The Shapes of the Locusts Revelation 9:7

As John the apostle continued to share about the “tribulation” that was to come upon the earth, he shared concerning the first six seals Jesus removed from the “scroll” in God's right hand. He began to write about what happened when Jesus, “had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets … And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first, second, third and fourth angels” blew their trumpets, and great judgment fell upon the earth. John continued, “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” In chapter nine and verse seven John saw “the shapes of the locusts” where we read:

And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle;

and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

The verse reads, “And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle;” John began with the words, “and the shapes” which means “the likeness, figure, image, representation and resemblance” “of the locusts” or “pertaining to the short horned grasshoppers” “were like unto horses” which means “were similar to and as horses” “prepared” which means “which were ready” “unto battle” or “to enter or go into war, conflict, dispute and strife”. John attempted to describe these “locusts” and used the example of “horses” that were made ready to go to war and conflict.

The verse goes on to say, “and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. ” John added the words, “and on their heads” which means “and upon their chief, prominent and supreme portion of their bodies” “were as it were” or “were like or even as” “crowns” which means “exalted ranks, wreaths, garlands or ornaments to honor” “like gold” or “even as the precious metal gold”, “and their faces” or “and the front of their heads or countenances” “were as the faces” which means “were like the front of heads or countenances” “of men” which refers to “people”. John attempted to describe more about these “locusts” by noting the “golden crowns” upon their heads and their “faces” looking like the faces of men.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we can only imagine how difficult it was for John to describe these “locusts”. Because they are in the future, there is no real picture for how they would look. Could they be “helicopters”, “drones”, etc.? No one is certain, but it is known they are dressed “for battle”, and those whom they encounter shall certainly know their effects. God desires to keep people from experiencing these “locusts”, and the escape is gained through having a relationship with His Son Jesus. Let all who read these words know these “locusts” are real, and may everyone who reads these words take heed.

Next time John shares how the “locusts”, “had the hair as the hair of women”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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