September 27 God Loves You

Revelation 9:13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 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. 16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. 17 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. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. 20 The rest of mankind that 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. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
 
THIS is overwhelming, isn’t it? But let’s work through the vision to learn how it applies to each of us today.
    The sixth trumpet blows, and the second woe is released. Against man’s great sin comes God’s greater judgment. Physical torment described in the previous passage turns into death for one-third of the earth’s population. A voice, either from God or from one to whom he has given authority,  speaks, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” These angels are demons bound until this time. We know they are not good angels because God does not bind the good. God’s curse on sin binds angels and people. You praise God Jesus came to reverse the curse, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners…to release the oppressed. (from Luke 4:18-19)
    God’s purpose is threefold: 1) to encourage his persecuted church 2) to inspire his church to teach salvation and 3) to warn the sinner of this great death. Sin destroys the sinner; it does not destroy God’s church.
    In the Jews’ history, too, Babylon came from east of the Euphrates River as a tool of God’s judgment authority to destroy and exile unbelieving Israel. In a like manner, God will judge an unbelieving world.
     The great numbers in this passage could be symbolic of sin’s destruction over the centuries. Yet, it is estimated 87.5 million military personnel and civilians died in 20th century wars. The prophesied war is certainly within God’s power.
    “But where,” you might ask, “is God’s love?” It’s right here. Since sin entered Eden, God has repeatedly promised blessing and warned of curse. He fulfilled his eternal promise of salvation when sacrificed his Son, so you can be sealed against this awful judgment.
    Know his love today. Be free in Jesus. Call on the name of the Lord and be saved. This vision is, indeed, for you today. God is speaking right now of his salvation. Are you hearing him?
 
Prayer: Move my heart Lord to love others so much I tell them of you. Amen.