Chapter Twenty-Two -The First Woe - Locusts

THE fifth angel prepares to blow his trumpet. Four heavenly trumpets have already sounded, and four plagues have been directed to the third of the earth that Jehovah regards reprehensible-Christendom. Her deathly sick condition has been uncovered.  While angels sound the trumpet blasts, human heralds follow through on earth. Now the fifth angelic trumpet is about to announce the first woe, more fearsome even than what gone before. It is related to a terrifying locust plague. First, though, let us examine other scriptures that will help us to understand this plague better.

The Bible book of Joel, written during the ninth century C.E., describes a plague of insects, including locusts, that is similar to the one that Johns sees.  (Joel 2:1-11, 25)   It was to cause much discomfort for apostate Israel  but would also result in individual Jews repenting and returning to Jehovah's favor.  (Joel 2:6, 12-14)  When that time arrived, Jehovah would pour out his spirit upon "every sort of flesh," while fearful signs and alarming portents would precede "the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." -Joel 2:11, 28-32.  

 A First-Century Plague

There was a fulfillment of Joel chapter 2 in the first century. It was then, at Pentecost 33 C.E., that holy spirit was poured out anointing the first Christians and empowering them to speak  "the magnificent things of God" in many tongues. As a result, a large crowd assembled. The apostle Peter addressed those astonished onlookers, quoting Joel 2:28, 29 and explaining that they were  witnessing its fulfillment.  (Acts 2:1-21)  But there is no record of a literal insect plague at that time, causing discomfort to some and leading others to repentance.

Was there a figurative plague during those days? Yes, indeed! It came as a result of the relentless preaching of the newly anointed Christians.  Through them, Jehovah invited those Jews who would listen to repent and enjoy blessings from him.  (Acts 2:38-40; 3:19)  The individuals  who responded received his favor to a remarkable degree. But to the ones who refused the -invitation, the first-century Christians became like a devastating swarm of locusts. Starting in Jerusalem, they spread through all Judea and Samaria.  Soon they were everywhere, tormenting the unbelieving Jews  by publicly proclaiming Jesus' resurrection, with all that this implied.  (Acts 1:8; 4:18-20; 5:17-21, 28, 29, 40-42; 17:5, 6; 21:27-30)  That plaguing continued until the "fear-inspiring day," in 70 C.E., when Jehovah brought to the Roman armies against Jerusalem to destroy it.  Only those Christians who in faith called on the name of Jehovah were saved. -Joel 2:32; Acts 2:20, 21;  Proverbs 18:10.  

Next time: Chapter Twenty-Two - The First Woe - Locusts -The 20th -Century Plague

From the book of Revelation