Revelation Answer to Question #9

 

9. Who are horsemen in Revelation 9:16?

Rather than trying to imagine 200 million literal horsemen with fire coming out of their mouths, what "sign" language (Revelation 1:1) is here being described?

These "horsemen" respond to the trumpeting of the "sixth angel."

The Apostle Paul himself admonishes that anyone who preaches should speak clearly so that everyone can understand, "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" (1 Corinthians 14:8).

Martin Luther was the "sixth angel" who blew a very "certain sound" heralding the Protestant Reformation.

As a result, an "army" of Protestants (approximately 200 million since his day) has gone forth and "killed" a substantial minority—"one third" (Revelation 9:16-18)—of Catholics.

They "killed," that is, destroyed their claim to be Catholic. (This would be similar to "burning" a tare.  When the gospel seed is planted at the beginning of the age, some are true Christian "wheat," and some from the field turn out to be imitation Christian "tares."  "Tares" are bundled and burned—they cease to pretend to be Christians!)

The Christian is to told to put on the "breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14). These "horsemen" had flashing, fiery "breastplates" representing how their righteousness of Justification by Faith was offensive and destructive to Catholic doctrines.

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