REVELATION LESSON 13

REVELATION

LESSON 13

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 9:14   ¹⁴ Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

The Euphrates river was close to the garden of Eden. It is also where the flood began, where the Tower of Babel stood, where Babylon was built and where the world government and world religion began. This demonic place was the scene several battles of war on terrorism was fought.

It has long been associated with astrology, idolatry, demon worship, witchcraft and other forbidden sins. Gruesome murders, torturing, and beheading of several people.

The word angels here means, fallen angels or demons. These four unidentified demons will be exceedingly evil and destructive. Note that they do not have the power to release themselves and do their evil work on earth. Instead, they are held back by God and will be released at a specific time, doing only what he allows them to do.

 Who are these four angels? The fact that they are bound indicates that they are fallen angels. We are not told why they fell and are bound. They appear to be very powerful assistants of Satan. The voice coming from the golden alter will tell the sixth angel to release these four angels that are bound.

This is the first introduction of these particular four bound angels. It seems obvious that they are evil angels because they are bound. Evidently, they are anxious to bring havoc upon mankind but have been bound by God the fulfillment of their intent awaits.

We are not told why they hate man so much. Perhaps it is because man is so special to God. There is a day coming when God will permit these four angels to come forth and fulfill His purpose and plan.

The word states that these angels have been prepared to slay the third part of men, which also means women too. Some of the worlds greatest events took place near the Euphrates river.

Revelation 9: 15   ¹⁵ And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

Revelation 6:7-8   ⁷ And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

⁸ And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

In vs 15 one third of all people are killed. In revelation 6:7-8 one fourth of all people were[GF1]  killed, over one half of the people have been killed because of mankind’s rebellion in these two verses by Gods great judgment. Even more would have been killed if God had not set limits on the destruction.

Some people say all prophecy has been fulfilled. I for one disagree. When the rapture occurs, the earth will lose millions of people. This is why Jesus said unless those days be shortened no flesh will be saved.

Since society has not witnessed such a cataclysmic loss of life, it is safe to say that revelation has not yet been fulfilled.

Revelation 9: 16   ¹⁶ And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

In John’s day this number of mounted troops in an army would have been inconceivable. Today there are countries and alliances that could easily amass this man soldiers. This huge army led by the four angels “or demons” will be sent out to destroy one-third of the world’s population.

But the judgment is still not complete, an army of 200 million men would be an awesome host to confront mankind. This is an evil army of horse like creatures with riders on their backs called horseman, having heads of lion and emitting fire, smoke and brimstone, they have tails like serpents from which their power is sent forth.

Johns description of this evil army is not very clear. Some prophecy that these are not human. They say this is a literal description of unnatural demon like evil spirits that come out of the abyss. Advancing under the leadership of the four bound angels.

Others say this army of mounted troops must be a future army since it numbers 200 million. Today only two nations have the capacity of fielding a two hundred-million-man army. China and India, china seems to be the most likely since she is using the strength of her growing economy to build equip and restructure her military so her troops can be moved around the world.

India however could build an army of that size by making up the difference of adding her troops to her allies. This is why it is so hard to accurately describe this two-hundred-man army.

Regardless of who or what this evil army is made up of, it will kill one third of man-kind in the world. The leaders of this army will be seduced by the four angels that will be released from the Euphrates river.

God will allow these evil angels to convince these army leaders to go on the rampage and kill a third of mankind. Without Gods permission these angels would still be bound at the great river. It is doubtful that John could count a great figure like two hundred million. Someone in heaven told him how large this great army would be. 

These troops and their “possibly machines” will have breastplates that will be fiery red, hyacinth blue and sulfur yellow. The heads of these horses will resemble the heads of lions and out of their mouths will come fire, brimstone and smoke. It could possible be projectiles or missiles. 

You can’t imagine how many hours was spent trying to understand Johns revelation script, especially chapter nine. It is most interesting to note that Chinas flag is red and yellow.  The new uniforms of China are dark blue. China is commonly called the yellow peril, and fire breathing dragons with large heads are a favorite symbol.

Even though God is allowing this to happen some might say it is awful for God to let this happen. Take note that mankind has brought this on themselves by thinking “I have my rights” and they turn rebellious. Then have the audacity to find fault with Gods decisions.

1 Samuel 15:23   ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Forget your will and your rights, give your life to the only one who can save you, Christ Jesus, and miss all this war and destruction.