Translations
Original
Notes
The connection between the four angels and their army is unclear.
two hundred million: This number symbolizes an extremely large group that cannot be counted. Even at its greatest strength, the ancient Roman army with twenty-one legions numbered only about 126,000 soldiers. It is not useful to use this number to identify any specific country with such an overwhelming destructive force.
The fifth and sixth trumpets show how God's judgment affects people worldwide and highlight how worthless it is to resist God. These judgments should lead to repentance, but they do not. Sin controls people so much that they choose to worship the evil forces that harm them instead of repenting and turning to God.
The second series of judgments involves seven trumpets. Like the first series (Revelation 6:1–8:1), it includes a pause (10:1–11:14; compare 7:1–17) and concludes with a view of God's eternal kingdom (11:15–19; see 7:9–8:1).
The trumpet judgments are similar to the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14–11:10). They aim to show that earthly gods (or evil powers) are powerless and to clearly demonstrate God's power and control.
Glossary
Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Head
Topics
Armies: Figurative Cavalry: Mounted: On Horses China Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Army of Horsemen