Then the fifth angel sounded...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...Rev. 9:7. In the last blog we defined all of this symbolism except their faces were like the faces of men. Who does this esoteric imagery describe?
The locust army are zealous religious warriors who have faces like men symbolizing that they are a sovereign people, who rules over a kingdom or empire. Chapter 9:8 further describes the locust warriors...they had hair like a women's hair, and their teeth were like lions teeth. What could this esoteric imagery mean? It could be 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. Many warriors even wore skirts or tunics. No one dared to challenge their authority, but rather cringed in fear in deference to their power. These ruthless warriors - with hair like women's - subdue and rule over the masses, by fear of the onerous consequences.
The metaphorical language - their teeth were like lions teeth - personifies the ferocity of the locust army - ripping apart their victims with sharp piercing weapons, symbolized by devouring teeth. As a lion - king of the jungle - is to its prey, the locust army are relentless until all people, everywhere, submit to the King of the Religious Jungle - or are beheaded.
And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron...Rev. 9:9. Describing the locust army wearing iron breastplates, symbolizes presumed invincibility - readiness for battle - revealing their arrogance in purpose. What is their purpose?
And the sound of their wings like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle...Rev. 9:9. This metaphorical language symbolizes their unshakable proclamation that they are far above - wings - all other religions on the earth. Their purpose is to rule and reign over every nation - all people - on the planet. Their intensity to win the war against the people of the planet is symbolized by the sound of chariots with many horses into battle. By shear numbers the locust army will overwhelm and subdue all people into submission. Even the name of their religion means: submission!
If what we have just read is not enough detailed description of the locusts who are released out of the bottomless pit, there is more. Do you think our Lord desired for us to clearly understand who is this wicked enemy? They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails...their power was to hurt men five months...Rev. 9:10.
We already know that the sting of a scorpion symbolizes poison - a wicked false religious doctrine that will infiltrate the minds and hearts of government leaders, as well as religious leaders. These doctrines of demons will pierce the very soul of their victims, making them captive to a harsh god - taskmaster. Let's look at the Old Testament for a bit more clarity on...they had tails like scorpions.
The ancient and the honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that lies, he is the tail...Isaiah 9:15. In this text, the prophet explains that a prophet of honor is the head - but - a prophet who lies is the tail. The leader of the locust army is called a false prophet...Rev. 16:12-14. We know that the locust army symbolizes a nefarious and wicked false religious empire - empowered by Satan - the father of lies. The leader of the locust army is not honorable - he is the prophet of lies - the tail of the scorpion, spewing his poison in every territory he overtakes by force.
Their power was to hurt men five months. What does this symbolize? The use of numbers in prophecy usually are symbolic, rather than defining a specific period of time. The number five symbolizes incomplete. So what is incomplete?
Revelation chapter 9 introduces the presence of the locust army upon the earth for the first time. Their sinister wicked plans are not realized at this time - their work is incomplete. But from the outset the locust army - false religious empire - maimed, killed and destroyed everyone and everything that did not submit to their wicked doctrine of demons. Centuries later their purpose will be fully realized when they become rulers over many nations - but - not all. This is clearly delineated in Revelation chapter 16 - Bowl Judgments.
Who is the king of the locust army? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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