#DailyDevotion Like In Exodus, Some Plagues Only Affect Unbelievers

December 21st
Read Rev 9:1–12
Rev 9:3-5 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. (4) They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (5) They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.

In this 5th trumpet we of course should see the locust plague from Exodus except these guys don’t eat plants. We see how this should be interpreted spiritually and not literally. The torments of the locust are spiritual torments. These torments will not bring people to death but will drive them to desire to die.

We note here also that it reflects the Exodus story in that these locusts do not affect the people of God. The Israelites in Exodus did not have their crops destroyed by the locusts. Now these locusts do not torments those who have the seal of God on their head. We see the loop from the 6th seal connecting here. Who are these who have the seal of God on their foreheads? Those who have been baptized, repent of their sins and have faith in the One in whom they are baptized Jesus Christ.

We as Christians have nothing to fear from these demonic forces. They have no effect on us. These locusts are there to torment unbelievers. Is it just God’s malice or does he have another purpose. In Exodus the plagues were there so Pharaoh and the Egyptians would know the Lord is God and to call them to repentance. It is the same thing now. These demonic tormentors are there to call the earth to repent of their sins and to faith in Christ as Lord. Yet as we look to the world around us and the events caused by these tormentors we see they do not repent.

But we who are God’s people should repent when bad things happen in the world. We repent for ourselves and the wrath of God that is deserved for those sins. But we need to repent for the sins of our neighbor, the town, the county, the state, the country and the world. Job was our example as he offered up sacrifices for his sins and the sins of his children. We also need to have the words of Law and Gospel for those around us so they may know Jesus as Lord and as their Savior.

Lord Jesus Christ, give us faith through the baptism you baptized us that we may not fear the wrath of God upon the world but to rejoice in it knowing your coming is near. Amen.