Chapters 8 & 9
REVELATION CHAPTER 8 AND 9 THE TRUMPETS
“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle (vulture) is over the house of the Lord, because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.” (Hos.8:1 -N.I.V.)
“ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” (Rev. 8:1-6)
“And when……….” The trumpet section is introduced by the seventh seal with the Greek word hotan – literally, whenever, thus implying a breach of time. The trumpets are based on the Jewish new-year and specifically on the Day of Atonement rituals, ten days later (see introduction to Revelation page 49). The trumpet judgements are in response to the prayers of the saints from all the ages and there is silence in heaven while the Almighty considers their imprecations. The seals were fulfilled in the first century (shortly come to pass), the trumpets are not future anymore, for, they are unfolding before our very eyes if we are not to blind to see!
The destiny of the saints (both Jew and Gentile) the fate of the Gentile nations, indeed the future of the whole world is inextricably bound to the Jewish people. This is because God has associated his covenant name with their forefathers. (beloved for the fathers’ sake - Rom.11:28) Why should we be surprised then to find that the book of Revelation details God plan of redemption for the Jews?
“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” (Rom.11:15)
The trumpets are a time of trouble for the nation of Israel, their purpose is two–fold:
to prepare a repentant remnant and to reveal the man of sin. In a chapter shot through with allusions to the Day of Atonement the prophet Isaiah has the following to say;
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isa.58:1)
Just as the walls of Jericho fell at the blast of the seventh trumpet, and the last obstacle was removed before the people entered the promised land, so to the last trump heralds the introduction of the kingdom.
THE FIRST TRUMPET
“And the first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.” (Rev.8:7)
This is no ordinary hail storm, it is in fact the live, burning coals from the altar intermingled with the blood of the sacrifices (the saints). The fire for this incense offering was gotten in the form of live coals from the brazen altar. (Lev 16:12), to which incense was then added. The golden altar, or altar of incense which stood in the Holy place before the veil was lighted by fire from the brazen altar (altar of burnt offering) which explains why the coals (hail stones) were mixed with blood.
Once a year on the great Day of Atonement, the high priest brought the incense within the veil, and, burning it on a fire in a censer in the Most Holy Place, enveloped the mercy seat in a cloud of odoriferous smoke.
There is however no Atonement for this people only retribution. The incense symbolises the prayers of the saints (Rev 8:4). This intimate connection between incense and prayer is reflected in Psalm 141:2 (R.S.V.)
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
The saints are those who, “were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” Their ‘souls’ reside under the altar (brazen altar) and their prayer is for the avenging of their blood on them that dwell on the earth. (Rev.5: 9-10) The time for forgiveness has long since passed and it is fitting that burning coals from the brazen altar of burnt offering, soaked with the blood of the saints, should be cast into the earth.
Just as the generation of A.D. 70 had been punished for persecuting the apostles, so to this generation will be punished for the persecution and murder of the witnesses.
“that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” (note the context: Jerusalem that killest the prophets, Mtt. 23: 30-38 compare Rev. 11:8,9)
The scattering of burning coals from the altar recalls Ezek.10:2b,
“…fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” (of Jerusalem)
These burning coals burn a third part of the trees and all the green grass. The repetition of the phrase “a third part” occurs twelve times in the trumpet section (v.18 is a duplication of v.16) and is therefore indicative that the judgements concern Israel, the phrase also harks back to two passages that relate to the overthrow of Jerusalem.
“A third part you shall burn in the fire in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are completed; and a third part you shall take and smite with the sword round about the city; and a third part you shall scatter to the wind, and I will unsheath the sword after them.” (Ezek.5: 2)
“In the whole land, says the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left. And I will put the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined.” (Zech.13:8f)
Certain Old Testament presentations are without doubt recognisable as prototypes of the descriptions of individual catastrophes, such as the Egyptian plagues and the destruction of Sodom. Once again this is fitting for the city of Jerusalem is “spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.” (Rev.11:8)
“Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven.” (Gen 19:24) The verb ‘rained’ (himtir) is identical to that used of the plague of hail in Exodus 9:23.
Jesus himself warned that, “the same day that lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven … so shall it be when the son of man is revealed.” (Lk.17: 29) God had promised to visit the plagues of Egypt upon the people if they were disobedient.
“Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance….moreover He will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt which thou wast afraid of.” (Deut.28:59,60)
The trumpets have a number of allusions to the plagues of Egypt:
TRUMPETS
PLAGUES OF EGYPT
1. Fire from altar cast upon the earth
1. Dust of the furnace (altar) sprinkled abroad
2. Hail and fire
2. Hail and fire
3. Sea became blood
3. Waters turned to blood
4. Darkness
4. Darkness
5. Locusts
5. Locusts
6. Abaddon
6. The Destroyer (Ex.12:23)
7. Men slain by Angels
7. The firstborn slain by Angels
The trees are undoubtedly a reference to the trees mentioned in the Joel prophecy (Joel 1:10-12)2 relating to the utter devastation caused by the Assyrian invasion (Sennacherib).
“A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness.” (Joel 2:3)
“For the fire devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.” (Joel 1:19)
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel speak of the invader as coming upon the land of Israel as a “tempest of hail”3
THE SECOND AND THIRD TRUMPET
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (Rev.8:10-11)
The reason the second and third trumpet have been banded together is because they are a doublet.
- burning mountain - burning star
- cast into the sea - fell on the source of the waters
- sea turned into blood - rivers become bitter
One falls into the sea, the other effects the source of the waters that flow into the sea. Both trumpets are based on the fall of Babylon. The burning mountain is Babylon (Jer.51: 25,42) and the burning star is Babylon (Isa.14:4,12-20)
“Though Babylon should mount up to heaven (compare Lucifer), and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the Lord.” (Jer.51:53)
Babylon will sink into the Euphrates under the weight of the curses spoken against her (Jer.51:63,64) she will sink like a millstone cast into the sea (Rev.18:21) her sins have
reached unto heaven (Rev.18:5 like the tower of Babel) and she will be cast down like a falling star. She is the woman who sits on many waters (17:18) – the Euphrates (Jer.51:13) the source of her wealth, from which she exports her poison1 to the sea. (contrast the New Jerusalem exporting the water of life – 22:1)
Her fall also effects a third of the ships of the sea for the rich merchants lament the loss of trade (18:17-19). Even the sea creatures are effected (Ps 104:29).2 She is guilty of the blood of the prophets (witnesses) and the saints (18:24) in fact she is drunk with their blood (17:6).
She has power for one hour (17:12) but her judgement comes in that same hour (18:19). She is betrayed by her lovers who burn her with fire, this is God’s will, for she, “shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” (18:8)
Her fate is to be burnt. She is both a burning mountain and a burning star. “Render unto her double according to her works.” (18:6)
See Digression 8.1 – THE TWO BABYLONS.
NOTE 1 CONTINUED
In the future Jerusalem will become a fountain of living waters for cleansing the land. (Zech.13:1; Rev.22:1) Note the context of Zechariah chpt.13:
ZECHARIAH 13
REVELATION
I will cut of the names of the idols (v. 2)
Idols of gold, silver ….(9: 20) –image of the beast (13: 5)
The unclean spirit (v.2)
Devils, spirits of devils (9: 20; 16:13,14)
Prophets ashamed everyone of his vision (v. 4)
The false prophet
Neither shall they wear a hairy garment (like Elijah) to deceive (v. 4)
The false witnesses (this is essentially the same thing as the false prophet see Rev.13 :13-14.
Jesus himself referred to ‘the mountain cast into the sea’ in the context of judgement against the nation of Israel ( cursing the fig tree). The mountain was obviously the temple mount. Note also the reference to prayer: ‘whatsoever things ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ (Mtt.21: 18-22) The trumpets are also in response to the prayers (incense) of the saints (8: 4). The judgements of the first century are a type of the judgements in our day. The burnt mountain represents Israel, in particular the temple mount. Capernaum, the city that rejected Christ’s witnessing ‘a city exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.’ (Lk.10:14) Just as the city of Capernaum fell like a burning star, so the nation of Israel (represented by the star of David) will also fall because they reject ‘the latter day witness’, that is about to happen.
The following is an extract from John Romer’s book, Testament (The Bible and History pg.151) :
“The cataclysmic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple had created an explosion of scholarship. There was a determination that whatever might happen in the future, the law and the sacred writings of Israel would be preserved. The holy texts, the Hebrew Bible, had been fixed forever. There would be no more writings recording the relationship of Jehovah and his chosen people. The faith that had been lived with it’s God in time now moved into a timeless limbo. Rabbi Akiva would attend the ending of this religious tradition. In his old age he saw the last phases of his holy history rising around him. About A.D. 130 he went on the warpath, travelling through the Jewish communities of the Eastern Empire (i.e. Babylon – my emphasis) preaching an imminent apocalypse and the establishment of the direct rule of Jehovah on earth. He named and anointed a resistance leader as the Messiah come to free the Jews. The cold light of revolt flared like a comet over Israel. (my emphasis) While scholars sat in Jamnia copying books of the law, charting Jehovah’s path through the nations history wild-eyed fighting men saw the same deity as a modern ally who could destroy the mighty resources of Rome. Like an ancient prophet, Akiva set his hand on a guerrilla leader named Ben Kosebah. A son of the house of David, just as the ancient prophets said the Messiah would be, Ben Kosebah was renamed Bar Kochba, Son of the star. (my emphasis) The revolt, as had happened sixty years earlier, had an initial success. Coins were issued decorated with a picture of the destroyed Temple with a star over it’s door, dated from the first second or third years ‘of the freedom of Zion’ (my emphasis: revolt 3½ years) Yet not all the rabbis were convinced of Bar Kochbas divine role. “Grass will grow through your skull, Akiva ”, a fearful colleague declared, “and still the son of David will not have come.” Once again the Roman legions were marshalled in force and war ravaged Judea. But this time there was no Josephus to record the sad details. We can only judge the terror from the records which report a succession of small pungent incidents. It is said that at the end the Roman cavalry charged crowds so dense that the blood of the slain washed the withers of the horses. (my emphasis – does this not remind one of Rev.14: 20?) It is said also that to prevent the enslavement of their children some Jews wrapped them up in sacred parchments and set fire to the parchments. Judea was virtually destroyed. The Romans pursued the last survivors into the desert to frightful, lonely endings (contrast Rev.12: 6). Sometimes their sad remains still come to light – a little basket of letters and deeds, a child’s toy, a mirror, a fine bowl made of bright blue glass, some balls of wool with which a woman was knitting a winter cloak, (compare Mtt.24:17,18) and the desiccated bodies of the dead.” [see also Digression 11.1 note 1] The events of the first century typify the last day events in Israel. The “son of a star ” had all the attributes of the “man of sin” he was a false Messiah accompanied by a false prophet (Rabbi Akiva) he persecuted the saints, his revolt lasted three and one half years, and was supported by Babylonian Jews. The symbol for the secular state of Israel is still the star of David. The trumpet judgements have only recently begun, the burning mountain and burning star are based on Babylon but are clearly meant to be applied to the nation of Israel in the ‘latter days.’
Note 2 continued.
GENESIS
TRUMPETS
VIALS
DAY 1 - LIGHT
The Lamb the glory not the sun (7:16,17)
The glory of God (15: 8)
DAY 2 - THE HEAVENS
Altar before the throne (8:3)
Voice out of the temple (16: 1)
DAY 3 - LAND,SEA,GRASS AND TREES
1st TRUMP - EARTH
2nd TRUMP - SEA
3rd TRUMP - RIVERS
1st VIAL - EARTH
2nd VIAL - SEA
3rd VIAL - RIVERS
DAY 4 - SUN,MOON AND STARS
4th TRUMP - SUN
4th VIAL - SUN
DAY 5 - SEA CREATURES AND BIRDS
5th TRUMP - BEAST
5th VIAL - BEAST
DAY 6 - MAN AND WOMAN IN EDEN
6th TRUMP - EUPHRATES (EDEN )
6th VIAL - EUPHRATES (EDEN)
DAY 7 - SABBATH
7th TRUMP - KINGDOM
7th VIAL - AIR (KINGDOM)
The 5th vial is poured out on the kingdom of the beast, the 5th trumpet also concerns the beast, for the abyss (= bottomless pit = sea) is opened (9:1) and it is from the abyss that the beast emerges (Rev.11:7 ; 17: 8). The sea beast that God created on the 5th day is Leviathan which is a sea crocodile (see Job 41 especially verse 31) representing a beast-empire, whose destiny is to be punished by God (Ps 74: 14; Isa.27:1). The Leviathan destroyed in Psalm 74 was the nation of Egypt, “who became meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” (i.e. they plundered the Egyptians) The fourth beast of Dan.7:7 that emerges from the sea (v. 3) is probably based on Leviathan.
The 6th trumpet (and vial) effect the region of the Euphrates – this is the geographic location of the garden of Eden. (Gen. 2: 10-15) Psalm 104 also mentions the springs (v. 10) the trees (v. 16) the sun and the moon (v. 19, 20) the ships (v. 26) the smoking (burning) mountain (v. 32) all of these are the subjects of the trumpet and vial judgements.
The last verse of the Psalm provides a succinct summary:
“Let sinners be consumed out of the earth,
And let the wicked be no more.”
THE FOURTH TRUMPET
“And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (Rev.8:12)
The sun, moon and stars are always associated with Israel. (See chpt.11 note 2 and also digression 12.2) The language in this trumpet is similar to Isaiah 13: 10;
“For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”
This verse forms part of the prophet’s burden of Babylon. It is profitable to examine this prophecy in more depth. Even a cursory examination of chapter 13 reveals that both Babylon and Judah fall under God’s condemnation.
The structure of the chapter is as follows:
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1-5 Prophecy – Babylon to punish Judah
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6 THE DAY OF THE LORD
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7, 8 Consequences for Judah
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9 THE DAY OF THE LORD
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10 HEAVENS DARKENED
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11,12 Consequences for the world
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13 THE DAY OF HIS FIERCE ANGER HEAVENS SHAKEN
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14,15 Consequences for Babylon and her allies
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16-22 Prophecy – Punishment of Babylon
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(See Digression 8.2 : THE BURDEN OF BABYLON)
The fourth trumpet makes it apparent that the eclipse is only partial, “the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.”
To summarise; the first four trumpets all have a Babylonian – Assyrian motif in common:
1. Hail – Babylonian\Assyrian invasion likened to hail
2. Burning mountain – Babylon
3. Burning star – Babylon\Assyria
4. Heavens darkened – Burden of Babylon
The nation of Israel, and specifically the city of Jerusalem, becomes Babylon and she will therefore suffer the same fate.
THE THREE WOES
“And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels which are yet to sound.” (Rev.8:13)
The R.V. has an eagle flying through the midst of heaven (aetos) – the Greek word is often translated eagle or vulture and is connected with aemi, to blow. The meaning of this verse has possibly been corrupted, for John beheld, and heard an eagle (vulture) flying. It should probably read as follows:
“And I beheld a vulture flying through the midst of heaven, and heard him saying with a loud voice, woe, woe, woe…….”
This reminds us immediately of Hos.8:1 (N.I.V.)
“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle (vulture) is over the house of the Lord, because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law.”
The meaning seems to be that, the birds of prey are gathering where the carcass is, for the judgements of God are about to descend on the corrupt nation. (See digression 8.3 THE BIRDS OF PREY)
The eagle (vulture) herald, associates the three woes with the last three trumpet blasts of the angels. The woes are progressively worse until the last trumpet introduces the kingdom.
The fifth trumpet (9:1) - 1st woe – ends at 9: 12
The sixth trumpet (9:13) - 2nd woe – ends at 11:14
The seventh trumpet (11:15) - 3rd woe- ends ?
The third woe is not specifically enumerated at the conclusion of the seventh trumpet. The seventh trumpet, however, also encompasses the seven vials from which the seven last plagues are poured out. The sixth vial describes the events at Armageddon. This occurs at the return of Christ (see 16:15) the details of which are enlarged upon in Revelation chapter 19:
“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds (R.V.) that fly in the midst of heaven, come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of Kings, and the flesh of captains, etc…” (v. 16-18)
The last woe, must then be associated with the final fall of Babylon, which occurs just before the establishment of the kingdom. It has already been observed that Babylon falls twice. First when she is destroyed by the ten kings (see digression 8.1- THE TWO BABYLONS), then, once again when she is destroyed by Christ. The judgement of (both) Babylons is recounted in 17:1-19:21, where the phrase, “Woe, woe, you great city.” Is repeated three times. (18:10,16,19) The phrase, “Woe to the bloody city”, is directed at Nineveh in Nah.3:1 and is used twice by the prophet Ezekiel against the city of Jerusalem. (Eezk.24:6-9) Jeremiah invoked double destruction upon the people of Jerusalem (17:18) as did the prophet Isaiah (40:1).
Jerusalem had become like Nineveh – Babylon and would therefore receive double from the Lord’s hand.
Therefore the first two woes concern Israel, specifically Jerusalem - the Jewish Babylon– and the last woe pronounces judgement on the gentile Babylon.
THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TRUMPET
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air1 were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” (Rev.9:1-2)
In the three woes, announced by the eagle (vulture) of the previous verse we have already identified a reference to the carcass of the nation and the covenant of Genesis 15 (See digression 8.3 THE BIRDS OF PREY) It is only natural that this theme should continue.
REVELATION
GENESIS 15
Eagle(vulture) flying (8:13)
The birds of prey come down (15:11)
Bottomless pit (9:1)
A horror of great darkness (15: 12)
Smoke of a great furnace (9: 2)
A smoking furnace (15: 17)
Sun darkened (9:2)
Sun went down (15: 17)
It is appropriate that the demise of the nation should be framed in the words of the Abramic covenant.2 The smoke of the pit is a reminder of the judgement of Sodom (Gen.19:28) for the city (Jerusalem) had spiritually become like Sodom.(Rev.11:8)
Just as the Lord had sent his angels to destroy Sodom, “for we will destroy this place, for the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.” (Gen.19:13) So now the Lord had sent his angel Abaddon (=destroyer) to organise the retribution. (Rev.9:11)3
The picture that is drawn for us is that of the powers of hell (sheol) are unleashed upon the nation. It was to hell that the mighty nations of old had been consigned,
“all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.” (Ezek.32: 18-32)
But now the sceptre of a persecuting kingdom is figuratively, “resurrected from the dead.”
“ The beast that thou sawest was and is not; and yet shall ascend out of the bottomless pit (abyss) and goeth into perdition.” (Rev.17: 18)
At the end of the millennium4the same picture is repeated , Satan is again released from the pit, where the angel with the key had incarcerated him. (Rev.20: 1,2)
THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TRUMPET
The reason the fifth and sixth trumpet are treated together (like the second and third) is that there are a number of similarities between the narratives, which suggest that the two passages are doublets.
FIFTH TRUMPET REV. 9:1-11
SIXTH TRUMPET REV.9:13-19
(1) Nature of the plague (v. 1-6)
(1) Nature of the plague (v. 13-16)
(a) Abyss opened (v. 2)
(a) Four angels released (v. 14 -15a)
(b) Purpose of plague (v.4 -5)
(b) Purpose of plague (v. 15b – 16)
(2) Description of locust army (v. 7 –10)
(2) Description of cavalry of 200 million (v.17)
(a) Lethal nature of their tails (v.10)
(a) Lethal nature of mouths and tails of horses (v.19)
This does not mean that the sixth trumpet is the same as the fifth trumpet, but that it is an intensification of the previous woes. The fifth and sixth trumpets bear many similarities and contrasts with the sealing of the 144,000 in Revelation chapter 7.
REVELATION CHAPTER 7
REVELATION Chpt. 8,9 (5+6th Trump)
Four angels (v.1)
Four angels (9: 15)
Restraining four winds (v. 1)
Releasing destruction from the Euphrates (9:14)
Angel ascending from the east [sunrise] (v.2)
A star [angel] fall [descending] from heaven (8:1)
Having the seal of the living God (v.2)
Having the key of the bottomless pit (8:1)
Hurt not the earth neither the sea (v.3)
Should not hurt the grass of the earth (8:4)
I heard the number of them –144,000 [sealed] (v.4)
Only hurt those men which have not the seal of God (8:4)
A great multitude [of saints] which no man could number (v.9)
And the number of the horsemen were 200 million I heard the number of them [the enemy] (9: 15)
The 144,000 were sealed in chapter 7 as a consequence of the great ordeal in the first century – the Jewish and Nero persecutions. Chapter 8 and 9 relate another sealing also as a consequence of a great ordeal which will occur shortly. The sealing and the destruction are concurrent events, just as they were in Egypt.
The witnessing to the nation happens during a time of down treading (11:2) until the witnesses are killed by the beast from the abyss.5 (11:7)
The result of the witnessing is another sealing – just like the witnessing of Christ and his apostles were effective in sealing the 144,000.
The people of Israel are left without excuse for God does not send retribution without first appealing for repentance. That is why there are similarities between the first century witnessing in A.D. 70 and the latter day witnessing.6
LUKE 10 (1st Cent.)
REVELATION 9
Satan as lightning fall from heaven (v.15)
I saw a star fall from heaven unto earth (v.1)
Power to tread on scorpions and serpents (v.19)
Power as the scorpions of the earth have power (v.3)
Nothing shall in any wise hurt you (v.19)
They should not hurt the grass of the earth (v.4)
Your names written in heaven (v. 20)
Only those men which have not the seal of God (v.4)
Moreover the witnesses have power to exacerbate the misery of the retribution against the nation, this is demonstrated by the similarity in language between chapter 9 and 11.
REVELATION CHAPTER 9
REVELATION CHAPTER 11
Locusts – horses
Witnesses
Tormented (9:5)
Tormented them (11:10)
Unto them was given power (9:3)
I will give power (11:3)
By these three plagues (9:18)
To smite the earth with all plagues (11:6)
Fire, smoke and brimstone proceedeth out of their mouths (9:18)
Fire proceedeth out of their mouth (11:5)
Power to hurt men (9:10)
Power to shut heaven – power over the waters (11:6)
This may well explain why the locusts have anthropomorphic features (faces like men and long hair like women 9:7-8) for they are the outworking of the prophetic programme dictated by the witnesses, and therefore have the features of the witnesses? 7
The programme of retribution is based on the locust invasion of Joel:
JOEL
REVELATION
Woe, woe, woe (2: 15 LXX)
Woe, woe, woe (9:1)
Blow the trumpet in Zion (2: 1)
Fifth (and sixth) trumpet (8: 13)
Smoke (2: 30)
Smoke (9: 2)
Darkness (2: 2)
Darkness (9: 2)
Sun darkened (2: 10)
Sun darkened (9: 2)
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses…..in battle array (2: 4f)
The appearance of the locusts was as horses prepared for battle (9: 7)
Whose teeth are the teeth of a lion (1: 6)
Teeth were like the teeth of a lion (9: 8)
The sound of chariots (1:6)
The sound of chariots (9:9)
The picture is that of an Assyro – Babylonian invasion and continues the themes of the previous trumpets.8 The paradox of the situation is that while the first trumpets recount the fall of the nation in terms of the fall of Babylon, the last trumpets inform us that this is accomplished by Babylon. Babylon destroys Babylon !
The purpose of the fifth and sixth trumpet is not only retribution but repentance, as it was during the ministry of the prophet Joel.9 This was however not to be, for they “repented not” (Rev.9: 20) even after the intensification of the woes in the sixth trumpet.
Particular attention is drawn to a five month period of “torment” (Rev.9: 5,10) this is based on the Genesis flood account, when the waters were on the earth for five months. (Gen.7: 24)10
The consequence of this torment is that “men shall seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Rev.9: 6)11 Peter Watkins comments as follows:
“The people of Israel have been scattered into other lands, but the locusts pursued them relentlessly. As in Joel, these locusts are a symbol of the enemies of Israel. The thoroughness of locusts is proverbial. The people who have cut themselves off from God – “which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” (9: 4) – are persecuted so severely that they seek death. As a nation they want to die. They want to loose their national identity and be assimilated by other nations and thus escape persecution: but this is denied them.” (Exploring the Apocalypse page 156)
The sixth trumpet is an intensification of the nations woes. Gods angels have until now been restraining the evil from the Euphrates12 but they can no longer hold back the flood of evil. Such is the hatred of these nations that a flood of destruction now bursts forth, but this is also God’s will, for these enemies have been prepared for this exact moment in divine history. (9: 15)
The structure of this section of Revelation can be termed as progressive parallelism, for the fifth and sixth trumpet are parallel with (part) of the witnessing mission of chapter 11 and also with the events surrounding the beast empire of chapter 13 and it’s demise as described in 16:12-14. It has already been demonstrated how the witnessing runs parallel with the fifth trumpet and the following comparison should show that this structure is also valid for the beast empire.
THE SIXTH TRUMPET (chpt.9)
THE BEAST,IMAGE OF THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET
The great river Euphrates (v. 14)
Beast coming out of the sea (Persian Gulf) leopard, bear and lion characteristics. [Greek Seleucid, Medo-Persian, Babylonian empire] (13: 1-2)
The sixth vial poured on the Euphrates (16: 12)
Repented not of the works of their hands (v. 20)
Repented not of their works (16: 11)
They should not worship devils13 (v.20)
They are the spirits of devils [unclean spirits] (16: 14)
Idols of gold, silver and brass14 (v.21)
Image of the beast (13: 15) [gold, silver, brass = Babylonian, Medo –Persian, Greek Seleucid empires]
Murder (v.21)
Those who refuse worship killed (13: 15)
Sorceries15 (v.21)
False prophet doest great wonders (13: 13,14)
Fornication (v.21)
The harlot (17: 5)
The sixth trumpet speaks of a Babylonian invasion, the metals indicate Babylonian centred empires – note the distinct lack of iron.
The vials of chapter 16 effect the same arena’s (sea, rivers, sun etc) as the trumpets. They are the seven last plagues (Rev. 15: 1) before the kingdom is established. These plagues are poured out on the Gentile nations (beast empire) for persecuting the saints and swallowing the land of Israel. Together with the three plagues of the sixth trumpet (“By these three plagues was a third part of men killed” Rev.9: 18) these make ten plagues.
Egypt was plagued with ten plagues the first three effected both Israel and Egypt but with the last seven God made a distinction, for these effected only Egypt. (Ex.8: 22-23)
This demonstrates that our interpretation is correct, for the chapters concerning the trumpets (Judgements on Israel by the beast and ten kings) and the witnessing are parallel and culminate with the judgement of the beast empire itself and the establishment of the kingdom. (seventh trumpet)
Further comments
John uses Old Testament imagery to convey what is in essence a 21st century invasion and occupation. It emerges from the text that John had difficulty describing to his first century readers what he actually saw and heard ;
- the likeness (R.V.) of the locusts
- sound of their wings as the sound of chariots
- breastplates as of fire (i.e. gleaming, shinning like fire)
Is John, for example, describing an attack helicopter? With the beating rotors, the gleaming metal, the bulbous elongated cockpit with the human face (faces were as the faces of men?), rockets and guns capable of firing in both directions (stings in their tails?).
This is only speculation and is offered here as a suggestion.
NOTE THE SYMETRY BETWEEN THE FIRST CENTURY AND THE FUTURE
FIRST CENTURY (Ch.5+6)
FUTURE (Ch.10,11)
Sealed scroll
Sealed thunders
5th seal: How long?
How long? Implicit question compare 10:5-7 with Dan.12: 6
Answer: the giving of the book of Revelation
Answer: the little book: commission to witness
Death of apostles (witnesses)
Death of witnesses
6th seal : Christ and apostles vindicated by destruction of the Temple
Witnesses vindicated by the destruction of the wailing wall? (earthquake Rev.11:13)
144,000 sealed (chpt. 7)
144,000 sealed (chpt. 14)
JEREMIAH AND THE TRUMPETS
Much of the language and idiom of the trumpet section contains woven context material from the book of Jeremiah. This has already been noted by H.A.W., and for the sake of completeness I have included two comparisons between Jer. chpt. 6 and Jer.chpt.8 and Revelation. Also included is my own comparison with Jeremiah chpt.4.
The comparisons all reinforce the conclusion that the trumpets concern the nation of Israel and specifically the city of Jerusalem.
(From Revelation: a biblical approach by H.A.W.)
JEREMIAH 6
v.1: Blow the trumpet in Tekoa
v.17: Hearken to the sound of the trumpet
v.15: They have committed abomination……………nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush (cp.Rev 9:20,21)
v.20: Your incense and offerings are not acceptable (contrast Rev. 8:3-5)
v.22: A people cometh from the north country (cp.Rev.9: 14-16)
v.23: They ride upon horses (cp.Rev.9: 16)
v.26: O daughter of my people….bitter lamentations (cp.Rev.8:11; reference to the trial of the bitter waters of jealousy? Num.5)
JEREMIAH 8
REVELATION 8,9
v.2. The idols ”which they have loved, served, walked after, sought, worshipped”
9: 20 “Idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk”
v.3. “Death shall be chosen rather than life”
9: 6 “Men shall seek death and shall not find it”
v.5. “Why is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return”
9:20 “Yet they repented not of the works of their hands….neither repented they of their murders etc”
v.7. The stork knoweth her appointed times ..but my people doth not know”
9: 15 “Prepare (the attacking army) for the hour and day and month and year”
v.14.”The Lord hath given us water of gall (wormwood) to drink”
8: 11”The star wormwood…and many men died, because the waters were made bitter”
v.16. “The snorting of his horses was heard….the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones”
9: 9 “The sound of many horses running to battle”
v.17. I will send serpents, cockatrices among you…and they shall bite you”
9: 5 “Their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh a man”
v.20. “The harvest is past the summer is ended, and we are not saved”
9: 5 The end of the five month siege of Jerusalem (it came in August) , and only hopelessness.
v.22. “Is there no balm in Gilead?”
Saints in Pella (Gilead) pleading for Jerusalem, yet unable to save it (9: 13)?
v.19. “The cry of the daughter of my people from a land that is far off
Israel sold into captivity in far-off lands
v.19. “Is not the Lord in Zion? Is not her King in her?”
Jerusalem rejected as God’s dwelling place. The Messiah no longer acknowledged there by any.
It is apparent from the last few verses of the above table (v.20,22,19) that H.A.W. gives the trumpets a first century fulfilment as well as a last days fulfilment. Prophecy often has a long term and a short term fulfilment and it must be taken into consideration that divine patterns often repeat themselves. The present author is content to view the trumpet section as having an outworking in our day – however the ‘breach of time’ and ‘chronometrical principles’ have demonstrated that there is often an element of ambiguity in prophecies, with, for example, prophecies concerning the first and second advent woven together without any time element present. In order to demonstrate this I have included a comparison between Jeremiah chapter 4 and Revelation. The comparison includes references to the seals and the trumpets. The language of Jeremiah has then an application to the fall of Jerusalem in B.C. 586, A.D.70 (seals) and the future (trumpets). From the viewpoint of the eternal God (and his prophet Jeremiah) these are all one and the same event.
JEREMIAH CHAPTER 4 AND REVELATION
JEREMIAH CHPT 4
REVELATION
Ye shall have peace…….(v.4) How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? (v.14)
- for she saith in her heart, ‘I sit a queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (18: 7)
For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth that spreadeth her hands, saying, woe is me now! For my soul she is wearied because of murderers. (v.31)
- and there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child, travailing in birth, pained to be delivered. (12: 1,2)
Behold he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as the whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us for we are spoiled. (v.13)
THE FIRST FOUR SEALS: and there went out another horse…the four horses of the cherubim.
(6: 1-8)
THE TRUMPETS: and I saw an eagle in the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice Woe, woe, woe. (8:13) [last three trumpet woes]
I beheld the mountains, and lo they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. (v24) I beheld the earth, and lo it was without form, and void; and the heavens and they had no light.(v.23) For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens shall be black…(v.28)
THE SIXTH SEAL:
-Earthquake
- and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became blood. (6: 1-8)
A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, even a full wind from these places shall come unto me: Now also will I give sentence unto them (v.11,12) for this gird ye with sackcloth lament and howl. (v.8)
THE SIXTH SEAL:
- the fig tree shaken of a mighty wind.
(6: 1-8)
- my two witnesses shall prophesy 1260 days clothed in sackcloth. (11: 3)
Blow ye the trumpet in the land: Cry, gather together and say: ‘Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.’ (v.5)
Oh my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. (v.19)
TRUMPETS:
- and I saw the seven angels which stood before God: And to them were given seven trumpets. (8: 1)
Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled, suddenly are my tents spoiled and my curtains in a moment. (v.20)
FIRST TRUMPET WOE:
Whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon (= the destroyer) but in the Greek hath his name Apollyon (= the destroyer)
[double destruction] (9: 11)
And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair: thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. (v.30)
- and the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones. (17: 4)
- and the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and shall burn her with fire. (17: 6)
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NOTES
1 Although there are a number of allusions to the Egyptian plagues in the trumpets, only three are actually called plagues. (Rev.9:18) This is important for together with the seven last plagues (Rev.15:1 – 16:21) these constitute the ten plagues of Egypt. For further exposition of this see the fifth and sixth trumpet.
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2 The Joel prophecy mentions four different trees; the fig tree, the pomegranate tree, the palm tree and the apple tree. Jesus Christ refers to these in Luke 21:29,30.
“Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.”
All the trees is not a reference to the surrounding nations, but a metaphor for all aspects of Jewish affairs i.e. a complete renaissance of the Jewish people. However, as the first trumpet indicates, the renaissance is short lived, for these are destined to be burned. The fig tree is a symbol for the Jewish state and Jewish nationalism (Mtt.21:18-22) Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness behind fig leaves. (Gen.3:7)
Jeremiah recounts how Nebuchadnezzar break in pieces the two pillars of the temple; Jachin and Boaz (He[YAH] shall establish in strength) and carried the brass back to Babylon (Jer.52:17-23). He specifically mentions the pomegranate relief on the pillars (v.22,23). The pomegranate is a fruit known for it’s seed ; God had promised to establish David’s throne and his seed forever.
“I will set up thy seed (pomegranate) after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish (Jachin) his kingdom.” (2 Sam.7:12)
In Jeremiah’s time, the multitudinous seed (pomegranate) was dis-established and carried away into captivity, symbolised by the removal of the pillars. Palm trees represent righteousness, because they are very straight. (Jer.10:5 see Ps.92:12) [Palm trees do not represent the gentiles – in Ex.15:27 it is the number 70 that represents the gentile nations] Palm branches were used to build booths to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles (Lev.23:40) the feast is closely associated with the introduction of the Kingdom, and was so understood by the disciples (Lk.9:33) and by the people in general which explains the use of palm branches during the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (John 12:13) Both the pomegranate and the palm feature in the temple (and tabernacle) decorations. The apple is often associated with something that is particularly beloved (Song.2:3;Deut.30:10) and it is surely significant that it is used both for the law (Prov.7:2) and for Zion (= the temple of God- Lam.2:18;Zech.2:8) The Lord Jesus Christ compares the Kingdom of God with a grain of mustard seed, which grows into a large tree, that becomes the habitat of birds. (Mtt.13:31) This parable is based on Nebuchadnezzar's dream of Dan.4:10-18, where the tree represents the Kingdom of Babylon. The tree is cut down and seven times of madness are prophesied for Nebuchadnezzar, during which he is like a beast of the field until he acknowledges the authority of God. This invites an interesting comparison with Revelation:
7 TIMES OF MADNESS
7 TIMES OF THE BEAST (see chpt.13)
A STUMP LEFT
A STUMP (Isa.6:13; Rev.11:13)
It is significant that the Judgements pronounced on Babylon in Dan.4:15,16 are the same as those pronounced against Israel. (Lev.26: 19-21; Deut.28: 23)
NOTES
3 Isa.28: 2,7 and Ezek.13:11,13. It is worth noting in Isaiah that Assyria, having been brought by God against Israel as ‘hail’, is then later destroyed by ‘hail’ once God has accomplished his purpose with it. (Isa. 30:30). In Ezekiel too we find that the Jews are first judged by ‘hail’ (Ezek.13:11,13), but then the latter day invader is itself destroyed by ‘hail’ (38:22). This state of affairs is parallel to the Apocalypse where in the first trumpet Israel experiences ‘hail’ from God, destroying a third, but later Babylon is inflicted with a much more severe hailstorm. (Rev. 16:21)
NOTES
1 The name of the star is “Wormwood” or “Aspinth.” The bitterness of wormwood was proverbial throughout the ancient world. A single ounce of the herb diluted in 524 gallons of water can still be tasted! The term “Wormwood” apparently an alteration of “Wormwort”, is based on the medicinal use of the herb as a vermifuge ( an intestinal insecticide used to expel worms from the intestines). The German term for wormwood, wermut, is related to “vermouth”, a wine containing an extract from wormwood. It is still widely used as a vermifuge in Central and South America. One ingredient in wormwood is the toxic agent thujone, a chemical that can cause intoxication, hallucinations, convulsions, and permanent damage to the nervous system. The connection between wormwood and poison is based on the parallelism in Jer.9:15, “Behold I will feed this people with wormwood, and give them poisonous water to drink.” (repeated verbatim in Jer.23:15) Wormwood was the fruit of idolatry (Deut 29:17,18). The reason for giving the people wormwood to drink is because, “from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.” (Jer.23:15) Thus wormwood is associated with both the false prophet and with the image of the beast (idolatry). It is suggested by H.A.W. (Bible Studies pg. 20) that the Sanhedrin tried to force Jesus to drink gall on the cross in order to be able to denunciate him as a false prophet. Jesus perceived their plot and refused to drink. The wormwood makes the fountains (sources) of the rivers bitter. Jeremiah has the following to say about the fountain of poison water.
“As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she (Jerusalem) casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds. Be thou instructed O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited” (Jer.6:7,8)continued on next page.
2 Psalm 104 celebrates God’s glory in creation. Both the trumpet and the vials parallel the creative acts, but in Revelation the motif is not creation but destruction, which in turn leads to a new creation. Note 2 continued on next page.
NOTES
1 Not only the sun, but also the air was darkened. Is this an allusion to the, “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…” (Eph.2: 2). The realm of the destroying angel- KOSMOKRATOR? The rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph.6: 12) See chapter 12 page 20.
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2 We have allusions to four covenants in the next few chapters.
Rev. 8 :13-9:2 Abramic covenant
Rev. 10:1 Noahaic covenant
Rev. 11: 19 Sinaitic covenant
Rev. 12: 11 The New covenant
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3 The destroyer applies both to the angel of destruction and to the instruments of destruction. (gentile nations)
“ Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (I Cor 10: 9)
“ A lion is come up from the thicket, and the destroyer of nations; he is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste.” (Jer.4:7)
“And I will prepare (sanctify) destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons..” (Jer.22: 7)
The Locusts have a king over them called Abaddon in the Hebrew and Apollyon in the Greek, probably an indication that the effect of the destroyer is on both Jew and Gentile. (as in Egypt – unfaithful Jews and Egyptians slain by the destroyer) These are no ordinary Locusts, for scripture informs us that Locusts , “ have no king” (Prov. 30: 27)
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4 Whether the 1,000 years is literal or symbolic is discussed in chapter 20.
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5 It is interesting at this stage of the interpretation to list the mentions of the beast empire in order of occurrence.
(1) THE BEAST – that kills the witnesses (11:7). Note the use of the article (THE) in conjunction with the beast. This is unusual, for it is the first mention to the reader and the article suggests that the reader is already familiar with this monster, although it has not yet been introduced into the book of Revelation.
(2) A GREAT RED DRAGON – in heaven (12:3). This monster definitely precedes the sea beast of 13:1 for it transfers it’s power to it. (13:3) It is also different in substance (but not in type) from the beast of 11:7.
(3) And I saw A BEAST rise (coming R.V.) out of the sea (13:1). Note here that the monster is anarthrous (has the preposition A) this could indicate that it is a different monster from THE BEAST (11:7). It rises out of the sea (Gr. thalassa) whereas the other monster emerges from the bottomless pit or abyss (Gr. Abussos mentioned seven times, 9:1; 9:2; 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1; 20:3) The difference between the sea and the bottomless pit, is however artificial, for Luke has the beast (swine) drown in the abyss (Lk.8: 31) whereas the synoptics use the word sea when describing the same event. (Mtt.8: 32) The sea and the abyss (bottomless pit) are to some extent interchangeable. Gentile nations are condemned to the pit (Ezek.32:24) But in Daniel they emerge from the sea (Dan.7:3) and the intention of 13:1 is no doubt to draw us to Daniel’s prophecy.
(4) THE BEAST that was, and is not, and shall come…and the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth (head?) and is of the seven and goeth into perdition. [= bottomless pit] (17: 8,11)
Conclusion
The bottomless pit of Revelation chapter nine is similar to the sea of Revelation thirteen, the sea conjures up images of Gentile empires. The first beast appears without introduction in Revelation chapter eleven, for it is assumed that the reader is familiar with the acted parable of Matthew chapter eight. (see chapter 11 pg. 18,19). This beast has the same Jewish religious characteristics that saw the persecution of Christ and his apostles in the first century. This alliance of ten kings is controlled by the city of Jerusalem. It is however a short lived ‘marriage of convenience’, for she is betrayed and destroyed by her lovers. The first beast is not the same as that of chapter 13, although it is very similar. The ten kings that have destroyed the woman, voluntarily cede their power to the “second beast” that emerges from the Euphrates region. The second beast has all the traits of the previous empires from this region, (except Rome see chapter 13) epitomised by the city of Babylon. The second beast has received it’s power from the red dragon of chapter twelve. The red dragon no longer exists, and has in fact been extinct for 2,000 years. Chapter twelve should be seen as a bridging chapter, it is the chapter of origins, it recounts the origins of sin and the beast (human empires) and also the origins of Israel’s and our redemption. The transfer of authority from the red dragon to the beast of chapter thirteen is simply instructing us that the, “ second beast” has the same characteristics as the first century beast. The first century beast was JEWISH RELIGIOUS AND ROMAN IMPERIALISTIC of nature. This means that the, “second beast” will also be religious and imperialistic, it does not mean that it will be Romish (that beast no longer exists) it will in fact come from the middle east (Euphrates region)
This second beast undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a parody of the kingdom, with it’s own false witnesses (prophet) becoming a mammon centred image of it’s previous incarnation.
This subject will be extensively examined in the coming chapters, for now a simplified flow chart should demonstrate the progressive parallelism of the coming chapters.(see page 16 and 19 of this chapter)
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6 This subject is extensively examined in chapter 11.
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7 John the Baptist, who is one of the prototypes of the witnesses, was probably a Nazarite (see Num.chpt.6) John shall, “ drink neither wine nor strong drink.” (Lk.1:15) Nazarites also had unshorn hair in imitation of the priestly crown. John was already a priest, yet he was commanded to adhere to a lifestyle that was an imitation of the priesthood. This was an outward sign of a better priesthood (Melchizedek) and a token that the Aaronic priesthood must decrease while the Melchizedek priesthood must increase.
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8 As we have already mentioned, the Old Testament, especially the book of Isaiah, makes little distinction between Assyria and Babylon and the terms are often used interchangeably. Similarly, the description of the invading forces in the fifth and sixth trumpets have attributes of both Assyria (Nineveh) and Babylonia (Babylon).
“And the shapes (likeness) of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads as it were crowns of gold..” (9:7)
The enemies of Babylon (Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz – geographically East Armenia) have horses which are described by Jeremiah as “rough caterpillars” (A.V.) or more accurately like “bristling locusts” (Jer.51:27) [the golden crowns denote invincibility]
“ They had breastplates like iron.” (9: 9) The Aramaic targum of Nah. 3 : 7 expands the phrase, “Your princes are like grasshoppers” to “Behold your plates gleam like the locust”, comparing the scaled armour of the Assyrian warriors and the scaled thoraces of the locusts. A boundary stone of Nebuchadnezzar I (12 B.C.) depicts a scorpion – man with a bow and arrow. (compare 9: 5)
“Teeth like lions” (9: 8) is a reference to Joel 1: 6 in the context of Joel it is the Assyrian lion, but the lion was also a symbol for Babylon. The imagery is mixed Assyrian and Babylonian. Locust swarms are known for stripping everything bare. The Midianite invasion is described in these terms: “For they came up with their cattle and their tents, they came as locusts (R.V.) for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.” (Judg.6:1-10)
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9 Joel’s contemporaries were most probably Isaiah and Hezekiah – the invasion that he describes is that of Sennacherib. The people were exhorted to repent (Joel 2: 12 -13) if they did so, then:
“Who knoweth if he (= the Assyrian) will not turn (R.V.) and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meal and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?” (Joel 2: 14)
The prophet’s argument is based on Jonah 3: 9 to which he is alluding. On that occasion the Assyrian city of Nineveh had repented. The prophet seems to be saying – If you repent, the Assyrian may well also repent (like he did in the past)
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10 The allusion to the flood is one that is extended into chpt.10 with the “rainbow covenant” and is further continued with the “seven thunders” This will be extensively treated in chapter 10. For further references to the five months see digression 11.1 page 13 note 19 and introduction to Revelation page 51 note 13 and page 57.
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11 This is a quote from the book of Job, which is also used by the prophet Jeremiah about the demise of the nation. (Jer 8:3) [see Jeremiah and the trumpets page ] The trials of Job form the basis for much of the fifth and sixth trumpets.
JOB
REVELATION
My days flee away…..as the eagle (vulture) hasteth to the prey
(9: 25,26)
An eagle (vulture) flying (8: 13)
Hell is naked before him and Abaddon (R.V.) hath no covering (26: 6)
The pit of the abyss opened (9: 1)
Abaddon (9: 11)
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold he is in thine hand; but save his life (2: 6)
Tormented but not killed (9: 5)
Which long for death but it cometh not ….the thing I greatly feared is come upon me (3: 21-26)
Which seek death, and shall not find it (9: 6)
Thou huntest me like a lion (10: 16)
Teeth like lions (9: 8)
Thou dost destroy me (10: 8)
The destroyer, abaddon (9: 11)
But the thunder of his power (mighty deeds) who can understand? (26: 14)
The seven thunders sealed up (10: 4)
Thou renewest thy witness against me (10: 17)
The two witnesses (11: 3)
12 The four angels that are ‘bound’ at the Euphrates are ‘loosed’ (Rev 9: 14,15) this should probably be understood in the same sense as, “the four angels, holding (restraining) the four winds of the earth.” (7: 1) Does this also explain Paul’s reference to the, “one who restrains” in 2 Theses. 2: 7? The beast of Revelation has many of the characteristics of Lucifer in Isaiah 14, of whom it is said, “that he ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restraineth” (Isa.14: 6) Scripture teaches that angels control the affairs of nations. (Dan.10: 20-21)
13 The worship of devils or demons (unclean spirits). Demons are the intermediaries of idols (See: Demons, Magic and Medicine by A. Perry) This is definitely a reference to the ‘image (idol) of the beast’ – which is not a literal idol but a philosophy of evil embodied in a human totalitarian empire. The unclean spirits that come out of the mouth of the dragon, beast and false prophet, all repeat the same lie; ‘MAN CAN BE LIKE GOD.’ This is the lie of the serpent in Eden.
A synoptic comparison of the three vice lists in Revelation is instructive:
REV. 9: 20-21
REV. 21: 8
REV.22: 15
cowards
unfaithful
abominable
dogs
murderers
murderers
murderers
immorality
immoral
fornicators
sorcery
sorcerers
magicians
idolatry
idolaters
idolaters
all liars
Everyone who loves and practices lying
thefts
(literal translation, lists rearranged for purpose of comparison)
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14 Idols of gold, and silver, and brass and stone and of wood. The gold , silver and brass are the metals of the image of the beast, note the distinct lack of iron. The stone and wood is no doubt a reference to Zech. 5:4; “the house…..with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. ” In the first century this was the Temple which became the focus of false worship, in the future this is the whole “house” of Israel, who had been instructed not to make covenants with the surrounding nations and not to bring an abomination (idol) into their house. (Deut.7: 3,26) The gold, silver and brass are all empires in the Babylonian region and not Roman in origin.
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15 The lists of vices enumerated in Revelation all include:
-murders
-sorcery (magicians)
-fornication (immorality)
These crimes can be explained as follows, murders – the killing of the witnesses and saints. (Rev.17: 6) Sorcery (magic?) – great signs and wonders of the false prophet. (Rev.13:13) Fornication – the great whore of Rev. chpt. 17. Cavorting with the surrounding nations. Other crimes include thefts and lies. Theft, or robbing God was the crime of the first century and the Old Testament. (Mtt.21:13; 23: 23; Malachi 3: 8) – false religion is essentially robbing God. Lying is a reference to the lie of the serpent, for the beast of the earth (false prophet) looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon [serpent] (Rev.13: 11) As the trumpet section concerns Israel, this means that the Jewish nation is involved in these crimes, and at this stage the majority had not repented. (unlike the time of Joel)
