Revelation 9:13

• The four horns of the gold altar (see Revelation 8:3) appear with the sixth trumpet blast. Many excavations have found altars with pointed horns at their four corners (see study note on Exodus 27:2).

• The voice has God's authority to command the release of the four angels.

• These angels are bound, indicating their evil nature (compare Revelation 20:2; 1 Enoch 10; contrast Revelation 7:1). Their location at the great Euphrates River likely refers to Assyria and Babylon, empires that destroyed the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, symbolizing destruction (see 2 Kings 17:22–24; 25:1–11).

The fifth and sixth trumpets show how God's judgment affects people worldwide and highlight how worthless it is to resist God. These judgments should lead to repentance, but they do not. Sin controls people so much that they choose to worship the evil forces that harm them instead of repenting and turning to God.

• The second series of judgments involves seven trumpets. Like the first series (Revelation 6:1–8:1), it includes a pause (10:1–11:14; compare 7:1–17) and concludes with a view of God's eternal kingdom (11:15–19; see 7:9–8:1).

• The trumpet judgments are similar to the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14–11:10). They aim to show that earthly gods (or evil powers) are powerless and to clearly demonstrate God's power and control.