so volatile and fragile. The world is culminating to almost a breaking point. The political-economic, as well as the emotional-conflict and tension around the world, especially among the superpowers, the Arab-Muslim nations, and Israel, are heating up to a boiling point – just ripe for the release of these four apocalypse-demonic angels to strike.
Demonic incited warfare – v.16-19
The mounted troop of 200,000,000 suggests warfare but is warfare to be incited by the 4 demonic angels. The weird description of the Calvary’s horses can very well be warfare machines and the military arsenal of our modern days. Fire, smoke, and Sulphur may well be elements of nuclear power. The head is liked a lion with nuclear power to kill coming out of its mouth. The tail liked that of a snake may well be laser weaponry to sting. With that humongous troop and nuclear power coupled with demonic powered activities – you can imagine a world war of an unprecedented scale. I believed demons are going to incite nations into strife and bitterness against each other to fight the battle of death. A third of the earth’s population perished may well be mass destruction by nuclear power. All weapons of mass destruction are demonic.
John has never seen such weaponry and warfare arsenal of modern times before. So, when John sees in a vision, these weapons and machines, the best he can do is to describe in words and imageries that he is familiar with (like horses, lion, and snake) in his days.
Defiant human hearts in spite all – v.20-21
The hardness of human heart persisted, despite the intensifying suffering and death alongside happenings of a supernatural phenomenon. Humanity remains defiant against the Almighty God. Mankind is quick to explain away every supernatural, and divine judgment and lives will continue as usual.
Today in our movies or film industries – Hollywood has already portrayed in science fiction, supernatural happenings like, ‘invasion from outer space’, the sighting of UFOs, Star Wars – May the Force be with you’, Predators and Aliens. People write books on apocalypse themes as science fiction. All these are happening in our world so that when the true apocalypse prophecies happen – there is always a ready godless explanation for what is happening. Men will continue ‘business’ as usual and remain defiant. Most will never heed the warning to repent and turn to God. Just watch the News. We have heard so many reports of catastrophic disasters (earthquake, flood, and tsunami) and terrorism these days – that we have become immune to these. Life goes on, and the significance of the end-times prophecies with all the warnings remain aloof in many hearts.
Think: Political tension is bad but fueled by demonic powered activities is worst.
Prayer: Help us, Lord, to grasp the seasons of time in keeping with what you have said is going to come.
Leave a Reply