Is there hope?
So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Revelation 9:15
Recently, I watched a movie that was set during the time of WW1. The backdrop surrounding each scene was devasting with continual explosions and chaos. The scenes that were most impactful for me were focused on the medical provisions of the war. It was a new idea for me to consider that there was a need to move the medical camps as the bombing got closer to the current locations. Many of the dying soldiers had to be left behind because of the urgency to move before everything and everyone was destroyed. I have to admit that some of the images were hard for me to look at, as wounded and dying servicemen were brought into the camp for aide. As grewsome as the film made it, these made-up scenes would never be as horrific as the real life nightmare of the reality of war. Just watching the reenactment of that time made me feel the sense of hopelessness that the people were undoubtedly feeling. As we read today’s passage, there is a description of a war that will far surpass any war that this world has ever seen in the past. It will be easy for people to lose all hope that are left here to go through it.
In today’s reading, it is obvious that John is seeing into the spirit realm as well at the natural. The beginning of this section took place in heaven and then angelic forces are released on earth. After that, John describes an army with a specific number of horsemen in the natural world. This huge army kills one third of the world’s population with fire, smoke and brimstone.
After reading about this devasting event, it is easy to feel like there would be no hope for anyone that is in the world in those days. That is when I must remind myself that God is still the same God and His mission to find those who will call out to Him is still the same. While it will seem like there is not hope in that time of great tribulation, God will still save those who call on His name and receive His salvation.
As we read the details of the events happening in this chapter, it is plain to see that God is not caught off guard by the things happening to people. He is ever watching and ready to respond from heaven as things are wrapping up here in the world. Just as He is watching us in the days that we live in and ready to help and empower us through the troubles we face each day, He will be with those who recognize their need for Him in that dark hour. We can trust His faithfulness and unfailing love today and it will go on for eternity, even during the time of tribulation beyond anything this world has ever seen before.
Additionally, the power of prayer will be at work during this rise of enemy forces. We saw the importance of prayer as an essential weapon in spiritual warfare. In chapter eight, we saw the prayers of the saints as powerful incense rising before the throne of God (Revelation 8:3-4), and they have the ability to bring about change and intervention during this time of adversity. Even though the circumstances around them may not change, hearts and lives will be turned around by the transforming power of heaven. Just as we stand in our faith today against enemy forces that try to stop our purpose and mission in life, the saints of the tribulation time will still be standing with their weapons of warfare and sword of the spirit to accomplish their mission then.
The trials and tribulations described in Revelation should be a reminder of the importance of perseverance and endurance when we face adversity in the days we live in. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that our hope is anchored in Christ Jesus the Lord, who has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Today I want to encourage you that as you read this passage of scripture keep in mind the hope we have in our salvation in the blood of Jesus. Even in the middle of circumstances of adversity and hardship, find comfort in God’s love, goodness and purpose for your life. Connect with Him continually through the power of prayer and endure through perseverance as a soldier in the army of the Lord. Remember you have His promise of victory in Jesus because He has already won the war and hold fast to His hope as you walk right through life’s trials and tribulations.
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 9:13-21
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”
15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.
16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.
18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
The Daily Dose 