p. 823 | READING CIRCLE STUDY by S. N. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 25, 1900

READING CIRCLE STUDY

By S. N. H.

Ninth Chapter of Revelation

S. N. H.

THE ninth chapter of Revelation is one of the most wonderful prophecies in the Bible. There are over forty figurative expressions in the twenty-one verses of this chapter. The historical facts are so clearly described by even infidel historians, that among commentators there is seldom any disagreement in the application of this prophecy. We refer the reader to the pamphlet “The Seven Trumpets,” published at the Review Office, for the historical facts and an exposition of these trumpets.

Trumpets, when connected with nations, in prophecy denote war. Zeph. 1:16. The restored Persian Empire was in the height of its glory when suddenly, like a falling star, it fell before the hordes of the Mohammedans. This opened the way for that system of error to be propagated extensively. The moral atmosphere was darkened with its deadly influences, and is well illustrated by locusts issuing from the smoke of the bottomless pit. Abu-Bekr, the successor of Mohammed, when addressing his soldiers, used almost the same words contained in the fourth verse. This was concerning certain Sabbath-keeping Christians living in the foothills of their course. The fleetness of the Arabian horse in rushing upon the enemy, and then as suddenly retreating, is most strikingly illustrated by the sting of the scorpion.

Othman organized these ravaging hordes into the government known as the Ottoman Empire. He first entered Nicomedia, July 27, 1299 A. D. This was the date taken for the beginning of the five months, or one hundred and fifty years. The warriors had long hair, and wore yellow turbans. As the prophet, in vision, saw them rushing toward him to battle, they appeared as having the teeth of lions. Upon the men and upon the horses were breastplates, and the fury of their dashing upon their prey is described in the ninth verse. Led on by Satan, they were properly called Abaddon, or Apollyon, signifying destroyer.

The time given for the sixth trumpet is one of the most remarkable in the Scriptures, as it specifies the number of days. It was prepared for an hour, one twenty-fourth part of a year, 360 days, making fifteen days; a day, one year; a month, thirty days, or years; a year, 360 days, or years,—a total of three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days. But why should God be so definite in this, if it were not to impress the Bible student with the importance of these dates? When God brought his people out of Egypt, he referred to the year in round numbers, even when a definite day was referred to. Ex. 12:41. But here God mentions the exact number of years and days for the Ottoman Empire to continue.

God has three ways of describing nations: (1) By calling them by name before they have acted their part in prophecy. Dan. 8:20, 21; (2) by naming the river upon which the country is situated. Isa. 8:5-8; (3) by language that could be applied to no other power than the one described. Dan. 7:19-25. And then, to make it more emphatic, the time is sometimes connected with the description. In this sixth trumpet we have the time of its duration, and the events that mark its beginning and ending. The language used in describing this power and what it would do, could apply to no other nation that ever existed. We have the name of the river—the Euphrates—upon which it is situated. One hundred and fifty years from July 27, 1299 A. D., brings us to a definite date for the sounding of the sixth trumpet; namely, July 27, 1449 A. D.

But what was the condition of this power at this particular time that would answer to the four angels bound in the great river Euphrates? The four principal sultanates of the Turkish power at this date were situated at Damascus, Iconium, Aleppo, and Bagdad. These powers were loosed for three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days, ending Aug. 11, 1840 A. D. That very day the sultan signed away his independence into the hands of England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia; and it is a well-known fact that Turkey has existed by sufferance ever since then. Some have supposed that the entire number of his army is given in verse 16. The Turks were the first to use firearms. The apostle had never seen anything like this. The appearance of the warriors, shooting upon horseback, coming toward John in vision, with breastplates upon both the horses and the men, is described in verses 16, 17. The expression “the heads of lions” denotes the fierce appearance of the horses while in battle. A horse’s tail is a Turkish emblem of authority, a symbol of office.

It is a fact worthy of mention that the Mohammedans themselves acknowledge that they were commissioned of God to destroy the Romanists and the Greeks, and claim that these are not Christians, but infidels. While in South Africa ten years ago, I became acquainted with the secretary of their society. After he had invited me to his house, he said to me, in true Arabian style, “This house and library are free to you at any time.” We spoke freely of their history as a people. He stepped to his library and took down a copy of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” by Elder Smith, and turning to this chapter, acknowledged the application of the prophecy, and said that God called them to this work. “But,” I said, “you killed Christians.” He then referred me to the historical fact of verse 4, and said: “No; the Catholics and Greeks are not Christians, they are idolaters.” He then alluded to their images, etc. This is simply a testimony as to the correctness of the application of this prophecy. Letting this testimony remain for what it is worth, the application of this prophecy to the Turkish power is an established fact.

William Miller and Josiah Litch wrote on this subject in 1838, taking this position, and said that if they were right in their calculation, the independence of the Turkish power would cease Aug. 11, 1840 A. D. Previously to this time the coming of the Lord had been quite extensively preached, but it had not made much stir in the world. They further stated that if they were correct on this point, the little time “quickly” of Rev. 11:14 would come in between then and 1844 A. D. So the conclusion was that at that time the twenty-three hundred days would end, and the Lord would come. Many educated men, of position and influence, looked forward with interest to the 11th day of August, 1840 A. D. When it became known that on that very day the sultan did sign away his independence into the hands of the European Powers, many identified themselves with the Adventists. It gave such an impetus to the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, that it resulted, especially in this country, in the greatest religious movement that had been experienced since the days of the apostles. Language would fail to give the reader a correct idea of those times. The movement was not confined to this country, but God raised up men in Europe and Africa and in different parts of the world to proclaim the first angel’s message—“The hour of His judgment is come.”