Revelation 9:. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
The smoke represents the dark intent of of the heart, one of deceitfulness. Arising and originating from the smoke is an army of locusts and they are the outward expression of this deceit coming from the bottomless pit. Theses locusts represent governments, systems, ministries, businesses, organizations, and any other outward expression of man’s intent apart from the FATHER’S DIVINE INTENT. These locusts ultimately lead toward death and destruction of life. They have power associated with them to bring their intent to pass.
4 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
These systems of deceit are focused on men without the seal of GOD on their foreheads. Without the mind of Christ, men are destined toward death and destruction by the very systems, governments, and religions put in place as the result of the lies arising out of deceitful hearts. These systems are empowered by laws, traditions, manipulation, and control. Greed has to be placed at the top of the list. This evil will consume all men in its path except those with the seal.
5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.
6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
This manifested deceit arising out of the smoke is designed to torment the people like the sting of a scorpion. The ignorance due to the lack of understanding, the mind being darkened by this smoke brings forth captivity, pain, and suffering. Those with the seal are able to rise above this smoke of darkness and the results of the life-threatening locusts. Seeing man’s intent manifested in governments, laws, religions, and any other vehicles used to manipulate and control, those who have been apprehended by Christ walk in the peace which surpasses all understanding. They are not moved by man’s deceitful intent but see through their devices. Attempting to heap fear and guilt on to their heads by those who in charge no longer has any impact for they have been given Divine revelation exposing their dark intent. Jesus speaks of this Divine revelation in Luke 10:
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Those with the seal have their names written in the book of Life and have the power over the scorpions arising out of the smoke. They overcome the deceitfulness of the heart. This deceit has stolen much blessing from those who Love the FATHER but they are given a promise in the 2nd chapter of the book of Joel:
23 Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the LORD your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust.
My great army which I sent among you.
26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the LORD your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the LORD your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.
FATHER is in the restoration business. The deceitfulness of the heart brings forth regret but Our Heavenly Father restores us with hope and fruitfulness. We are able to see the vanity of man’s systems, ideas, laws, and intent. We now see the Divine Intent of Love of the FATHER in our lives. Those trials and tests were to bring us forth to Spiritual maturity and redeem us from the futility of man’s religious traditions that produced no fruit in our lives.
The space of five months speaks of the age between Pentecost and Tabernacles, the second month and the seventh month. This is the time of maturing from sanctification to glorification. It refers to the wilderness where we learn to hear HIS Voice and be not moved by the outward elements but instead to rely on HIM to meet all our needs. The former rain refers to the initial outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT at Pentecost and the latter rain refers to the full anointing brought forth at Tabernacles where the full revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ is manifested in the hearts of the called out ones, those who have been processed and ascended through the seven phases of spiritual maturity. “As HE is so are we” will not only be a profession of faith but one of reality:
1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
These locusts can no longer swarm, crawl, consume, or chew to strip away the life-giving leaves associated with our gifts and callings. Leaves are designed to convert light to nourishment for the plant to ultimately produce fruit. Without the leaves the fruit will rot and wither away. Let not those religious, political, social, and/or economic systems suck the life out of us! Let us see the works of the deceitful hearts of men so that we may be loosed from their captivity. Let the locusts of deceit consume no more. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!