Sounding the Sixth Trumpet
The Second Woe – Trumpet 6 (One third of mankind is slain) - Revelation 9:13-21
I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!" (Revelation 8:13)*
After the sound of the fourth trumpet, an eagle is heard pronouncing three woe’s for those who dwell on the earth. The first woe was revealed when the fifth trumpet sounded and it described a demonic weapon that would harm people with something that resembled the sting of a scorpion. The second woe includes the sixth trumpet sound and all the events described through the end of chapter 11. Note that the woes are pronounced for “those who dwell on the earth”, which is normally a reference to those who receive the mark of the beast or those who’s names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life1.
A Voice from the Horns of the Golden Altar
At the sound of the sixth trumpet, John heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar. Who is this voice, and why is it mentioned at this particular point in the vision? The reference to horns on the golden altar points to the Law of Moses and the rituals associated with a sin offering.
[13] The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, [14] saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!" (Revelation 9:13-14)*2
Leviticus chapter 16 describes the cleansing ritual that was conducted each year to provide atonement for the sanctuary and all the children of Israel because of their sins and transgressions. During this ceremony, the high priest offers incense on the golden altar. After that, he dips his finger in the blood of the sin offering, sprinkles the blood seven times on the mercy seat, seven times on the golden altar, and then puts some of the blood on the horns of the golden altar. After making atonement with this blood, the cleansing of the tabernacle is complete. Then the priest bathes in water, changes clothes, and goes outside to prepare the rams for a burnt offering.
In the book of Revelation, Christ is pictured at various points as the high priest performing these same rituals. In chapter 5, the Lamb who was slain is presented with bowls full of incense by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. When the seventh seal is opened, the great high priest is standing at the golden altar with a golden censer and the smoke of the incense goes up before God with the prayers of the saints. Now, with the sounding of the sixth trumpet, John hears a voice from the horns of the golden altar. This voice represents Christ, the great high priest, as he is making atonement with his blood on the horns of the altar which is before God. When the atonement is finished, it is time to kill the rams for a burnt offering.
The Four Angels
The voice from the altar tells the angel with the sixth trumpet to release four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. There are a number of references to four angels, the four winds and the Euphrates river that seem to be related.
In Revelation chapter 7, four angels are mentioned who are holding back the four winds from harming the earth until the bond-servants are sealed on their foreheads.
Daniel 7 begins with the four winds breaking forth on the sea as the four beasts rise out of the great sea.
In Matthew 24, Jesus told the disciples that he would send angels with a trumpet to gather the chosen ones from the four winds.
The Euphrates river may be a reference to the sixth bowl judgment where the river is dried up to make way for the kings from the sunrise in the East.
These four angels and the four winds suggest that turmoil is going to be released on the earth. Daniel chapter 7 describes how the beast from the sea rises out of this turmoil to oppress God’s people and to speak arrogant things against God himself. In Revelation chapter 7, the four angels were holding back the four winds from harming the earth, the sea and the trees until just the right time. The apostle Paul explains in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 that the spirit of Antichrist is already at work, but it is being restrained. When the restraint is removed, the man of lawlessness will be revealed through a deception of wickedness. This man of lawlessness is the little horn on the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision3. This is the one who makes war with the holy ones of the Most High and prevails.
[7] For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. [8] Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; [9] even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (II Thessalonians 2:7-9)*
Have these four angels been prepared for this exact moment to reveal the man of lawlessness? If so, that will unleash a storm of oppression and persecution against God’s people, one that has been orchestrated by Satan. It would be like the river of water pouring out of the serpent’s mouth in order to sweep away the woman and her offspring4.
[15] The four angels were freed who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. (Revelation 9:15)*
The Army of Horsemen
The army described here is the largest ever assembled in human history. What battlefield could support such a large host of warriors?
[16] The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them. [17] Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. (Revelation 9:16-17)*
The horses in this army have unusual weapons. They harm people with fire, smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. This points to a war with words and information. The symbolism suggests that these horsemen are part of a powerful and well-organized army that uses propaganda to attack their enemies. The battlefield may be virtual and fought through channels of communication like television and social media. It is not likely that they will be wearing actual breastplates, but we can expect them to have one or more of these colors prominently displayed in order to identify who they are fighting for. Those who have understanding may recognize who is in this army by their colors.
The text doesn’t say exactly where this army comes from or who is directing it. However, it seems likely that this army is led by the little horn from the fourth beast and that it gets its power and authority from the dragon. This army may have been assembled specifically to make war against God’s people as the angel explained in Daniel’s vision. The horses have tails that are like serpents and with them they cause harm. The association with serpents could mean that this army has a Satanic element and that they use demonic weapons (i.e. lies and deception).
[18] By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: from the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. [19] For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm. (Revelation 9:19)*
Cleansing By Fire
A command is made to release four angels who’s purpose is to kill one third of mankind. They accomplish this purpose using an army of 200 million horsemen that breathe fire, smoke and sulfur out of their mouths. Special emphasis is made, through repetition in verse 18, that one third of mankind will be killed by the fire, smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. This is similar to an army described by the prophet Joel that will appear in the last days, in preparation for the Day of the Lord. This army is pictured as a fire that devours everything in its path.
[2] A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn spreading on the mountains, a great and strong people; there has never been the like, neither will there be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. [3] A fire devours before them, and behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them. [4] The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen, so do they run. (Joel 2:2-4)*
In Revelation chapter 8, after the seventh seal is opened, a golden censer is filled with fire and thrown down to the earth with loud noises, thunder, lightning and an earthquake. This is how the angels with trumpets were first introduced. In Luke chapter 12, Jesus declares to the disciples that he has come to throw fire on the earth.
[49] "I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. [50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. [52] For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." (Luke 12:49-53)*
Jesus is the angel with the golden censer offering incense at the golden altar and he is the one who throws fire on the earth. The fire Jesus will throw to the earth is conflict and division. This will not be limited to nations fighting against other nations, or conflict between world religions, but it will involve division and conflict even between family members of the same household.
This army devours the earth with fire, fire that comes out of their mouths. It is describing a culture war, not a military campaign with fire-breathing tanks and drones. It is a war using deception and propaganda to create confusion, stir up conflict and cause division.
They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:11)*
Dying to Live
There is a purpose for this conflict and division. It is mentioned in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus is making the same statement about sending conflict on the earth and division within families. God will use this conflict to test his people and their loyalty to Him. He will use it like a threshing floor to separate the wheat from the chaff and to refine his people like gold in a furnace. This is a judgment and a trial by fire.
[34] "Do not think that I came to send peace on the earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a man's foes will be those of his own household. [37] He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39)*
We learn in Revelation chapter 12 that those who overcame the dragon “did not love their life, even to death”. Jesus is saying the same thing in Matthew 10:39. If you try to save your life, you will lose it. However, if you lose your life for the sake of Christ, you will find it. This could literally mean that if your family members turn you over to be executed for your faith in Christ you will gain eternal life. The context is clearly about persecution and Jesus mentioned in Matthew 10:21 that family members will turn on each other and deliver one another up to be killed.
However, this statement need not be limited to physical death. The context is talking about your love and loyalty. Do you love your father, mother, son or daughter more than you love Jesus? If your life is defined by the things of this world, you will lose it. In other words, if your identify is defined by material possessions, career, social status, sexuality, relationships, family, physical health, beauty, or anything other than God, you are going to lose in the end. All of these things are temporary and can be taken from you in a moment. However, if you seek first the kingdom of heaven, it will not be taken away from you and all these other things will be added in.
[31] "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first his Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)*
The One-Third Who are Killed
With the sounding of the sixth trumpet, humanity appears to be divided into two groups. One third are killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur coming out of the mouths of the horses. The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of their idolatry, demon worship, murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they would not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They did not repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21)*
Just doing the math, this sounds dreadful. One third of the people on the earth are burned to death and the only people remaining alive refuse to turn from their wickedness. Were the one-third killed because they repented and refused to worship the beast and its image? If all the righteous people die, does God abandon the earth to the ungodly? Why are the righteous killed and the wicked spared?
One potential outcome is that the repentant people all die, leaving only the ungodly to possess the earth. After that, God sends the final seven plagues to punish and destroy the wicked from the earth. Then, the godly are all raised from the dead to repopulate the earth and reign with Christ for one thousand years. It would be difficult to reconcile the prophesies of Daniel and Joel with this view, but this is how many people believe the apocalypse is going to play out.
However, the meaning could be more symbolic. People often use death as a metaphor in every day life. A sports team may be “killed” by their rival in a tournament, or a politician may be “killed” by the media for saying something stupid in public. If a symbolic interpretation is applied to these verses, being “killed” could mean several different things.
If this army of horsemen is fighting a culture war with words and propaganda, then killing could be synonymous with being canceled. For those who communicate a message that does not support the narrative of the beast and the false prophet, they will be attacked with slander, censorship, and legal battles in order to take away their voice and their influence. They would be killed in the sense that their power to make war with the beast has been taken away. Many people will be “killed” in battle or taken captive in this way.
Another possible interpretation is that the one third who were killed are those who repent. They forsake their worldly ambitions and offer up their lives to serve the kingdom of God. They give up their worldly life in order to pursue eternal life. God’s purpose in these plagues is not only to judge sin, but to redeem his people and purify them for his service. This trial by fire is the result of persecution by the beast (and the little horn) who is waging war against the holy ones of the Most High. Persecution has always served to strengthen the faithful and it causes people to turn to God in their suffering. In this scenario, the holy ones will overcome the dragon because they no longer love their lives in this world, but seek first the kingdom of God. These are the ones who receive the kingdom after the dominion is taken away from the beast5. This sounds similar to the last verse in Zechariah chapter 13 where God refines one-third of his people with fire.
[8] It shall happen that in all the land," says the LORD, "two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it. [9] I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, 'It is my people;' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'" (Zechariah 13:8-9)
The Second Woe for Those Who Dwell on the Earth
Up to this point, it appears that all the suffering is directed at God’s people and not toward the ones who worship the beast and its image. Why does the great eagle pronounce three woes against those who dwell on the earth when God’s people appear to be the ones who suffer from these plagues? This is because the sixth trumpet is not finished yet. In fact, it has only just begun. The next two chapters describe how the beast and those who worship its image will be subjected to suffering at the hands of God’s anointed messengers.
Jesus, as the Passover Lamb, has already made the atonement with his blood and opened the way to the Most Holy Place. However, in the last days he will cleanse the earth with fire. His cleansing fire will purify God’s people, but it will also consume everything which is not able to be purified. Just like the sin offering on the Day of Atonement, part of it will be saved and offered to God on the altar while the rest will be destroyed by fire outside the camp. The sixth trumpet describes a cleansing of the earth by fire to purify and sanctify God’s chosen people, but those who refuse to repent are in danger of judgment in the lake of fire where they will be consumed and completely destroyed forever.
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (Romans 12:1)*
Up Next…
Those who dwell on the earth - Chapter 6: The Beast of Babylon
Biblical Reverences
*All Scripture quotations are from the New Heart English Bible unless specifically designated otherwise. The New Heart English Bible [NHEB] is in the public domain. https://nheb.net/
The Little Horn - See Daniel 7:8
Flood of Persecution - See Revelation 12:13
Judgment of the Beast - See Daniel 7:26-27