July 17: SERVING IN HIS TEMPLE
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
Once again we see the divine passive: They were commanded. The woe of the fifth trumpet plague has not adversely affected the spiritual condition of those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). We have seen that locusts can devastate vast areas of green vegetation. And the people symbolized as locusts have devastated large swaths of the earth. However, the people symbolized by green, growing things show to us the reality of the well-nourished wilderness church (12:6,14) as well as the effects of the pure gospel witness. Like lush vegetation in a desert, these individuals are compared to a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3) New believers are likened unto tender grass, and certainly included under the divine wing of spiritual protection.
Those who are subject to the harm of this plague of locusts are only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. This phrase points us directly back to chapter 7. The sealed of God are under spiritual protection. There is a day soon to come when all of God’s sealed ones will stand before Him waving palm branches and cheering with shouts of joy (vv.9,10). The New Testament teaches that our bodies are meant to be a dwelling place—a temple—for the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 6:16). The reality of God’s temple in heaven is also confirmed (Hebrews 8:2, Revelation 11:19). All who desire to be sealed by God on their foreheads lead a life that learns to trust Him fully. They exercise their will to seek wisdom and guidance provided in the Scriptures. They understand that the power to obey is supplied by His Spirit as it is needed: a grace filled life! This is what it means to serve Him day and night in His temple (Revelation 7:15).
It is also clear from verses 16 and 17 that God’s people suffer in this fallen world, and will continue to until the end. However, we do not know of the enormous suffering we are spared as a result of the protection of angels. As we learn to trust and obey Him more fully, it will be understood and accepted that He is preparing us to stand firm in the faith, even after the winds of strife are let completely loose in the final season of tribulation.
There is an essential distinction to make in regards to suffering. We must learn to ask ourselves if our suffering is self-inflicted (the result of bad habits and/or attitudes) or the result of being targeted by Satan because of obedience to the Lord. Too often we are tempted to cite the latter when it does not apply! Honest self-examination in light of the counsel of God’s word enhances spiritual awareness.
Jesus invites us to come to Him. His Spirit woos us that we might freely choose Him. Our loving Lord’s complete avoidance of coercion is purposefully contrasted by the invasion of the locusts. In Islam, the main strategy is to terrorize people until they convert or agree to pay tribute. Doing neither results in being killed. To leave the faith or marry outside of it is strictly forbidden, and also punishable by death according to their “holy book”.
Wisely, a Pharisee named Gamaliel (see Acts 5:34-39) gave wise counsel to the council. Note the actions of the council, even though they agreed with him (v.40). Incredibly, the professed people of God employed terrorism long before the religion of terror was founded in 610AD.
“And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” . . . So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:32,41