Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Revelation 9:1-12 delineates the evil actions of Satan and the demons during the Tribulation period. Jesus is fair in His judicial assessments and activities at that time, as He is at all times. We should also stress that Jesus is sovereign over all of these events. Verse 1 says that the key of the abyss “was given” to Satan. Likewise, verse 3 says of the demons that “unto them was given power.” The context makes it clear that the ultimate authority in these matters is our Savior God. Verse 4 and 5 indicate that specific limitations are placed upon the demonic activities of that terrible Tribulation time. Verse 4 states, “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” These demons cannot harm vegetation (as actual “locusts” do – verse 3), nor can they afflict those who are saved and sealed during the Tribulation. Further restrictions are found in verse 5: “And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.” The intensity is restricted – no person will be killed by these demons. Also, the time frame is specifically limited to “five months” (using a lunar calendar). All of these facts confirm that our Lord is in control at that time when everything seems out of control.