Revelation 9:1-6: a reflection

1The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. 2He opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke from a burning furnace. The sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke from the pit. 3Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4They were told that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those people who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads. 5They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person. 6In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

In the frightening vision of the fifth trumpet, tormenting locusts are released from the abyss, and their scope of harm is limited by a striking instruction: they are told not to harm anyone who has the seal of God on their foreheads, but only those who do not. Amid the terrors of judgment, there is a clear distinction: those who bear God's seal, who belong to him and are marked as his, are protected from the torment that falls on the rest.

Notice the protection that the seal represents. In the midst of a vision full of judgment and terror, God's own people are marked, sealed, distinguished, and spared. The seal is a sign of belonging, of being God's possession, and it carries real protection. Whatever the imagery means in detail, its assurance is clear: God knows his own, marks them as his, and does not lose them or leave them undistinguished in the day of judgment. His people are sealed.

That is a reassurance about belonging to God, especially in dark and fearful times. Those who are his are sealed, marked as his possession, known and kept by him. Whatever terrors come, God distinguishes his own; they are not lost in the crowd or swept up undifferentiated in judgment. If you belong to Christ, you bear his seal, the Spirit, as the New Testament says, marking you as God's own and guaranteeing your final salvation. In fearful times, take assurance in the seal: you are God's, marked as his, known and kept. He does not lose those he has sealed.

Lord, in the vision of judgment, those who bore your seal were protected and distinguished as your own. Thank you that you know your own, mark them as yours, and do not lose them or leave them undistinguished, even in dark and fearful times. Assure me, when I am afraid, that if I belong to Christ I bear your seal, marked as your possession, known and kept by you. You do not lose those you have sealed. Hold me secure as your own.