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."
How is the true God distinguished from all false gods?
How enduring did He say the law is?
What is said concerning the captivity and downfall of the Papacy?
In what words did He foretell its destruction?
What command was given these locusts?
What does the Psalmist say about the dead praising God?
To what place did Jesus retire for secret devotion?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle