Tag: Revelation 9:20-21
A Third of Mankind Dies
Scripture reading for December 11: Revelation 9
“Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind.” The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number. And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lion’ heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths.” Revelation 9:13-18
John was describing the things to come as they were showed him by God as he was caught up to heaven and shown visions of the future. God’s plans are set in heaven and nothing or no one can stop or change His will. God knows everything, even the end from the beginning! God is all-powerful and controls all authority in heaven and on the earth.
John had observed the Lamb opening the seven seals on the scroll taken from God’s hand. As the seventh seal was opened, John saw the seven angels with seven trumpets preparing to sound. Now the sixth angel sounded his trumpet and a command was given to release the four angels bound at the river Euphrates. These rebellious angels were now set free at the appointed hour, day, month and year assigned by God. Their mission was judgment on the rebellious of earth by killing one third of mankind. Fire, smoke, and sulfur coming from the strange ‘horses’ ridden by this army eliminated one of every three people on earth. This was an act of mercy by God to spare some. It is to be noted, that those left after this great slaughter refused to repent of their evil deeds of sexual immorality, theft, murder, or idolatry. (Revelation 9:20-21)
How does this vision expand your understanding of God’s justice and mercy? Why didn’t those surviving this terrible judgment repent of their evil deeds? How would you explain how a God of love and mercy could still send these terrible judgments on those made in His image?
Prayer: Father God, have mercy on those rebellious still on earth. I know that You desire that none perish and all come to repentance and life. Thank You for offering mercy through Jesus Christ. I also recognize Your holiness and justice punishing all who refuse Your free gift of mercy and forgiveness. Hide me in Your Son from the coming wrath. Amen.
Repentance resisted!
Scripture reading for December 11th: Malachi, Psalm 2, Revelation 9
Key Scriptures: Revelation 9:20-21 “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
John recorded the seven trumpets and their woe brought upon the earth as the scroll had been opened and God’s final judgments were being poured out on the earth. One of the curious truths John recorded was that although many of earths final group of people were killed by the judgments, the rest refused to repent. They clung to their idols and worshiped demons and continued to flaunt the breaking of God’s holy commandments. Neither positive miracles nor the calamitous judgments of these last days could penetrate the hardened hearts. Although they knew the judgments were from God, they refused to ask for His mercy.
Psalm 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I am in awe of Your great mercy towards me and my family. Thank You for Your love and mercy. I pray that all of my offspring will “kiss the Son” of God, Jesus Christ and take refuge in Him.
Malachi 4:1-2 “For behold, the Day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The Day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out like calves from the stall.”
Warnings to heed!
Scripture reading for December 11th: Revelation 9, Psalm 121-22, Proverbs 31
Key Scriptures: Revelation 9:15-16, 20-21 “So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. . . .The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
John was shown the horror of the woes coming on the earth as the seven angels sounded their trumpets announcing the plagues of judgment upon the wicked. There was a specific day, month, hour and year designated by God. One third of the earth’s population would be killed by these judgments! The astonishing truth was that those who were not killed refused to repent of their idolatry and the worship of demons and their great immorality and breaking of God’s commands. Sin has consequences–a price higher than we should want to pay.
Faith Confession: In light of this prophetic Word, I choose to respect and honor God and His Word by praying for the unsaved and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit enables and directs.
Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
Thankful for an obedient heart!
Scripture reading for August 30th: Jeremiah 41-44
Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 42:19-22 “”O remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything He says and we will do it. I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all He sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle (Egypt).””
Jeremiah had been asked by the leaders of the remnant left in Jerusalem whether they should stay there under the Babylonian rule or go to Egypt. Jeremiah prayed and God answered: ‘Stay in Jerusalem.’ But the leaders knew better than God. God warned them what would happen if they went but they chose to disobey! Rebellion is stubborn and won’t listen to reason!
Lord, give me and obedient heart: “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold silver, bronze, stone and wood–idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20-21)