REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 9.20

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Nine

Judgment Resumed:

The Seven Trumpets

 

 

6. Trumpet Number 6 (Woe Number 2)

 

Preface

By way of review, along with the previous instructions given, the sixth angel sounds the alarm of the sixth trumpet's impending judgment, the Second Woe. Pursuant to this order, the Lord's voice is heard, simultaneously from four horns of the golden altar of incense (similar to four loudspeakers positioned in four different directions: east, west, north, and south), which stands before God's Throne in Heaven saying, "Release the four demonic angels (from the Bottomless Pit) that have been prepared and bound in chains at the Euphrates River."

 

On His timetable, under God's sovereign control, these four fallen angels had been prepared for a specific year, month, day, and hour to be released for the sole purpose of killing one-third of the global population. Each command four cavalry brigades --- totaling two-hundred-thousand armored spirit beings and demonic mutant horses from hell --- to invade the four corners of the earth. Reminiscent of the pre-Noahic flood conditions, the aftermath scenario is chronicled in the following verses:

 

 

 (Verse 20)

 

And the rest of the men (the ungodly) 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.

 

The rest of the men concern one-third of mankind spared and unscathed by the prior judgments. After this continental spiritual warfare is imposed, one-half the world's population survives. God providentially allows this massive holocaust. Imagine the thoughts of the survivors. Please keep in mind - There is no deliverance apart from saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Still unwilling to come to repentance (a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn) and acceptance of God's grace, people adhere to their own will and desires instead.

Observe the post-wrath results:

Men's Works

1. They repented not of their works of their hands   

2. They repented not of their worship of devils

3. They repented not of their worship of idols

a.  Gold

b.  Silver

c.  Brass

d.  Stone

e.  Wood

 

The aforementioned is listed in God's commandments, first and foremost:

Exodus 20:3-6 - Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (carved idols), or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down (worship) thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity (sins, evil perversities, offenses, disobedience) of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And shewing mercy (steadfast loving-kindness) unto thousands of them (generations) that love Me, and keep (obey) My commandments (directives, decrees, mandates).

 

Man inherently has a sinful nature due to his eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (cf. Genesis 2:17). The text is very explicit and speaks for itself, the implication carries to the nth degree (those left behind). Two Scripture verses substantiate God's will and purpose for mankind:

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

 

John 3:17 - For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

The free love of God is founded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ – The sum of His moral precepts.

However:

Romans 1:16 - The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

 

Contrary to the attitudes of worldly men, God's wisdom, power, and love stand visible throughout the universe. Therefore, they that willfully refuse to accept Him as Creator God are inexcusable. So, to truly comprehend why God is a just God, John the Apostle was permitted to see, document, and disseminate the truth to the world His book of Revelation.

 

Bible Exposition

By way of introduction, in the following passage, the Apostle Paul metaphorically describes himself as a master builder to instruct his readers and listeners.

1 Corinthians 3:10-13 - According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed (be careful) how he buildeth thereupon. For (any) other foundation can no man lay than that [which] is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation [with or using] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest (evident, obvious): for the day shall declare it (disclose, make clear) because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test, prove)[the quality of] every man's work of what sort it is.

 

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul articulates that Jesus Christ has laid a rock-solid foundation, the pattern for which to follow. Anything else is a counterfeit and will lend itself to destruction. He continues his instruction by explaining certain things:

1 Corinthians 7:31 - Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world, as we know it will soon pass away. (NLT)

 

1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 

Worldliness oftentimes results in a hardened heart toward God. This, in turn, causes abusive behavior, such as addictions, other forms of bondage, or slavery to sin. Illustrations following are individually presented for consideration:

 

Man's Works

Fundamentally, man's works are considered any action divergent to God.

1. They repented not of the works of their hands

Used in context, works of their hands refer to manmade objects of worship.

For Example:

1. The first fruit sacrifice Cain offered to God (cf. Genesis 4:3)

 

2. The Tower of Babel Nimrod was built to heaven (cf. Genesis 11:4)

 

 

3. The worship of Nebuchadnezzar's statue (cf. Daniel 3:1)

 

Such acts are branded:

1. Fraudulent (Jeremiah 51:17-18)

Jeremiah 51:17-18 - Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. For his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

 

2. Non-profitable

Isaiah 44:10 - Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

 

3. Vanity

Isaiah 41:29 - Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.

 

In the final analysis, man's malicious deeds anger God:

Deuteronomy 31:29b - Evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.

 

Demon and Devil Worship

Because of man's inherent sinful nature, in effect, this practice has been prevalent throughout history since the pre-flood economy (cf. Genesis 6)

 

2. They repented not of their worship of devils

Devils (Greek, Daimonion) are usually correlated with demonic beings or demons. The ancients referred to them as Baals or dragons, and everything involved satanic worship. In modern times it is disguised as the occult (satanic practices) – An under-the-umbrella all-inclusive term encompassing astrology, magic, mysticism, parapsychology, spiritism, divination, or something paranormally supernatural.

 

The main purpose of these judgments is to lead men to repentance from disobedience. So, instead of repenting, unfortunately, men turn themselves over to the hardening of their hearts and spiritual blindness, causing them to believe the deceit of Satan and ironically, even worship the very creatures that set out to destroy them.

 

To reiterate: The only way man's heart can be transformed is by the power of God. There is no deliverance apart from the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

Idols and Idolatry

3. They repented not of their worship of idols

An idol is any graven (carved, shaped) or molten (cast, melted, poured over) image or representation of a pagan god used as an object of worship. Venerating, worshipping, or bowing down to someone or whatever else constitutes idolatry, is strictly forbidden by Almighty God:

Exodus 20:3-5a - Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.

 

Some materials used for fashioned idols include:

a.  Gold

Recognized as both metal and mineral, gold is considered scarce and most valuable and used mainly for royalty and liturgical purposes. It does not deteriorate, corrode, or spoil and it has high adaptability to become shapeable. Apropos of the text, the Ark of the Covenant was gilded with gold.

 

Interestingly, the first mention of gold is found in Genesis:

Genesis 2:11 - The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

 

Most notable is the image of the golden calf worshiped by the Israelites at Mount Sanai. Another example of how gold is used relative to the text is the great statue of the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar (cf. Daniel 3).

 

b.  Silver

Lesser in value than gold is silver. Ten times more abundant than gold, silver's properties are also mineral and metal which can be easily molded or shaped. As the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (cf. Daniel 2) represented the Babylonian Empire, the breasts and arms of silver are evocative of the Medo-Persian Empire.

 

c.  Brass

Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is more readily available and is lesser in value than gold or silver. The belly and thighs of Nebuchadnezzar's statue serve as a representation of Alexander the Great's Grecian Empire.

 

d.  Stone

Stone is a hard, solid, nonmetallic mineral matter as part of the earth's natural mixture from which rock is made, especially as a building material. The artwork of the ancients often used stone monuments and obelisks for sculptures. The notorious stone megaliths found on Easter Island were objects of that civilization's worship.

 

e.  Wood

Normally mentioned in the Bible, wood is oftentimes associated with gofer wood taken from Cypress trees. It was famously used as a building material for Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant. Many wood carvings of pagan gods were readily available and lightweight for the common folk. One example is when Rachel is reported stealing her father's idols (cf. Genesis 31:19, 34).

 

The listed manmade objects above are shapes, forms, or representations of pagan gods not able to see, hear, or walk. They are all lifeless inanimate objects contrasted to the one true and living God.

The reality of Jehovah's Godhead is summed up in this verse:

Isaiah 44:6 - Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last, And there is no God besides Me.'

 

 

(Verse 20)

 

[But] Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

 

After observing all His wrath and destruction, God still allows an open door for the repentance of men. However, since the Fall, man's heart is naturally evil. Similar to the Pharaoh of the Egyptians, the heart continues to remain hardened; thus proving history does not change.

 

In recalling the Pre-Flood conditions:

Genesis 6:5-6 - And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.

 

Now, ponder four other evil things that continue to displease God and consider each for discussion:

1.  Murder

2.  Sorcery

3.  Fornication

4.  Thievery   

 

Murder

1.  They repented not of their murdering

The first documented murder committed after the Fall was Cain killing his brother Abel. This act is explicitly forbidden by God in the Ten Commandments, one of the shortest – Thou shalt not Kill [commit murder (cf. Exodus 20:13)]. It is considered vicious, violent, and wicked.

 

Sorcery

2. They repented not of their sorceries

The Greek word for sorceries is Pharmakeia. Defined as a pharmacy in English, its primary focus is on drugs and extended to encompass magic and witchcraft. Sorcery is also a blanket term for poison, drugs, contacting mediums, magic spells, incantations, and witchcraft in association with idols, amulets, or charms.

 

Practicing, participating, and delving into the magic arts (occultism) is forbidden by the LORD's mandates. Only used two times in the New Testament and found in the Book of Revelation, the second warns:

Revelation 18:23b - For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Both verses confirm the above and below.

       

Fornication

3. They repented not of their fornication

Fornication is a word exposed in Greek as porneia, from which we derive the modern term pornography. It categorizes all forms of sexual practices such as adultery, rape, homosexuality, and any indescribable perversion. Fornication is also forbidden in God's statutes.

   

Stealing

4. They repented not of their thievery

Defining Theft: Klemma (Greek) is the act of stealing or that which is stolen, including robberies, fraud, deceit, and dishonesty - Another component of the Ten Commandments.

 

Postface

Even with the aftermath of all the judgments of God seen by the remaining people alive on earth thus far, their hearts continue to remain hardened, and yet, there is still no repentance - A sad commentary. However, even during the Seventh Trumpet judgment, God permits His grace to abound and allows another chance for man's redemption. Though His wrath continues, God has no other alternative than being just, for He is still a God of second chances (cf. Psalm 30:2).

 

Before the last Woe judgment, Chapters 10 and 11 offer the reader another parenthesis. This interlude interrupts the Tribulation narrative to detail micro revelations concerning Satan, his actions, and motives. Please read ahead.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Explain the meaning of the works of their hands.

2.   Why would someone worship devils?

3.   Why does God forbid idolatry?

4.   Why is sorcery an abomination to God?

5.   What causes men not to repent?

6.   What wood was most commonly used for idols?

7.   How is God a just God?

 

 

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