Keep in mind as we study Revelation that historical documentation proves that a majority of the prophecy has been fulfilled which makes it easy it identify the symbolism. Chapter 9 of Revelation began to be fulfilled in the seventh century, but is still in the process of fulfillment in the 21st century. Chapter 16 of Revelation describes the advancement of the locust army in modern times...more on that later.
When we were last together we began to identify the Locust in chapter 9 of Revelation - then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. To understand the metaphorical symbolism we looked at the characteristics of the natural insect. This week we will see why the natural insect was used to symbolize the human army that arises out of the bottomless pit with their violent false religious doctrine.
This locust army was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. As with the locust insect, the locust army is a specific migratory group of people who travel in mobs, subduing their prey like a warring army, leaving a trail of devastation and death. This army is too numerous to count; attacks with ferocity - overwhelms and subdues its victims with a vengeance - maims or murders his victim, leaving few alive. Like the poison from a scorpion sting, the venom of their false religious doctrine (smoke), will spiritually poison countless millions of human beings over the centuries - beginning in the seventh century.
The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle...verse 7. In ancient tines a battle horse had to be ferocious, swift and determined - always ready to fight and make war. Battle warriors rode battle horses - an apt description of the symbolism for the locust army in our study.
On their heads were crowns of something like gold. This symbolism is an especially revealing clue in identifying the locust army. Crowns in scripture symbolize royalty - kings and priests - those who rule over kingdoms or empires. A king rules a nation, kingdom or empire, while a priest rules over the religious needs of the nation or empire.
The color of the crowns on the heads of the locust army is described as something like gold. Isn't this an intriguing description, as well as a bit perplexing? By describing their crowns as something like gold symbolizes that their empire is an imitation, deliberately deceptive - it is illegitimate - according to Jesus Christ who imparted this vision to John. How do I know this?
The locusts were birthed from the smoke - wicked religious doctrine - that was released from the bottomless pit, so they are possessed and empowered by Satan and his demons -- serpents & scorpions. Satan was given the key, by God, to the bottomless pit, releasing this wicked religious doctrine upon the people of the earth.
In Revelation we see Jesus described as having on His head a golden crown...Rev. 14:14. The crown Jesus wears is the real deal - no imitation here!!
Their faces were like the faces of men...verse 7. These zealous religious warriors - locust army - have faces like men symbolizing they are a sovereign people who rule over a kingdom or empire.
They had hair like women's hair...verse 8. This symbolism could be a bit mystifying if we didn't have historical documentation to help us understand its meaning. In uncivilized cultures of past centuries, brutal and barbaric warrior men proudly wore long hair, like women, as a mark of their fierce savagery, who allowed no hindrance to fulfilling their natural human appetites -- unchecked lustful passions.
Some of these warriors wore skirts or tunics, and no one dared to challenge their authority, but rather cringed in fear. These ruthless warriors subdued and ruled over the people by fear of the onerous consequences. The locust army, in the 7th through the 21st centuries, exhibits the characteristics of these ancient warriors - brutal and barbaric passions - subduing and ruling their subjects by fear of onerous consequences. Beheading infidels falls into onerous consequences.
By now you know who symbolizes the locust army, but they have teeth like lions teeth. Do you know what this symbolizes? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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