Rev 9:13-21 The Sixth Trumpet
Rev 9:13. Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God.
Which altar is the text referring to: The altar of incense or the altar of burnt offering?
The altar of incense was overlaid with gold.
Ex 40:5. You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony. (The ark of the Testimony contained the stone tablets written with the Ten Commandments of God on it, in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle).
The altar of burnt offering was overlaid with bronze.
Ex 38:1.2. He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood: five cubits was its length and five cubits its width – it was square – and its height was three cubits. He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze.
Therefore, the golden altar before God is referring to the altar of incense because it was overlaid with gold, whereas the altar of burnt offering was overlaid with bronze.
The golden altar of incense was situated in the Holy Place of the earthly sanctuary before the curtain and before the ark of the Testimony on the other side of the curtain. So the period of time in history would be between the ascension of Christ into the Holy Place after his resurrection until 1844 when he transferred his work over to the Most Holy Place in heaven.
Rev 9:14. Saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”
One of the greatest mistakes many Bible commentators fall into, is to interpret the river Euphrates literally and not symbolically. Because the river Euphrates is situated in the geographical area of Syria, Iraq and Iran, they explain that the world is soon coming to an end because of the wars taking place in these countries. This brings confusion to the context of the passage.
What is the symbolic meaning of the word Euphrates?
There are only two places were the word Euphrates are mentioned in the book of Revelation: Rev 9:14 and Rev 16:12. Both texts have the same symbolic meaning and that is the border line between God´s people and non-believers. For example:
Rev 16:12. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its waters was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
When looking at the traditional Adventist interpretation of the drying up of the river Euphrates: the waters on which Babylon sits on and when it dries up, it means the finances to the city of Babylon have dried up, and there is no longer any support and therefore Babylon collapses.
Questions to the above interpretation.
Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean drying up of financial support?
Does the River Euphrates mean many waters on which Babylon sits on?
The text used to support this view is taken from Rev. 17:15. The waters which you saw, were the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This text is referring to Rev 17:1. Come I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.
Do the many waters refer to a rivers or seas in the prophetic writings?
What do many waters mean in the book Revelation?
Rev 1:15. His voice as the sound of many waters. (Refers to the voice of Christ in heaven).
Rev 14:2. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. (Refers to the 144,000 voices in heaven singing a new song verse 3).
Rev 17:1. Come I will show the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.
Rev 17:15. The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. (These people are related to one voice of praise and worship to the fallen church worldwide, which is opposite to the voices of the 144,000 who keep the Ten Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ Rev 14:12).
Rev 19:6. And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunder, saying, Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.
Conclusion
Many waters are related to the voice of Christ up in heaven and the 144,000 up in heaven. Many waters are related to the 144,000 singing a new song and the voice of the great multitude praising God in heaven.
As regards to the harlot sitting on many waters, this represents the worldwide fallen church singing and praising God through the false teachings they have received from the harlot or worldwide church. These teachings represent the wine of her fornication in Rev 17:3.
The symbolic meaning of the word sea is found in Es 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
In the book of Daniel 7:2.3. Daniel saw in vision: the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.
The interpretation for the four beasts is in Dan 7:17. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. These kings arose from the wicked populated parts of the earth like Europe and Asia Minor.
As for rivers meaning populated parts of the earth is just speculation and reading into the text what is not there. Rivers when used together with springs of water in prophecy refer to life giving waters like the river of life but certainly not many peoples.
Does the drying up of the river Euphrates mean the drying up of financial support?
There is no Biblical text to support this view.
Analysis of the text Rev 16:12-16.
Verse 12. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
Where is the river Euphrates?
In the Old Testament it was situated on the border between Gods people the Israelites, and their enemies. The border lies on the river flowing from the north and east of Israel. The enemies of Israel who lived on the other side of the border where Fx. Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persian etc.
What does it mean when the river Euphrates dries up in the Summer?
It means that when the water has dried up and disappeared, there is no visible border between Israel and their enemies. Hence, their enemies have direct access to attacking Israel during the dry season.
The same interpretation goes for Rev 6:14.15. The release of the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates is symbolically the breaking down of the borders between Christians living in the Byzantine Empire and the Muslims living in the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Rev 6:15. So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.
When the text says, “the hour and day and month and year,” we are talking about prophetic time and not literal time. One literal day is equal to one prophetic year. How do we get this?
Rev 12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. In prophetical writings, one day is equal to one year. Num 14:34, Ezek 4:6. Therefore, when it says in the text “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” this means prophetical 1,260 years. This figure is also equal to “a time, times and half a time” in Rev 12:14. When we add this figure up, we have one time plus two times plus half a time which equals 3½ times. One time is equal to 360 years in prophecy. So 3½ times is equal to 1,260 years. Therefore, these two verses in Rev 12: 6.14, reinforce each other in Biblical prophetic time. In addition, the 42 months in Rev 11:2.3. are also equal to 1,260 years in Biblical prophecy. If we times 42 months with 30 prophetic days for each month, this gives us 1,260 days or prophetic years. Hence, there is harmony in these calculations.
There are 30 prophetic days for each month. We have five months. 5 x 30 = 150 prophetic years.
So these soldiers during the history of the Church persecuted the Church for 150 years.
When and where in the history of the Church did this happen?
We must remember that the Turkish nation as we know it today was also called the Ottoman Empire before 1840.
“In the year 1840 another remarkable fulfillment of prophecy excited widespread interest. Two years before, Josiah Litch, one of the leading ministers preaching the second advent published an exposition of Revelation 9, predicting the fall of the Ottoman Empire. According to his calculations, this power was to be overthrown in AD 1840, sometime in the month of August; and only a few days previous to its accomplishment he wrote: Allowing the first period, 150 years, to have been exactly fulfilled before Deacozes ascended the throne by permission of the Turks, and that the 391 years, fifteen days, commenced at the close of the first period, it will end on the 11th of August, 1840, when the Ottoman power in Constantinople may be expected to be broken. And this, I believe, will be found to be the case. ` Josiah Litch, in Signs of the Times, and Expositor of Prophecy, Aug 1, 1840.”[1]
What about the prophetic time period in Rev 6:15?
One hour = 15 prophetic days
One day = 1 prophetic year
One month = 30 prophetic years
One year = 360 prophetic years
This gives a total of 391 prophetical years and 15 days.
“As already stated, Litch set 1299 as the beginning of the fifth trumpet, to be more exact, July 27, 1299, his date for the battle of Bapheum. He gave to this fifth trumpet a period of 150 years. This brought him to July 27, 1449, for the beginning of the sixth trumpet. Adding on 391 years brought him to July 27, 1840. The 15 days carried him over into the month of August of that year. – – – A short time before the expiration of this period he declared that the Turkish Empire would be broken August 11, which is exactly 15 days beyond July 27, 1840.”[2]
“Fall of the Ottoman Empire – The impact of Moslem Turkey upon Europe after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 was as severe as had been the catastrophic conquest of the Moslem Saracens, during the century and a half after the death of Mohammed, upon the Eastern Roman Empire. Throughout the Reformation era, Turkey was a continual threat at the eastern gates of European Christendom; the writings of the Reformers are full of condemnation of the Ottoman power. Christian writers since have been concerned with the role of Turkey in future world events, and commentators on prophecy have seen Turkish power and its decline forecast in Scripture.
For the latter chapter, under `the hour, day, month, year, ` prophecy, as part of the sixth trumpet, Josiah Litch worked out an application of the time prophecy, terminating Turkish independence in August 1840.”[3]
“At the very time specified, Turkey, through her ambassadors, accepted the protection of the allied powers of Europe, and thus placed herself under the control of Christian nations. The event exactly fulfilled the prediction.”[4]
“Under the fifth trumpet a restraint had been placed on the Ottoman power. For a period of 150 years they were not to `kill` but only `torment. ` Now at the beginning of the 391 years the previous restraint was removed, and they were to go forth to `kill. ` History reveals a striking fulfillment to this prophecy. Within a few years of the time when the restraint was removed. The Ottomans had put an end to the Roman Empire in the East.”[5]
This quote from above and from Rev 9:15 and Rev 9:5, is the connecting link between the fifth and six trumpet and is referring to the same power in both trumpets: the Ottoman Empire is allowed to torment for 150 years and then go in for the kill for 391 years.
The Muslim Ottoman empire which later was renamed Turkey, had conquered the Byzantine empire that is the Eastern Roman Empire when they took Constantinople the capital in AD 1453. The Byzantine worshippers were similar to the Roman Catholic Church worshippers who worshipped statues of saints made of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood. Not all were killed in the Byzantine Empire e.g. The Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Churches are the remnants. The Ottoman Turkish Empire ended its power to kill a third of mankind after 1840. After 1840 the Ottoman Turkish Empire limped along as the sick man of Europe until the end of the first world war.
Rev 9:16. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.
This verse is similar to Rev 7:4. And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed. This number is symbolic.
The number of the army of horsemen was two hundred million or myriads in the Greek. This number is also symbolic of all the horsemen who rode to fight for the Ottoman Empire against all the nations surrounding them.
Rev 9:17. And thus I saw the horses in vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.
We have seen what breastplates of iron mean in Rev 9:9. What do breastplates of fiery red (fiery in the Greek), hyacinth blue (hyacinth in the Greek), and sulfur yellow (sulfur in the Greek) mean?
What do horses mean in prophecy?
Word study on horses in the Bible
Rev 6:2. And I looked and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (The crown is stefanos in the Greek and is a crown of victory given to military victors in war. In addition, the bow is used for battles and war in this context.)
Rev 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Verse 12. His eyes were like flames of fire. And on His head were many crowns. Verse 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. Verse 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. Verse 15 Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. (This is without a doubt Christ going to war against all nations who do not believe in Him and he is using a battle sword)
Zech 1:8-11. I saw by night and behold a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. Verse 9 Then I said, “My Lord what are these?” Verse 10. And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.” Verse 11. So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting.” (These horses are not riding into battle and they do not appear to have weapons. They have walked to and fro throughout the earth and behold all the earth is resting. These horses appear to be scouting horses and watching out for the Lord but not battle horses even though they have colors of white, red and sorrel. It is interesting to notice that there is an absence of the pale and black horses as written in Rev 6:)
Zech 6:1-8 Then I turned and raised my eyes and looked and behold, four chariots were coming from between the mountains, and the mountains were bronze. With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot dappled horses-strong steeds. Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel answered and said to me, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth.
The one with the black horses is going to the north country, the white are going after them, and the dappled are going toward the south country. Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, “Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth.” So they walked to and fro throughout the earth. And He called to me, and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who go toward the north country have given rest to my Rest in the north country.”
(The first thing to notice is the chariots with horses do not have riders riding them. The second point to notice is they do not have weapons and the third point is they are walking and not riding fast. So it is hard to imagine they are battle horses going to war without weapons. Furthermore, these horses with the chariots are spirits walking throughout the earth, analyzing, investigating, watching, and reporting which country is at peace or which country is at war. The north country from Israel was Babylon, and the south country from Israel was Egypt. In addition, pale horses are not mentioned as in Rev 6:).
2 Kings 6:15.16. The context of these verses is that Elisha and his servant were taking refuge in the city of Dothan because the Syrian army were after them. Why? Because Elisha was receiving revelations from God as to the whereabouts of the Syrian army and giving the information to the Israelite king. The Syrian king wanted Elisha captured and so sent his army after Elisha.
Verses 15.16. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him. “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The army of the Syrians had horses and chariots. So these are horses ready for battle. The horses and chariots from God up in the mountain were also battle horses because they were chariots of fire ready for battle.
Deut 17:16 (God´s command to Israelite kings) But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.” Why? Deut 17:20. That his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right or to the left.
These horses which a king should not have purchased from Egypt were battle horses. King Solomon disregarded this commandment and bought these horses from Egypt. 1 kings 10:26.28. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt.
Deut 20:1. When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you – – -. (Battle horses).
Ps 20:7. Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Battle horses).
Jerm 8:6. as the horse rushes into battle.
Joel 2:1.4. (Day of the Lord) People coming to Jerusalem like horses and chariots. Verse 5 like a strong people (Babylon) set in battle array. (Battle horses).
Zach 9:10. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations. (Battle horse).
Rev 6:2. (White horse) He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering to conquer. (Battle horse and a rider with a crown of victory as used in the military).
Rev 6:4. (Fiery red horse) And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another, and there was given to him a great sword. (Battle horse).
Rev 6:5.6. (Black horse) He who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “— do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Battle horse).
Rev 6:8. (Pale horse) And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Battle horse).
Rev 9:7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle.
Rev 9:17.18. I saw the horses in vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red – – – and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and brimstone. By these plagues a third of mankind was killed. (Battle horses).
Rev 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithfull and True and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (White horse is a battle horse).
Rev 19:14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. (White horses are battle horses).
Rev 19:19. And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse and against his army. (White horse is a battle horse).
Rev 19:21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of him who sat on the horse. (Battle horse).
Conclusion
Horses in the Bible are used and related to war, battle, army, to conquer, to kill, death and Hades, hunger, plagues, judgment, military and a new king should not multiply horses but trust in God. In addition, horses without riders and weapons, were used by God to search the earth and see what was happening among the nations. Fx. Zach 1: 6:
What does the words fiery red in prophecy?
Psalm 21:9. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger. The Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath. (refers to God´s enemies in verse 8).
Dan 3:5.6. You shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Dan 7:9. I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated – – -. His throne was a fiery flame.
Heb 10:27. But a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Ephes 6:16. (Refers to the Christian´s whole armour of God). Taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
1 Pet 4:12. Beloved, do not think it is strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you – – -.
Conclusion
Fiery is related to wrath, anger, punishment, God´s throne of judgment, indignation, attacks from Satan, trials and sufferings.
There are no words to do a word study on the word hyacinth blue.
A short word study on the word Sulphur translated brimstone in old English.
Luk 17:29. But in that day Lot went out of Sodom. It rained fire and Sulphur (brimstone) from heaven and destroyed them.
Rev 9:18. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed – by fire and the smoke and the Sulphur (brimstone).
Rev 14:9.10. (Third angel). If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and Sulphur (brimstone) – – -.
Rev 19:20. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence by which he deceived those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with Sulphur (brimstone).
Rev 20:10. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and Sulphur (brimstone).
Rev 21:8. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexual immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and Sulphur (brimstone).
Conclusion
Sulphur (brimstone) is related to God´s punishment and destruction upon the wicked and non-believers, a third of mankind was killed, the wrath of God leading to death and destruction.
What does the word lion mean in the book of Revelation?
Rev 4:7. (The four living creatures in the midst of the throne in heaven and around the throne). The first living creature was a lion.
Rev 5:5. Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. (This lion represents Christ).
Rev 9:8. They had hair like women´s hair, and their teeth were like lion´s teeth. (Refers to Muslim soldiers in the Ottoman Empire going to war against their enemies. They crush their enemies like a lion crushes its prey).
Rev 10:1-3. I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a book in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. (This mighty angel is Christ and raises his voice like a lion).
Rev 13:2. (A beast coming out of the sea). Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. (The sea beast represents the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system all around the world. When they talk like a lion the nations tremble because of their power and authority).
Conclusion
Lion represents Christ in prophecy, then power, Muslim soldiers at war against their enemies, Christ with a loud voice of authority, and the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system who talk with power and authority to cause nations to tremble.
What do heads mean in prophecy?
A word study to determine what heads mean in prophetic writings of the Bible.
Rev 17:9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Mountains are a symbol of political and religious kingdoms, (Dan 2:44.45), which these seven heads of the worldwide churches are).
Rev 17:10. These (seven heads) are also seven kings.
Rev 17:11 The beast (Satan) is himself also the eighth and of the seven head. (Satan will be the ultimate antichrist to rule the world during the war Armageddon).
Rev 13:1. The seven heads coming out of the sea beast are similar in power and authority to the seven heads on the scarlet beast which is Satan in Rev 17:3.
Dan 7:6. And after this I looked, and there was another like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads and dominion was given to it. (The leopard beast is a symbol of the Grecian empire 331-168 B.C. and the four heads represent the four generals who took over from Alexander the Great. These kingdoms although they were military powers, also had a Hellenistic mythological influence on the world.).
Dan 7:19.20. Then I wished to know the truth of the fourth beast, verse 20. And the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. (The fourth beast represents the Roman Empire. The ten horns represent the political kingdoms of Europe springing from the head of the Roman Empire. Horns grow from the head. Head comes before horns in the text and is the center of intelligence and spiritual matters, whereas the horns signify political and military strength).
Rev 4:4. Around the throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones, I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (These are the spiritual advisors and representatives redeemed from the earth. Math 27:51-53).
Rev 9:7. The shape of the locusts were like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like faces of men. (This verse implies military cavalry with crowns of “Stefanoi” a symbol of victory. The heads are a symbol of the religious Muslim faith they were fighting for).
Rev 9:19.20. For their tails are like serpents having heads; and with them they do harm. But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hands –. (The heads are a symbol of the Muslim faith).
Rev 12:1. A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. (Twelve stars are twelve angels of the twelve churches, which are scattered abroad. Rev 1:20. James 1:1. The woman´s head is a symbol of being the head of the church).
Rev 12:3. Behold a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (The fiery red dragon represents Satan in Rev 12:9 and he has authority over the political powers in Europe and on the earth. Satan has also authority over the spiritual heads of the worldwide churches. Who are the heads of these worldwide churches, which have fallen? When looking on the internet under Google type, “List of Christian denominations by number of members,” and then look under Wikipedia; there is a list of the seven largest churches in the world:
- Church of the east, 0.6 million.
- Restoration and Non-Trinitarianism, 42-48 million.
- Anglicanism, 85 million.
- Oriental Orthodoxy, 86 million.
- Eastern Orthodoxy, 225-300 million.
- Protestantism, 800 million.
- Roman Catholicism, 1.2 Billion.
Heads of these fallen churches can mean one person or a group, who are the leaders of these churches.
Rev 13:3. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. (The beast here is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church, and one of its heads is the papacy signifying religious and political power).
Rev 14:14. I looked and behold a white cloud, and on the cloud sat one like the Son of Man having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle. (This is Christ being the head of the church and having authority to harvest the world of believers).
Rev 17:3. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (The woman is the harlot representing the fallen churches worldwide and the seven heads are the representative heads of these fallen churches worldwide).
Rev 17:9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Mountains are a symbol of political and religious kingdoms, (Dan 2:44.45), which these seven heads of the worldwide churches are).
Ps 18:43. You have made me the head of the nations. A people I have not known shall serve me. (King David was the spiritual and political leader of the Israelite kingdom).
Ps 27:6. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me. (King David talking about his power over his enemies).
Ps 60:7. Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for my head, Judah is my lawgiver. (King David is saying that Ephraim is a helmet, a protection for his power).
Ps 68:21. But God will wound the head of his enemies. (Leaders and power of his enemies).
Is 7:8. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. The head of Samaria and the head of Samaria is Remliah´s son. (Head refers to political and spiritual leaders).
Is 59:17. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. (Head is related to salvation as a means of protection).
Mic 2:13. Their king will pass before them with the Lord at their head. (Spiritual leader).
Mic 3:1. Hear now O heads of Israel and you rulers of the house of Israel. (Spiritual and political rulers of Israel).
Mark 12:10. The stone which the builders rejected, has become the head cornerstone. (This is referring to Christ as the head of all spiritual believers).
Acts 18:6. Your blood be upon your own heads. (Paul speaking to the Jews who rejected his gospel message. They will receive their punishment from the decision they made from their heads).
1 Cor 11:3. The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (This text is referring to spiritual heads).
Ephes 1:22. And gave him to be head over all things to the church. (Christ is the head of the Church on earth).
Ephes 4:15. May grow up in all things into him who is the head – Christ. (The context is the body of Christ verse 12, which is the church and Christ is the head).
Ephes 5:23. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the Church – – -. (Christ is the spiritual head of the Church).
Col 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church. (Spiritual head of the Church).
Col 2:10. And you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Christ is the head of all powers in the heavens and on earth).
Conclusion
The word “head” is related to the following: Seven heads are seven spiritual mountains. Seven heads are seven Christian religious kings/kingdoms. The scarlet beast in Rev 17: (Satan) is the eighth and is of the seventh religious head which is antichrist. The four heads from the leopard beast in Dan 7: representing the kingdom of Greece, has a combined political and a mythological religious influence. The head is where the intelligence is situated and is where moral and spiritual decisions are determined. Spiritual advisors. Crowns on heads symbolizes military and religious victory. Serpent heads do harm. The woman in Rev 12: (The pure church) has a garland of twelve stars on her head symbolizing twelve angels of the twelve churches in the diaspora of which she is the head).
The mortally wounded head on the sea beast in Rev 13:1-3 represents the papacy as a political and religious power in the Roman Catholic Church. A golden crown on the head of Christ represents the authority to harvest the world of believers. The seven heads on the scarlet beast in Rev 17: represent the seven heads of the fallen churches worldwide. The seven heads in Rev 17: are seven mountains representing religious Christian kingdoms Fx. Dan 2:44.45. King David was the political and spiritual head of the Israelite kingdom. Head signifies power and protection. Head is related to salvation. Spiritual and political rulers. Christ is the head of all spiritual believers. Spiritual decisions. Christ is the head of the pure church on earth. Christ is the head of the body of the church. Christ is the head of all powers in the heavens and on the earth.
To sum up, the head is symbolic of the head of the true church or one can be the head of a fallen church or a religious organization.
As regards to the head of a lion. This is a religious organization like the Muslim power, judging the context of the fifth and sixth trumpet. This Muslim power is part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire who use force like a lion, in the name of God, to win converts to their faith.
What does mouth mean in prophecy?
A short word study on the word “mouth” from the book of Revelation
Rev 1:16. He had in his right hand seven stars, out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword – – -. (Ephes 6;17. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God).
Rev 2:16. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 10:10. Then I took the little book out of the angel´s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
Rev 11:5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. (The word of God from the Old and New Testament used during the Middle Ages as a witness).
Rev 12:15. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. (Words of persecution by Satan through the papacy against Protestants through the Middle Ages).
Rev 12:16. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood, which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. (Protestants fleeing their persecution during the Middle Ages were welcomed by words from Protestant countries like North America, England and Holland).
Rev 13:2. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. (The beast represents the papacy, and when the pope speaks to enforce false worship the world, everyone will listen and obey as if it is the voice of God).
Rev 13:5. And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (“He,” is the papacy who speaks blasphemies against God during the forty-two months or 1260 prophetical years from AD 538-1798: The Middle Ages. The mouth represents persecution against all Bible believers because the papacy had both political and religious power over all Europe).
Rev 13:6. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. (Some of the blasphemies the papacy has claimed are that the pope says he is the vicar for God on this earth. In addition, the priests have the power to forgive sins on this earth, which only God has the power to do. Luk 5:21. Who can forgive sins but God alone?).
Rev 14:5. (Refers to the 144,000). And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Rev 16:13. (The sixth plague). And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (The dragon represents Satan. The beast represents the papacy in the Roman Catholic Church system. The false prophet represents fallen Protestantism from the USA. They will combine in the future to enforce a false worship which is a global system of religion e.g. New World Order, and gather all people to the battle of Armageddon, against God´s people).
Rev 19:15. Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that He should strike the nations. (Words resulting in punishment and destruction upon the wicked from Christ).
Conclusion
Mouth is related to the following: words causing destruction from Christ upon the wicked, God´s word from the Bible which is used to condemn the enemies of God, Satan uses words through the papacy causing persecution against Bible believers during the Middle Ages, Protestants fleeing persecution helped by Protestant nations. The papacy will speak like a lion forcing people to false worship and all will obey, they will speak blasphemies against God, against the tabernacle in heaven, e.g. the pope is God´s vice regent on earth and priests have the work of forgiving people of their sins. No deceit was found in the mouth of the 144,000. The dragon (Satan) speaks lies through the beast and false prophet so as to gather the nations to the battle of Armageddon against God´s people who keep the ten commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.
Rev 9:19. For the power is in their mouth and in their tails; for the tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
What do tails mean symbolically in the Bible?
Deut 28:13. (Refers to blessings on Israel) And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God. (Tail means beneath, below and not worthy).
Is 7:4. Take heed and be quiet; do not fear or be faint hearted for these two stubs (tails. Zanab in Hebrew) of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria, and the son of Remaliah. (Tails is symbolic of fierce anger).
Is 9:15. The elder and honorable, he is the head; the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. (Tail is related to lies and not worthy to be a head).
Rev 12:3.4. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. (This text refers to Satan convincing a third of the angels in heaven through lies that God is unjust unfit to rule in the heavens).
Conclusion
Tail is related to beneath, below, not worthy, fierce anger, lies, and lies again.
What do serpents mean symbolically in the Bible?
Gen 3:1. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field.
Gen 3:4. Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die.” (God said in verse 3 to Adam and Eve, if they ate and touched the fruit in the midst of the garden, they will die. The serpent told a lie in opposition to what God said).
Gen 3:13. The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Gen 3:15. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. (Enmity between Satan´s people and God´s people).
Gen 3:15. And you will bruise His head. (Prophecy about Satan crucifying Christ in the future: bruise his head – the head of the Church).
Num 21:6. So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.
Ps 58:4. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent.
Prov 23:32. (Wine) At last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
Jerm 46:22. (Babylon will strike Egypt). Her noise (Hiss) shall go (Flee) like a serpent, for they shall march with an army and come against her with axes, like those who chop wood.
Matt 10:16. Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Matt 23:33. (Christ talking to the scribes and Pharisees). Serpents, brood of vipers. How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Verse 31. Therefore, you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
Rev 12:9. So the dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world – – -.
Rev 12:15. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. (Flood of persecution upon believers during the Middle Ages).
Conclusion
Serpent is related to the following: cunning, lies, opposite to what God says, deception, enmity between Satan´s people and God´s people, Satan will bruise and crucify Christ, poisonous bite of death, hissing when fleeing, wisdom, murder, and persecution.
Rev 9:20. But the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
Only a third of mankind in the Byzantine Empire and Asia Minor were killed by the Muslim soldiers from the Ottoman Turkish empire. The rest of the worshippers of the Byzantine religion which was very similar the Roman Catholic Church in the west, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
A summary of Rev 9:13-19.
Rev 9:13. The time setting for the sixth trumpet is after the crucifixion of Christ and during his work in the Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary, where the golden altar is situated. To be more precise, it is referring to the same power as in the fifth trumpet e.g. Rev 9:5. And they were not given authority to kill them but torment them for five months (150 prophetic years from 1299 to 1449). But in Rev 9:15 this same power was given authority to kill and not torment. So, the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year (391 prophetic years from 1449 to 1840), were released to kill a third of mankind. This aggressive power in the fifth and sixth trumpets is referring the Ottoman Turkish Empire.
Rev 9:14. The drying up of the river Euphrates means that there was no border between Christians in the Byzantine Empire and their enemies which were the Muslims from the Ottoman Turkish Empire. When the border line dried up, the enemy e.g. Muslim soldiers from the Ottoman Turkish Empire went in for the attack against the Christians living in the Byzantine Empire starting at Constantinople and invading Asia Minor.
Rev 9:16. The Ottoman Turks succeeded their quest of conquering the Byzantine Empire through employing millions of Muslim soldiers on horses.
Rev 9:17. The description of the breastplates and horses are not to be interpreted literally but symbolically. The word fiery describes the Muslim soldiers having a religious fervor, wrath and anger related to the teachings they serve from Muhammed their false prophet from A.D.570-632. This wrath created trials and sufferings, indignation and punishment upon their foes the Christians in the Byzantine Empire before it fell. Sulphur is related to God´s punishment and destruction upon the wicked and non-believers. The Muslim soldiers believed they were fighting for God, and therefore took it upon themselves to administer the wrath of God upon non-believers in the Muslim faith.
Rev 9:17. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions. When a lion roars, every creature can hear it in the surrounding area. This represents a religious voice of authority and power and to enforce their teachings upon others non-believers. This is what the Muslim soldiers inflicted upon their enemies.
Rev 9:17. Out of the horse’s mouths came fire, smoke and brimstone (sulphur). Mouth in a negative understanding is related to words causing lies and destruction. It is also related to enforcing people to false worship. The fire, smoke and brimstone are symbols of persecution, wrath, punishment, anger and death, which the Muslim soldiers inflicted upon the Christians in the Byzantine Empire and Asia Minor.
Rev 9:19. Their power is in their mouth and tails which are like serpents having heads. The serpent is symbolic of Satan. The tails and mouths are symbolic of a Satanic power using lies and fierce anger and the Muslim soldiers looked down upon the Christians in the Byzantine Empire.
Rev 9:20. Only a third of mankind in the Byzantine Empire and Asia Minor were killed by the Muslim soldiers from the Ottoman Turkish empire. The rest of the worshippers of the Byzantine religion which was very similar to the Roman Catholic Church in the west, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
[1] Ellen G. White, Confrontation (Grantham, Lincolnshire: The Stanborough Press, 1978), 334. 335.
[2] Francis D. Nichol, Edit., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Washington D.C.: The Review & Herald Pub., Assoc., 1980), 795.
[3] Ellen G. White, Confrontation, 691.
[4] Ibid., 334.335.
[5] Edwin Thiele, Outline Studies in Revelation Part II (Cooranbong, NSW: Avondale College), 179.