A third of the human race was killed by these three plagues: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfurous fumes that came out of their mouths. For the authority of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails. For their tails were like snakes, having heads, and with them they did harm. Rev. 9:18, 19.
The description indicates that the plagues of the sixth trumpet have some kind of connection to those of the fifth trumpet. The power to harm in the fifth trumpet resides in the tail, while in this trumpet the danger lurks in both the mouth and the tail. So we observe an escalation of terror here. The good news is that the plagues of the trumpets focus on the wicked (Rev. 9:4, 20, 21). God is well able to protect His own.
In 1944 Nazi-held Belgrade came under assault from the Red Army and Yugoslav partisans. Martin's wife, Melanie, became sick in the aftermath of giving birth. As the battle wound down, Martin took many risks to bring needed supplies for her. But suddenly he felt impressed to leave his wife and go to church headquarters.
Heeding the call of God, he hurried through the desolate, bloody streets. Reaching the street where the church headquarters were located, he saw four people walking toward him. As he drew closer he realized that three soldiers in green uniforms were escorting his pastor, Joseph Vitner.
"Brother Vitner, where are you going?" he asked.
"Comrades are taking me," the man replied.
Martin realized that Vitner was of German descent and that the soldiers were Yugoslavs. The pastor now faced death as a "collaborator" with the Nazis. Instantly Martin felt impressed to plead with one of the soldiers to let him go in Vitner's place. "He's a better man than you and me put together," he said. The soldier said as he and his prisoner left several minutes later, "If he is a good man, not one hair will fall off his head. But if he's not, he's going to face the firing squad."
Feeling at peace about the matter, Martin assured church members that their pastor would be back in a few minutes. And he was! Vitner reported that the soldiers took him directly to the firing squad. But the young soldier interceded with his commander. "Sir, half the city of Belgrade is vouching for this man!" The commander responded, "We need more people like you. Go home and take care of your family."
We'll never know how one man's word became "half the city," but Martin's impression to go at that moment and then say exactly what he did seems exquisitely arranged by God. Like Pastor Vitner, we need not fear the fiery plague, because our lives are in God's hands.
Lord, give me confidence today that my life is completely in Your hands.
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