Sixth Trumpet

Rev. 9:13-21

A study on Revelation

Sixth Trumpet

Rev. 9:13-21

Introduction:  We now enter the second woe that is mentioned in chapter 8.  Thursday we saw the first woe which was under the fifth trumpet where the bottomless pit was opened and monster-like creatures came out to judge the wicked on the earth.  It was characterized by pain and suffering.  Nowe the Sixth Trumpet sound as the second woe is unleashed.  The first woe was almost unbearable; however, this second woe bring an equally bad state. 

The second woe

I. The angels vv. 13-15

A. Their confinement vv. 13-14

1.  Voice of command from the golden altar which is Christ-a place of prayer and mercy-horns were a place to cling on v.13

2. Commanded to lose the angels-Christ only has the power to lose them.

3. The angels are bound presently in the Euphrates River

Picture slide-the Longest river in southwest Asia, flowing through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq-on of the original rivers in the Garden of Eden.  Along with the Tigris River, it forms the largest and most important river system in the Middle East-considered the heart of the Fertile Crescent and a cradle civilization.  The river is a crucial water source.  There are political issue over the rights and usage of the water.  Euphrates River is a location with a history of human history, sin, and rebellion to God.

4.  Who these four angels are is subject to interpretation-demonic beings or rulers of world forces

B. Their release v. 15

1.  Prepared for a time in God’s calendar of events.

2. Four angels are bound-bad angels

4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;[1]  II Peter 2:4

3.  They will kill a third of the human race-under the fourth seal ¼ of the population dies, now 1/3-these two events wipes out half the population

4. Euphrates River is a place of Satanic activity-first murder, apostasy before the flood, Jews taken captive, first war, and the tower of Babel

II. The horsemen vv. 16-21

A. Their characteristics vv. 16-17

1.  An army of 200 million-probably demons but could be earthly rulers-largest armed force ever known to man v. 16

God is bigger 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels:

The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.[2]

2.  Their indestructibleness

a.  Breast place of jacinth-blue stone and brimstone-modern weapons-perhaps tanks and planes

b. Heads of horses as lions-powerful

c. Weapons of fire, smoke, and brimstone-weapons of hell-possibly a nuclear war.

B. Their consequences vv. 18-21

1.  Destruction of the third part of mankind vv. 18-19

a. Done through weapons of warfare-rpg’s, tank canons, street violence

b. Done through tails v. 19

2. Man is unrepentant vv. 20-21

1.  The purpose is for man to repent in light of God’s eternal judgment preceded by seven years of God’s wrath.

2. Yet, man continues worship demons v.20-demons are still very much active.

3. Life of vice, immorality, and sin and lies v.21-sorceries-word for pharmacy-misuse of drugs-4 commands are broken here. 

Conclusion:  Take aways

1.  God’s plan is to judge sin on the earth.

2. God is in control-bound the angels and will release them according to His will.

3. Satanic forces are very alive today.