Good News Hiding in a Strange Plague
Have you ever seen a video of a swarm of locusts? They are like a cloud of hungry grasshoppers that zoom over a field and eat everything green in sight! Farmers in Bible times were terrified of locusts because their crops could be gone in just a few minutes. Farmers still fear swarms of locusts nowadays!
But in Revelation, there are very strange locusts, ones that don’t behave like normal insects at all.
During the fifth trumpet plague we read,
“Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”
— Revelation 9:4, NKJV
Wait a minute… locusts that don’t eat green plants?! That sounds impossible! But not with the God of the Universe! He is telling us something important through this miracle.
Who Are the Green Plants?
In the Bible, “grass,” “green things,” and “trees” sometimes represent people—in this case, God’s people (1 Peter 1:24, Psalm 92:12). These special followers of Jesus are safe during this plague because they have been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22) in their foreheads or minds. They reflect the character of Yeshua, even when attacked, through the power of God’s Spirit.
That’s the good news! God’s people are protected, not by their own strength, but by God Himself. This isn’t necessarily a physical protection, though God certainly can protect you physically if he chooses to. It is a spiritual protection that keeps you from working for the enemy. It is a protection that keeps you from acting like a devouring locust or a stinging scorpion.
Doing the Impossible
But here’s a question: how can you be kind when others are mean? How can you share the truth found in the Bible, even when people make fun of you, say hurtful things, or even persecute you?
Jesus told His disciples that following Him would not always be easy. He said,
“You will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
— Matthew 24:9, NKJV
And He continued,
“Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.”
— Matthew 24:10, NKJV
That doesn’t sound very fun, does it? But Jesus also gave these promises:
“Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
— Luke 7:23, NKJV“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
— Matthew 24:13, NKJV
And then He gave a mission:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
— Matthew 24:14, NKJV
It may feel impossible to not be offended when someone insults you. It may feel even harder to love someone who is unkind.
But Jesus gives another promise that is the key to understanding this miracle that seems impossible:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13, NKJV
A Heart Like Jesus
Jesus asks His followers to do things that are impossible without His help. He commands:
“Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
— Luke 6:35–36, NKJV
Here’s the secret: we don’t do these things by our own power. God’s people during the fifth trumpet plague are sealed by the Holy Spirit. That means the Spirit of Christ is living in their hearts and helping them every step of the way.
He can help you too.
He can help you forgive.
He can help you be merciful.
He can help you endure.
He can even help you love someone who has hurt you.
And He will help you be a witness for Him by how you live.
When we ask Jesus to fill us with the Holy Spirit, He gives us strength to do what we could never do alone.
Protected and Sealed
The swarm of strange locusts with stinging scorpion tails in Revelation may sound frightening. But remember the good news: they are not allowed to harm God’s sealed people. Just like the green plants, God’s children are safe in His hands.
Today you can ask Jesus to seal your heart with His love, protect your mind with His truth, and help you stand strong—even when things feel impossible. He is always faithful!
For more insights on the seven trumpets check out our lessons for kids: The Seven Trumpets: Lessons from the Book of Revelation.
