12 Locusts from the Abyss

Painting by G. Roland Smith

Read Revelation 9:1-12 here

12 Locusts from the Abyss

There is both a comical and a sad side to this episode. Locusts are insects that are fairly low on the ladder of zoological development. They feed on grass and foliage and can cause terrible devastation when they appear. Clearly, there is an important message hidden in this biblical imagery. Every detail is worth reflecting on. There is dense smoke rising from the Abyss. The locusts have golden crowns (but not real gold) on their heads, and scorpion-like tails that can deliver a tormenting sting. They are ready for battle.

The locusts vividly represent the naturalistic mind, taken over by a multitude of sensory impressions. When our mind becomes clouded, the more spiritual, living thoughts and feelings may be completely devoured. This is the nature of worldly reasoning, which attacks our higher self by basing our understanding of life solely upon what we can see and touch. It destroys and stings us into a state of inner numbness as to spiritual matters.

“Out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions. … They were told … to harm … only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”

(chapter 9 verses 3 and 4)