How is the fifth trumpet, or first woe, introduced?
Answer
"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the
key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the
smoke of a great furnace; and, the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And
there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the
earth have power." Rev. 9: 1-3.
NOTES - Attila is symbolized by the star of the third trumpet (Rev. 8:10,11). Mohammed, by the
star of this trumpet. The bottomless pit doubtless refers to the wastes of the Arabian desert, from which
came forth the Mohammedans, or Saracens of Arabia, like swarms of locusts. The darkening caused by the
smoke from this pit fitly represents the spread of Mohammedanism and its doctrines over Asia, Africa, and
portions of Europe. Their power as scorpions is strikingly seen in their vigorous and speedy attacks upon,
and overthrow of, their enemies.
"Over a large part of Spain, over north Africa, Egypt, Syria, Babylonia, Persia, north India, and
portions of Central Asia were spread-to the more or less perfect exclusion of native customs, speech, and
worship-the manners, the language, and the religion of the Arabian conquerors."-"General History"
(Myers), page 401.
For what spiritual gift did the Apostle Paul pray?
What example of obedience has Christ set for us?
When will the gifts of the Spirit he no longer needed?
Was the Sabbath designed to be a day for public worship?
According to Isaiah, what was Christ to do with the law?
What warning has Christ given that we might not be taken by surprise by this great event?
When the Jews rejected Paul's preaching of the gospel, what did he and Barnabas say?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle