Locusts have played a significant role in biblical history and prophecy, serving as symbols of divine judgment and instruments of God’s plan. Some of the most dramatic depictions of locusts are found in the plague of locusts in Egypt and the apocalyptic vision of locusts in the Book of Revelation. This essay explores the significance of locusts, comparing their roles in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation, and discussing their symbolic and theological implications.
Word Count: 1320 / Time to read: 7 minutes
Locusts in the Old Testament
The Plague of Locusts in Egypt One of the most famous instances of locusts in the Bible is the plague of locusts that struck Egypt, as recorded in Exodus 10:12-20. This event was the eighth of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. The locusts covered the land, devouring everything left after the hailstorm, turning the land black and leaving nothing green. This plague was not only a physical disaster but also a theological statement. It demonstrated God’s power over creation and the futility of the Egyptian gods. Pharaoh’s magicians and gods were powerless against the God of Israel, who controlled even the natural forces.
Locusts in Joel’s Prophecy Another significant mention of locusts is found in the Book of Joel, where the prophet describes a devastating locust invasion: “What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten” (Joel 1:4). Joel uses this natural disaster as a metaphor for an impending judgment day, calling the people to repentance. The locusts in Joel’s prophecy represent not only a literal plague but also an eschatological warning. The prophet describes the locust invasion in vivid terms, highlighting the total destruction they bring and urging the people to return to God: “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:13). Joel’s message combines immediate concern with future hope, suggesting that repentance can lead to restoration and blessings.
Locusts in Revelation
The Fifth Trumpet Judgment: The Book of Revelation offers a dramatic and detailed description of locusts that differs significantly from the natural locusts described in the Old Testament. In Revelation 9:1-12, during the fifth trumpet judgment, locusts emerge from the abyss: “The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth” (Revelation 9:1-3). These locusts are described as having features unlike any natural locusts, with shapes like horses prepared for battle, crowns of gold, faces like humans, hair like women, teeth like lions, and tails with stingers like scorpions. Their task is to torment people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, causing suffering without killing them. The duration of their torment is five months, reflecting the natural lifespan of locusts.
Symbolic Representation: The locusts in Revelation are not just natural insects but are symbolic of demonic forces unleashed upon the earth. Scholar John Walvoord notes that these locusts represent a form of divine judgment, emphasizing the severity and supernatural nature of the Tribulation period. Charles Ryrie concurs, suggesting that the description of these locusts indicates their demonic origin and the unprecedented nature of their torment. These locusts serve as agents of judgment, highlighting the spiritual warfare that characterizes the end times. Their grotesque appearance and the pain they inflict symbolize the chaos and suffering that accompany the rejection of God.
Comparing Old Testament and Revelation Locusts
Nature and Purpose: In the Old Testament, locusts primarily represent natural disasters used by God to punish and warn His people. They are physical agents of destruction, as seen in the plagues of Egypt and Joel’s prophecy. These locusts consume vegetation, causing famine and economic hardship. In contrast, the locusts in Revelation serve a more supernatural and symbolic purpose. They do not harm the earth’s vegetation but instead torment those without the seal of God. Their role is not to cause physical destruction but to inflict psychological and spiritual suffering, emphasizing the intensified divine judgment during the Tribulation.
Symbolic Significance: The Old Testament locusts symbolize God’s control over nature and His ability to use natural disasters for His purposes. They remind the people of God’s power and their need for repentance. The Revelation locusts symbolize a deeper spiritual reality, representing demonic forces and the severe consequences of rejecting God. Their tormenting role underscores the spiritual battle between good and evil, and the suffering that awaits those who align with the forces of darkness.
Duration of Impact: The duration of the locusts’ impact in the Old Testament is typically short-lived, though the consequences can be long-lasting. For example, the Egyptian plague of locusts would have devastated crops for a season, leading to famine. In Revelation, the locusts’ torment lasts for five months, a period that mirrors the natural lifespan of locusts but is intended to emphasize prolonged suffering and judgment during the Tribulation.
Theological Implications of Locusts
Call to Repentance: In both the Old and New Testaments, locusts serve as a call to repentance. In Exodus, the plagues are designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites, demonstrating God’s power and prompting repentance. Joel’s prophecy uses locusts as a warning of greater judgment, urging the people to return to God. In Revelation, the locusts’ torment serves as a final warning to humanity. Their role in the Tribulation period is to highlight the dire consequences of sin and the need for repentance before the final judgment. As John MacArthur explains, the locusts in Revelation represent God’s relentless pursuit of justice and His desire for people to turn back to Him before it’s too late.
Spiritual Warfare: The locusts in Revelation highlight the theme of spiritual warfare. Their demonic nature and the torment they inflict symbolize the battle between the forces of good and evil. The suffering they cause serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities that underlie physical events, emphasizing the importance of spiritual readiness and faithfulness.
God’s Sovereignty: In both instances, the use of locusts underscores God’s sovereignty over creation. Whether through natural disasters or supernatural judgments, God demonstrates His control over all aspects of life. This theme is crucial in understanding the role of locusts in biblical prophecy, as it reinforces the message that nothing happens outside of God’s will and purpose.
Conclusion
Locusts in biblical prophecy serve as powerful symbols of divine judgment and calls to repentance. They illustrate God’s control over natural and supernatural realms, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful and ready for His ultimate plan. The comparison between Old Testament and Revelation locusts highlights the progression from physical to spiritual judgment, reflecting the intensified nature of divine retribution in the end times. Whether through natural disasters or supernatural judgments, God uses locusts to demonstrate His sovereignty and call humanity to repentance, urging people to recognize His power and turn back to Him before it’s too late.
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:13
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New International Version (NIV)
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