John had already used the term in Revelation 9:18 to describe the “fire and smoke and sulfur” coming from the mouths of the horses. With the term “plagues,” then, John is not referring to the effects of the first six trumpets (though they had resulted in numerous deaths; see the repeated use of the word “blood,” Revelation 8:7–8 and “died,” Revelation 8:9, Revelation 8:11, in connection to the first four trumpets).
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,