Scripture Reading: Revelation 9:13-21
This passage contains another description of the horrors brought to humanity during the coming time of tribulation. The sounding of the sixth trumpet will bring the death of a third of the earth's population (Rev 9:18). Like the fifth trumpet, this judgment will be effected by a demonic host that will be released on the earth.
The description of these beings, riding frightful horses points to the power they will possess and the lethal effect they will produce … heads like lions and tails like serpents. Whereas the judgment of the fifth trumpet brought horrible physical suffering short of death, this judgment will claim a third of the people on the earth.
An interesting comment on this situation appears in Revelation 9:20,21. For all the death and suffering, the majority of the unbelievers who were left alive did not repent of their sins in a pleading with God for mercy.
How enslaved the sinful human heart is to the darkness of sin. Repentance must be a work of God in the stubborn, sinful heart. It is not that the light of the truth about God is lacking, but that the light is hated. "People loved the darkness because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light" (Jn 3:19,20). We must plead with God to do His life-giving work, deep in our souls. This is true repentance.
