Page 19 - 10 The Beginning of Woes
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THE STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS
Stephen N. Haskell
“Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at
hand” Revelation 22:10.
capture Constantinople. These were the
“locusts” that spread over the face of the earth.
Like the insect from which they are named,
they devoured everything that came in their
way, and stung men as a scorpion stings with
its tail.
The failure of the Arabs to capture
Constantinople during these years was due to
the absence of a centralized government; for
the Saracens were still controlled by caliphs;
and jealousy had led to the elevation of several
leaders, each faction having its following.
They went, as Solomon said of the locusts, in
bands without a king. The dash of the Arab
cavalry is proverbial in history. Arabia is
considered to be the home of the horse; and
Gibbon says (chapter 50): “These horses are
