Locusts From The Bottomless Pit

Friday, May 1

Revelation 9:10-11 (NKJV)

“They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.”

Devotion

Have you ever been stung by a bee, a scorpion, or had a similar painful encounter? That seems insignificant and painless compared to this: in Revelation 9, a star falls from heaven (Satan). He was given the key to the bottomless pit, opened it, and smoke arose like a great furnace. Then, out of the smoke, locusts came upon the earth. They were commanded to harm only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (vv. 1–3).

The locusts are described as having “tails like scorpions,” and “their power was to hurt men for five months” (v. 10). Imagine that! How awful is that? Destruction was king over these creatures that came from the bottomless pit. These destroyers will be let loose during the tribulation. It’s a horrendous thought to be left behind to experience such things! And even if you want to die, you will not. It’s an excruciating pain that never seems to end.

However, how wonderful it is to know that Jesus will come back on a white horse, and we will be caught up in heaven with Him—and we will ride white horses, too!

How many times have we pretended that hell isn’t real? How many times have some even thought heaven was just a figment of imagination for the crazy folk? The truth of the matter is, Jesus is coming back for His bride—the Church. And every believer will be spared from having to experience the tribulation.

[10] The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

The Lord wants us to live an abundant life here on earth. In contrast, Satan wants to “kill, steal, and destroy.” And at the time of the tribulation, the destroyer will release a swarm of locusts with scorpion-like tails whose sting will hurt men for five months.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and I stand in awe of Your mercy, grace, and love. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in my daily walk with You and enable me to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. May I never grow weary in doing well and helping others know the Lord Jesus—my Master, my Redeemer, my Savior, and my Friend. I ask that You search my heart, Lord, and fill me with Your Spirit. Take away desires that drive me far from You, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Be ready and expectant, clothed in righteousness and awaiting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reality of hell on earth is imminent. Stand on the promises of God over your life. Speak the truth in love. Snatch people from the fires of hell by sharing the Good News of God’s salvation with everyone who does not know that Jesus lives.

Resources
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