The sixth Trumpet: (9:13-14):
This is the second of the three “woes” promised in 8:13. The voice comes from the altar of incense because the prayers of the saints have gone up to God, asking Him to avenge their blood (6:9-11; 8:3). In (7:1-3) we saw four angels restrained by command; here we see four angels (undoubtedly fallen angels) commanded to be released. The Euphrates River has always held a notable place in history. It flowed from Eden, where history began; and it will figure in the events that will be the climax to history (16:12 ff). Babylon was situated on the Euphrates (Rev.17-18). These four angels are prepared for “the hour, day, month, and year” on God’s time-table and it is their task to slay one-third of the earth’s population. In (6:8) we read that one-fourth of the people of the earth were slain, leaving three fourths for the judgments to come; after these angels had destroyed another third, i.e. one-half of the world’s population had been killed.
Once released, these angels bring into battle armies of horsemen totalling 200 million soldiers! This satanic cavalry is not like any other army either in appearance or in the weapons it uses. Fire, brimstone, and smoke are their chief weapons; they also have serpent-like tails. This is not another description of the army discussed in (9:1-12), since that army is forbidden to kill. This army is commissioned to slay one-third of humankind. This is one way God will answer the prayers of the martyrs in (6:9-11).
One would think that multitudes of people would repent of their sins but their hearts would be more hardened and do not repent (Rom 2:4-6). They will continue to endure greater judgments in the days to come, and ultimately the lake of fire.
The death of 1/3rd of the earth’s remaining population will be the most catastrophic disaster to strike the earth since the flood. In spite of all these, they refused to repent. John concludes 5-sins of the people:
- They did not repent of the works of their hands, worshipping other gods and demons.
- Violent crimes like murders will be rampant. Without any sense unrepentant people will imitate the demon horde’s murderous blood lust.
- Apostle John mentions “sorceries,” a Greek word “pharmakeia.” English words pharmacy and pharmaceuticals derive. Drugs were and still are believed to induce a higher religious state of communion with deities.This same word is translated “witchcraft” in (Gal. 5:20) and “sorcerers” in (21:8, 22:15).
- Immorality will prevail. The Greek work is a general term that can include any sexual sin. Indescribable sexual perversions will be rampant in that day.
- People will refuse to repent. Morality, honesty, value system etc will be non-existent as people compete for the increasingly scarce supplies of food, clothing, water, shelter and medicines.
Practical explanation: (some thoughts)
It is likely that this huge army of 200 million horsemen will appear just before the middle of the Tribulation. The Beast is already the head of the revived Roman Empire, co-operating with the “world church” and the United Nations. God permits Satan to muster this huge army, possibly from Russia. We do know from (Eze. 38-39) that Russia will invade Palestine about the middle of the Tribulation period. It will try to conquer Israel, but the Beast will deliver the Jews and fulfil the seven-year covenant that he made to protect them. Ezekiel makes it clear that God judges Russia and sends the army home in defeat. Once in the Holy Land, the Beast will break his covenant, move into the temple, and begin to assume worldwide powers. (Rev.11:1-2) indicates that the Gentiles are in possession of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and the rest of the chapter indicates that the Beast slays the witnesses who have been preaching for the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation. This huge army (9:16) is not the Russian army alone that invades Israel, but the blowing of this sixth trumpet indicates the rise of military conquests and points to the Battle of Gog and Magog that will take place at this point.
Oriental invasion:
Under the influence of the massive demon forces, the world descend into a mire of false religion, murder, sexual perversion and crime unparalleled in human history. The Lord will come to execute judgement upon all (Jude 15). In the light of the coming judgement, it is the responsibility of all believers to faithfully proclaim the gospel to unbelievers, thereby “snatching them out of the fire.” (Jude 23).