Definition: And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 9:4. It's a pretty dense passage, so we’ll go slowly and try to understand its meaning. Here’s what it says: “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” Let's unpack each part: "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth..." – This is a pretty straightforward warning. It means we’re told not to destroy or damage anything natural – plants, trees, everything growing on Earth. "...neither any green thing, neither any tree..." - This reinforces the prohibition against destruction. It's saying we must avoid harming anything that grows and is alive. Think of a forest, a field, even just a single flower – we shouldn’t take it away. "...but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." - This is where it gets more symbolic and interesting. “Seal of God” is a really important word. It refers to something that's been preordained or planned for us. What does “seal of God” mean? In the Bible, "seal" often represents a future event or a blessing that's already been given. It’s like a mark or sign. How does it relate to foreheads? The word "forehead" in this context is very significant. It symbolizes our personal identity and destiny. So, what’s the overall message? This verse speaks about a time when evil will be unleashed. It suggests that those who are actively working to harm or destroy God's creation (including the Earth itself) will be identified by a divine mark on their foreheads – a sign of being marked for judgment. In simpler terms: The message is a warning against willful destruction and rebellion against God’s plan. It implies that those who are actively causing harm to the world will be recognized as enemies of God. Important Note: This is a complex verse, and there's been much debate about its exact meaning over centuries. Different interpretations exist within Christian theology. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Give you a different way to understand the message (e.g., focusing on the idea of judgment)?