The Second Coming and the mention of horses

[Matt Faith]

"In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness."-Zechariah 12:4

Hello, recently I've been struggling with verses in the Old Testament regarding the Second Coming that mention horses and horsemen. My question is, are there still countries today with horse drive cavalry? And also is it meant to be taken literally, or symbolically?

 

[DeaconDean]

Eschatology, a study of "last things", is a broad stroke of the brush.

Let me say this, there is only one mention of Christ's return on a "horse", and that is in Rev. 19.

On the day of Christ's ascention into heaven, there is no mention of Jesus ascending up, into heaven, upon a horse. But there were (presumably) two angels who appeared and spoke to the disciples and told them not to fear, that they saw Him go, He would return in the same manner. (cf. Acts 1:9-11)

Personally, I believe Zachariahs prophesy is tied into Christ's return in Rev. 19.

But that is just my .02 worth.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Avid]

... My question is, are there still countries today with horse drive cavalry? And also is it meant to be taken literally, or symbolically?

As was stated, it is a broad brush that is usually used in studying or interpreting End Times Prophesies. Some things mentioned in scripture could have a meaning in these things, and a separate meaning for the times of old. It is not a single-dimension concept.

Also, simply because there are not armies presently using men on horses, this does not necessarily mean there never will be again. There are things that we have been warned might happen that would render all out fancy technological advancements just so much plastic and metal. It would be a grand undertaking to recover in any way, and having a horse borne cavalry might happen before some other things.

Not definite, but possible!

 

[DeaconDean]

As was stated, it is a broad brush that is usually used in studying or interpreting End Times Prophesies. Some things mentioned in scripture could have a meaning in these things, and a separate meaning for the times of old. It is not a single-dimension concept.

Also, simply because there are not armies presently using men on horses, this does not necessarily mean there never will be again. There are things that we have been warned might happen that would render all out fancy technological advancements just so much plastic and metal. It would be a grand undertaking to recover in any way, and having a horse borne cavalry might happen before some other things.

Not definite, but possible!

Quite true.

Ever seen the movie "Enemy at the Gates"?

Russians in WWII were sent to the front line. The first guy given a rifle and the second guy given a clip of ammo. When the first guy fell, the second guy could pick up the gun and carry on.

Writting a commentary on Mt. 24, I ran across a report by the Defense agency where China could at any given moment field an effective army of 350 million. They don't have the guns, but a similar scene couldf take place as above in the movie.

And, there is always the explanation that the horses could be an allegory of something they had no idea how to describe on future "end time" events.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[David Pratt]

King James Version Bible


Zechariah Chapter 12

2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

3. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

4. In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

5. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.


I believe this a literal, future, event. Perhaps it is between the future time period of the 1000 rein of Christ & the Great White Throne Judgment. In any event, the description seems literal.

 

[DISRAELI]

Why not take it as representing "human power", which is neutralised at the full presence of God in power?

 

[Avid]

... "Enemy at the Gates"?

Russians in WWII were sent to the front line. The first guy given a rifle and the second guy given a clip of ammo. When the first guy fell, the second guy could pick up the gun and carry on...

The imagery in the movie got the point across. Here was a fellow who was not sure what would happen, because he was not given a gun, though about the most important one to give it to!

There is a possibility of EMP from solar activity, or another source, that could take away what we know as TECHNOLOGY, and put us where we were 150 years ago. It is possible that something, like was mentioned above, happens, and this is after the 1000 years, and things are very simple.

A thousand years of peace, and there may not need to be what we have for technology today. It is important for EVERYONE to know (regardless of this situation) that, for the many thousands of years of human existence, there was not electric service to every home, no auto's running to and fro, and there were no computers. Laundry was washed by hand, and refrigeration was stored ice that was harvested in Winter from lakes and ponds.

I had a friend tell me, when I was young, that he (an old man at the time) had seen more change than people of ANY generation. He meant that he could remember having never seen an automobile, or knowing about people flying planes through the air. All the trains were steam driven, and there was no radio or television. It may take only seconds, days or weeks to put the world right back there, and the western world would feel it worse.

 

[SaintJoeNow]

I was told that China's 200 million man army, the only army in history which has ever been able to fulfill that number referred to for the kings of the East in Revelation, will be largely transported by horses and they have the horses ready to go.

 

[iam13]

Very interesting. I have and ride a white horse. A steel white horse. eheh

 

[Goodbook]

um, interesting question. I'm sure there's many countries that still ride horses instead of cars. Mongolia comes to mind, and Tibet I think.

 

[AnneY]

Horses are used in various armies, mostly for ceremonial purposes, but also even in combat. Not as many as used to be, but they're still used: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/06/us/afghanistan-horse-soldiers-memorial/
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22951548

 

[Goodbook]

The Mounties in Canada is another one.