iii. 383), it wanted but three years of coinciding exactly with the

period.

These considerations show with what propriety the fifth trumpet――the symbol of the locusts――is referred to the Arabian hordes under the guidance of Mahomet and his successors. On the supposition that it was the design of John to symbolize these events, the symbol has been chosen which of all others was best adapted to the end. If, now that these events are past, we should endeavour to find some symbol which would appropriately represent them, we could not find one that would be more striking or appropriate than that which is here employed by John.

12 One[298] woe is past; _and_, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

12. _One woe is past._ The _woe_ referred to in ver. 1‒11. In ch.