“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,” (Revelation 9:13).

Isn’t it fascinating how God links different areas of Scripture together?! The last time we saw the Golden Altar was in Revelation 8:3. God was giving extra incense to Jesus, and Jesus was burning it right there! Then suddenly the imagery changed. Coals from the altar were put into the Golden Censer. Those coals were then cast from the censer to the earth. That act sealed God’s people and brought judgment on the wicked.

Well, that all occurred some months ago when the Trumpets began. Now a voice comes from between the four horns of that same altar. It was Jesus, the “angel,” who had been officiating at that altar. It is understood that this is His voice responding to the Trumpet blast of the sixth angel.

We saw the exciting issues represented by the incense, fire, smoke, censor and coals in the eighth chapter. But what do these horns mean? Here, they symbolize might, strength or stability (Deuteronomy 33:17, Zechariah 1:18-19). On that altar it personifies God’s mighty intercessory power, which extends to the four corners of the earth. Divine help from the altar’s horns was graphically seen in the Old Testament where protection from the wrath of others was afforded anyone who grasped them and held on (I Kings 1:49-53, 2:28).

Something unusual is happening in this scene. There is no incense, fire or coals between those horns – just a voice!

It commands action, which brings judgment on the wicked. As with the coals, it becomes a blessing to the saints and a curse to evildoers. So, the Altar of Intercession becomes an altar of destruction to those who rebel. This is again alluded to later when judgment comes from the Altar at the time of harvest (Revelation 14:18-20).

The function of the Golden Altar “which is before God” has changed. No longer are mercy, intercession or reconciliation possible. The time of God’s wrath now commences.

This is very graphic imagery when mercy ceases. Probation has closed. A great transition in the redemption of man occurs with the onset of this Trumpet. That makes it a woe of woes. An altar that pled the blood of Jesus, interceding for saints over millenniums, now becomes the unmitigating source of divine vengeance.

There is a beautiful paradox in this message. Though we see the great transition from mercy to vengeance, it is in mercy that sin and sinners will now be punished. From between the horns where the blood of the Lamb was sprinkled as an atonement for Israel (Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25) comes the final response to the persecuted saints (Revelation 6:9) – “How long?” The answer is in this event.

“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates” (Revelation 9:14).

Since there are many angels that are being introduced, the little explanatory phrase, “which had the trumpet,” is inserted. Jesus orders this sixth angel to “loose the four angels.”

The way this is written in Greek suggests that these are angelic beings that we should already be familiar with. Where? We previously saw a group of four angels in a Seal interlude. There are actually several four-angel groups in Revelation:

1.   Four angels holding the four winds (7:1-3)

2.   First four Trumpet angels (8:7-12)

3.   First four Vial angels (16:2-9)

The angels holding the winds are “bound” from loosening them. But they are apparently located at the four corners of the earth. Here, the four are “bound” at the river Euphrates. The angels of the four winds appear to be “good” beings. Here, they are evil. Do they all relate in some way to each other?

The first four Trumpet and Vial angels do stand apart, but they are part of seven in a 4–2–1 grouping. The four-wind angels and river angels appear as a distinct group. They do have an association. How? Throughout this amazing end-time Book, Satan is copying what Jesus does over and over. He has a counterpart.

In this verse it is exactly the same. God has four angels noted in 7:1, holding in check political strife and war. He contains the final assault of Satan on this earth, symbolized by his four angels, until the saints are all sealed in their foreheads. The Euphrates River represents the peoples of the world who support Babylon. It is the entire apostate earth.

“Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force, that they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.”[1]

When that is accomplished God’s kingdom will be made complete.

“When the third angel’s message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received ‘the latter rain,’ ‘the refreshing from the presence of the Lord,’ and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Angels are hastening to and fro in heaven. An angel returning from the earth announces that his work is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have received ‘the seal of the living God.’ Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, ‘It is done;’ and all the angelic host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ Revelation 22:11. Every case has been decided for life or death. Christ has made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The number of His subjects is made up; ‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.”[2]

There is no longer a need or reason for those four angels to hold the winds back. The great redemptive issues are closed. War and strife now come to the whole earth.

“Soon the four winds of heaven will be loosed, and in every part of the globe there will be dissension, strife, war, bloodshed. Satan is stirred with intensity from beneath.”[3]

The four angels of the Euphrates River represent the satanic powers that came out of the abyss in 9:1-3 but were still restrained from killing until now. They have control over the peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues of this world, symbolized by the waters of that river (Revelation 17:15).

The most treacherous power of Satan is exercised now in its full fury. The people and nations of the world are stirred into one deadly combat. This begins the stunning description of the physical Battle of Armageddon.

Ezekiel prophesied that the god of the land of Magog would come from the “far north” and with its hordes advance against God’s people. It would be so horrible and violent that the creatures of land and sea would quake with terror and mountains would be turned upside down. Then God will turn on Gog and destroy him as He comes to rescue His people (Ezekiel 38:15–39:8). That was an early depiction of what is portrayed in the sixth Trumpet and the hatred against God’s people the world will then have.

“The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the time of trouble. God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation, and the Lord withdraws His protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen. Satan will have power over those who have yielded themselves to his control, and he will plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.”[4]

“And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men” (Revelation 9:15).

When one hears of a convict escaping from jail it creates anxiety and concern that the criminal might strike again. Now, think about the worst criminals you’ve ever heard about. Multiply that horror a thousandfold, and you begin – only begin – to get insight of what it means to loose these four angels.

These angels are not released from the abyss or bottomless pit. That already happened (9:3). There they had new freedom to create havoc, terror and fear – but they couldn’t kill. Now they can. Released from the center of humanity that supports Babylon, they demonstrate what Satan, his minions and followers will do with unbridled freedom. The Euphrates River depicts those masses who are arch enemies of God’s people, who invade the land like a flood (Isaiah 8:7-9).

Notice the words “were prepared.” Their wicked designs were in full readiness, awaiting the moment of release. It is amazing to review the expression “for an hour and a day, and a month, and a year.” This refers to one of God’s appointed times! These angels, though fully ready to execute evil, were held back until the sixth Trumpet angel was directed to release them. It is one of Scripture’s incredible expressions of divine control! Right to the very hour is the fulfillment of God’s designs and purposes. Not until that hour of that day of that month of that year would Satan be permitted to fully express his hatred and malignant character.

These four time elements are preceded by one article. They are all together to highlight a pinpoint in time. What a solemn statement of the precision God operates within! What an affirmation of the objectivity of prophecy and heaven’s wonderful designs!

A sad chronicle is tied to this verse. That freedom gives permission to the demonic powers to kill one third of mankind. This occurs after probation closes and describes what will strike during the Battle of Armageddon. That is what Trumpet six is really all about.

In 7:3 the four winds had power to harm the land and sea. They were restrained till God’s servants were sealed. The saints have now been sealed – a process apparently completed during the time of the fifth Trumpet.

“The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere.”[5]

“And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them” (Revelation 9:16).

When the bottomless pit was opened (fifth Trumpet) smoke arose, and out of the smoke came hordes of locust. This verse does not reveal where the 200 million horsemen came from. The liberation of the four Euphrates angels is the apparent reason this army suddenly appears.

Here, the use of the word “horsemen” (hippikou) is unique in the New Testament and means cavalry or mounted troops (NIV). The imagery is one of a massive military campaign about to begin! Cavalry in the ancient world were feared as an effective military machine. To the east were the famed Parthians who perfected the technique of shooting arrows from their bows while their horses were galloping. Even the Romans were terrified of them. Here, the imagery is one of a bloodcurdling demonic cavalry that nothing will stop. We know that to be true. How? They will not be restrained until one third of the earth’s populace are killed!

“The Spirit of God is gradually withdrawing from the world. Satan is also mustering his forces of evil, going forth ‘unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world,’ to gather them under his banner, to be trained for ‘the battle of that great day of God Almighty.’”[6]

What about that massive number? The words million, billion or even trillion are not used in the Bible. Large numbers are multiples of a thousand. In the Greco–Roman world “myriad” or approximately 10,000 is the highest number used.

Here, the wording literally means “two myriads of myriads” – some say 2 x 10,000 x 10,000 – thus the translated number 200,000 thousand or 200 million.

Expositors who take prophecy literally (literalism) get into imagination trouble with this. “Where could such an army be found?” is asked. Suddenly China or the Islamic world is discussed as being part of the prophecy. It states in distinctly symbolic language that this cadre of people will come from the four corners of the earth. They would be supporters (Euphrates River) of Babylon [the papacy, apostate Protestantism and spiritualism (an expression of Satan) – the false trinity].

In Revelation 5:11 the number of angels worshiping God was “myriads of myriads.” When these two words are used together they usually imply a great multitude or a number too numerous to count.

But you protest! John specifically says: “I heard the number of them.” That is true, and some scholars would join you in that resistance. Most, however, in looking at that “double plural” in Biblical and extra-Biblical sources conclude that it is figurative language for an innumerable host. A great cross-reference is in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 46 – LXX) where conquering soldiers associated with the river Euphrates are described as a cavalry with armor, moving like a serpent, that can’t be numbered.

For those who claim this as only a literary expression, they must grapple with the declaration of John that he “heard” and in the next verse he “saw.”

“And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone” (Revelation 9:17).

John heard the cavalry number and assures us that he saw those horses and riders. Why does he so frequently preface the vision message with these personal remarks? They are powerful statements that he is an eyewitness and represents one who has a firsthand account of those divine visions regarding the future.

Horses are usually associated with warfare and, more specifically in prophecy, people in battle. John is actually saying “in my vision” (“Thus I saw”). This is the only time he expresses himself this way. Because of that, many feel that this is his way of telling the reader, “What I’m about to describe I really did see in vision!”

Under the fifth vision hordes of locust were presented, representing the sudden freedom of Satan’s angels. The imagery here is very different and draws on the symbols of the first four Seals. There, the horses portrayed distinct groups of people at the end of time:

White horse – 144,000

Red horse – apostate Protestantism

Black horse – those in Babylon, waiting to be called out

Pale horse – papacy

Fascinating in those Seals are the riders: On the white and black horses it is Jesus; on the red and pale, Satan. In each, they are leading forward their respective end-time hosts.

Here, the horses (sixth Trumpet) collectively personify the wicked world after probation closes. The riders typify Satan’s millions of angels leading the wicked forward to the worst conflict ever seen on planet earth.

What John now describes is confusing. The grotesque description of armor that follows comes after the mention of the riders. There is a vigorous debate over whether those images relate to the riders or the horses. Because it is not clear in the Greek, several cautious scholars have suggested it belongs to both. The functional meaning of what is about to happen should implicate both Satan and his earthly followers. The Parthian cavalry was noted for its bright armor on both horse and rider. They likely provide a background for this vision.

The locust had breastplates of iron, the cavalry of “fire” (red), “jacinth” (dark blue) and “brimstone” (yellow as sulfur). Is it the color, the materials making the armor or another symbolic issue? Fire and brimstone represent the destructive force of God’s wrath (e.g., Genesis 19:24, 28; Isaiah 34:9-10; Ezekiel 38:22). As we see repeatedly in this Book, Satan always has a counterpart. The armor of his forces is like fire and brimstone. This time his wrath is against his own people. The righteous are now protected. The wicked are the only ones on whom he can now turn. Why are these symbols associated with the breastplate? Hatred and death are evil’s last defenses. They have nothing left. It is the last “protection” of their “heart.” That heart is filled with murderous hate.

What about the “jacinth” (or hyacinth)? Hyakinthinous is a smoky blue color of dye (Exodus 25:4, 27:16). In Revelation 14:9-11 a most helpful textual link is given. Those who have the mark of the beast or worship the beast or its image will drink of the wine of God’s wrath. They are tormented with – and here it is – fire and brimstone. What is the outcome? The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever. Isn’t that interesting? In the third angel’s message fire, brimstone and smoke represent the finality of God’s judgments. Here, the last symbolic message on the breastplates, which protect their satanic hearts, is the color of smoke. That symbolizes the finality of his judgment against his own people – death without hope.

The horses’ heads were as lions’ heads. This means unlimited power from the “king” of the beast. Peter saw the lion as an apt symbol of the devil “walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). John even uses this animal to represent terror (in their tails – Revelation 9:10), ferocity (in their teeth – 9:8) and destructiveness (in their mouth – 13:2).

The lion epitomizes another way Satan contrasts with Jesus. He was depicted by one of the 24 elders as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). There He is seen as the king of the people who represent the 144,000, the firstfruits of that final holy body of redeemed (Revelation 14:4). Judah was positioned to the “east,” the direction from which the Redeemer will approach the earth to deliver His people. Right down to the very end Satan usurps every symbol and imagery associated with Jesus as his own, including the lion.

Out of the horses’ mouths come Satan’s wrath – fire, brimstone and smoke. The breastplate was their “armor,” the covering of the heart. The mouth initiates its hurtful action. How? We get a clue from the eleventh chapter. There, the two witnesses in “Loud Cry” imagery spew fire from their mouths, punishing their persecutors by their “prophesying” and their “testimony” (Revelation 11:5-7). Through hate-filled directives and words of vengeance, Satan’s followers stir up a spirit of war among the nations. They kill each other until a third of the world is annihilated.

“By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths” (Revelation 9:18).

The pale horse under the fourth Seal symbolizes Satan’s people in their final work of murder and war. Their first victims are the saints who become martyrs, depicted in the fifth Seal. During the fifth Trumpet their death mission is blocked for several months. With the second woe or sixth Trumpet that loathsome bent reaches its pinnacle. But this time the death blow comes with the wicked killing each other.

All eternal decisions have been irrevocably made. There is no turning back. Joy, peace and life for some or bitterness, terror and death for most lie ahead. Everyone will be rewarded one way or the other.

God’s People:                                            

Purified – made white (Dan. 12:10)        

               – white horse (Rev. 7:2)              

Grass – green things (Rev. 9:4)              

Trees – His leaders (Rev. 9:4)                

Sealed (Rev. 9:4)                                      

144,000 (Rev. 7:1-9)                                

Receive protection (Rev. 9:4)

Satan’s People:

Wicked – evil (Dan. 12:10)

              – pale horse (Rev. 6:8)

Grass – earth dwellers (Rev. 7:1, 8:13)

Trees – his leaders (Rev. 7:1)

Mark of the beast (Rev. 13:16)

200 million (Rev. 9:16)

Receive woes of death (Rev. 9-11)

That message should be impelling and lead reader and writer to galvanize their allegiance to Jesus. Have you ever stopped to wonder what that moment will be when you, your children, your spouse or a close friend suddenly, without any ceremony, realize that they are lost – or, they are saved?

The fire, smoke and brimstone are each preceded by the article “the” (tau). This indicates that each one is an individual element of destruction. Together this will account for the greatest catastrophic death toll in human history – one third of the world.

The Greek word plegon or plagues is used, referring to the fire, smoke and brimstone. They are distinct from the Seven Vials of chapters 15 and 16, though they are referred to as plagues there also (15:1, 6, 8; 16:9, 21). John sees these three destructive elements as distinct plagues but doesn’t define how they kill. Again, to speculate on modern weaponry like helicopters, nuclear war or rockets is out of context and divine permission.

A chiasm is unveiled between verses 17 and 18. This is a prophetic tool that reinforces the messages and creates informational links.

A     from their mouths

B         proceeded

C               fire and smoke and sulfur

D                     a third of humanity was killed

C’              from the fire and smoke and sulfur

B’        which proceeded

A’    from their mouths[7]

The scene recalls Sodom and Gomorrah with their sudden and unmitigating destruction (Genesis 19:24, 28; Luke 17:29; Jude 7). In the Old Testament these plagues brought punishment to the wicked (Psalm 11:6, Isaiah 34:9-10, Ezekiel 38:22). God punishes those who have the mark of the beast similarly (Revelation 14:10-11). At the end of time Satan is permitted to have mankind, led by his evil angels, destroy each other with these plagues. At the final end, after the millennium, God once again uses these weapons when Satan, his angels and wicked humanity are destroyed (Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 21:8).

Many terrible things come from the mouth in Revelation. Three demon spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 16:13-14), representing the final deception to come on the earth from this false trinity. “Water,” like a flood, pours out of the dragon’s mouth against God’s end-time church, represented by a persecuted woman (Revelation 12:15). The mouth of the sea-beast blasphemes God, His name and tabernacle (Revelation 13:5-6).

A colloquial way of viewing this Trumpet scene is to see fire-breathing horses with lion’s heads in a fierce battle. The imagery can only get worse – and it does – until we get a welcomed reprieve in chapter 10. That is a “breather” chapter, referred to as an “interlude” in the visionary theme.

“For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt” (Revelation 9:19).

In the previous two verses power to kill came from the horses’ mouths as fire, smoke and brimstone. Under the fifth Trumpet the locust had scorpion-like tails to hurt and deceive. Suddenly, John here describes these horses’ power coming also from their tails. The mouth brought death. The tails bring torture and injury.

It is interesting that Jesus gave the disciples authority and power to trample on snakes and scorpions “and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10;19). Here, the serpent-like tails, like those of the scorpion, will be able to harm the wicked.

Later on, John will say: “The great dragon … that old serpent” is the “Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9; cf. 12:4-15, 20:2). Then he describes that “list” as representing a power that “deceiveth the whole world” (cf. II Corinthians 11:3). That is amazing and most helpful. The serpent is seen in Scripture as deceptive (Genesis 3:1-7). Not only do these horses have snake-like tails but the snakes have heads! Just picture the tail of a snake attached to the horse and the tip of the “tail” is a snake’s head. These horses have snakes for tails!

What does that all mean? Satan’s authority and ultimate power were at the rear – hiding in its snake-like head. Viewing the lion heads, one couldn’t see what the tail was like. Those snakes represent the power of deception. When the mouth spewed forth fire, smoke and brimstone to kill, it was done with no more cause than hate. Prophets who teach falsehood are like these “tails” (Isaiah 10:14-15). They hide – they hate – they deceive.

Daniel, in that great end-time prophecy of chapter 12, said: “The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). That describes the blind, destructive, repulsive behavior narrated in this Trumpet.

This all began when the four angels of the Euphrates River were let loose. God’s four angels holding the four winds of strife have now released them; and Satan’s leaders from the Euphrates take control, bringing political strife, war and natural disaster.

Expositor White reflected on this time: “As Jesus moved out of the most holy place, I heard the tinkling of the bells upon His garment; and as He left, a cloud of darkness covered the inhabitants of the earth. There was then no mediator between guilty man and an offended God. While Jesus had been standing between God and guilty man, a restraint was upon the people; but when He stepped out from between man and the Father, the restraint was removed and Satan had entire control of the finally impenitent.”[8]

“The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the time of trouble. [Notice the combination of both items just as the prophecy outlines.] God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation, and the Lord withdraws His protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen. Satan will have power over those who have yielded themselves to his control, and he will plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose.”[9] The whole world will become desolate.

“And the rest of the men 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: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

As we previously alluded to, the use of the word “plagues,” beginning in verse 18, is new to the Trumpet story. Though it is plural, most feel this refers to the fire, smoke and brimstone of the sixth Trumpet. One third of humanity (in addition to the one third apparently killed under the first four) die. The message now relates to the survivors.

God’s permissive freedom given to Satan and his host results in destruction and death. It is very fascinating to see how inspiration defines the purpose of trials, plagues and even death in this setting. Everything that God does has a redemptive objective and vindicates His character. The freedom that Satan has been given becomes a summary judgment against himself and his host. Instead of restoration and transformation, his power degrades and destroys. The universe now observes the full expression of his character.

In that light John notes that they “yet repented not” and “neither repented they.” Probation has closed. This does not imply that they could have changed. It does announce to us and the universe that in face of world devastation, their hearts remained unchanged. God’s point is made. Just before He returns, the contrast is distinct, irrevocable and open. Satan’s kingdom self-destructs as it worships its own creations. God’s kingdom elevates and transforms as He is honored and revered!

Isn’t that wonderful? Can you catch even the slightest glimpse of His patience and love? For six thousand years He has been carefully working out a war plan. His strategy was so carefully laid that at the final battle the enemy willingly becomes its own adversary, fighting to the death!

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). Jesus declares at that time: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11). The declaration at the cross once again reverberates through the universe, “It is done.”

What is God’s summation view of unchangeable evil? It is outlined here in these two verses. It is important to note that the word for “repent,” metenoesan, is a verb. When associated with “not” or, as here, “not even,” it presents the imagery of tragedy! With all that has occurred, their hearts remain hardened. It echoes the amazing words of Isaiah: “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” (Isaiah 5:4).

They failed to turn away from their idols. God gets quite specific. What is presented is a sermon from the pulpit of heaven – in fact, an altar call that they never respond to! “These are the things that kept them out of My kingdom.”

“The works of their hands” summarizes what follows. Paul articulated how abhorrent pagan worship was (Romans 1:18-32). Now John reveals how morally corrupt idol worship is. He equates this to the worship of devils! It is consorting with evil spirits that corrupts man (I Corinthians 10:19-21). The irony of sin ultimately shrieks truth – they worshiped the very beings that cause the destructive judgments.

What do these “gods” look like? Idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood that can’t see, hear or walk (cf. Psalm 115:4-7, 135:17; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Habakkuk 2:18-19; Daniel 5:23). Though the picture of shrines and idols in temples immediately comes to mind, the message is broad to include any earthly possession or attachment that takes priority over God.

This elevates the first prohibition of the Ten Commandments. Then murder, theft and fornication are listed, another theme of those commandments. It could be contextually argued that these are a by-product of the idolatry.[10] Finally, “sorceries” alludes to amulets, charms, drugs, objects which are icons to holiness, lust and witchcraft[11] (cf. Galatians 5:19-20; Revelation 18:23, 21:8, 22:15).[12]

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