October 28: MORE ON THE FIRST WOE (5TH TRUMPET)

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. Revelation 9:7 NKJV

When the LORD gave the visions of Revelation to the apostle John, it was up to John to put into words what he was seeing. No doubt, he tried to understand the scenes before him; he went on to describe the silhouette of the locusts as being like horses prepared for battle. (Compare to Joel 2:4)

Here, the army that God sends is different from the marching infantries of earlier armies. This is a cavalry of riders on well-trained horses. History demonstrates that Arabian horses outshine all others in the areas of stamina, endurance, and intelligence. They form deep bonds with their riders, learn quickly, and respond instantly and precisely to human cues. “The Arabian horse takes the lead throughout the world. Skill in horsemanship is the art and science of Arabia. And the barbed Arabs, swift as locusts and armed like scorpions, ready to dart away in a moment, were ever prepared unto battle.” Alexander Keith  

What John called crowns of something like gold were actually bright turbans. The historian pointed out that “The turbans of the Saracens, like unto a coronet, were their ornament and their boast.” Those worn by the military were particularly tall, and conveyed at a glance their “Musselman” rank. The rider and his horse functioned as a unit. John could see the fierce faces of the Muslim horsemen, projecting a demeanor that effectively intimidated their targets.

They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth (v.8). According to Pliny and other historians, Muslim males customarily had uncut hair. Though the hair was long, they were not effeminate in the least. It is interesting that John highlights their teeth as being like lions’ teeth portraying their ferocity and ability, though restrained during the five months (150 literal years), to devour. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle (v.9). “The charge of the Arabs was not, like that of the Greeks and Romans, the efforts of a firm and compact infantry. Their military force was chiefly formed of cavalry and archers… With a touch of the hand, the Arabian horses dart away with the swiftness of the wind… Their attack was instantaneous.” Alexander Keith 

Beloved, we are still examining the fifth trumpet judgement, also called the first woe (of three). A substantial description details this woe, as it closely ties to the next woe. Never forget that God’s love manifests in unexpected ways. Not only can we learn from our own transgressions—overstepping boundaries—but we can learn from the hard lessons of others. He longs for all of His people to come to Him in repentance. Make sure you cultivate a willingness to change by aligning yourself with His will, as presented in His word – for He desires to preserve [you] alive (Deuteronomy 6:24) for eternity. Exercise your choices wisely!

…when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:27-28