The First Woe - Locusts - Locusts Equipped for Battle

 What a remarkable appearance those locusts have! John describes it: "And the likenesses of the locusts resemble horse prepared for battle; and upon their heads were what seemed to be crowns like gold, and their faces were as men's faces, they had hair like as women's hair.  And their teeth were as those of lion's;  and they had iron breastplates.  And the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running into." - REVELATION 9:7-9.

This well illustrates the loyal group of revived Christians in 1919.  Like horses, the  were ready for battle, eager to fight for the truth in the way described by the apostle Paul.  ( Ephesians 6:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:4)   On their heads John sees what seem to be crowns as of gold.  It would not be proper for them to have actual crows because they do begin ruling while they are on earth. (1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 20:4)  But in 1919 they already  had a royal appearance.  Theu were brothers of the King, and their heavenly crowns were reserved for them provided they continued faithful to the end. - 2 TIMOTHY 4:8; 1 PETER 5:4.

In the vision, the locusts have iron breastplates, symbolizing unbreakable righteousness.  (Ephesians 6:14-18)  They also have men's faces, this feature pointing to the quality of love, since man was made in the image of God, who.  ( Genesis 1:26; 1 John4:16) Their hair is like a woman's. which well pictures  subjection to their King, the angel of the abyss.  And their teeth resemble a lion's  teeth.  A lion uses his teeth to tear meat.  From 1919 onward, the John class has again been able to take in solid spiritual food, particularly the truths about God's Kingdom ruled by 'the lion that is of the tribe of Judah,"  Jesus Christ. Just as the  lion symbolizes courage, so great courage has been needed  to digest this hard-hitting message, to bring it forth in publications, and to distribute it around the globe.  Those figuratie locusts have made a lot of  noise, like "the sound of chariots of many horse running into battle." After the example of first-century Christians, they do not intend to stay quiet. - 1 CORINTHIANS 11:7-15; REVELATION 5:5.

Next time: The First Woe - Locusts - Locusts Equipped for Battle -Conlusion

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