4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

A. The power of these locusts was limited.

1. They were not after plants and grass.

2. They were after men.

3. Only men who were not sealed by God - non-Christians.

B.“Any green thing” is symbolic of the Christians who have the seal of God on their foreheads.

C. Here is a parallel with the plague of locust in Exodus. The locusts hurt the Egyptians, but not the people of Israel. Here, the locust hurt men who are not marked as God’s. But, God’s people are spared any harm.

D. The clear message - Remain faithful and the locust will do you no harm. Abandon your faith and loyalty to Christ, and harm great pain can result.

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Old Testament