July 20: FANGS OF A FIERCE LION
The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. Revelation 9:7-8
During the reign of Joash (835-796BC), the prophet Joel was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write about the dreaded locust plague that had hit the southern kingdom of Judah. He went on to develop prophetic imagery into that of organized armies of men. And even though the locust plague had been a terrible judgment upon God’s apostate people for their sin, it will pale in comparison to the coming judgment in the day of the LORD (Joel 2:31). Here are excerpts from Joel’s descriptions that sound similar to what we find in today’s opening verse from Revelation.
A nation has come up against My land, Strong and without number; His teeth are the teeth of a lion, And he has the fangs of a fierce lion. Alas for the day of the LORD is at hand; It shall come as destruction from the Almighty. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run… the swarming locust…the crawling locust…the consuming locust…the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. Joel 1:6,15; 2:4,25
The visions of both Joel and John allude to the Babylonian philosophy that “trickled down” through the empires prophetically lined up in Daniel 2 and 7. Elements from Babylon permeate the Islamic faith, which can be traced directly back through Rome to Babylon (see Daniel 7:4,7).
Arabian forces had a long-standing reputation for their fierce cavalry. Among the Arabs, even today, it is understood that a turban is a man’s crown of honor. Muhammed, Islam’s founder, wore a prominent white turban. His followers, even during war, wore what is now known as a “turban helmet”: a dome-shaped, fabric draped, “crown” that represents the ancient Arabian headdress.
These locusts had the faces of men as they would in reality be a plague of warriors, not insects. Muslim soldiers have a tradition of not cutting their hair, hence the description of hair like women’s hair. The reference to women is also an allusion to a church or religion, albeit a false one.
The inclusion of lion’s teeth in the description not only points directly to Babylonian philosophy, but also to its author who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8b).
History and prophecy go hand-in-hand, but not for the purpose of packing church-goers full of information. No! Its purpose has much more to do with developing the kind of character that will change hearts and prepare Christ’s people for His return, while winning the attention of others toward the only Savior (who also happens to know the future). Prophecy’s fulfillment that we may view in 20/20 hindsight builds faith in the only One who makes it possible to enter heaven; and also builds confidence for the certain fulfillment of the prophecies yet to be fulfilled.
Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, you who have escaped the nations. They have no knowledge, who carry the wood of their carved image, and pray to a god that cannot save. Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and Savior; There is none besides Me. Isaiah 45:20-21