Revelation #16: Revelation Chapter 9:12-21 – The Sixth Trumpet, “The Second Woe”

Revelation #16: Revelation Chapter 9:12-21 – The Sixth Trumpet, “The Second Woe”

Introduction

In this passage from Revelation, we continue with the judgments associated with the sixth trumpet, marking the second of three final and terrible woes during the Great Tribulation. The first woe has passed, but two more intense judgments are to follow. Here, we see a direct impact on humanity as four bound angels are released to unleash devastation upon the earth, killing one-third of mankind through an enormous, terrifying army.

The judgments of the first four trumpets (Revelation 8) primarily affected the environment—trees, seas, rivers, and even celestial bodies. Yet, as the fifth trumpet sounded, the intensity grew, marking the transition from environmental judgments to those targeting humanity directly. Revelation 9:1-12 recounts the release of demon-locusts tormenting all except those with God’s seal. Now, with the sixth trumpet, the devastation escalates further, and a greater portion of the human population faces mortal judgment.

The Release of the Four Angels

Verses 13-15 read:

“The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.”

These four angels, restrained near the Euphrates River, are likely fallen angels—agents of destruction rather than messengers of peace. Their binding suggests they are not holy angels, as Scripture depicts holy angels as free to serve God’s purposes without constraint (see Jude 1:6). Their release is precise, occurring at a divinely predetermined time, underscoring God’s control over even the forces of chaos and judgment. This passage reiterates God’s sovereignty, as He alone determines when and how these forces are allowed to act.

The Euphrates River itself holds significant historical and biblical symbolism. This region is linked with early human rebellion against God, such as the Tower of Babel and the spread of idolatry in ancient Babylon. Now, this ancient river becomes the staging ground for a great and terrible army.

The Army of Two Hundred Million

Verses 16-19 further describe:

“The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number. The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.”

The immense size of this army—200 million—is unprecedented and represents a force of destruction capable of executing God’s judgment on a vast scale. This number reflects the magnitude of the end-time events unfolding on earth. Their armor is described in colors associated with fire, brimstone, and intense heat, signaling the destructive power they wield. The imagery of lion-headed horses spewing fire, smoke, and sulfur further emphasizes the terrifying nature of this army. Here, we see symbols of warfare and destruction that resonate with the plagues God has used in past judgments, such as the fiery brimstone against Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24) and the plagues prophesied in Ezekiel 38 against Gog.

The Refusal to Repent

Despite the widespread death and destruction, humanity’s response remains chillingly resistant. Verses 20-21 declare:

“The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Even as judgment unfolds visibly around them, those who survive continue in their defiance. They persist in idolatry, worshipping lifeless objects that offer neither wisdom nor protection. The Greek term for “magic arts” here, pharmakia, also encompasses practices involving sorcery or drug-induced occult rituals, revealing that the cultural influences of this time are deeply tied to spiritual rebellion and moral degradation. It is a stark reminder that sin blinds, and in their hardened state, these individuals refuse to turn from destructive habits.

The Call to Repentance

The implications of the sixth trumpet speak to the spiritual realities at work in the world today. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, underscores the spiritual warfare faced by believers:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The events described here highlight the dire need for repentance. Humanity, often resistant to God, must confront the ultimate futility of its defiance. As we reflect on this prophecy, it serves as a call to self-examination. Christ’s message is clear: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance is not a one-time act but a daily turning to God, a surrender that seeks to follow Him more closely.

Conclusion

The sixth trumpet in Revelation presents a scene of profound terror and unmistakable warning. The release of the four angels and the 200-million-strong cavalry is a reminder that the forces at work are far beyond human control, and that God’s ultimate purposes for justice and judgment will come to pass. As believers, we are called to remain vigilant, aware of the spiritual battle surrounding us, and to seek God’s strength in these times.

As we consider this passage, we recognize the urgency of living in the light of Christ’s return. The judgments of Revelation serve not only as a warning to the rebellious but as an encouragement to believers to persevere in faith and to live a life that reflects the holiness of God. May we seek to proclaim the gospel and to live lives that are aligned with His Word, knowing that true hope is found in Jesus Christ alone.

-sermon series by Pastor Michel Bohrer