Showing posts with label destroyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label destroyer. Show all posts

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Rev 8:13, 9:1-12 - Fifth Trumpet And Locusts

Revelation 8:13, 9:1-12 NIV
A great eagle flies in midair calling out "Woe! Woe! Woe!" The last three trumpets are about to sound ushering in even more destruction. The fifth angel sounds the trumpet opening up the Abyss so that locusts ascend upon the earth to afflict those who do not bear the seal of God on their foreheads.

The vision is reminiscent of the plague of locusts that descended upon Egypt (Ex 10:13-15) except that the locusts in Egypt attacked plant-life that was needed to sustain the people and the locusts in John's vision actually attack and torture the people who do not worship the Lord. The locusts will cause so much fear and pain that people would rather die than endure the attack. But, they will not die. Death will elude them.

The vision of these locusts is most unlike the grasshopper-like locusts from Exodus. These locusts are terrifying creatures to see. They look like horses prepared for battle; yet, their faces resemble human faces. They have hair and upon their heads is something like a gold crowns. Teeth like lions' teeth and breastplates like iron make them formidable attackers. It is hard to imagine what these locusts might actually look like or be. They are sent, we are told, by their King Apollyon (Destroyer), who is the angel of the Abyss. We will know exactly what this vision means for us when we see it with our own eyes. Until, then we would do well to remember that even God saved His people from slavery in Egypt; He is with those who love Him today.

The fifth trumpet has sounded and the first woe is passed. But, it is not over. There are more woes to come.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Isaiah 16 - Refuge For All Who Believe

"Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer. The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness."  (Isaiah 16:4-5 NIV)

The LORD desires harm to no one. He offers refuge to all, even to the Moabites, who will turn from the wicked and ways and toward Him. In love, He has established a throne, upon which, our LORD Jesus the Christ sits and reigns with justice and righteousness.

The Moabites are offered an opportunity to avoid the prophesied destruction. We are all offered this opportunity to avoid destruction. In receiving that opportunity, we may find ourselves as homeless refugees in a world where we are not particularly desired. But, we will find refuge in the house of the LORD and with His people. The LORD will and has prevailed!

God's Peace - Pr. J