Revelation Chapter 9:13-21 Revelation 9:13-21 “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they might kill a third of mankind. 16And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads; and with them they do harm. 20And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts”. “Many commentators believe that the following woe, the invasion of a great destroying army, points to the Parthian threat against Rome….However, up to this point in Revelation, Rome and the empire have not been specifically introduced. The visions have been general, dealing with principles that set forth God’s care for His chosen saints throughout history and His assurance of judgment against the rebellious and sinful world. God has been revealing that wickedness is self-destructive. At the sounding of the first four trumpets God sent forth partial judgments that were to have warned the unregenerated inhabitants of earth. These first four pointed to (1) the collapse of the sinner’s world in which he trusted (8:7); (2) the fall of any great world power which would drastically affect the society involved (8:8-9); (3) the fall of earth’s eminent men and the folly of idolatry which brings its own waters of wormwood (8:10-11); and (4) the partial darkening of human wisdom and understanding (8:12). The
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sounding of the fifth trumpet revealed the torment of men which accompanies the internal decay and rottenness of society without God” (Hailey pp. 233-234). 9:13 “Then the sixth angel sounded , and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God” The altar mentioned is the same altar which was associated with the prayers of the saints in 8:3 and from which the judgments were let loose. “That’s where the prayers went up from! We are reminded here that these judgments are in response to the prayers of the saints for justice. The ‘horns’ of anything are the strong parts of it. The horns of the altar are the most efficacious part of it” (McGuiggan p. 142). This verse once again reminds us that God hears the prayers of the righteous and He acts on their behalf (James 5:16-17). 9:14 “One saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet”: This may be the voice of the saint’s prayers, the voice of the angel who stood over the altar (8:3), or the personification of the altar itself. 9:14 “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates”: Some argue that these are evil angels, because the text says they are “bound”, others argue that the angels represent armies that God can call for His bidding. Hailey notes, “These four are not to be identified with the four angels of 7:1; there the angels were restraining the four winds of the earth, whereas here the angels themselves are bound or restrained, waiting to be loosed” (p. 234). “In the Old Testament times, the Euphrates was the place where the great world powers of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia assembled hosts and then spread their devastating dominion over the world” (Harkrider p. 109). Lenski believes that the river Euphrates here represents the fountain of world dominance. This river formed the northern frontier of Palestine (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24). In the Old Testament, often the prophets warned against an enemy from the north (Jeremiah 6:1,2; 10:22; 13:20; 25:9; 46:20). Isaiah had identified the river with the Assyrians (Isaiah 8:5-8). Hailey notes, “God’s forces of vengeance were held in restraint at their border until a time determined by Himself when, under His judgment, the flood would once again overflow the land” (p. 235). Points to Note 1. Some view this trumpet judgment as referring to the time when the Mohammedans would spread out in conquest over the ancient world. 2. Others view this as a judgment against Jerusalem, that is, in the Old Testament, the nations that God used to punish His people, often came from beyond the Euphrates, i.e. Assyria, Babylon, Persia.
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3. Others view this as being a judgment upon the Roman Empire. In the latter half of the first century, the Roman Empire feared an invasion from the Parthians who were just beyond the Euphrates. 4. Premillennial writers see this as referring to angels presently holding back such groups as Red China from invading the West. 5. Ogden interprets this section as follows: “The river Euphrates was the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire and the only thing that separated it from the hostile Parthians on the other side. The Parthians controlled all the territory east of the river, including all of the ancient countries of Assyria and Babylon to which the Israelites were carried captive centuries before. Many thousands of Israelites still lived in those countries. The Jews in Palestine were hoping any army from these countries would come and deliver them from the Romans. This Parthian threat dictated that the Romans keep a huge border guard at the Euphrates to protect the area against invasion. However, when Titus came to war against Jerusalem, he removed the border guards and took them with him to Jerusalem for the battle” (pp. 238-239). 9:15 “And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year”: “These four angels of judgment had been prepared for a time fixed in the mind of God, for He determines when the appropriate moment has come for judgment according to His purpose” (Hailey p. 235). This judgment is under God’s control and on His timetable as are other judgments, including the final judgment (Acts 1:7). The very hour, day, month, and year has been determined. “The saints are assured that these armies are totally under the control of God. They move only when God says move. They have their place in the divine program. The saints need to know this!” (McGuiggan p. 143). ”These four angels were perpetually ready for the time whenever in God’s plan He would send them forth” (Harkrider p. 110). 9:15 “So that they would a kill of mankind”: “With each sounding of a trumpet or group of trumpets the judgments became progressively intense. At the sound of the first four trumpets a third of each realm is affected; with the fifth trumpet men are tormented but do not die; now in this sixth judgment a third of mankind is killed” (Hailey p. 235). 9:16 “The number of the armies”: There is now a sudden transition between angels (15) and to armies of horsemen (16). Hailey notes, “Since the angels of the seven churches most likely represent the spirit or inner life of the churches, so these angels represent the very mind and spirit of this great world army” (pp. 235-236). 9:16 “Was two hundred million; I heard the number of them”: John could not number this army by sight, but had heard the number. Summers has calculated that such an army when on the move would cover an area a mile wide and eighty-five miles long. Many do not see this as a literal number: It would be
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virtually impossible for any one nation or even a coalition of nations (such as NATO today) to field such a vast army. In the Gulf War of 1991, the combined troops of the thirty-nation United Nations coalition only amounted to about one million. The former Soviet Union had the largest army in the world, numbering about three million men, followed by China with 2.3 million. Rather, the number is symbolic and refers to a vast force. “As a symbol of a mighty host, full and complete, literally, two myriads of myriads (Psalm 68:17; Daniel 7:10). It is a grand total, sufficient to accomplish God’s purpose in any judgment at any time” (Hailey p. 236). “An indefinite number of incalculable immensity” (Chilton p. 251). Such a number proves that God has vast resources at His disposal, far more resources than any nation or group of nations. “To stress the staggering control possessed by God” (McGuiggan p. 143). Point to Note 9:17 “And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them”: Remember, there are other places in Scripture where we have descriptions of supernatural armies (2 Kings 2:11; 6:13-17). Premillennial writers are divided over whether this is a literal army of 200 million communist Chinese or any army composed of both men and demons. Those of the historical school who try to find this army in past history argue that these are Muslim hordes or the Turks and Tartars. 9:17 “The riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone”: “In John’s vision the horsemen and the horses are as one, making it difficult to determine whether the armor belongs to both or only to the riders. However, since the equipment of the horses is described later, this probably refers to the riders only” (Hailey p. 236). “Color of fire”: “probably a glowing reddish color” (p. 236). “Hyacinth”: “Doubtless meant to describe the blue smoke of a sulphurous flame” (Sweete). “Brimstone”: From a word that refers to sulphur, which was a pale yellowish color. “In both the Old and New Testaments, brimstone signifies the wrath of God and is used always with reference to judgment and punishment upon the wicked” (Hailey p. 236). 9:17 “And the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions”: “The terrible nature of this awesome and formidable cavalry is emphasized by the description of the horses as having heads of lions, strong, fierce, and frightful” (p. 236). “The lion was the king of the jungle and the most feared of all beasts, a destroyer (Jeremiah 2:30). The lion was used as a symbol of divine judgment in the Old Testament (Amos 3:1-8; Hosea 11:9-10). Babylon was described thusly when sent against Israel (Jeremiah 4:6-7)” (Ogden p. 240). 9:17 “And out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone”: “Illustrate the overwhelming, all-consuming destruction wielded by this power”
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(Harkrider p. 110). Some Premillennial writers argue that this is describing the individual features of such things as tanks, troop carriers, missile launchers, rocket batteries, helicopter gunships, etc. Hal Lindsey argues, “All of these things are a part of a thermonuclear war: smoke represents the immense clouds of radioactive fallout and debris, while brimstone is simply melted earth and building materials” (Gregg p. 195). Yet this is the same writer who chastises others for not taking everything in Revelation literally. Obviously, even Lindsey concedes that these riders and horses are not literal. McGuiggan notes that Lindsey makes a great deal about the terrain between Russia and the Euphrates as being ideal for cavalry but then argues that the horses in this section are tanks and other vehicles. “In Ezekiel 38 and 39, the Gog hosts are said to ride on ‘horses’ and carry ‘bows’ and ‘arrows’. Lindsey and his group say this is Russia heading up an army in the near future. If so, they ride horses and fight with obsolete weapons” (p. 144). 9:18 “A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues”: Notice that the calamities caused by the horsemen and horses are referred to as “plagues”. Once again, it is clear that these are not literal horses or a literal cavalry. They have the heads of lions, there are 200 million of them, out of their mouths come forth fire, smoke and brimstone, and these things represent plagues. 9:18 “Third of mankind”: This is another “fraction” judgment. Those who view this as the destruction of Jerusalem note that 1,100,000 died at Jerusalem and approximately 3,000,000 were in the city when it was besieged—according to the Jewish historian Josephus. 9:19 “For the power of the horses is in their mouths”: They possess twofold power: “Their lion-like heads from which issue fire, smoke, and brimstone which kill; and their serpent-like tails…this great destroying cavalry-plague killed as it marched and left a terrible hurt in its aftermath” (Hailey p. 237). Ogden, who believes this is talking about the Roman armies that came against Jerusalem argues that the front part of the Roman Army was used to tear down the gates and walls of the cities, and like the scorpion, the tails symbolized the Roman engines of war used to throw arrows, darts, and stones. 9:20 “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands”: “These are among the saddest lines in the entire book of Revelation. God sends His judgments upon the wicked, but His aim is to turn men from their sin. Love is behind these warnings, for God wishes that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). These are sent to demonstrate the seriousness of rejecting God” (Harkrider p. 111). It is clear from this verse that the people affected by these plagues are the wicked and not the righteous. “This is really scary---they repented not! There’s nothing so scary as one so soaked in sin and rebellion that he can’t quit rebelling” (McGuiggan p. 145). This indicates that the seven trumpet judgments
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are warnings intended to bring men to repentance (they are not judgments at the end of time), but they did not produce the desired response. C.S. Lewis wrote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains” (Gregg p. 199). Please note, that these people could repent, but they refused to repent (Revelation 2:21; Acts 13:46; Acts 17:30-31). Compare with Ephesians 4:17-19. 9:20 “So as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass, and of stone and of wood”: In the Old Testament, idolatry is associated with worshipping demons (Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37), the same is true in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 10:19). In like manner, going after false doctrine is said to be listening to the doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1ff). 9:20 “Which can neither see nor hear nor walk”: God often said the same thing in the Old Testament about idols (Deuteronomy 4:28; Psalm 115:4-8; 135:15-18; Isaiah 44:12-20). This reveals the complete powerlessness of the idol itself. Idols do not have some sort of mystical power, rather they are nothing more than objects of wood, stone, and so on. Far from being able to curse or deliver, they cannot even speak, see, or move. Chilton reminds us that when a civilization turns to idolatry, its people are profoundly changed by that experience. The idol worshipper is transformed into the likeness of the object of his worship, that is, as the idol is worthless, the worshipper becomes worthless (Jeremiah 2:5). Compare with Romans 1:20ff and Hosea 9:10. 9:21 “And they did not repent of their murders”: This could include the murdering of God’s own people (6:9). In our modern culture it would also include the practice of abortion. ”Murder reveals a disdain for life, a contempt for the creature made in the image of God (Genesis 9:6)” (Hailey p. 239). 9:21 “Nor of their sorceries”: The term “sorcery” suggests the use of conscious-altering drugs for recreational purposes. It also includes the use of such drugs along with incantations and appeals to occult powers. In our modern culture we are seeing a tremendous resurgence of interest and participation in such things as witchcraft and drugs, which is often promoted to the young through various mediums. 9:21 “Nor of their immorality”: Their “fornication” would include all forms of sexual perversion. In like manner, homosexuality, pornography and all other forms of perversion are not only rampant in our culture, but are actually defended. Today, people refuse to repent of such practices or even acknowledge that they are sinful. 9:21 “Nor of their thefts”: “A disregard for the property rights of others” (Hailey p. 239).
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Point to Note Be impressed how false religion brings with it moral decay and corruption in a society. How many modern moral issues are simply the rejection of sound doctrine? We see the same downward trend in Romans 1:20-28. Notice how one sin that is tolerated breeds another. Sexual immorality, recreational drug use, the cheapening of human life, the lack of personal integrity, stealing, crime, and false religions all go hand in hand. Closing Comment Consider the effect of sin in people who refuse to repent: “They see daily what it does to others (and even to themselves), in such things as drug addiction, alcoholism, broken homes, shattered lives, imprisonment, and even capital punishment, and yet they continue to hug this deadly serpent to their breasts, receiving into their hearts and minds a constant flow of its poisonous venom. Although both nature and revelation teach them that they must reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8), they delude themselves into thinking that they can somehow sow to the flesh and reap of the Spirit, that they can sin without being judged as sinners. How can the devil so blind the eyes of rational beings? Why will they not see that God has inalterably decreed that all must repent or perish (Luke 13:3,5)� (Harkrider p. 112).
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