The Scorpion and the Frog.
“Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions.” – REV.9:3.NLT
Remember the story from primary school of a frog and a scorpion who were contemplating a swift river that they needed to cross. The barrier was more of a problem to the scorpion than it was to the frog. So, the scorpion asked the frog to allow it to ride on the frog’s back across the river. Convinced by the scorpion’s argument, the frog agreed to ferry the scorpion across the river. Halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog. As both were going down to their deaths, the frog protested, “Why did you do that? You promised!”
“I couldn’t help it,” responded the scorpion, “It’s my nature to sting!” So it is with the enemy of humanity.
An old friend of mine (now deceased) told me once of a 30cm scorpion he encountered during the Vietnam war, with pinchers as large as his thumb. I am told that the scorpion’s sting is one of the most painful things a human being can endure. In this passage, the scorpion represents the power of darkness and evil. The scorpion’s tail is his weapon of deceit and lies(Isa 9:15). Satan offers people enticing opportunities. He promises that if they follow him they will have pleasures galore, wealth and fame, everything their heart desires. However, Jesus promises us power over scorpions.(Luke10:18 – 20) . As we noted earlier, what we are seeing is an unfolding revelation of lucifers character. His character is to lie and lay waste the creation.
The devil’s followers quickly discover, however, that while he may promise many things, it is his nature to torment those in his control. The enticing things he dangles, like illicit sex, power over others, and the accumulation of things, all have consequences that lead to misery and pain. He seeks to hide these consequences with a pleasant face, but let the tempted ones beware! There is no joy and no future in serving Satan. God says, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore, choose life that both you and your seed may live.” (Deut 30:19).
“They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” – REV 9:4.NLT
In 1944 the Axis powers controlled most of Europe. The allies had assembled an enormous invasion force. On the shores of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, German forces braced for the inevitable assault, not certain where the blow would be struck. The invasion was preceded by weeks and months of bombing all along the coast. Then on the sixth of June, forever to be known as D-Day, the all-out assault got underway.
One of the key French cities in the path of the invasion was Caen. The British and American bombers dropped thousands of tons of bombs in and around the city. When the allies finally marched into Caen, almost every building had been destroyed.
There were a few notable exceptions. The churches of Caen, which had been built during the Middle Ages, survived. Ancient spires still stood among the rubble. Apparently, the careful construction of these ancient churches was so solid that the populace of Caen would use them as air-raid shelters during the terrible nights of bombing.
What is remarkable about Rev 9:4 is that the locust/scorpions seem able to discern between the genuine followers of Jesus and those who only profess allegiance. The seal represents the living presence of God in the lives of these followers (Eph 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19).
The attacks of Satan are going to be more and more pronounced in the period before Jesus comes. The good news is that those whose character is solidly built on the foundation of Jesus Christ will not be harmed by these attacks. In our own human strength, we would have no chance against satan, but those in a living relationship with Jesus are shielded from the worst of satan’s devices.
Spiritual foundations are built through time spent each day with the Lord, in the study of His Word, in prayer, and in ministry to others. There is no more significant way to use our time as we approach the last days of earth’s history.
This is what it means to build spiritual foundations that will endure earth’s last crisis.
Once again thank you Ross and Jesse for the time you put into giving us these studies God bless you,s and keep us all safe and grounded in the word of God 🙏