Through Much Tribulation
Through Much Tribulation
We now look at the vision of the four angels released at the river Euphrates to go and kill. This vision, the second of three "woes", comes at the sounding of the sixth trumpet. This is "the second woe" of three which the eagle lamented (Rev 8:13)
Rev 9:3-6
locusts "Then out of the smoke came locusts" (Rev 9:3). These creatures John calls locusts, perhaps for want of a better name, were strange indeed. They had a sting in their tails like scorpions, and other features as we shall see. These creatures are a symbol of the harm that tribulations on earth can do to the vulnerable —those who have no hope in Christ.
grass "The locusts were told not to hurt the grass of the earth nor any green thing" (Rev 9:4). Green pastures and trees are symbolic of eternal blessings (Psa 23:1-3, Rev 22:2). God has "blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph 1:2-3). Satan is given no permission to harm those blessings. They are the pasture and orchard of the kingdom of heaven on earth. Satan is forbidden to touch even one blade of grass there.
A locust forbidden to harm any green thing, is a locust forbidden to fulfill its purpose in life —for eating green things is what a locust is supposed to do. This tells us that the devil and his angels have rejected God's purpose for themselves so God has made their existence futile. They are alienated from the eternal blessings of Christ, and what they cannot have, they also cannot harm.
seal The locusts were permitted to hurt "only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads" (Rev 9:4). Everyone on earth, Christian or not, suffers tribulation (the smoke in the vision). However the Christian has the seal of God upon him as a ward against evil, so that tribulation can do him no spiritual harm (the sting of the locusts in the vision). Jesus said, "Do not fear those who can kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Rather fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell" (Mtt 10:28). In the gospel, the “seal of God” is the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us as a guardian and guarantee (Eph 1:13-14). Those who refuse this seal leave themselves vulnerable to harm by Satan.
The seal on the forehead suggests enslavement, and the gospel teaches that Christians are slaves of God. In baptism, we are released from sin by the death of Christ, but we become slaves of righteousness under Christ (Rom 6:4-7,16). Of course God treats his slaves very well —indeed he treats them as sons (Rom 8:14-18). In the visions, those who refused the seal of God on their foreheads remained slaves of sin and accepted instead "the mark of the beast" (Rev 19:20).
kill The locusts "were not permitted to kill anyone" (Rev 9:5). This symbolizes the spiritual fact that it is not in anyone's power to kill your soul. You can bring spiritual death upon yourself, but nobody else can bring it upon you. Spiritual death is not within even Satan's power. So the state of your soul is up to you. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus, amid all your tribulations, can assure you of eternal life if you will accept it from him and take his seal upon you (Jhn 10:25-30).
torment The locusts were permitted "to torment for five months" (Rev 9:5). Tribulation and temptation are permitted, and we must suffer various trials (Jas 1:2-4). The gospel says, "Through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). However, as we have seen, this is suffered outwardly. (2Co 4:16-18). Satan cannot torment the inward man in which dwells the hope and peace of Christ (Php 4:4-7). He can, however, torment the inward man who does not take refuge in Christ. This torment consists of confusion, despair, guilt, envy, moral weakness, and all such things. The non-Christian is stung by these. The faithful Christian, however, is able to fight these off with enlightenment, hope, sanctification, love, faith, and all such spiritual blessings.
Tribulation includes mental illness where symptoms of abnormal confusion, despair, guilt, etc. manifest themselves, even to the point of contemplating suicide. These illnesses often have physical causes. It is important to seek medical help to diagnose and treat such illnesses. We should regard such help as in the providence of God. The spiritual blessings of Christ certainly help a person to cope with such illnesses, but one should not think that seeking medical help is unnecessary or somehow unfaithful.
five A "five months" limit is placed upon the torment. Five months is a great part of a year, but not the greater part. Seven months is the remainder. Seven is a special symbol in the visions representing God's work in us, and the heavenly sabbath of rest he has promised us. It reminds us that "there remains a rest for the people of God" (Heb 4:9). So the five months and the seven remainder symbolize what we have been noticing, that there may be much tribulation, for the non-Christian even torment of the soul, but nothing can cancel the promise of eternal life available to all.
scorpion The locusts had in their tails "the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man" (Rev 9:5 cf verse 10). The locusts stung those without the seal of God because they did not take advantage of the hope and help of Christ.
Keep in mind these three points especially...
Lesson continued.