The second woe sounds: Revelation 9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. Revelation 9:15 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 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. Revelation 9:18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. Revelation 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
The fifth trumpet has sounded and the devil and his angels were unleashed to deceive mankind. Satan has counterfeited the second coming of Christ to the best of his ability. He has been welcomed with open arms by the majority of Christian religions and even those from mystical religions have recognised and accepted him. The pope welcomes him with open arms and worships him as Christ
Daniel 11:38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Daniel 11:39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.
Daniel writing about the reception of Lucifer as Christ by the papal system recognises him as a ‘strange god’. Satan parading as Christ is honoured with gold, silver and precious things. The Catholic or universal church recognises Satan as their long awaited saviour and acknowledge him and increase him with glory. The majority of Protestant religions also follow suit.
It is after the five months (Revelation 9:5) of torment and anguish in which Satan and his angels with their ‘lying signs and wonders’ (2 Thessalonians 2:9) have gone out to deceive the world that the sixth trumpet sounds. Not all religions and nations have fallen for his beguiling appearance and strategic craftiness.
It is at this point in time that we examine the description of the sixth trumpet:
Revelation 9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
When the sixth angel sounds a voice is heard from the ‘four horns of the golden altar’. Why is the golden altar mentioned and the particular reference to the golden altar’s four horns? Remember that the golden altar has previously been mentioned at the beginning of the sounding of the trumpets:
Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
The use of the golden censer pinpoints the timing of the sounding of the trumpets. They begin to sound during the antitypical Day of Atonement and particularly at the time when much incense is being used and many prayers are ascending to the throne of the Father. For more information about this time please read the Latter Rain study on the website: www.seventrumpets.com.au
In the sixth trumpet the voice comes from the four horns of the golden altar. In the Day of Atonement when the high priest is cleansing the sanctuary his final actions involve him placing blood upon the four horns of the golden altar to cleanse it:
Leviticus 16:18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. Leviticus 16:19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. Leviticus 16:20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
Let’s stop there! Can you see how significant the mention of the four horns of the altar in the sixth trumpet is? The very next action of the high priest is to deal with the scape goat. The sixth trumpet is taking place on the cusp of the close of probation. The sounding of the sixth trumpet is the final warning message for all humanity. All six trumpets have been mingled with mercy. But the sixth trumpet is truly one of the most devastating for mankind. By the time it is over one third of mankind will be destroyed (Revelation 9:18)
Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
The voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is the voice of Christ our heavenly high priest and judge who has entered into the final stages of the Day of Atonement, instructs the sixth angel to loose four angels that are bound in the river Euphrates.
An obvious question to ask is are these angels servants of God or Satan? Satan’s angels were released from the bottomless pit in the fifth trumpet, but it is now obvious that even though they have been freed from their place of confinement God still exercises control over their actions. In the fifth trumpet they were allowed to torment the inhabitants of the earth but were not allowed to do the same to those with the seal of God. In the sixth trumpet it is revealed that the four angels that were bound are now loosed and given the freedom to wreak havoc and deceive the nations (Revelation 20:3) just as their commander – Satan has instructed them to do. God’s angels are obedient and have no need of being forcibly restrained – Satan’s angels are disobedient to their maker and therefore require restraint.
We must now examine the geographic location where the angels are bound and then loosed – the Euphrates River:
The Euphrates River begins in Turkey and winds its way through the countries of Syria, Iraq and borders Iran just before it flows into the Persian gulf. What is significant about where the angels are bound is that these nations are all Muslim countries. A Muslim is someone who follows the religion of Islam. These deceptive angels are loosed to deceive the nations and believers of Islam. It is only when scripture is compared with scripture that the broader picture and significance of this event can be understood.
The sixth trumpet sounds and the seventh trumpet or third woe cometh quickly (Revelation 11:14). Probation for mankind closes just as the seventh trumpet is about to sound (Revelation 10:7). The sixth trumpet is the final warning for mankind. The judgement in heaven of those living at this time is about to close. Where else in scripture is this closure of probation for mankind described?
In the very last book of Daniel–chapter 12 verse 1 we read: Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
The above verse describes the cessation of judgement and the beginning of the great time of trouble. The sixth trumpet sounds just before the time of trouble begins when the wrath of God is unleashed. Let’s go back into Daniel 11 and see if there is any event that takes place that is similar to the events described in the sixth trumpet.
Please see below a comparison table of Revelation 9 – the sixth trumpet and the war between the King of the North and South in Daniel 11. Both events taking place – just on the border of the close of probation for mankind.
What are the common themes we can identify when comparing the sixth trumpet with the war between the King of the South and North in Daniel 11?
· Both events are taking place just prior to the close of probation. · Both are descriptions of ‘war’. · The countries from where the initial conflict arises are Islamic nations. (The King of the South and the area through which the Euphrates flows).
When scripture is compared with scripture the results are incredible. Daniel saw the sixth trumpet war take place and John the Revelator adds important detail to help those living in the last days know and understand the events connected with the closure of God’s judgment of humanity. The biggest armed conflict since the world began will take place just prior to God completing his judgment of every human being who has ever lived on planet earth.
Who is this war between? Daniel 11 verse 40 – 43 provides great detail about the countries involved and the two warring factions are titled the King of the South and the King of the North.
Who is the King of the North at this time in our world’s history – just before the close of God’s judgment of humanity?
The King of Fierce Countenance (Satan) has come as Christ in the fifth trumpet and has been welcomed by his servant or representative on earth – the pope. The papal system’s deadly wound is healed. The description of this King of the North and the confederacy that is spiritual Babylon is made plain in Revelation Chapter 13:
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Revelation13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Revelation13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
John the Revelator describes to us the ruling powers that bear sway at the time of the end. The beast represents a conglomeration of nations that have joined forces and Satan the dragon spirit has inspired its conception. Ten kings wear ten crowns as represented by the horns. This is also the time described in Revelation 17:
Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Revelation 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The beast in Revelation 13 is made up of segments of three of the beasts referred to in Daniel 7. These beasts represented the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. In the time of the end this composite beast rises from the waters:
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
This beast has arisen from “peoples, multitudes nations and tongues.” The beast represents the political powerhouse of a confederacy of nations. The ten kings have their crowns. These ten kings united in one confederacy are represented by the ten toes in the image of Daniel 2. They assume power at the very end of time – they ‘receive power as kings one hour with the beast’ (Revelation 17:12).
A key point to note about this composite beast is that it receives its power from the dragon or Satan. The spirit of the dragon has entered into the hearts and minds of the leaders of willing nations and religions. The dragon’s sole purpose is to instigate and form a world government that will be ready to give him total allegiance when he deceives them by personating Christ in the fifth trumpet. The Roman beast of Daniel chapter seven at this point in time is the papal system represented by the whore in Revelation 17:
Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: Revelation 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
The great whore of Revelation 17 sits on many waters or on the ‘peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues’. She rides the beast:
Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
The King of the North at the end of time is the political and religious power combination of spiritual Babylon. Satan or the dragon is worshipped as well as the beast and the whole world wonders after the beast (Revelation 13:3). You could even call it a combination of ‘churchcraft (religious) and statecraft (political)’.
So the beast of Revelation 13 is yet to rise out of the sea. This beast represents the political or ‘statecraft’ part of spiritual Babylon. The papacy, the whore or that great city (Revelation 17:18) riding on top of this beast is the ‘churchcraft’ part represented by the iron attempting to mix with clay in the image of Daniel 2. There is however one more element to spiritual Babylon or the King of the North we need to understand. In Revelation 13 another beast is described:
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
This beast arises from the earth but is in deceptive attire – he has horns like a lamb, yet speaks like a dragon. Satan has come as Christ in the fifth trumpet. He appears as a wonderful majestic being personating Christ. The papacy welcomes him with open arms and so does Protestant America. He has come to usher in world peace but must deal with any contentious elements that refuse to recognise him for who he is.
The final King of the North in Daniel 11 is described in Revelation as a coalition or confederacy of willing nations represented as kings or horns including the USA, the whore of Revelation 17 or the Papacy and Satan – the ‘strange’ god who has been welcomed by the Papacy and Protestant nations all around the world. The beast is described in Revelation 13 as having ‘seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy’. It is no coincidence that this beast is strikingly similar to the beast or dragon in Revelation 12:
Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
The Revelation 12 beast or dragon is Satan but it also represented the nation of Rome. The beast of Revelation 13 also has seven heads and ten horns. Satan inspired Herod to put Christ to death and in the early centuries of Christianity it was the Roman Empire which attacked and persecuted Christ’s followers. The Roman empire just like world empires today can be inspired and led of the devil himself. The dragon of Revelation 13 in a primary sense represents Satan himself as he is its designer and motivating power.
Just like the dragon in Revelation 12 is primarily Satan, the beast in Revelation 13 is an image of himself. Satan or the devil infuses his spirit into every segment of the world empire he has been pivotal in joining together. The whore riding on the beast, sitting on its heads has acted on Satan’s behalf and brought together this confederacy of nations – spiritual Babylon or the King of the North has been formed.
Daniel 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
We have been able to examine from scripture who the King of the North is at the end of time. We must now identify who the King of the South is at this time. Fortunately Daniel 11 has a very detailed description of the nations involved:
Daniel 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Daniel 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. Daniel 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
When the angels are loosed they are freed from the area where they are bound:
Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Daniel describes the conflict that takes place and refers to the King of the South in the following sequence:
Daniel 11:40 “The king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall over-flow and pass over.”
1. He shall enter also into the glorious land 2. many countries shall be overthrown 3. these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 4. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 5. and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
The rapidity of the military engagement is emphasised in Daniel 11:40 when the King of the North reacts to the King of the South pushing at him:
“and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” What predominantly Muslim countries in the Euphrates basin will the King of the North enter into and overflow? They will be Muslim countries that are North of the ‘glorious land’ mentioned in verse 41.
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria and Lebanon are predominantly Muslim countries that are to the North of the ‘glorious land’ that the King of the North will enter into and overflow and pass over. Remember that the King of the North will come against the King of the South ‘like a whirlwind’.
Once the King of the North reaches the ‘glorious land’ or Israel it states that ‘many countries shall be overthrown’. The word ‘countries’ is a supplied word. It could be read ‘many shall be overthrown’. Israel, one of the most fought over pieces of real estate in the world will finally be cleansed of all Muslim influences – only those who accept Satan as the true and living Christ will be welcome.
These shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Geographically Edom, Moab and Ammon have been superseded by the country Jordan which now holds the territory that Edom, Moab and Ammon once reigned. Daniel prophesy’s that Edom, Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon will escape out of the King of the North’s whirlwind war front as it continues southward.
He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Recalling that the four angels bound in the Euphrates are loosed we now examine what other countries are in the Euphrates basin. Iraq and Iran are certainly candidates for the countries on which the King of the North will ‘stretch his hand’. And even Egypt does not escape. The Libyans and Ethiopians are described as being at his steps. The King of the North’s relationship with the Libyans and Ethiopians is one of subservience – at his steps refers to their willingness to allow the King of the North to enter their country and do his bidding.
The nations which form King of the South is certainly made clear in Daniel 11:40-43. The common characteristic that all these nations share is that they predominantly worship Allah and are Muslim.
Why at the very end of probationary time is there an uprising and a unity of Muslim nations wishing to eradicate Christ – personated by Satan and war against the political and religious powerhouse the King of the North?
In Islamic eschatology the arrival of the Dajjāl or an evil being that will impersonate the true messiah is predicted to appear at the end times:
The return of Jesus will occur AFTER the Anti-Christ (known in Islam as the Dajjal, meaning the Deceiver who claims to be God) appears and attempts to deceive people into worshipping him. Then, Jesus (the Messiah) عليه السلام will descend from Heaven, pursue and kill the Anti-Christ, and destroy the savage and unbelieving armies of Gog and Magog, and bring peace and brotherhood to the World. http://www.discoveringislam.org/return_of_jesus.htm When the ‘strange god’ appears in Daniel 11:38, 39 and is honoured with gold and silver and precious things it is none other than Satan himself who has appeared masquerading as Christ. He is described as the King of ‘fierce’ or mighty countenance in Daniel chapter eight. It is this strange god that will be considered the Dajjal by the majority of Muslims around the world. Accepted as the true Christ by the majority of the Christian world he will deceive the nations and gather them to war against the Muslim nations that dare question his authority. Satan has always desired the title: The King of the North (Isaiah 14:13). This title will certainly be his after his defeat of the King of the South.
Satan personating Christ will live up to his reputation:
Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
Satan is the angel of the bottomless pit and is described as Abaddon and Apollyon – the destroying angel. The angels loosed in the river Euphrates are in fact demonic spirits that deceive the nations of the King of the South into believing he is the Dajjal or Anti-Christ. Satan inspires the King of the South to war against the Dajjal and seek to destroy him as their prophetic writings have foretold. This war will destroy one third of mankind. Satan, the author of destruction pretending to be the great peace-maker relishes the devastation he causes. Satan parading as Christ guides and instructs the armies of the King of the North in their ‘whirlwind’ battle against the King of the South.
Revelation 9:15 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 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
Satan can finally unleash the bound angels and it is his purpose to inspire them to rally Islamic forces to the greatest war mankind has ever known. The reference to their preparation for an hour, a day, a month and a year is a specific point in time not a prophetic period. At a certain point in time on a particular day, at a particular hour this war will begin. The angels have prepared the nations involved to be ready at this time to engage in a battle that the King of the North will be victorious in but a battle that will have a huge cost – because a third part of men will be slain.
The 2 hundred million strong army involved is the largest army that has ever existed. This conflict will impact on a world wide scale. In fact this conflict has been experiencing birth pangs in recent times. The uprising of radical Islam in the modern world particularly since the September 11, 2001 bombings on New York has led to a wave of terrorist activity or Jihad that has not really ceased. It is this Jihad or ‘holy war’ that will reach a pinnacle at this point in the world’s history.
Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. Revelation 9:18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
John’s vision of the army or ‘horsemen’ describes them as having the following characteristics:
· the soldiers riding the horses had breastplates of fire, jacinth and brimstone; · the horses they were riding had heads like lions and out of their mouths issued fire, smoke and brimstone. · The breastplates worn by the army appear to be like fire, jacinth and brimstone. It is important to understand what ‘jacinth’ and ‘brimstone’ are.
Jacinth is defined as:
G5191 ὑακίνθινος
huakinthinos hoo-ak-in’-thee-nos From G5192; “hyacinthine” or “jacinthine”, that is, deep blue: – jacinth. Total KJV occurrences: 1
Brimstone is defined as:
G2306 Θειώδης
theiōdēs thi-o’-dace From G2303 and G1491; sulphur like, that is, sulphurous: – brimstone. Total KJV occurrences: 1
It is fascinating to notice that in this one verse in Revelation, two different Greek words are used for brimstone. The above definition refers to the brimstone in the makeup of the breastplate of the soldiers riding the horses.
The other reference to brimstone is found coming out of the mouths of the horses the soldiers are riding:
G2303 θεῖον
theion thi’-on Probably neuter of G2304 (in its original sense of flashing); sulphur: – brimstone. Total KJV occurrences: 7
The fact that a different Greek word is used for brimstone in this one verse is quite incredible. Why?
Let’s bring John’s vision into the present.
The breastplates that the soldiers are wearing would be called vests. The brimstone in the vest of the soldiers is sulphur like or sulphurous but when John sees fire, smoke and brimstone issuing out of the mouths of the horses which appear as lions the brimstone is seen as ‘flashing’ or igniting.
From this specific detail given by John in verse 17 we are given a picture of the tactics of war that will be used by the ‘Jihadi’ forces of the King of the South. Muslim soldiers scattered all around the world – barely discernible from other civilians in their society will rise up against ‘Dajjal’ and spiritual Babylon who accept ‘Dajjal’ as their God.
Already in 2018 we have seen radical Islamic adherents reek devastation in societies across the world by wearing bomb laden vests as well as bomb laden modes of transport. Their entrance into events attended by vast numbers of people have helped them destroy their perceived enemy, but also create fear in the hearts of those who survive and those who hear and see the events relayed via media reports.
At the time of the end when this war takes place technology has advanced in leaps and bounds the King of the South has prepared for such a time and the miniaturisation of nuclear fission technology has enabled them to produce a stealth bomb of the most horrific magnitude – a nuclear vest.
We will now return to looking at why the breastplate of the soldiers is composed of jacinth. Jacinth – a deep blue colour is mentioned as part of the breastplate but is not mentioned as emanating from the horses mouths which only consists of fire, smoke and brimstone. This blue colour is evidence that the vests or breastplates are composed of nuclear material. Have a look at Cherenkov Radiation taking place in the picture below:
Cherenkov radiation is basically caused by super charged particles moving through the water causing magnetic distortions as they pass through it. When that excess nuclear material is released it produces a blue light. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCOqZfDElIQ
The radioactivity of the breastplates or vests of the soldiers is signified by identifying the radiation that is emitted by the fuel source used in the vests. Cherenkov radiation can however be a precursor to nuclear fission. When nuclear fission takes place the following observation has been noted:
Neutrons released in fission may also be absorbed in the body tissue or within surrounding materials, giving rise to the capture of gamma rays. These in turn may interact to produce high energy electrons within the eye. For example, the absorption of a thermal neutron in the hydrogen of water gives rise to a maximum gamma ray or 2.23 MeV at the instant of absorption.(116) The electrons in turn give rise to the Čerenkov radiation or blue flash observed at the instant of the criticality excursion. http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-19176.pdf
A criticality accident is an uncontrolled nuclear fission chain reaction. It is sometimes referred to as a critical excursion or a critical power excursion or a divergent chain reaction. Many criticality accidents have been observed to emit a blue flash of light.[37] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticality_accident#cite_note-clayton-37
The triggering of the nuclear vest gives rise to a ‘blue flash’ and then according to scripture the release or creation of fire, brimstone and smoke take place which kill a third of the population on earth.
Does a nuclear explosion give rise to the creation of fire, brimstone and smoke?
A fraction of a second after a nuclear explosion, the heat from the fireball causes a high-pressure wave to develop and move outward producing the blast effect. The front of the blast wave, i.e., the shock front, travels rapidly away from the fireball, a moving wall of highly compressed air.
Approximately 35 percent of the energy from a nuclear explosion is an intense burst of thermal radiation, i.e., heat. Temperatures of a nuclear explosion reach those in the interior of the sun, about 100,000,000° Celsius, and produce a brilliant fireball.
Under some conditions, the many individual fires created by a nuclear explosion can coalesce into one massive fire known as a “firestorm.” The combination of many smaller fires heats the air and causes winds of hurricane strength directed inward toward the fire, which in turn fan the flames.
John in vision sees FIRE as a major destructive element that destroys one third of mankind. This is certainly an immediate impact of nuclear warfare.
When a nuclear weapon is detonated on or near Earth’s surface, the blast digs out a large crater. Some of the material that used to be in the crater is deposited on the rim of the crater; the rest is carried up into the air and returns to Earth as radioactive fallout.
Fallout refers to the radioactive particles that fall to earth as a result of a nuclear explosion. It consists of weapon debris, fission products, and, in the case of a ground burst, radiated soil. Fallout particles vary in size from thousandths of a millimeter to several millimeters. Much of this material falls directly back down close to ground zero within several minutes after the ex-plosion, but some travels high into the atmosphere.
John in vision sees flaming particles or residue fall to the ground during a nuclear exchange. He remembers the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the raining down of brimstone on the evil cities of the plain and all he can think of is that he is envisioning the judgment of God similar to what happened to the cities of the plain.
Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; Genesis 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
John also sees the fireball or cloud created by the nuclear explosions:
The color of the cloud is initially red or reddish brown, due to the presence of nitrous acid and oxides of nitrogen. As the fireball cools and condensation occurs, the color changes to white, mainly due to the water droplets (as in an ordinary cloud). http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/effects2.shtml
The fireball John envisions appears as smoke rising up into the air. It is interesting to note that Joel in the Old Testament also saw similar events:
Joel 2:30 And I will shewH5414 wondersH4159 in the heavensH8064 and in the earth,H776 blood,H1818 and fire,H784 and pillarsH8490 of smoke.H6227 Joel 2:31 The sunH8121 shall be turnedH2015 into darkness,H2822 and the moonH3394 into blood,H1818 beforeH6440 the greatH1419 and the terribleH3372 dayH3117 of the LORDH3068 come.H935
The original meaning of the word ‘pillars’ is revealing. It refers to a pillar or column of smoke. The BDB definition also reveals that it is: “palm-like spreading at top”. What does that description bring to mind?
H8490 Original: תּמרה תּימרה Transliteration: tı̂ymârâh timârâh Phonetic: tee-maw-raw’ BDB Definition: pillar, column palm-like spreading at top Origin: from the same as H8558 TWOT entry: 2523d Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine Strong’s Definition: From the same as H8558; a column, that is, cloud: – pillar.--
Revelation 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. Revelation 9:18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
John sees in vision the horses and describes their heads: “the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions”. John is using a simile here. The heads of the horses are ‘like’ the heads of lions. What is John trying to convey about the mode of transport that the soldiers in this army are using?
Lions are often used in descriptions of war in God’s word:
1 Chronicles 12:8 And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
David’s men of war and men of might are described as having the ‘faces of lions’. The image of a lion’s face is used to convey the threat that a lion can be. David’s soldiers are perceived as a real threat to anyone who dare come up against them.
The horses or modes of transport used in John’s vision of this 200,000,000 strong army are also fearful and destructive – out of their mouths issue the fire, smoke and brimstone which destroys one third of mankind.
When the soldier triggers the nuclear reaction built into his breastplate or vest suddenly a hyacinth blue flash takes place. His ‘horse’ whether it be a motorbike, a car or any other suitable resource to pack even more explosives into suddenly roars into a cascade of fire, smoke and what John identifies as brimstone or flaming pieces of what has just been obliterated in the nuclear blast. It is the blast and its repercussions in the environment that kills a third of mankind. The fire burns, the smoke suffocates and the ‘brimstone’ pummels its victims to death.
Daniel began life in Babylon – a captive – yet remained faithful to God despite the rise and fall of monarchs over time. God gives us reassurance through Daniel’s experience. Daniel’s test was to be thrown into a lion’s den with hungry and ferocious lions ready to eat him for dinner!
Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
For God’s people down at the time of the end and the sixth trumpet it will be being confronted by a jihadi bent soldier ready to discharge his woeful payload. God will shut the ‘lions mouths’ just like he did for Daniel.
Jeremiah 4:7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Satan rallies the forces of the King of the North at this time. The Christian world has accepted him as the ‘true’ Christ. The Islamic nations have rejected him as the ‘Dajjal’ or antichrist. This is Satan’s opportunity to destroy and cleanse the world of any rebellious influences against himself. The destroyer of the Gentiles is truly on his way.
Christ himself was made subject to Satan’s attack. David prophesied how Satan’s spirit and attributes would appear in Christ’s persecutors:
Psalms 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psalms 22:21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
When John compares the heads of the horses to lions and their mouths are described as issuing the destructive elements of smoke, fire and brimstone he is actually making reference to the source of the destruction. The motivating power and driving force is none other than the spirit of Satan himself. He is the ‘roaring lion’ and identified as the ‘destroyer of the Gentiles’ who has come up from ‘his thicket’ – the bottomless pit to wreak devastation and destruction of the land, cities and their inhabitants.
Revelation 9:19 ForG1063 theirG848 powerG1849 isG1526 inG1722 theirG848 mouth,G4750 andG2532 inG1722 theirG848 tails:G3769 forG1063 theirG848 tailsG3769 were like untoG3664 serpents,G3789 and hadG2192 heads,G2776 andG2532 withG1722 themG846 they do hurt.G91 John then continues to reinforce where the destructive power of these horses with heads like lions comes from. Their power is in their ‘mouth’, however he then adds an extra dimension to this power. These ‘horses’ have heads like lions but their tails are like serpents which have heads which they use to ‘do hurt’.
It is interesting to see what the word ‘hurt’ refers to:
G91 ἀδικέω adikeō ad-ee-keh’-o From G94; to be unjust, that is, (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically): – hurt, injure, be an offender, be unjust, (do, suffer, take) wrong. Total KJV occurrences: 27
According to Revelation 9:18 a third of men on earth have been destroyed by the smoke, fire and brimstone that issued from the lion’s mouths. Why would it be necessary to have tails like serpents?
‘Their tails were like unto serpents’
John once again uses a simile – the horse’s tails which would normally be long and flowing are like snakes. In what way are they like snakes? John states they ‘had heads and with them they do hurt’. How do snakes inflict ‘hurt’? Have a look at a snake head ready to bite. Note the fangs ready to embed poison in their helpless victim. Serpents or snakes POISON their victims.
John in vision sees the tail or back end of the horses. As the horses and soldiers unleash their deadly payload – a nuclear bomb – the initial blasts kill a third of man-kind erupting from the heads of the horses which are like lions. John then emphasises that not all danger is past. These horses which have tails like serpents are going to cause ‘hurt’ by poisoning the remaining victims. The picture John conveys of the serpent like tails is revealing to us the lasting radioactive poisonous impact this nuclear war will have on all that remain.
An Australian War correspondent at the end of WWII Melbournian Wilfred Burchett visited Hiroshima in Japan immediately after the war had ended:
What he saw there shocked him and transformed his views forever. He walked three miles to the centre of the blast and saw only piles of rubble — the only things standing were a few shells of concrete buildings. It soon became clear that tens of thousands of Hiroshima residents had been killed by the blast and heatwave of the bomb.
"In these hospitals I found people who, when the bomb fell, suffered absolutely no injuries, but now are dying from the uncanny after-effect. For no apparent reason their health began to fail. They lost appetite. Their hair fell out. Bluish spots appeared on their bodies.
And the bleeding began from the ears, nose and mouth. At first the doctors told me they thought these were the symptoms of general debility. They gave their patients vitamin A injections. The results were horrible. The flesh started rotting away from the hole caused by the injection of the needle. And in every case the victim died."
Burchett spoke to Japanese doctors who said that 100 patients a day were dying of this mysterious illness, which they believed was caused by radioactivity released from the atomic bomb that had permeated into the ground, dust and water supply.
“What I had seen was the end of WWII but it would be the fate of cities all over the world in the first hours of a WWIII.” Wilfred Burchett
Surely the ‘tails’ or latter end of the sixth trumpet horses will poison with their serpent like heads all those that remain alive after the atomic conflagration. Radioactive poisoning or sickness is a shocking legacy to suffer for those not destroyed by the initial bomb blast.
Isaiah writing about the ‘destroyer of the Gentiles’ or Satan states:
Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
The sixth trumpet certainly provides evidence of Satan’s destructive whims and Isaiah captures it succinctly — Satan: · shakes kingdoms · makes the world as a wilderness · and destroys the cities.
The Bible is clear about the destruction that will be wrought in the cities at the end of time. Isaiah is given specific instruction to forewarn God’s people of the destruction to come:
Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Isaiah 6:11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
Note that Isaiah asked the question: How long? How long should I speak to the people about what is to come? Note the answer God gives him: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.
The instruction given to Isaiah extends right down to the very eve of the close of probation. When the sixth trumpet war takes place and cities are totally destroyed in atomic annihilation there is no longer time for the inhabitants of the world to make a decision to follow Christ, no matter what the cost.
Revelation10:7 ButG235 inG1722 theG3588 daysG2250 of theG3588 voiceG5456 of theG3588 seventhG1442 angel,G32 whenG3752 he shall beginG3195 to sound,G4537 theG3588 mysteryG3466 of GodG2316 should be finished,G5055 asG5613 he hath declaredG2097 to hisG1438 servantsG1401 theG3588 prophets.G4396
The words in the KJV ‘he shall begin’ should actually be translated ‘is about to’ – see the BDB and Strongs definition below:
G3195 Original: μέλλω Transliteration: mellō Phonetic: mel’-lo Thayer Definition: to be about to be on the point of doing or suffering something to intend, have in mind, think to Origin: a strengthened form of G3199 (through the idea of expectation)
TDNT entry: None Part(s) of speech: Verb Strong’s Definition: A strengthened form of G3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, that is, be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation): – about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
When the seventh trumpet ‘is about’ to sound the mystery of God is finished. The opportunity to participate in the ‘mystery of God’ closes just before the seventh angel sounds.
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
The events of the sixth trumpet clearly foretold by John the Revelator are taking place during the sounding of the third angel’s message:
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The second woe or sixth trumpet is the final warning to mankind that God’s judgment of humanity is about to close and Michael is about to stand up. If you don’t choose to follow Christ at this time – it will be too late. Following Christ also means you obey him by choosing to keep his commandments. If you decide to ‘worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,’ your fate will be to: ‘drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation’. This indignation or wrath takes place during the sounding of the seventh trumpet or final woe:
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Why wait till the sixth trumpet sounds to accept Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation he won for you by shedding his blood and dying on a cruel cross? Christ’s Father was willing to give his son’s life for yours:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only be-gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Won’t you accept that marvellous gift right now? Just talk to God because he is listening. Tell him you are sorry that you have not truly committed your life to him until now. Ask him to come into your heart and mind and change you. He wants you to be a ‘partaker of the divine nature’:
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Read God’s word – it is written especially for you. It is your guide book to heaven and eternity with the Father and the Son. DO IT NOW!
Note what John reveals the status of mankind is at the end of this great war that will take place:
Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Revelation 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
The wicked survivors of the sixth trumpet blast ‘REPENT NOT’. They are too hardened in sin, too comfortable, preferring to worship idols who at that time consist of the ‘Trinity’ who Satan is manifesting by masquerading as Christ. The ‘idol’ Sabbath – Sunday – the first day of the week is at the heart of Satan’s devilish enforcement via the ‘mark of the beast’ system. Sunday is Satan’s day – he has elevated it above the original seventh day Sabbath instituted by God when he rested after the creation of the world. Satan has always wanted the world’s inhabitants to distrust their Creator –right from the beginning when Eve was deceived into believing the devil’s lies. Who are you going to trust? The God who created you or the wannabe God in deceptive attire parading through the world ‘bringing fire down from heaven’ and healing all manner of diseases totally focused on deceiving and destroying YOU!
(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.