The Second Terror | Daily Devotion
Revelation 9:13-21 NLT
Then John sees the second terror take place as the sixth angel blows his trumpet, and a voice speaks from the altar that stands in the presence of God. It’s Jesus Christ. His voice calls out for the sixth angel to release the four angels who had been prepared for this very day. These four angels are demons; they are fallen angels who are turned loose to kill one-third of the remaining people on earth. So many people have now died, due to sinful rebellion.
This is not God’s original plan, but with the Fall in the Garden of Eden – this becomes God’s plan, due to the evil hearts and minds and souls far from God.
When John sees the sixth angel release the four demonic beings who were bound at the Great Euphrates River, his mind must be overwhelmed by all of the power displayed right before him – and yet, the voice of Jesus Christ holds more power as He is the One who gives direction and is obeyed by both angelic beings and the demonic beings.
Today, we can rest in the fact that Jesus Christ will always be in control over the spiritual realm, and the demonic beings can only do what He allows. He will always protect us with His everlasting love.
So John then hears the demonic beings army – 200 million mounted troops. If we think about it – that sound is alarming. And then his description of the mounted army reveals the sight is alarming. Thus, we see throughout the Tribulation God waking up people to His presence and their need for a Savior by hitting the five human senses which include sound, sight, taste, touch and smell. The human senses that directly impact one’s psyche, as the brain realizes something is wrong and there is a need.
Here the sound of the army, then the sight of the army, then the three plagues that came forth from the horses mouths which included fire, smoke and burning sulfur. The burning sulfur might appear like acid rain which is not a good mix with fire and smoke. Burning sulfur negatively impacts sight and lung capacity. It is incredibly toxic to the human body when breathed in – and here there will be no escape from it. One third of the people will be killed by these plagues.
John says the power is in the mouths of the horses, but also their tails which had heads like snakes, with the power to injure people.
The mouths of the horses is an imitation of the power of God’s voice, His mouth, so to speak – and yet the clear difference is there will never be any love in that which is demonic, but there is so much love in God’s voice to mankind.
Here God’s wrath is unleashed, and it’s said that around 2 billion people will have died up to this point; but people still do not repent of their evil deeds—Revelation 9:21.
Christian, punishment does not always bring about repentance. These people have hardened their hearts to the voice of the Lord, to their own detriment. They do not turn from their sin and toward Jesus Christ, the one true Savior. They turn to their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood – idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk. They turned toward their man-made weapons to fight this battle, instead of to the One who could stop the battle with His commanding voice.
All they needed to do was to submit to the One who reigns and He would have stopped the terror.
But this lack of repentance does not surprise Jesus. He knows the thoughts and intents of mankind.
John continues stating these people refused to repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality – which are all forms of idolatry, desiring the power over life. All sins God states clearly in His word end in hell. Those who commit these sins habitually will go to hell as Galatians 5:19-21 states.
As Christians we know these lifestyle choices, these behaviors are not the outworking of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control.
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”—Hebrews 3:15. God loves you so much that He allows you to choose life or death. He loves you so much, He allows you to choose the details of your life. He’s given you Himself, He’s given you wisdom to make wise decisions so that you sidestep the terrors to come, so that you sidestep all of the issues Satan is throwing your way to derail you in what God has called of you. If you are harboring any sin in your heart today, repent of your sin and choose life—Deuteronomy 30:19b!
Prayer: Abba, thank You for Your many calls to repentance. Praying Lord, for every Christian everywhere to make a practice of repenting of their sin, to remain right with Jesus Christ, lest their hearts become hardened to Your voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
