Angels from the Euphrates

Revelation 9:13–21
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6.  The sixth trumpet is sounded and four angels (clearly demons) who are bound by the Euphrates River are released. They then kill a third of the world’s population (vv. 13-15). Already the fourth seal resulted in a fourth of the earth’s people being killed and now another third of the remainder are put to death. These two judgments alone would account for the death of over half of the world’s population. One might expect the remainder of mankind to take warning from this dreadful fate, but they will not. Instead, they will continue to worship their idols and demons.

The freeing of the four angels resulted in releasing an army of 200 million mounted troops (v. 16). This army of 200 million invading from the East and from the North in the end times is predicted in Daniel 11:44. According to Time Magazine great dams have already been placed across the Euphrates River to divert water for irrigation so that at times the riverbed is dry or partially so. The horses and their riders had breastplates of red, dark blue and yellow (v. 17). The lion like heads of the horses imply something other than God’s power to judge the world. No evidence was given to John that there would be any change of heart on the part of the great mass of humanity. Though this sixth judgment produced fear, it did not produce repentance for their murders, witchcraft, immorality, and thefts (vv. 20-21). Punishment does not soften wicked hearts; only the love of God can do that.

Application

When people have heard the Word of God many times it is easy for their hearts to become hardened and not concerned about doing what it says. I ask God to make His Word precious to me and that my heart will be tender and receptive to all that He commands.