OPENING THE BOOK OF REVELATION –part 30 Listen to Audio

                                     October 7, 2009-

 

   In a context of divine judgment via the “trumpets” (8:6), we now come to

the 6th angel/trumpet.

9:12- “two more woes are coming”- the critical nature of these next 2

trumpet judgments require an additional comment on their approach.  This

announcement may be to create tension as expectation rises.

 

9:13-19-  John overhears a voice “from the four horns of the golden altar” (8:3) requiring the 6th angel to “release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates”.  Clearly, the word “bound” indicates restraint or

control over—it is as if these 4 angels (evil or elect?) await permission to

act.  This idea is substantiated in vs.15 where they are described as “prepared

for the hour & day & month & year”.  Here we see the sovereignty of God

in His restraint that awaited a particular setting for their release—that setting is

the Great Tribulation. 

  The purpose in releasing these angels is  “to kill one third of mankind”—

Already a fourth of mankind has died- (6:8)- now another third dies under the

power of this 6th angel.  Such decimation of human life is unheard of previously.

  Vs.16 simply states the presence of an army of 200 million and vs.17-19- describes “horses” (assumed to belong to the massive army) with violent results.  The words “Euphrates & army” along with the horror of killings,

suggest some connection with the 6th Bowl judgment in 16:12-14.  Together,

these events give the thought of an invader from Far East (China?) that brings a massive and destructive army (think Genghis Khan) crossing the Euphrates for the battle of Armageddon.  It might do well to consider the battle of Armageddon in terms of a “campaign” with a series of conflicts between the

nations, culminating in the 2nd Advent.

   The “army” in vs.17 is described with words –“horses…those who sat on them…breastplates…. heads like heads of lions; out of their mouth ..”

It is certainly an intimidating scene—“fire, smoke and brimstone which came out of their mouths.  By these three plagues a third of mankind

was killed.”   Could this be the use of ancient words and description for a

modern mechanized army (tanks, etc)?  Language of accommodation is necessary to convey the reality adequately to each generation. 

   Some consideration of Zech.12:2-3 and 14:1-3 should be given in this setting.

Eastern nations approaching the Middle East to confront or oppose the Antichrist

(see necessity of deception in 16:13) or to complement his army against the

small people of Israel.  With oil as an incentive, there is likely a great conflict

over the Middle Eastern countries—see Daniel 11:36-45 (antichrist is “he”)-

particularly, vs.44 –“from the east”.

   Vs.20-21 describe the failure of those who survive to see these events as

moving them to brokenness or repentance before God.  Such repentance is

not synonymous with justification by Christ, but likely functions as a necessary

page 2

 

antecedent to conversion.  There is NO change of mind in men & women, even

though the most horrific events in history are unfolding.  Their attraction to

idols remains undisturbed—this may be an evidence of the visitation of blindness

coming from God—see II Thess.2:11-12.

  The appetite for “murders, sorceries, sexual immorality or their thefts”

remains constant.  Violence, mayhem, assault, rape, robbery and a host of other

criminal activity rises as chaos sets in on earth in the wake of these catastrophic

disasters.  Mankind wanted no restraint—God gives what they want- Prov.1:31.

  This insanity of clinging to sin in the face of divine judgment illustrates the

madness of evil.  God does deal with mankind in mercy & in judgment--- usually,

the mercy precedes the judgment and mercy may be extended into the period

of judgment.  It would seem as though the threat and pressure of catastrophe

would drive me to seek God and to change their behavior, but clearly, that is

not always the case.  Note Romans 1:32.