What warlike scene is given under this trumpet?
Answer
"The number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: . . . and the heads
of the horses are as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceeds fire and smoke and brimstone."
Verses 16, 17, R.V.
NOTES In the year 1453, Mohammed 11 the Great laid siege to the capital Constantinople with
a vast army and fleet. After a short investment the place was taken by storm. Of the hundred thousand
inhabitants of the capital many thousands were slain and above fifty thousand made slaves. The cross on
the dome of St. Sophia was replaced by the crescent."-"General History" (Myers), edition 1923, Page 327.
Thus Constantinople, the eastern seat of the Roman Empire since the days of Constantine, was
captured by the Turks. Reference also seems to be made here to the use of firearms, which began to be
employed by the Turks toward the close of the thirteenth century, and which, discharged from horseback,
would give the appearance of fire and smoke issuing from the horses' mouths. "Gibbon thus describes the
first invasion of the Roman territories by the Turks: 'The myriads of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of
six hundred miles, from Taurus to Erzerourn.' . . . Whether the language is designed to convey the idea of
any definite number of not, the reader must judge. Some suppose 200,000 twice told is meant, and,
following some historians, they find that number of Turkish warriors in the siege of Constantinople. Some
think 200,ooo,ooo to mean all the Turkish warriors during the three hundred and ninety-one years and
fifteen days of their triumph over the Greeks. Nothing can be affirmed on the point. And it is nothing
essential at all."
What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose?
31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?
Wherever Abraham went, what was his practice?
5. What previous instruction connected with the vision of Daniel 8 was thus being more fully carried out?
What portion of the 2300 days (years) mentioned in the vision, was allotted to the Jews?
How many are concerned in the judgment?
What positive declaration does the apostle then make?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle