Then locusts came out of the smoke on to the earth, and power was given to them like the power that scorpions have on the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green plant, or any tree, but only people who do not have God’s seal on their foreheads. They were not permitted to kill them but were to torment them for five months; their torment is like the torment caused by a scorpion when it strikes a man. Revelation 9:3-4 HCSB
The first time I can remember seeing a locust was as a boy in Amarillo, Texas. A locust is a small insect with wings and a hard shell that is seasonally shed. At times just the shell of a locust can be found still on the tree. The reason I remember my first encounter with locusts is that there seemed to be hundreds of them. They were all over the trees causing destruction because they ate the vegetation of the trees. At night the loud noises the locusts made with their wings could be heard like an a capella choir.
John was trying to describe what he saw by using human terms that would easily be understood. The locusts most likely represented the evil spirits of this world. These demons went throughout the earth tempting people to sin. They were not created by Satan, but rather by God. Demons are fallen angels who have joined Satan’s evil army to tempt and destroy people. They cannot do anything without God’s permission. Demons try to pervert, distort, and destroy a person’s relationship with the living God. They are corrupt and deceptive and seek to bring destruction to all who believe in God and Jesus Christ.
Challenge: Even though John was describing the end of time, there are evil spirits in the world today seeking to destroy you. Pray for strength to stand strong against the evil forces all around you and pray for God’s deliverance during times of temptation.