Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:3-4)
As the world receives an end-times judgment of demonic attack, God gives the order that the only ones who may be harmed are those who are not His children. So, what happens to those who are His children?
They are protected from the judgment.
Times and seasons of pain are inevitable for all of us, saints and sinners alike. However, there is a crucial difference between the two. For sinners, those who haven’t come to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness, their pain is harmful, serving as punishment for their sins in the end. Yes, often God allows pain to wake us up to our need for salvation, but for those who don’t respond, pain in this life is a reminder that all that awaits them is eternal harm.
Believers, on the other hand, have a much different lot. Pain in this life is our Refiner’s fire, cleansing and purifying us and drawing us closer to Him. Not only that, but because a heavenly eternity with Jesus awaits us, we can have hope because we know it will get better.
How can we know this? Because again and again in Scripture, we see this truth.
God will keep His people from true harm.
–Pastor Phillip
