Locusts are mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible, across 17 books of the Old and New Testaments. Exodus, Psalms, Jeremiah, Joel, and Revelation all contain passages with vivid descriptions of locusts or accounts of the destruction they caused to crops in the past.
The locusts in Revelation are a frightening metaphor for an evil army, and they are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as well. And the bottomless pit was opened, and smoke came up from it like the smoke from a great furnace, and the sun and the air were obscured because of it. And the smoke opened, releasing swarms of locusts onto the planet, endowed with the same sort of venomous prowess as the planet’s native scorpions. Moreover, they were instructed not to harm the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree; but only those men who do not bear the seal of God in their foreheads.
And it was decreed unto them that they should not slay them, but that they should torment them for a period of five months; and their torture was like that of a scorpion when it strikes a man. And in those days, people will actively try to kill themselves, but they won’t be able to find death anywhere. And the locusts’ forms resembled war-ready horses; atop their heads were what appeared to be crowns of gold; and their faces resembled the faces of men. And their hair was like women’s and their teeth were like lions’. They sounded like speeding chariots pulled by a large number of horses, and their armored chests looked like they were made of iron. Revelation 9:2-10 describes them as having “tails like unto scorpions, with stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men for five months” (KJV).
This “woe to the inhabitants of the earth” in a prophecy of the end times is very terrifying (Revelation 8:13b KJV). This article explains locusts in revelation meaning, and types of locusts in the bible.
Locusts In The Bible Revelation
Locusts are a big deal in the biblical world. In some parts of the Middle East, they are still a threat today. John’s description fits with what we know about the ancient locust: their sharp teeth, wings like chariots, and fire-breathing tails (revelation 9:7-10). However, these locusts are not insects from the ground but rather come from Sheol, or the pit (Revelation 9:1). They are led by a demonic king named Abaddon or Apollyon (Hebrew for “destruction”), and their purpose is to torture nonbelievers. John gives three characteristics that explain exactly who they are. First, they resemble horses prepared for battle (v. 7). Second, on their heads are something that resembles crowns of gold (v. 7), symbolizing authority over those who do not belong to God. Third, their faces resemble human faces.
The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
locusts – and a plague of locusts can destroy crops in a matter of hours, leaving millions of people hungry. A swarm can be as large as several billion locusts, according to the United Nations.
Locusts are insects that eat crops. They’re not just a nuisance to farmers; they can destroy crops in a matter of hours, leaving millions of people hungry. A swarm can be as large as several billion locusts, according to the United Nations.
The Bible describes an attack on Egypt by a plague of locusts (Exodus 10:13-15). The Lord sent this plague because Pharaoh refused to let His people go free from slavery by making bricks for him. He also refused to allow anyone else to do it for them!
The Bible says that these insects came upon all the land of Egypt so quickly that there was no time for anyone even to shut their doors before they were covered with them! When Pharaoh didn’t listen after seeing such great signs from heaven….then he got hit by his own plagues – which included sores on his skin and maggots inside him (Exodus 9:9-10)!
In the book of revelation, there are many foreboding events that precede Jesus’ return to earth. One of these is the appearance of locust-like creatures. John says that for five months these locusts will torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (revelation 9:1-6). Who are these strange creatures, and what is the significance of their appearance?
Locusts are a type of grasshopper that can be found in most parts of the world. They have six legs, two antennae and an abdomen. Their average size is about 1 inch long and they range from green to brown in color. Locusts eat plant matter, including leaves, stems and roots. After destroying their food source, locusts will fly away looking for more plants to feed on until there are no more left for them to consume. The Bible describes these creatures as being very destructive; one swarm could destroy entire crops within hours!
Locusts were not created by God but were originally spirits who were sent into sheol (hell) after being judged by God at the Great White Throne Judgment after death (Revelation 20:11–15). During this judgment all those who had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior would be sentenced to spend eternity separated from God’s presence because they did not believe His Word nor obey His commandments throughout their lifetime(John 3:36). This was very disturbing news for these lost souls since they had always believed that death meant total annihilation instead of eternal punishment away from God’s presence forevermore – never again seeing Him face-to-face or having His loving companionship forevermore…
These locusts are not insects from the ground but rather come from sheol, or the pit (revelation 9:1). They are led by a demonic king named abaddon or apollyon (hebrew for “destruction”), and their purpose is to torture nonbelievers. John gives three characteristics that explain exactly who they are. First, they resemble horses prepared for battle (v.
First, they resemble horses prepared for battle (v. 9). The Greek word for “horse” is hippos, which refers to a war horse. These locusts are not insects from the ground but rather come from sheol, or the pit (revelation 9:1). They are led by a demonic king named abaddon or apollyon (hebrew for “destruction”), and their purpose is to torture nonbelievers. John gives three characteristics that explain exactly who they are. First, they resemble horses prepared for battle (v. 9). The Greek word for “horse” is hippos, which refers to a war horse. These locusts are not insects from the ground but rather come from sheol, or the pit (revelation 9:1). They are led by a demonic king named abaddon or apollyon (hebrew for “destruction”), and their purpose is to torture nonbelievers. John gives three characteristics that explain exactly who they are. First, they resemble horses prepared for battle (v..
Locusts In Revelation Meaning
Ten different Hebrew words are used to describe or refer to locusts in the Bible. John the Baptist, according to the New Testament, ate locusts as part of his diet ( Matthew 3:4 ; Mark 1:6 ). He was allowed to consume them because they were considered “clean” under Mosaic law. As an allusion to this deadly insect native to Asia, the name appears in Revelation 9:3 and Revelation 9:7 as well.
The term “Orthoptera,” which means “straight-winged,” best describes the locust. There are a plethora of different species of them. The common Syrian locust looks like a large grasshopper, but it can do much more damage “These insects have powerful legs and thighs, allowing them to jump 200 times their body length. When their wings are fully extended, they fly so closely together that they almost blend into the background.” There are a number of ways to prepare locusts for consumption. There are times when they are pounded, mixed with flour and water, and baked into cakes, and other times when they are “boiled, roasted, or stewed in butter, and then eaten.” The ancient Assyrians ate them while they were still preserved.
They frequently wreak horrendous destruction on the lands of the East. As far as natural disasters go, locust invasions are among the worst that a nation can face. ” Countless is an inadequate word for them; the Hebrews called them “the countless,” and the Arabs knew them as “the darkeners of the sun.” Being unable to control their flight, despite their ability to cover great distances, leaves them at the mercy of the wind, which carries them as blind instruments of Providence to the doomed region given over to them for the time being. Their flight blocks the sun and casts a thick shadow across the planet, and their number is as infinite as the number of drops of water or sand on the beach ( Exodus 10:15 ; Judges 6:5 ; 7:12 ; Jeremiah 46:23 ; Joel 2:10 ). It looks like a huge mountain is moving slowly and steadily through the sky, and its width is measured in miles. If the wind should pick up and set them ablaze, heaven help the countries below them. They fall as randomly as snowflakes, covering everything in sight. Forefront it may look like a paradise, but behind them lies an unforgiving wasteland. The populace is in distress as they draw near; their complexions darken ( Joel 2:6 ). The countless armies can’t be stopped by walls or ditches; any fires started in their path are quickly put out by the bodies of the countless slain; and still they march on ( Joel 2:8 Joel 2:9 ). They will enter through any open door or window and chew through any structural timbers. It only takes a second for them to populate every rooftop, courtyard, and hidden room. A terrible plague swept through Egypt (Exodus 10:1–19), destroying all vegetation in its path and even stripping the trees bare. The locusts were blown into the Red Sea by a strong northwest wind from the Mediterranean “Geikie’s Hours and Other Works, Volume II, Page 149.
Types Of Locusts In The Bible
There are four different kinds of locusts predicted to decimate Israel’s crops in the book of Joel. Basically, Joel 1:4 says that the swarming locust has eaten everything that the cutting locust left behind. Swarming locusts leave behind a trail of destruction that is devoured by hopping locusts (ESV). After what time frame did these forecasts come true? Is this a metaphor for something else, or were there really locusts flying around?
When the prophecy is finally realized is in large part determined by when the book of Joel was written. The precise date of composition is unknown, but most historians agree that it occurred sometime around 845 B.C.
The destruction wrought by a swarm of locusts is detailed in Joel’s first chapter. The destruction is so extensive that the entire nation is wiped out; people from all walks of life, including alcoholics (Joel 1:5-7), Jerusalem residents (Joel 1:8-10), farmers (Joel 1:11-12), and priests (Joel 1:13), are impacted (Joel 1:13). After that, the prophet urges the people of God to make amends.
The locusts may refer to another animal, such as a horse, according to some interpretations, which see them as a metaphor for an invading army (similar to Jeremiah 51:27). Others have speculated that Joel was predicting a future war by comparing these locusts to helicopters of today. Such interpretations, however, fail to account for the author’s intent or the original readers’ comprehension. Considering that a single swarm of locusts can destroy an entire year’s worth of crops, the Israelites viewed them as a serious threat. Past civilizations had also experienced locust swarms (Exodus 10:1-3; Psalm 105:34-35).
Without a shadow of a doubt, Joel was forewarning his readers about the day of God’s judgment. Joel probably used the recent locust plague to illustrate the final day of judgment. The agricultural disaster Israel experienced was a foretaste of God’s judgment on Israel and, ultimately, the entire world. When Israel was conquered and exiled, a portion of this prophecy was realized. The Day of the Lord, which is yet to come, will bring about the remaining judgments (2:28ff).
In conclusion, the prophet Joel is almost certainly alluding to a literal locust invasion that occurred shortly before his writing, around 845 B.C. The literal swarms of locusts that invaded in successive waves to destroy the crops of Israel were a portent of an impending enemy invasion and a future day of judgment.