The 6th Trumpet - 2.5 Billion Dead

Revelation 9:12-21

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 lions’ 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.  For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound.

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.

Yes, 2.5 billion will be killed when the sixth angel blows his trumpet.  John’s vision in the Throne Room of God was hearing a voice release the four angels to send their armies upon mankind.  Through plagues (fire, smoke, and sulfur), the army of 200,000,000 will inflict pain and suffering, even to death, upon the earth at a heavenly-prescribed period of time.  These angels, held at bay by God for an exact hour, will be released.

Despite the daunting armies with horses, looking like serpents, with lion’s heads, and breastplates the color of red, sapphire and sulfur, bringing death upon the earth, many will still deny God.  How evil must mankind be in order to see 1/3rd of those who know die at the hand of this army, yet still refuse to turn from their wicked ways?  Holding fast to their debauchery of theft, murder, and sexual immorality, this group raise the fist to the God of the Universe, and chooses to remain in their sinful ways.  

Look around yourself in today’s world.  How many are snubbing their nose at God’s commandments and following their own desires and wickedness instead?  

Sexual immorality is at an all-time high.  Adultery, fornication, pedophilia, sex slavery, and other deviant practices are acceptable, even encouraged, and commonplace in many cultures.  

We have become nonchalant towards murder in today’s society.  The news and media sources have even become complacent about discussing murder unless there are ulterior benefits to their political agenda.

Stealing is acceptable in many cities now.  Many retailers won’t even bat an eye if what the person steals is worth less than $800.  In some cases, the victim is actually found guilty of defending themselves against the thieves.

We can look all around us and see the rise of evil in the world, yet still we aren’t seeing the mass loss of 1/3rd of mankind, 2.5 billion people.  Here again, we see God’s wrath upon the Earth being extremely specific in timing and impact.  His patience is demonstrated by holding this wrath back as long as possible and targeting 1/3rd of all people.  This allows the remaining 2/3rd of people the opportunity to repent and follow Him.  But will they see the sovereignty and power of God, or will they continue in their worship of evil, rebellion, and denial?  Revelation 9:21 tells us they will not.

Let us be busy about the business of helping these people overcome these barriers and to follow God, the Father.  Those with God’s seal will not be subjected to this wrath.  We should want for our loved ones and friends to be on that side of the end days if indeed we claim to care for them.