Day 15/40 Fear not! The attack of the insects

This morning our Lord encouraged me with the words from Matthew 28:20:

Do not be afraid, I am with you always, even to the end of the world!

I had to swallow. What was our Savior and Redeemer trying to tell me? What should we prepare for?

The itching and burning reminded me of the experience two days ago. I was petting one of our cats. After a while, it suddenly jumped up, pinched my hand, and ran away. Shortly afterward, I felt a burning sensation in that exact spot and was startled. A yellow-black insect was sitting there. I immediately jumped up, ran outside, and wanted to release what I thought was the "wasp," but the "wasp" stubbornly remained in place. Finally, I was able to flick it away with my other hand, but the sting remained. I then realized that this insect had deceived me—it looked like a wasp, but it behaved like a bee. I removed the sting and applied a cold pack to the wound. Later, I placed a slice of onion on the sting site. It helped, but the itching and burning is still acute.

Bees

Then the Lord spoke further. He invited me to read Isaiah 47, about the coming judgment on Babylon. He reminded me that in the Book of Revelation, we find many images and symbols associated with fire and burning. These symbolize God's power, judgment, but also the hope of salvation, for after the Apocalypse comes salvation and the new reign under our King Jesus begins.

Our Lord reminded me that back before the Exodus, three of the ten plagues involved insects. There was a plague of mosquitoes (Exodus 8:16ff), a plague of flies (Exodus 8:20ff), and the plague of locusts (Exodus 10:1ff). On the one hand, insects represent something weak, fragile, and easily destroyed; on the other, they represent something powerful and strong, capable of appearing in large numbers and causing great destruction.

In the book of Revelation, there are several references to insects (locusts) and arachnids (scorpions). Locusts and scorpions are especially mentioned in Revelation 9 and the sounding of the fifth trumpet. Had I missed the other trumpets? Why was the Lord warning me about this now?

We find further references to insects in Revelation 8:1-12 after the opening of the seventh seal. The seven trumpets that follow are associated with various plagues, including insect plagues, that strike the earth. We then read about insects in Revelation chapters 15 and 16 at the beginning of the bowls of wrath. The pouring out of the bowls can also include insect plagues and other plagues. I had a bad feeling. Were we prepared for these insect plagues? What did the Hebrews do back then in Egypt? How were they spared from the insect attacks? Were they spared?

I asked the Lord what exactly He wanted to tell me, or rather, us. Was He warning us about an insect invasion or something similar? Would the sting wounds burn like fire, or would we get actual welts? Should we understand the warning only physically, or also spiritually? Was the judgment on Babel an actual fire, or perhaps an insect attack?

Jesus comforted me with the words from Matthew 28:20: “Do not be afraid; I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Then he spoke to me: "Remember that last year I asked you to put gauze screens on all your windows and doors. I also told you to get various anti-itch remedies and antiseptic creams. You should read up on the treatment of various insect bites. Therefore, you knew immediately what to do in the event of a wasp or bee sting. Now, however, I warn your readers to be well prepared for insect invasions, but also to prepare themselves spiritually. Always place yourselves under the protection of my blood. Trust in me in everything. I am in your midst. Always remember that only I, your Jesus, can bring you salvation. Nothing and no one else in the entire world can save you. (Acts 4:12) I am the only way to the Father and to eternal life. (John 14:6)

Therefore, go, prepare yourselves, place yourselves under the protection of the Most High, be steadfast in prayer, and put your trust in me, your Savior. And one more thing: Do not be deceived. Test everything and hold on to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Don't be afraid.

Amen