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 as  most represensible-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 has gone before.  It is related to a terrifying locust plague.  First, though, let us examine other scriptures that will help us understand this plague better. 

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

Next time:  The First Woe - Locusts - A First-Cenury Plague

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