Revelation 9:10

10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.

A. Similar to verse 5, we are reminded again of a couple of points.

1. They are locusts, but they sting like a scorpion. This is repeated in verse 19.

2. Their power is limited in duration. It is limited to five months.

B. The five-month limitation represents that the destruction will not be total.

C. The sting is in the tail. It is not as the temptation approaches, but as it leaves. Many sins seem to bring pleasure when we start them. It is later - after the sin has taken its toll on our life, health, safety and relationships, and we are trying to quit - the sting is felt. Ask any smoker, alcoholic, or drug addict. Ask a practicing homosexual who has contracted AIDS.