“For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails, which resemble snakes, have heads, and they inflict injury with them” (Revelation 9:19 HCSB).
If we associate these references from Revelation 9:17-19 with various forms of mechanized warfare, then these “breastplates” may translate to some form of protective gear. “Fire, smoke and sulfur” might describe the use of an ordinance launcher or similar type of armament. Revelation 9:19 also provides us with the following description: “The power of these horses is in their mouths and their tails” (GW). Whatever form that power takes, it clearly describes the use of front and rear mounted weaponry.
“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).
This passage establishes a relationship between the “works of their hands” and the broader concept of worship. “Worship” signifies a profound act of reverence toward another person or thing. In also conveys the image of kissing one’s hand, just as one might do in the presence of royalty. (1) So those who survived the onslaught described in Revelation chapter nine stubbornly continued to offer the respect and reverence that is reserved for God alone to His enemies and/or inanimate objects.
That brings us to this reference to “…idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk” (GNT). While idolatry may encompass a range of behaviors, we can associate an idol with anything we love, fear, or depend upon more than God. When something takes God’s place within our lives, that thing (whatever it is) effectively becomes an idol.
When we speak of idolatry, we are essentially referring to a question of misplaced priorities. For instance, let’s take the case of an individual who prioritizes the acquisition of financial wealth above all else. A person who prioritizes money in that manner is just as guilty of idolatry as those who worshipped “idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.” The same is true of anything that takes God’s place within our lives.
Objects of idolatry might include material possessions, positions of power or influence, or other human beings, to name a few examples. Therefore, we may rightfully classify anything that displaces the love and devotion that belongs to our Creator as an idol.
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(1) See G4352 – proskyneo – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4352/kjv/tr/0-1/