The messages and warnings of Revelation are locked up in the symbols, metaphors, idioms and esoteric imagery. Once these are defined voila your understanding is clear and precise. It seems that when Jesus shared the visions of Revelation chapters 9 and 16, which correlate, He wanted to make sure we understood the nature of this false religious empire, because He described them with profound detail.
When we were last together we read that the Locust Army was commanded not to harm (hurt) the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree...Rev. 9:4. The word hurt means: to be unjust. The Locust Army could not treat unjustly those people that had the seal of God on their foreheads. What does this mean?
In the countries of the territory of the Euphrates River, the violent religious doctrine that produced the Locust Army, has ruled through the kings of these countries. For centuries they have murdered or enslaved Christians with impunity.
But, in countries where a different religious doctrine ruled, the Locust Army was prevented from establishing their superiority, by God. In these other countries across the planet, the Locust Army could not hurt anyone with the seal of God on their foreheads. This symbolism describes people who have surrendered their allegiance to Jesus Christ. These people influenced the governments of the other countries, preventing infiltration by the Locust Army. These people could not be hurt by the Locust army.
At the genesis of this religious empire in the seventh century, there were geographical limitations placed on their progress, by God. The birth place of the Locust Army was the region of the Euphrates River. For centuries the Locust Army would only be allowed to torment and subdue the citizens of this region.
The seven churches of Revelation were real churches established by the disciples of Jesus Christ in the area of the Euphrates River - modern Turkey. The cities in this territory, where the first Christian churches were established, were pagan societies. Christianity thrived by sharing that the only way to Heaven was through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Sadly, in time, the church of Jesus Christ became enticed by the magical arts of paganism, and the fervor of true Christianity grew dim, precipitating the rise of the Locust Army empire in the 7th century.
In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them - Rev. 9:6 - describes the overwhelming hopelessness this false religious empire imposes on its followers. Those who surrender their allegiance to this false religious empire lose their identity, personal desires, motivation, and freedom to the suffocating power and authority of the Prophet of the Locust Army.
The number seven - 7th century - symbolizes God's perfection and completeness. So the birth of this false religious empire reveals to us that God has permitted their presence on the earth, and has allowed them to flourish. God has been using the Locust Army as a refiner's fire revealing the sins of His wayward church, who have turned to paganism. By knowing the identity of the enemy, this understanding will prepare the true church of God for a victorious battle.
The fate of the Locust Army is not unlike the fate of Pharaoh's army long ago in the land of Egypt, who drowned in the Red Sea after pursuing Moses, and the Israelites he released from slavery. When God finished using the idolatrous Egyptian empire to refine His kids by trials and tribulations, He allowed their army to go down the same disastrous path of death that they had designed for the Israelites.
It will be no different for the idolatrous false religious Locust Army and their Prophet. When God is finished using this vicious and violent Locust Army to purge paganism from His church, then He will allow them to go down the disastrous path they had designed for God's kids. God is always in control of His universe, so fear not - He is always on time.
There is much more that Revelation chapter 9 has to tell us about the Locust Army when He allows them to leave the territory of the Euphrates, and advance across the planet...stay tuned.
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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