Showing posts with label torture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label torture. 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
 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Matthew 26:31-35 - Will You Deny Jesus?

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matt 26:31-35 NIV)

The Lord knows that Peter is not going to keep this promise. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today people around the world are persecuted; are threatened with torture and even death for His sake. We may wonder how Peter, who knew Jesus so intimately, could desert him? But, what about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to consider dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

Consider too, this day, how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we have left undone.

God's Peace - Pr. J