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Trumpet 6 (Revelation 9)
17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn't repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn't worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn't repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.
having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow
In the first four seals nearly all the description relates to the riders except for the color of the horse, while here a great deal of detail is given regarding the horses as well. How might this help inform us as to the possible meanings of what is being portrayed here? We will look at this more as we move through the following verses.
First, I would like to know what these descriptions are referring to, the horses or the horsemen? Is it the horses wearing these breastplates or the riders – or both? It doesn't seem to be clear, at least in how it is translated, as to where all of these vivid descriptions apply.
This takes us back to the previous trumpet where we see direct connections between these two trumpets in more ways than one. There we saw mentioned the breastplates along with the horses that are here showing up with much greater force.
They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. (Revelation 9:9)
This would seem to indicate that the locusts from the abyss were forerunners of the appearance of these horses and those who sit on them. In the fifth trumpet it is the sound heard and the similarity of appearance that alerts us as to what is impending that is now becoming more obvious in this trumpet.
What comes to my attention here is the contrast between the kind of breastplates described here and the nature of the One who is being counterfeited who shows up in chapter 19. The authentic breastplate of those on the side of the Lamb would be a breastplate of righteousness, while here we find words like iron and fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow.
The breastplate worn by the high priest in Israel contained twelve stones representing the tribes of Israel worn on his heart as he represented them before God. It also held two stones called the Urim and the Thummim for receiving answers from God when difficult decisions were processed. This describes the nature of righteousness – living in right relationship with God as He designed for us.
Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. He put the coat on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him, and fastened it to him with it. He placed the breastplate on him; and in the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim. He set the turban on his head; and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown; as Yahweh commanded Moses. (Leviticus 8:6-9)
What was this golden plate placed on the front of the turban?
They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it a writing, like the engravings of a signet: "HOLY TO YAHWEH." (Exodus 39:30)
Compare this to another vision containing similar articles.
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, "Take the filthy garments off of him." To him he said, "Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing." I said, "Let them set a clean turban on his head." So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and the angel of Yahweh was standing by.
The angel of Yahweh protested to Joshua, saying, "Thus says Yahweh of Armies: 'If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant, the Branch. For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the engraving of it,' says Yahweh of Armies, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (Zechariah 3:3-9)
The way of peace they don't know; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whoever goes therein does not know peace. Therefore is justice far from us, neither does righteousness overtake us: we look for light, but, behold, darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity. We grope for the wall like the blind; yes, we grope as those who have no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the twilight; among those who are lusty we are as dead men. We roar all like bears, and moan sore like doves: we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them: transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and uprightness can't enter. Yes, truth is lacking; and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Yahweh saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
(Isaiah 59:8-17)
This sounds very contemporary, describing what we are experiencing all around us today. This is what is needed to bring perspective to what we are learning about the activities of the enemy in these trumpets, where breastplates are not about righteousness, and justice (if you call it that) is mostly about retribution and killing.
The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts. (Romans 13:12-14)
Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (Ephesians 6:14)
But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow
When I look through the Bible at the references to the color red, these are a few things that I find.
Esau at birth came out very red, described as looking like a hairy garment. (Genesis 25:25)
Esau later begs for some red stew his brother is cooking, claiming he will die if he can't have it. (Genesis 25:30)
In Jacob's prophecies over his sons just before he dies, he mentions that Judah will wash his garments in wine and will have eyes red with wine. (Genesis 49:9-12)
In the instructions for the construction of the sanctuary, there are ram's skins that are dyed red. (Exodus 24:16)
Numbers 19 describes a special sacrifice involving a red heifer.
Job's face was red with weeping. (Job 16:16)
Don't look at the wine when it is red. (Proverbs 23:31)
God promises that though our sins are red like crimson they shall be a wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
In Nahum's oracle about Nineveh, there is a description of the shields of mighty men made red. (Nahum 2:3)
Zechariah has two different vision involving red horses. In the first vision there are four horses similar to those in Revelation 6 with riders, while in the other vision there are chariots full of horses of the various colors including red. (Zechariah 1:8; 6:2)
Finally, in Revelation 12:3 there is a red dragon.
The following passage may be the strongest example of the original that these horses and riders are seeking to counterfeit. Whether we fall for a counterfeit or seek out an original will all depend on the criteria we choose to use as filters for making our value decisions. This entire book will be viewed through eyes and hearts that are biased in one way or another, and it is vital to keep in mind that the only safe filter that can be trusted to lead us to a correct understanding of these prophecies is the very first words of the book – This is the revelation of Jesus Christ. This same Jesus is the hero of this book and is primarily seen as the Lamb, the one who conquers using very different motives and methods than those relied on by nearly everyone else in this war.
This description of fiery red may not be so much about denoting a specific color as much as indicating great intensity, a flame of fire or intense heat. It may even parallel the meaning of the word often translated 'wrath' which itself simply means great passion or intensity. It is also connected with the blood red color of freshly squeezed grapes. See how much of this is referenced in the following passage prophesying the coming of the Christ.
Who is this [resonates with the meaning of the name Michael – who is like God?] who comes from Edom, with dyed garments [recall the ram's skins dyed red] from Bozrah? this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? [What kind of strength? It makes all the difference in how we interpret all this] I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save. [This must be the focal point of our attention to correctly understand His motives and intents] Why are you red in your clothing, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat? [What is the purpose of treading the wine press?]
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing. [What is the reason and target of such anger? What is the real definition of God's wrath? Why is their lifeblood on His garments?] For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. [What is the truth about vengeance when the term is used by God? Don't be fooled by wrong labeling and cheap imitations.] I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my wrath, it upheld me. [The original meaning of wrath is intense passion] I trod down the peoples in my anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth. [check the original Hebrew for this] I will make mention of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh, and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. [This is key to appreciating everything just before this. This is the method by which Jesus tramples all the counterfeits that have kept us locked in fear and distrust of God's heart. This is the source of this passion and anger and fury, the lies that keep us distant and afraid of our heavenly Father.] (Isaiah 63:1-7)
I trod down buwc the peoples `am in my anger 'aph, and made them drunk shakar in my wrath chemah, and I poured out yarad their lifeblood Netsach on the earth 'erets. (Isaiah 63:6)
buwc – to trample, loath, be polluted
`am – a people, tribe
'aph – the nose or nostril; the face
shakar – to become tipsy, to satiate with a stimulating drink
chemah – heat, anger, bottles, indignation
yarad – to descend, to bring down
Netsach – brilliancy of color; juice of the grape (as blood red), blood, strength
'erets – to be firm; the earth
These are the literal definitions of all the words in this verse. Notice that what was translated as lifeblood or strength actually refers to brilliant red. Interesting. The only other time this word is used in Scripture is here in verse 3 referring to the blood (grape juice) sprinkled on his garments.
Before we move onto the other colors, we will note that these likely correspond closely with the list at the end of this verse of what comes out of their mouths – fire, smoke and sulfur or brimstone. Obviously this red corresponds to the fire.
hyacinth blue
The only reference I can find to this color is in the list of stones identified for the breastplate of the high priest called Jacinth, and the eleventh stone listed in the foundation of the New Jerusalem also by that name. The color is an intense deep blue which would compliment the intense color of the red just examined.
This blue curiously must have something to do with the smoke in the list at the end of this verse. We are familiar with the blue haze that smoke can create, so it would be easy to associate these two. Keep in mind also that the previous trumpet began with smoke ascending out of the opened abyss that darkened the earth and the atmosphere and from which distilled all those locusts that swarmed all over the earth.
Here is a sampling of the 50 verses in Scripture where we find the word blue.
You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. (Exodus 26:31)
You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. (Exodus 28:31)
You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have a hole for the head in the midst of it: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that it not be torn. On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, around its hem; and bells of gold between them round about: (Exodus 28:31-33)
You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, 'HOLY TO YAHWEH.' You shall put it on a lace of blue, and it shall be on the sash; on the front of the sash it shall be. (Exodus 28:36-37)
They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. (Exodus 39:3)
On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it. They shall spread on them a scarlet cloth, and cover the same with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. They shall take a blue cloth, and cover the lampstand of the light, and its lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, and all its oil vessels, with which they minister to it. They shall put it and all its vessels within a covering of sealskin, and shall put it on the frame. On the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth, and cover it with a covering of sealskin, and shall put in its poles. They shall take all the vessels of ministry, with which they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a blue cloth, and cover them with a covering of sealskin, and shall put them on the frame. (Numbers 4:7-12)
Speak to the children of Israel, and bid those who they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue: and it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all the commandments of Yahweh, and do them; and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute; that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh your God. (Numbers 15:38-41)
When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble. (Esther 1:5-6)
So the couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. The decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad. (Esther 8:14-15)
Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors, who were clothed with blue, governors and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding on horses. (Ezekiel 23:5-6)
Of fine linen with embroidered work from Egypt was your sail, that it might be to you for a banner; blue and purple from the islands of Elishah was your awning. (Ezekiel 27:7)
These were your traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and embroidered work, and in chests of rich clothing, bound with cords and made of cedar, among your merchandise. (Ezekiel 27:24)
sulfur yellow
This is the color that clearly corresponds to the same thing as the third item coming from their mouths. The question is, what is sulfur or brimstone and why is it part of this mix.
Let me begin by noting that the color yellow comes from red and green. Yellow with blue produces white. Sulphur is bright yellow. Possibly yellow sulphur is a counterfeit of gold?
Sulfur or brimstone is an element that can burn white-hot and produce extremely high temperatures. It is also mentioned throughout Scripture in connection with the punishment of the wicked such as in the destruction of Sodom and the other cities of the plain during the time of Abraham and Lot. The study of this element provides a key to understanding many other things in the book of Revelation as we shall see.
Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky. He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)
The generation to come, your children who shall rise up after you, and the foreigner who shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Yahweh has made it sick; and that the whole land of it is sulfur, and salt, and a burning, that it is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Yahweh overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: even all the nations shall say, Why has Yahweh done thus to this land? what means the heat of this great anger? (Deuteronomy 29:22-24)
Likewise, even as it happened in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:28-29)
Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)
Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. (Psalms 11:5-6)
Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side. His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory. (Psalms 97:2-6)
For Yahweh has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulfur, And its land will become burning pitch. It won't be quenched night nor day. Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will lie waste. No one will pass through it forever and ever. (Isaiah 34:8-10)
With pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him, and on his hordes, and on the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and sulfur. (Ezekiel 38:22)
What we are seeing so far is that those who cling to wickedness will experience terrible consequences that are somehow connected with this element of God called sulfur. They are also connected to the words vengeance as well as the idea of judgment. There is much more about this scattered throughout Revelation.
Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation 14:9-10)
The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:20)
The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
Most people assume that this is proof positive that God will resort to force and torture in His fierce punishment of the lost. Yet we must cling to the very first filter given at the beginning of this book, especially when it comes to this. What is the disposition and methods of the Lamb?
Let's move a bit deeper into this study with a somewhat startling passage that may sound almost macabre in nature unless we have a firm grasp on the truth about the fire of God and how it relates to this ingredient of sulfur or brimstone.
Every stroke of the rod of punishment, which Yahweh will lay on him, will be with the sound of tambourines and harps. He will fight with them in battles, brandishing weapons. For his burning place has long been ready. Yes, for the king it is made ready. He has made its pyre deep and large with fire and much wood. Yahweh's breath, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it. (Isaiah 30:32-33)
Here we see something that brings us back to what we are analyzing in this 6th trumpet – sulfur coming out of the mouth. Now we can begin to sense the true nature of these horses and riders as being counterfeits of the truth about God that the Lamb alone reveals. A counterfeit will always seek to mimic the original but with very sinister results. This is never more important to keep in mind than it is in this study of the issue of sulfur and torment when it comes to how God relates to the wicked.
At this point I want to unpack the meaning of the literal word sulfur or brimstone. Here is the Strong's definition of this word.
theion – neuter of theios (in its original sense of flashing); sulphur: – brimstone.
theios – godlike (neuter as noun, divinity): – divine, godhead
What begins to emerge to our understanding if we honestly seek to reconcile our concept of God with what is exposed by the Lamb, is that rather than God acting out of character when it comes to dealing with those who reject Him, this sulfur of intense burning heat is actually a description of the very core of God's heart, much like the core of a nuclear reactor if you want to use that analogy. When dealing with nuclear reactions one must be extremely diligent to always be aligned with the principles and safety guidelines or suffer the unavoidable deadly consequences that will occur from exposure to radiation in our body. The same principle applies to coming into the presence of God. If we fail to appreciate and come into alignment with the reality of the passion of God's love, sooner or later we will experience tragic outcomes even though it is never God's will or desire for that to come on anyone.
Sulfur or brimstone is in actuality biblical shorthand for the intensity of God's very essence which is love. God is love, and this love is not placid or merely warm, fuzzy emotions but is the original source of power and life that fuels the entire universe. For anyone to expect to survive, much less thrive in this intense fire of passion means they must be brought into perfect alignment and synchronization with the disposition, attitudes and methods of the Lamb in order to be prepared to experience that presence positively.
Possibly the main key text for seeing this clearly comes from what is considered by many experts as the most sacred book in the Bible, the Song of Solomon which is all about romantic love. Here is how it is described where we find the only mention of God in the entire book.
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yahweh. (Song of Solomon 8:6)
The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. (Isaiah 33:14-17)
Do you see that sharp contrast opposite to what those experience who come into the presence of holy angels and the presence of the Lamb unfit to enjoy that intensity? This passage in Isaiah makes it very clear that there will be people who not only can live in the devouring fire that is represented as being like burning sulfur or brimstone, but they will thrive in that fire as their eyes see without fear the king in his beauty. This is because they have allowed that fire to already do its cleansing work in their heart and life, aligning their attitudes and disposition and perspective to be in perfect sync with the Source of that fire. These are those who serve him night and day and follow the Lamb wherever he goes and share his thinking about vengeance which is very different than how men usually think of it.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22)
Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord." Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head." Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19-21)
In the end, after all who have rejected the truth as it is revealed by the Lamb have chosen eternal extinction over transformation so as to enjoy this fiery presence, there will be no more death or fear or suffering or torment, for the former things will have all passed away and the only things left are all new, fresh and only life-giving and full of joy forever.
Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14)
I was not intending to go through this study this early in the book. But because we must understand the true nature of the meaning of sulfur or brimstone, we bring it up here because it is vital to know the truth so as to be able to discern when we encounter a counterfeit of the truth. This army of horses and riders unleashed in overwhelming numbers by the leader of the dark forces of evil will do everything possible to deceive if possible the very elect according to Jesus. Nothing is possibly more deceptive than the dark teachings of how God treats His enemies than this issue of fire, torment and the destruction of the wicked. As is usually the case, a counterfeit will assert itself before the arrival of the true, and what I believe we are seeing in this 6th trumpet is just that – the mass imposition of doctrines of demons enforcing myriads of lies to block as many as possible from embracing the saving truth of the real gospel that alone can prepare them to stand in the presence of the Lamb without fear.
the heads of lions
This description is sandwiched between the two lists we have just studied. Because these are clearly describing the enemies of God's truth, I think we can readily interpret these as belonging to the kind of lion that is opposite that of the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is heard about in Revelation 5.
Their roaring will be like a lioness. They will roar like young lions. Yes, they shall roar, and seize their prey and carry it off, and there will be no one to deliver. (Isaiah 5:29)
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)
By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed
In this case, the word plagues is not part of the text but was inserted by translators. But it may be properly assumed as it is mentioned in verse 20 as the means of the killing of one third of mankind.
This passage has given me pause to wonder if this label one third might actually apply to the entirety of all humans who are trapped in the deceptions of Satan. On the other hand, if this is referring primarily to those who profess to be true followers of the Lamb, yet are lacking in genuine heart connection with Him with a willingness to embrace only His motives and methods alone, this could be interpreted as the point where these people are fully emptied of all lingering sympathy with the true Lamb as they cave into the overwhelming forces of intimidation and deception and return to their familiar fear-based beliefs about God that destroys all capacity to be renewed again in their thinking.
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
This last verse describes well the means by which the world is brought into unity under the doctrine of demons, portraying God as fierce, vengeful and violent in His punishment of any who dare defy His power and authority. This is the only alternative left for all who reject the truth as revealed by the Lamb and who turn away from following Him all the way He wants them to go. Each one of us faces this same choice for ourselves individually. Will we allow the Spirit of the Lamb to rewire our thinking about God and His fire, or will we be swayed by the hordes of intimidating forces from the powers of darkness to lock us into the lies that ruin our characters and make us unfit to thrive in that fire? The outcome of this choice has eternal consequences.
We may choose life or choose death, to serve Yahweh or live in the fear of Baal.
