Rev 9:17, Abrams Main Battle Tank Very Possibly Identified!
Interpretation:
Rev 9:17-And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: And the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
This interpretation is an object of destruction-military in nature. I firmly believe that John is describing several armored tanks in battle. In this interpretation I incorporated the best pictures of tanks in which each will best describe John’s vision.
Visioning of what John is witnessing in his vision, I’m viewing a full military tank assault. John has referred the tanks as Horses, comparing the clanking of the moving tank tracks as galloping hooves of Horses.
One thing to take note of is, the Abrams Main Battle Tank is the only one that i have found that fulfills the characteristics of what John is describing! Below: What I beleive what John was referring to as gems called Jacinth. Rev 9:17-And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone:
Fire Burning Coal
Jacinth Resource: The “Ancient Jacinth” referred to in Rev. 9:17; there are several variations of this stone and colors. So I pick out the best of my resource that describes the colors that I found that best fits this passage. [Color of a Burning Coal, (Reddish Black-Color of Smoke), Other ancient translation sources express, the Color of Burning Coal, Black Powder, and wouldn’t you know it– the Astro Sign of Jacinth is Leo,[the Lion] also mentioned in 9:17. (And them that sat on them, having breastplates of Fire, and of Jacinth, and Brimstone).
My speculation on this is, yes there are several breastplates. First of all we do not know if John vision was at night or day. Most likely night time! Now, if it was “them” or men that were firing those turret mounted machine guns, the gun powder flashes coming off the ends of their machine gun muzzles-along with tracer bullets or cannon fire, would be easily viewed as (Brimstone) from John’s view point, it would have lighted up a certain portion of the turret reflecting the machine gun or cannon fire flashes, giving an appearance of breastplates of fire! [Jacinth Color-of a Burning Coal, and the red gemstone as fire.
(M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank) and them that sat on them–“a double plural sentence” strongly viewed as several tanks with machine gunners on the turrets.
Would John have had words to associate with “Cannon/Cannon Fire?” The answer would have been obviously no.
(And out of their mouths issued Fire and Smoke and Brimstone)–This is exactly what a cannon does, no one can second guess these characteristics!
Let’s study the picture characteristics of a Military Tank.
The side view of a turret does have a similar shape of a Lion’s head.
Also some tanks are equipped with flame-throwers, and a cannon mounted on the front of the turret that when fired will produce Fire, Smoke and Brimstone Characteristics. Also there is most of the time a machine gun mounted on top next to the hatch to keep foot soldiers from getting to close with explosives.
Would John have had words to associatewith a “Turret?”
(And the Heads of the Horses were as the Heads of Lions) Let me point out that the front angle shape of the turret is exactly the same as the Forehead and Eye arrangement of a Lion.
In 1916, the first effective Military Tank was built by Britain, to break through the lethal barriers of the stalemated trench battles. The first tank vs. tank battle was in 1918 between the British Mark 1Tank and Germans A7V Tank.
Right: German A7V tank at Roye on March 21, 1918.
Left: British Mark I tank in action on 26 September 1916 (moving left to right). Photo by Ernest Brooks.