The fifth trumpet unleashes the Destroyer, the leader of devouring locusts. In the Old Testament Locusts are frequently used as a symbol of hard times or invading armies. (Joel 1 & 2) Although the number five is not an apocalyptic number it can be understood here as referring to a partial judgment because the real time for locus to appear was known to be during five months of spring and summer.
Some interpreters yield to the temptation to look for hidden meanings in the intricate descriptions of the locusts (and other aspects of John’s visions). I believe that path takes you away from understanding the vision as apocalyptic – visions relating to evil and the judgment of God -- to the allegorical – where the meaning of each and every thing and event must be known in order to understand the scene.
If you do not go down the pathway toward allegory and stand back and look at John’s vision you can see that persecution of the people of God originates from the spiritual powers of evil. However, these forces of evil do not have unlimited powers nor is the time for such persecution unlimited. Further, the description of the Destroyer indicates evil has but one point of entry into the world; human beings.
The sixth trumpet continues the vision of spiritual forces perpetrating evil upon the world, including the people of God. It is a partial judgment and John points to why God’s ultimate and final judgment has not yet come. God’s delay allows time for the human persecutors to repent.
Another interlude follows the sixth trumpet and while the reader may be overwhelmed with the out-of-this-world visions of John, never-the-less, his message can be understood. Evil is self-destructive. Even so, God is present and His judgment is at work. Yes, the people of God suffer, but God will not allow His people to be ultimately destroyed. Why? Perhaps John is preparing the reader to understand that the witness of God’s people in the face of persecution is vitally important to God’s final victory over the forces of evil.
My friend is a pastor and is going through a period of persecution. The dirty tricks of his persecutor seem to never end. The persecutor’s tactics range from hundreds of emails, to fraudulently using the pastor’s name to subscribe to scores of magazines, registering him for cruises, requesting salesman to come to his home and falsifying county records to make it appear as though he has a criminal record. Recently the persecutor has expanded his tactics to include the pastor’s wife and children.
The legal authorities say they can do nothing to help my friend. He has been sorely tempted to take matters into his own hands. But, he knows to do so would hand his enemy the victory. My friend knows that the witness of God’s people in the face of persecution is vitally important to God’s final victory over the forces of evil.
What does today’s reading
reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do
or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change
anything in your life?
8-Oct-11 Rev. 10:1-11
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