Revelation 9:13-16
In verse 13 the sixth trumpet is sounded and John hears a voice from the four horns of the golden altar.
There is no reference as to the source of this voice; however, staying with the theme of the Seven Churches being involved throughout the Tribulation Period, we notice that the voice is coming from the “horns” of the golden altar.
This altar is a reference to the Altar of Incense, for it is gold and not brass as the brazen Altar of sacrifice was. We should remember the prayers of the saints were mingled with the incense of this altar in chapter eight. So this could be the first link of the Church’s involvement as discussed in previous chapters.
In the Bible, horns are symbolic of rule, authority, Kingship and power. Later in the book we will see “horns” as a representation of ten kings.
These “horns” are a part of the golden Altar of Incense, so having the prayers of the saints mixed in and the martyred saints underneath it, there appears to be a lot of connection between the altar, the “horns” and the Church.
Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18-19, “all power (authority) is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. GO THEREFORE…” In Mark 16:15-18, He gives the same commandment to GO and in verse 17 adds “in His Name” which is Jesus conveying His authority to His Church. This is no secret to the Body of Christ because He is the Head of the Body.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says ‘that we shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon us.’ So the Church has been given power and authority in Heaven and Earth because we are attached to the Head of the Church.
The “horns” of the altar could very well represent the Church’s authority. In saying all of this, the voice coming from the altar “could be” a member of The Body of Christ speaking.
In verse 14 the voice says to the Angel/Christian with the sixth trumpet, “Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” Keep in mind that these are not Heavenly Angels; since they have been bound and they will slay a third part of mankind we know they are evil spirits.
In verse 15 we see these evil spirits loosed which have been prepared or as the Greek rendering clarifies, “kept” for a specific event in time to slay a third part of mankind.
There are two schools of thought concerning the time detailed in the verse. One is that it is a specific hour of a specific day of a specific month of a specific year. The other is that it is a reference to a period of time that encompasses a little more than 13 months.
When we proceed to the next verses of this chapter, there will be an explanation of the 13 month theory with further understanding of what is to happen and who will be the subject during this time period.
In verse 16 John sees a huge army unlike anything ever recorded in war throughout the history of mankind. John hears the number spoken out; 200 million! It is recorded that in the Gulf War with all the coalition forces the total number of armed forces was just under one million. Can you imagine an army of this size?
If we were to go online and research who or what this army represents, we would find pretty much a split between those that consider this army to be another demonic hoard as the locusts discussed previously or physical armies of the world.
One aspect that leads to the confusion is the description given of this army and the horses they ride. It is quite peculiar in nature, so is it literal, figurative or symbolic?
We will tackle this question in our next page of this overview.
