Revelation 9:13-21 (NRSV)Unrepentant humankind persists in sin
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels were released, who had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, to kill a third of humankind. The number of the troops of cavalry was two hundred million; I heard their number. And this was how I saw the horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur; the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. By these three plagues a third of humankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they inflict harm.
The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts.
Reflection
God doesn't give up even with the evil left. Wanting them to repent of their murders, sorceries, fornication's or thefts. People were still worshipping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood.Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels were released, who had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, to kill a third of humankind. The number of the troops of cavalry was two hundred million; I heard their number. And this was how I saw the horses in my vision: the riders wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur; the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. By these three plagues a third of humankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they inflict harm.
The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their fornication or their thefts.
Reflection
We try so hard to be our own god. I can do this myself! No you can't! You can't save yourself. You need God! You need help! God is ready and willing to help.
Let us children of God reach out in mighty ways to those in need of help. Let us reach out with the hand of God and offer help in many and various ways. We can reach out with a helping working hand, a voice or ear of compassion and love, a hand that gives of the gold and silver, we can reach out in so many ways to show how God has helped us in our need and gave us new life from sin. Demonstrate the love of God in Jesus so that many can see how simple it is to give yourself away.
Prayer
Shake me up to see the times when I'm stubborn and try to do it all on my own. Break down my pride that I'm willing to reach out for your help. Only you can save me, Lord. I offer myself to you to be an instrument of your love that reaches out to those in need... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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