This is the last chapter of Revelation that Dr. Dilday covered in his Poole translation. His last postings were August 2022. His translation work continued in other Latin works but not on Revelation. Likewise his old Sermon Audio sermons at Liberty and Grace Reformed Church ended with his 257th on Revelation. They span from May 2009 to July 2015.
I one summer listened to all on various hikes and walks.
All of the following is extracted from my study of Dr. Dilday’s Revelation 9 writings in his Matthew Poole translations.
I did not extract the actual Poole translation…it’s much longer.
But the useful summary of the verse with scripture reference, Dr. Dilday’s own summary in Bold text, some of the images and some of his brief audio sermon notes.. it takes about 2 hours to review all this, along with the historical theologian’s notes he quotes in the comments.
Hopefully summarizing this in one place is useful.
Poole’s Outline of Revelation 9
At the sounding of the fifth angel a star falleth from heaven, to whom is given the key of the bottomless pit, 1, he opens the pit, and there come forth locusts like scorpions, who have power to hurt men for a time, 2-11. The first woe past, 12. At the sounding of the sixth angel four angels which were bound are loosed, and bring great plagues on the earth for a limited time, 13-21.
Later in life Martin Luther reconsidered and taught that the ‘little boastful horn’ of Daniel 7 was Islam.
Note that the LBH lasts for 3.5 times and is placed AFTER the 4 beasts who come before, i.e. for 1,260 prophetic (or 1,278 solar years) from the abomination of desolation of the Temple Mount onward.
Jonathan Edwards’ History of Redemption: ‘The Mahometan kingdom is another of mighty power and vast extent, set up by Satan against the kingdom of Christ. He set this up in the Eastern empire, as he did that of Antichrist in the Western.
Mahomet was born in the year of Christ five hundred and seventy, in Arabia. When he was about forty years of age, he began to boast that he was the great prophet of God; and proceeded to teach his new-invented religion, of which he was to be worshipped as the head next under God. He published his Alcoran, which he pretended he received from the angel Gabriel; and being a subtle crafty man, possessed of considerable wealth, and living among a people who were very ignorant, and greatly divided in their opinions on religious matters, he by subtlety and fair promises of a sensual paradise, gained a number to be his followers. He set up for their prince, and propagated his religion by the sword, and made it meritorious of paradise to fight for him. By such means his party grew, and went on fighting till they conquered and brought over the neighbouring countries; and so his party gradually increased till they overran a great part of the world. First, the Saracens were some of his followers, who were a people of Arabia, where Mahomet lived, and who about the year seven hundred, dreadfully wasted the Roman empire.—They overran a great many countries belonging to the empire, and continued their conquests for a long time. These are supposed to be meant by the locusts mentioned in Revelation 9.
And then the Turks, who were originally different from the Saracens, became followers of Mahomet, and conquered all the Eastern empire. They began their empire about the year of Christ twelve hundred and ninety-six; began to invade Europe in the year thirteen hundred; took Constantinople, and so became masters of all the Eastern empire, in the year fourteen hundred and fifty-three. And thus all the cities and countries where stood those famous churches of which we read in the New Testament, as Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, etc., now became subject to the Turks. These are supposed to be prophesied of by the horsemen in Revelation 9:15 ff. And the remains of the Christians in those parts of the world, who are mostly of the Greek church, are in miserable slavery under these Turks; are treated with a great deal of barbarity and cruelty, and are become mostly very ignorant and superstitious.’
Poole on Revelation 9:1: The Origin of Islam
Verse 1:[1] And the fifth angel sounded, (Luke 10:18; Rev. 8:10) and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of (Luke 8:31; Rev. 17:8; 20:1; 9:2, 11) the bottomless pit.
And the fifth angel sounded; the fifth of the seven angels mentioned Revelation 8:2, to whom were given seven trumpets. It denoteth the beginning of a new period of calamities and miseries to the earth, or to the church. And I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: what this star falling from heaven means, is not easy to resolve. Those who think it the devil, once a star, but fallen, forget that John is not here told a story of what was in the beginning of the world, but what should be, and that five hundred years after Christ’s coming. And the same reason holds against those who think those seditious persons are meant, who did so much mischief in and about Jerusalem during the siege; this had been to have revealed to John those things which he knew were done many years before. Amongst those who think some particular eminent minister of the church, who apostatized, is meant, those seem to me to judge better, who think that Boniface the Third is meant, who, in the year 606, obtained the privilege of the pope’s supremacy, than those who understand it of Arius or Pelagius, who both of them fell two hundred years before this. It seems very harsh to interpret it of Christ, or any good angel’s descending from heaven, because the word πεπτωκότα is rightly by us translated falling, and not to be interpreted so softly as descending. In all probability, therefore, the first apostacy of the bishop of Rome was here prophesied. But how to him was given the key of the bottomless pit, (by which hell is meant here, as often in Scripture,) is hard to say; unless we understand it of his instrumentality, to send many thousands to hell by that corrupt doctrine and worship, which by him then began to obtain. But his key was borrowed, (if God had not permitted him he could not have done it,) and it turned but one way; he had only a power to open it, not (as Christ) both to open and shut it.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Satanic Origins of Islam”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=122513113822
1) Introduction
a) A “dangerous” title
b) Unavoidable danger
c) A seasonable re-acquaintance
d) Method
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 1
i) The Eastern contextii) “And the fifth angel sounded” iii) “And I saw a star fall (πεπτωκότα [pluperfect], having fallen) from heaven unto the earth” iv) “And to him was given the key of the bottomless pit”
3) Doctrine: Isalm, far from being a heaven-sent religion of peace, is a Satanic, hell-sent religion of temporal and eternal destruction and misery.
Thomas Boston’s “Christ a Refreshful Shadow in a Weary Land”: ‘The bottomless pit is already opened, the smoke is arising in our land, and the locusts are coming out of the smoke upon it, Revelation 9:1-3. The Popish party are now begun to make head, with their brethren the malignants who carry on the war with Antichrist, and to set a limb of Antichrist upon the throne: and if they succeed, what can be expected, but that the smoke of Antichristian errors, superstition, and idolatry, will overspread these nations again? So that we must resolve either to take on the Beast’s mark or Christ’s fire-mark, either burn or turn. It will be weary work to get through the smoke, which it is to be feared will stifle most of us, and blacken many. But get under Christ’s shadow now; seek now to believe, and feel the power of truth. An empty profession will not do here; lamps without oil will go out in the smoke. But be it ever so gross, it will hurt none but the profane and hypocritical professor: Reveolation 9:4, “And it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” They that have Christ’s mark of true piety, shall be kept from receiving the mark of the beast. Under Christ’s shadow they will be as the Israelites in Goshen; when darkness is over all the land, they shall have light in their dwellings.—The world is a weary land…’
Poole on Revelation 9:2: The Thick Smoke of Delusion
Verse 2:[1] And he opened the bottomless pit; and (Joel 2:2, 10) there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
And he opened the bottomless pit; he was a means of hell’s breaking loose, by loosing Satan. And there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace: I had rather interpret this generally of the great influence upon the world, that the devil, being loosed, had, in filling the world with ignorance, error, and wickedness, (for which this and the following age are infamous in all histories,) and then particularly of the errors this time abounded with. And the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit; this influence of the devil darkened the sun of the gospel, and the whole church of that age, with ignorance, error, and abominable superstition in the worship of God, attended with the lewdness and debauchery of men in their lives, which usually go together.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Thick Smoke of Islamic Delusion”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11141036222
1) Introduction
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 2
i) “And he opened the bottomless pit”
ii) “And there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace”
iii) “And the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit”
3) Relationship of Islamic theology to the principia of Christian theology
a) Our text
b) The principia
c) The principium cognoscendi
i) Historical background
ii) Dispelling the darkness
d) The principium essendi
i) Historical background
ii) Dispelling the darkness
William Tong for Matthew Henry: ‘Upon the sounding of this trumpet, the things to be observed are, 1. A star falling from heaven to the earth. Some think this star represents some eminent bishop in the Christian church, some angel of the church; for, in the same way of speaking by which pastors are called stars, the church is called heaven; but who this is expositors do not agree. Some understand it of Boniface the third bishop of Rome, who assumed the title of universal bishop, by the favour of the emperor Phocas, who, being a usurper and tyrant in the state, allowed Boniface to be so in the church, as the reward of his flattery. 2. To this fallen star was given the key of the bottomless pit…. 3. Upon the opening of the bottomless pit there arose a great smoke, which darkened the sun and the air. The devils are the powers of darkness; hell is the place of darkness. The devil carries on his designs by blinding the eyes of men, by extinguishing light and knowledge, and promoting ignorance and error. He first deceives men, and then destroys them; wretched souls follow him in the dark, or they durst not follow him.’
Poole on Revelation 9:3: Locusts out of the Smoke!
Verse 3:[1] And there came out of the smoke (Ex. 10:4; Judg. 7:12) locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, (Rev. 9:10) as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; from the influence which the devil thus let loose had upon the world, came forth a generation of men, that in their practices resembled locusts. Who are to be understood by these locusts, is not easy to resolve. The locusts were an insect with which God sometimes plagued the Egyptians; they are much in the Eastern countries. It was an east wind which brought them upon Egypt, Exodus 10:12, 13. God often hath punished people with them, they are therefore threatened, or mentioned as a judgment in case of disobedience, Deuteronomy 28:38, 42; 1 Kings 8:37; Joel 1:4; 2:25. Two things are to be remarked of them: 1. They were wont to go in infinite numbers: Proverbs 30:27, They go forth by bands: Nahum 3:15, Make thyself many as the locusts: without number, Psalm 105:34. 2. The mischief they do is expressed there, Psalm 105:35, to eat up the herbs of the land, and to devour the fruit of the ground: so they did in Egypt. We have a little specimen of them in our caterpillars in times of drought, usually caused from the wind hanging long in the east. The psalmist, Psalm 105:34, joineth the locusts and the caterpillars together. By the following description of these locusts, and the mischief which they did, Revelation 9:4, 7-10, it appeareth plainly that these were no natural, but metaphorical locusts, men that, for their numbers and the mischief they did in the world, did resemble locusts; but who these were is the question. I find but two opinions that have any probability: the one is of a late learned writer, who judgeth them the popish clergy, to whom, indeed, many things agree. 1. They come out of the smoke, that is, the great influence which the devil hath upon the world. 2. They are numerous. 3. Their king is Abaddon; they destroy every green herb, nipping religion, in all places, in the bud. But I cannot see how two or three things can agree to them: 1. That they do no hurt to the Lord’s sealed ones, when as their particular malice is against the purest and strictest profession. 2. That they do not kill, but only torment men, verse 5. 3. And (which is the greatest) I cannot see how the period of time agreeth to them. For this prophecy seemeth to respect the sixth and seventh age; and though all these things agree to the Romish clergy in later ages, especially since the Jesuits grew numerous, which is not much above one hundred and twenty years since, yet these three did not so agree to the Romish clergy in the sixth and seventh age. Their Benedictine orders began but in the year 530, and their orders of Dominicans, much more mischievous, not till upwards of the year 1200; the Jesuits, after the year 1500. I therefore rather agree with the learned and judicious Mr. Mede, with whom I also find John Napier and others agreeing, that by these locusts are meant the Turks and Saracens. 1. Their time agreeth; for they first appeared formidably to the world about the year 620. 2. They were always very numerous. 3. They came the locusts’ road, from Arabia, and the eastern parts. The Arabians (which the Saracens are) are called the children of the east, and said to be like grasshoppers for multitude.[35] Two things are objected: 1. That these locusts are commanded not to hurt the Lord’s sealed ones. 2. That their commission is but for five months. As to the latter, we shall speak to it when we come to that clause. As to the former, why may it not denote the liberty that in their conquests they generally give to all religions, so as they put none to death upon that account? How far other things will agree to them, I leave to be further considered in the next verses. And unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power; that is, such a power as scorpions have. We shall have a more particular account of this, verse 10.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Muslim Horde”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=18141049302
1) Introduction
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 3a
c) Historical fulfillment
i) Putting the pieces together
ii) Mahomet’s backgroundiii) A legacy of war
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘Out of this dark smoke there came a swarm of locusts, one of the plagues of Egypt, the devil’s emissaries headed by the antichrist, all the rout and rabble of antichristian orders, to promote superstition, idolatry, error, and cruelty; and these had, by the just permission of God, power to hurt those who had not the mark of God in their foreheads.’
Poole on Revelation 9:4: A Most Wise and Powerful Bounding
Verse 4:[1] And it was commanded them (Rev. 6:6; 7:3) that they should not hurt (Rev. 8:7) the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not (Rev. 7:3; see Exod. 12:23; Ezek. 9:4) the seal of God in their foreheads.
And it was commanded them; that is, these locusts; God so ordered it by his providence. That they should not hurt, etc.: this makes it appear, that these locusts were no insects so called, but typical; for natural locusts live upon green things; they were only to hurt profane men, and hypocrites. It is a sure rule, that when things are attributed to living creatures which do not agree to their natures, the terms are to be understood typically, not literally. Locusts use not to kill men; we may therefore be assured, that the locusts here intended, were men, not insects.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “A Most Wise and Powerful Bounding”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11514122262
1) Introduction
WCF 5:4: The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in His providence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to His own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 3b
i) “And unto them was given power”
ii) “As the scorpions of the earth have power”
c) Verse 4
i) “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree”
ii) “But only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads”
3) Doctrine: The Scripture is the Word of God.
4) Doctrine: God will cause even the wrath of man to praise Him, and the remainder He will restrain.
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘Upon the sounding of this trumpet, the things to be observed are… 5. The hurt they were to do them was not a bodily, but a spiritual hurt. They should not in a military way destroy all by fire and sword; the trees and the grass should be untouched, and those they hurt should not be slain; it should not be a persecution, but a secret poison and infection in their souls, which should rob them of their purity, and afterwards of their peace. Heresy is a poison in the soul, working slowly and secretly, but will be bitterness in the end. 6. They had no power so much as to hurt those who had the seal of God in their foreheads. God’s electing, effectual, distinguishing grace will preserve his people from total and final apostasy.’
Poole on Revelation 9:5: The Era of the Locust-Scorpions
Verse 5:[1] And to them it was given that they should not kill them, (Rev. 11:7; 9:10) but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
[And it was given, etc.] That is, permitted by God (Piscator, Ribera). Now, was given to them power (Beza, Piscator).
And to them it was given, etc.: Supposing the Saracens and Turks here meant by the locusts, here arise two difficulties: 1. How it can be said of them, that they had no power to kill, but only torment men. 2. How their time is set for five months, whereas they have already tormented the world more than a thousand years; and how long they shall yet continue to do so, God only knows: they are both great difficulties. Alsted[11] tells us: That Mahomet began in the year 622, and the Saracens entered Spain 714, where they were called Moors, and kept possession of that kingdom eight hundred years, and that in the year 719, they besieged Constantinople with a navy of three thousand ships and three hundred thousand land soldiers; that before this time they had made themselves masters of Arabia, Palestina, Syria, Persia, Egypt, Africa, and Spain; and in the year 726, carried into France an army consisting of three hundred and seventy-five thousand, where they were beaten by Charles Martell,[12] father to King Pepin.[13] Mr. Mede telleth us, that the Saracens grievously vexed the countries subject to the Roman emperor, but could not take either Rome or Constantinople. The latter was taken by the Turks, in the year 1457, commanded by Sultan Mahomet. This is but a hard interpretation of those words, that they should not kill them; which, it may be, hath made some other interpreters choose to interpret these locusts to signify the Roman clergy, who indeed did not kill men for religion, of many years. But both the one and the other tormented the world enough, and that like a scorpion, which pierceth a man with a venomous sting, and puts him to great pain. For the five months, we shall again meet with them, verse 10.
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘The hurt they were to do them was not a bodily, but a spiritual hurt. They should not in a military way destroy all by fire and sword; the trees and the grass should be untouched, and those they hurt should not be slain; it should not be a persecution, but a secret poison and infection in their souls, which should rob them of their purity, and afterwards of their peace. Heresy is a poison in the soul, working slowly and secretly, but will be bitterness in the end…. The power given to these factors for hell is limited in point of time: five months, a certain season, and but a short season, though how short we cannot tell. Gospel-seasons have their limits, and times of seduction are limited too.’
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Lord of History” (Revelation 9:5)
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12414910401
1) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 5
i) The images
ii) Historical fulfillment
(1) Tormenting, but not killing
(2) Five months
(a) Terminus ab quo
(b) Terminus ad quem
2) Doctrine: The Scriptures are the Word of the omniscient God.
3) Doctrine: God foreordains whatsoever comes to pass.
WLC 12: What are the decrees of God? God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men.
Poole on Revelation 9:6: The Flight of Death from the Sufferers
Verse 6:[1] And in those days (Job 3:21; Is. 2:19; Jer. 8:3; Rev. 6:16) shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
[Men shall seek (or, wish for[2] [Grotius]) death] Because of the most grievous famine (Grotius), because of the highest anxiety (Durham), or anguish (Ribera), so that they might be freed from such evils (Gagnæus). That sting, therefore, will drive them mad, etc. (Pareus).
[And they shall not find it] As in Job 3:21. No one will be willing to kill them. Cyprian,[3] To those wishing to die it was not permitted to be killed.[4] Pliny, So many times was death invoked5.
[And they shall desire to die, etc.] The same thing twice, after the fashion of the Hebrews, to signify the vehemence of the desire. In the place of φεύξεται, will flee, in a manuscript it is φεύγει, flees,[6] as if in the present (Grotius).
Shall men seek death: The calamities of those days shall be so great, that men shall be weary of their lives.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Burdensome Existence of Sufferers under Islam”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=130141824102
1) Introduction
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 6
i) Exposition
ii) Historical fulfillment
(1) Historical outline (2) Statistics (3) Policy toward professing Christians (4) Summation
3) Use: Let us pray for deliverance from the cruel oppressions and blasphemies of the Muslim.
WLC 191a: What do we pray for in the second petition? In the second petition [which is, Thy kingdom come,] acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan, we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in; the church furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances, purged from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate: that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted: that Christ would rule in our hearts here, and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him for ever: and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.
Directory for the Publick Worship of God, “Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon”: To pray for the propagation of the gospel and kingdom of Christ to all nations; for the conversion of the Jews, the fulness of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the second coming of our Lord; for the deliverance of the distressed churches abroad from the tyranny of the antichristian faction, and from the cruel oppressions and blasphemies of the Turk; for the blessing of God upon the reformed churches, especially upon the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, now more strictly and religiously united in the Solemn National League and Covenant; and for our plantations in the remote parts of the world…
Poole on Revelation 9:7, 8: The Locust-Scorpions Revisited
Verse 7:[1] And (Joel 2:4) the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; (Nah. 3:17) and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, (Dan. 7:8) and their faces were as the faces of men.
And the shapes of the locusts were, etc.: This whole description of these locusts speaks them no insects, but to be mischievous men; they were very terrible to look upon, like horses harnessed ready to fight; so Joel 2:4. And upon their heads were as it were crowns like gold; this signified they should be great and rich conquerors. And their faces were as the faces of men; yet these were men.
Verse 8:[5] And they had hair as the hair of women, and (Joel 1:6) their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
And they had hair as the hair of women; disheveled, or hanging loose; the Arabians were wont to go so; or this may signify, that they were beautiful as well as terrible to look upon.
And their teeth were as the teeth of lions; sharp and strong: see Joel 1:6.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Muslim Horde Revisited”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2414949568
1) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 7
i) Images
ii) Historical fulfillment
c) Verse 8
i) Images
ii) Historical fulfillment
2) Doctrine: It is the responsibility of a people to maintain culturally a distinction between men and women.
a) Our text
b) Scripture proofs
i) The Divine Order: Genesis 1 and 2
ii) The expected “Amen” from the rational creation
c) Application
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘These locusts were of a monstrous size and shape, Revelation 9:7-8, etc. They were equipped for their work like horses prepared to battle. (1.) They pretended to great authority, and seemed to be assured of victory: They had crowns like gold on their heads; it was not a true, but a counterfeit authority. (2.) They had the show of wisdom and sagacity, the faces of men, though the spirit of devils. (3.) They had all the allurements of seeming beauty, to ensnare and defile the minds of men—hair like women; their way of worship was very gaudy and ornamental. (4.) Though they appeared with the tenderness of women, they had the teeth of lions, were really cruel creatures.’
Poole on Revelation 9:9, 10: The Locust-Scorpions Revisited, Part 2
Verse 9:[1] And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was (Joel 2:5-7) as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; armed with the best armour of defence.
And the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle; like locusts, they moved very swiftly. This agreeth to the Saracens, who made such haste in their conquests, that (saith Mr. Mede) in little more than eighty years they had subdued Palestina, Syria, both the Armenias, almost all the Lesser Asia, Persia, India, Egypt, Numidia,[5] all Barbary,[6] Portugal, Spain; and within a few more, Sicily, Candia,[7] Cyprus, and were come to the very gates of Rome; so as they had many crowns on their heads, and moved as with wings.
Verse 10:[8] And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: (Rev. 9:5) and their power was to hurt men five months.
And they had tails like unto scorpions; a kind of venomous serpents that have their stings in their tails, with which they presently kill both men and beasts. And their power was to hurt men five months; what these five months mean is very hard to say; certainly it is a certain number for an uncertain, and mentioned rather than any other time, because it is (as they say) the usual time of the life of locusts; though some observe, that five months have in them (counting as the Hebrews, thirty days to the month) one hundred and fifty days, and a day standing for a year, as in prophetical writings, it denoteth the just time the Saracens raged in Italy, from the year 830 to the year 980; as to which I refer my reader to search histories.
William Gurnall’s Christian in Complete Armor: ‘The seducer is another enemy the Christian hath to cope with, and no less dangerous than the other: nay, in this respect, far more formidable—the persecutor can kill only the body, but the seducer comes to poison the soul. Better to be slain outright by his sword, than to be “taken alive,” as the apostle phraseth it, “in this snare of the devil,” which these whom he sends forth a-birding for souls privily lay, even where they are oft least suspected. When Paul fell into the mouth of the persecutor, he could yet glory, and rejoice that he had escaped the latter: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. See how this holy man triumphs and flourisheth his colours, as if the field were fought and the day won; whereas, good man, he was now going to lay his head on the block under the hand of bloody Nero’s headsman, as you may perceive, 2 Timothy 4:6, “I am now ready to be offered up,” alluding to the kind of death, it is like, he was shortly to undergo. But you will possibly say, What great cause had he then to cry victoria—victory, when his affairs were in such a desperate and deplored condition? Yes, this made him triumph, he had “kept the faith;” and that was a thousand times more joy and comfort to him than the laying down his life was trouble. If he had left the faith by cowardice, or chopped it away for any false doctrine, he had lost his soul by losing of that; but having kept the faith, he knew that he did but part with his life to receive a better at God’s hands than was taken from him by man’s. The locusts mentioned, Revelation 9—which Mr. Mede takes to be the Saracens, who were so great a scourge and plague to the Roman world, newly Christianized—we find “they had tails like unto scorpions, and their were stings in their tails,” Revelation 9:10: which the learned writer forenamed interprets to be their cursed Mahometan doctrine with which they poisoned the souls of the people wherever their conquering sword came.
It seems, though the sword of war in the hand of a barbarous bloody enemy be a heavy judgment to a people, yet the propagation of cursed errors is a greater. This is the “sting in the tail” of that judgment. I do not doubt but many that were godly might fall by the sword of that enemy in such a general calamity, but only those that were not among God’s sealed ones felt the sting in their tail by being poisoned with their cursed imposture; and therefore they alone are said to be “hurt” by them, Revelation 9:4. We may be cut off by an enemy’s sword and not be hurt; but we cannot drink in their false doctrine, and say so. Now, the word of God is the sword whereby the Spirit enables the saints to defend themselves against this enemy; yea, to rout and ruin this subtle band of Satan. We read of Apollos, Acts 18:28, that “he mightily convinced the Jews.” He did, as it were, knock them down with the weight of his reasoning. And out of what armoury fetched he the sword with which he so prevailed? See Acts 18:28. “Showing by the Scriptures”—not their cabala—”that Jesus was Christ;” and therefore he is said to be “mighty in the Scriptures,” Acts 18:24, a mighty man of valour, and so expert, through his excellent knowledge in them, that the erroneous Jews could no more stand before him holding this sword in his hand, than a child with a wooden dagger can against a giant formidably armed with killing weapons.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Muslim Horde Revisited, Part 2”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=210141546400
1) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 9
i) “And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron”ii) “And the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle”
c) Verse 10
2) Doctrine: The Lord teaches a man’s hands to war.
Poole on Revelation 9:11: Abaddon
Verse 11:[1] (Eph. 2:2) And they had a king over them, which is (Rev. 9:1) the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon (that is to say, a destroyer).
And they had a king over them, etc.: Solomon saith, Proverbs 30:27, The locusts have no king, yet go they forth by bands; according to which these locusts cannot be understood of insects so called; or, if they have a king, yet it is certain the devil is not their king, who is here called the angel of the bottomless pit. Abaddon; from אָבַד, he hath destroyed. Apollyon; that is, a destroyer; intimating that the whole business of this barbarous enemy should be to ruin and destroy nations.
Fisher’s Catechism: ‘Q. 106.18. How many are the ways by which Satan manages his temptations?
A. Two ways chiefly, either in a way of subtlety, using wiles and devices; hence called that old serpent which deceiveth the whole world, Revelation 20:2, compared with Revelation 12:9; or in a way of furious assault, throwing his fiery darts, Ephesians 6:16. In both which respects he is called, in the Greek tongue, Apollyon; that is, a destroyer, Revelation 9:11.
Q. 106.19. Why called a destroyer?
A. Because he aims at nothing less than the eternal ruin and destruction of all mankind, 1 Peter 5:8: “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.”‘
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘The king and commander of this hellish squadron is here described, [1.] As an angel; so he was by nature, an angel, once one of the angels of heaven. [2.] The angel of the bottomless pit; an angel still, but a fallen angel, fallen into the bottomless pit, vastly large, and out of which there is no recovery. [3.] In these infernal regions he is a sort of prince and governor, and has the powers of darkness under his rule and command. [4.] His true name is Abaddon, Apollyon—a destroyer, for that is his business, his design, and employment, to which he diligently attends, in which he is very successful, and takes a horrid hellish pleasure; it is about this destroying work that he sends out his emissaries and armies to destroy the souls of men. And now here we have the end of one woe; and where one ends another begins.’
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: Idolatry, and Observations on Providence
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3514141120
Conclusion: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=62222113256409
1) Introduction
2) Deeper into the history
a) The 150 years
b) The continuing history
c) Additional observations
3) Application to our time
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “Apollyon”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=225141015481
1) Introduction
2) Review of doctrine: The malice of the Devil is such that he seeks the destruction of men.
a) Our text
b) 1 Peter 5:8, 9
3) Doctrine: Two of the Devil’s principal weapons in his warfare against mankind are error and hatred.
a) Our text
b) Other Scripture proofs
i) John 8:44
ii) 1 John 3:7-14
4) Use: In our warfare with the Devil, let us be sober, vigilant, and resistant.
a) John’s remedies
b) Peter’s remedies
Dr. Dilday Sermon: “Abaddon”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21714104467
1) Introduction
2) Analysis
a) Context
b) Verse 11
i) Images
Ἀβαδδών/Abaddon
From אָבַד, to perish
אֲבַדּוֹן/Abaddon, destruction or place of destruction
Job 31:12: “For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction (אֲבַדּוֹן), and would root out all mine increase.”
Proverbs 15:11: “Hell and destruction (וַאֲבַדּוֹן) are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”
Ἀπολλύων/Apollyon/Destroyer
From ἀπολλύω, to destroy
ii) Historical fulfillment
3) Doctrine: The malice of the Devil is such that he seeks the destruction of men.
a) Our text
b) 1 Peter 5:8, 9
διάβολος/devil
From διαβάλλω, to slander or accuse
c) Baptisms
Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God “Of Baptism”: …That children, by baptism, are solemnly received into the bosom of the visible church, distinguished from the world, and them that are without, and united with believers; and that all who are baptized in the name of Christ, do renounce, and by their baptism are bound to fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh: That they are Christians, and federally holy before baptism, and therefore are they baptized…
Poole on Revelation 9:12: An Interlude
Verse 12:[1] (Rev. 8:13) One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
One woe is past, etc.: One period of time is over, in which God hath plagued the world with a very great judgment; but there are two more to come, which will be equally, if not more, calamitous.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Danger of Carnal Security”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=311141441294
1) Introduction
a) The sad condition of the Visible Church by the end of the 4th century
b) The provoked Mediator
2) Analysis: Verse 12
a) The end of the First Woe
i) A history of decline
ii) The end in the East
iii) The end in the West
b) A pause
i) Text
ii) History
iii) Spiritual landscape
iv) Political landscape
3) Doctrine: Sins against both judgments and mercies are more heinous in the sight of God.
a) Our text
b) Applications
4) Doctrine: Self-delusion is not security.
a) Our text
b) Applications
Poole on Revelation 9:13: The Sixth Trumpet
Verse 13:[1] And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God…
[And the sixth, etc.] A signal given of new evils (Grotius, similarly Pareus).
A voice from the four horns of the golden altar: That is, from God, I heard him give a command, which voice is said to have proceeded from the golden altar, (in allusion to Exodus 30:3,) because there God received the prayers of his people; and this voice proceeding from that place, might signify the following judgment to come, in answer to the prayers of his servants’ souls from thence crying to him for vengeance. See Revelation 6:9, 10.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “Application of the Service of the Horns”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=42814925495
1) Introduction
2) The principal lessons from the service pertaining to the horns
3) Return to the history
a) Summary of the 7th century
b) The 8th century
i) 711—Leo the Isaurian
ii) 754—Constantine Copronymus
iii) 781—Irene
iv) 842—Theodora
4) Application to our day
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Horns of the Altar, Part 5”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=42114155092
1) Introduction
2) Three services concerning the horns
a) Outline
i) The priest’s sins of ignorance
ii) The people’s sins of ignorance
iii) The Day of Atonement
b) The priest’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-12)
c) The people’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:13-21)
d) The individual’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:22-35)
e) Some preliminary observations
3) Doctrine: WLC 150: All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous, but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
4) Doctrine: Sins of ignorance, particularly with respect to God’s holy things, defile worship and disrupt fellowship.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Horns of the Altar, Part 4”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=414141838273
1) Introduction
2) Three services concerning the horns
a) Outline
i) The priest’s sins of ignorance
ii) The people’s sins of ignorance
iii) The Day of Atonement
b) The priest’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-12)
i) Verse 1-10
ii) Verse 11
Doctrine: The suffering of the Lord Jesus was in every part of His human nature.
WCF 8:4a: This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which that He may discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it; endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption.
iii) Verse 12
(1) “Even the whole bullock”
(2) “Shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt”
Doctrine: Even while Christ was bearing the guilt of our sin, He was holy unto the Lord.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Horns of the Altar, Part 3”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=47141224810
1) Introduction
2) Three services concerning the horns
a) Outline
i) The priest’s sins of ignorance
ii) The people’s sins of ignorance
iii) The Day of Atonement
b) The priest’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-12)
i) Verse 1-6
ii) Verse 7
iii) Verse 8
(1) Exposition
(2) Use: Let us give the first and best part to God.
iv) Verse 9
v) Verse 10
(1) Exposition
(2) Doctrine: By the blood of Jesus Christ, the believer is reconciled to God.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Horns of the Altar, Part 2”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3311416314110
1) Introduction
2) Three services concerning the horns
a) Outline
i) The priest’s sins of ignorance
ii) The people’s sins of ignorance
iii) The Day of Atonement
b) The priest’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-12)
i) Verse 1
ii) Verse 2
iii) Verse 3: If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people (לְאַשְׁמַ֣ת הָעָ֑ם); then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
אַשְׁמָה: wrong-doing, guiltiness
ל: to or for, according to
WLC 151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others? Sins receive their aggravations, 1. From the persons offending: if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others.
Use: Let superiors be more circumspect concerning their sins, because of the greater hurtfulness and heinousness of the offenses.
iv) Verse 4
Doctrine: The imputation of sin is a Biblical fact.
v) Verse 5
vi) Verse 6
Use: Let us give thanks for our Jesus, who atones for, and purges, our worship.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Horns of the Altar, Part 1”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3271491700
1) Introduction
2) Three services concerning the horns
a) Outline
i) The priest’s sins of ignorance
ii) The people’s sins of ignorance
iii) The Day of Atonement
b) The priest’s sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:1-12)
i) Verse 1
ii) Verse 2
Doctrine: Sins of ignorance are sins indeed.
iii) Verse 3a
Doctrine: Jesus is the Christ/Messiah.
Doctrine: The sins of the Aaronic priest are so many proofs that they could not save, and that their priesthood was not ultimate.
Dr. Dilday’s Sermon: “The Golden Altar”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3201417375610
1) Introduction: the Apocalyptic scenery
a) Tabernacle imagery
b) John’s position
c) The golden altar
i) Descriptionii) Service iii) Significance
William Tong (for Matthew Henry): ‘Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself….
The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Revelation 9:13-14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church’s enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of God’s anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, Revelation 9:14. 3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may sometimes lie at a great distance from them, so that no danger may be apprehended from them. These four messengers of divine judgment lay bound in the river Euphrates, a great way from the European nations. Here the Turkish power had its rise, which seems to be the story of this vision.’
Rainbow Trout 