Revelation 9

Commentary

The Fifth Trumpet

1And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4And 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. 5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

7And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

12One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

The Sixth Trumpet

13And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

20And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Fifth Trumpet

1 The 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. 2 He 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. 3 Then out of the smoke came forth locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They 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. 5 They 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. 6 In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

7 The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9 They had breastplates, like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, or of many horses rushing to war. 10 They have tails like those of scorpions, and stings. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon,” but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon.”

12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.

The Sixth Trumpet

13 The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 15 The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them. 17 Thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those who sat on them, having breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of lions. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 By these three plagues were one third of mankind killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths, and in their tails. For their tails are like serpents, and have heads, and with them they harm.

20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21 They didn’t repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their sexual immorality, nor of their thefts.

The Fifth Trumpet

1 Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and it was given the key to the pit of the Abyss. 2 The star opened the pit of the Abyss, and smoke rose out of it like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit.

3 And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.

7 And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads, and faces like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions. 9 They also had thoraxes like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers like scorpions, which had the power to injure people for five months. 11 They were ruled by a king, the angel of the Abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, a and in Greek it is Apollyon. b

12 The first woe has passed. Behold, two woes are still to follow.

The Sixth Trumpet

13 Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God 14 saying to the sixth angel with the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

15 So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.

17 Now the horses and riders in my vision looked like this: The riders had breastplates the colors of fire, sapphire, and sulfur. The heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceeded fire, smoke, and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.

20 Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.

 

Footnotes:

11 a Abaddon  means Destruction .
11 b Apollyon  means Destroyer .

The Fifth Trumpet

1And the fifth messenger did sound, and I saw a star out of the heaven having fallen to the earth, and there was given to it the key of the pit of the abyss, 2and he did open the pit of the abyss, and there came up a smoke out of the pit as smoke of a great furnace, and darkened was the sun and the air, from the smoke of the pit. 3And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth, and there was given to them authority, as scorpions of the earth have authority, 4and it was said to them that they may not injure the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but -- the men only who have not the seal of God upon their foreheads, 5and it was given to them that they may not kill them, but that they may be tormented five months, and their torment is as the torment of a scorpion, when it may strike a man; 6and in those days shall men seek the death, and they shall not find it, and they shall desire to die, and the death shall flee from them.

7And the likenesses of the locusts are like to horses made ready to battle, and upon their heads as crowns like gold, and their faces as faces of men, 8and they had hair as hair of women, and their teeth were as those of lions, 9and they had breastplates as breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings is as the noise of chariots of many horses running to battle; 10and they have tails like to scorpions, and stings were in their tails; and their authority is to injure men five months; 11and they have over them a king -- the messenger of the abyss -- a name is to him in Hebrew, Abaddon, and in the Greek he hath a name, Apollyon.

12The first woe did go forth, lo, there come yet two woes after these things.

The Sixth Trumpet

13And the sixth messenger did sound, and I heard a voice out of the four horns of the altar of gold that is before God, 14saying to the sixth messenger who had the trumpet, 'Loose the four messengers who are bound at the great river Euphrates;' 15and loosed were the four messengers, who have been made ready for the hour, and day, and month, and year, that they may kill the third of men; 16and the number of the forces of the horsemen is two myriads of myriads, and I heard the number of them. 17And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and those sitting upon them, having breastplates of fire, and jacinth, and brimstone; and the heads of the horses are as heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceedeth fire, and smoke, and brimstone; 18by these three were the third of men killed, from the fire, and from the smoke, and from the brimstone, that is proceeding out of their mouth, 19for their authorities are in their mouth, and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents, having heads, and with them they do injure;

20and the rest of men, who were not killed in these plagues, neither did reform from the works of their hands, that they may not bow before the demons, and idols, those of gold, and those of silver, and those of brass, and those of stone, and those of wood, that are neither able to see, nor to hear, nor to walk, 21yea they did not reform from their murders, nor from their sorceries, nor from their whoredoms, nor from their thefts.

The Favor of God paraphrase

The Fifth Trumpet: The Plague of Locusts

¹ 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. ² When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a giant furnace. The sun and the sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. ³ And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. ⁴ They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. ⁵ They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. ⁶ During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.

⁷ The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. ⁸ Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. ⁹ They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. ¹⁰ They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. ¹¹ They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).

¹² The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

The Sixth Trumpet: The Release of the Four Angels

¹³ The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. ¹⁴ It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” ¹⁵ And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. ¹⁶ The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.

¹⁷ The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. ¹⁸ A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths. ¹⁹ The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

The Unrepentant Mankind

²⁰ The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. ²¹ Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

Footnotes:

1.The “star that had fallen” (verse 1) is likely a reference to a spiritual being, perhaps Satan or another fallen angel, given temporary authority to open the Abyss, a realm of darkness and judgment in the Bible (Luke 8:31).

2.The “Abyss” (verse 2) is often depicted as a prison for demons or fallen angels. When it’s opened, the rising smoke and the subsequent darkness symbolize spiritual oppression and chaos.

3.The locusts (verses 3-5) are not ordinary insects; their description is symbolic of a demonic force bringing torment, restrained from killing but given the power to inflict severe pain. Their five-month period of torment parallels the lifespan of an actual locust.

4.“Abaddon” and “Apollyon” (verse 11) both mean “Destroyer,” indicating a leader of destructive forces. The name reveals the nature of the evil being controlling the demonic locusts.

5.The “four angels” bound at the Euphrates (verse 14) represent powerful, destructive beings that have been restrained until this moment of judgment. The Euphrates is significant in biblical history as a boundary to Israel and a marker of foreign invasion.

6.The description of the mounted troops (verse 17) paints a vivid picture of destruction, with fire, smoke, and sulfur representing divine judgment. The colors (red, blue, and yellow) reflect the deadly forces unleashed upon humanity.

7.Despite the plagues and devastation (verse 20), humanity’s refusal to repent reveals the deep-seated rebellion against God. This highlights the tragic persistence of idolatry and immorality, even in the face of divine judgment.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Revelation 9?
2Introduction to Revelation 9
3Context of Revelation 9
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Revelation 9 Unique Insights
7Revelation 9 Connections to Yeshua
8Revelation 9 Scriptural Echoes
9Revelation 9 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Revelation 9?

Introduction to Revelation 9

Revelation 9 stands as one of the most vivid and apocalyptic chapters in Scripture, presenting the unleashing of the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments upon the earth. This chapter marks a dramatic escalation in the intensity of God’s judgments, introducing supernatural forces that bring unprecedented torment and death to humanity. The imagery is both terrifying and mysterious, featuring locusts with human faces, lions’ teeth, and scorpion-like stings, followed by an army of 200 million mounted troops.

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The significance of this chapter cannot be overstated as it reveals God’s sovereignty even over demonic forces and His use of both natural and supernatural means to bring judgment upon a rebellious world. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting divine authority while simultaneously demonstrating God’s mercy in that these judgments are meant to lead people to repentance.

Context of Revelation 9

Within the immediate context of Revelation, chapter 9 falls within the sequence of seven trumpet judgments that began in chapter 8. These trumpets represent the second major series of judgments in Revelation, following the seven seals and preceding the seven bowls. The fifth and sixth trumpets (also called the first and second “woes”) represent a significant intensification of judgment, moving from the natural realm (affecting vegetation, seas, fresh water, and celestial bodies in chapter 8) to the supernatural realm with demonic forces being released.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter connects with various prophetic passages throughout Scripture. The locusts recall the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 10:12-15) but are far more terrifying in nature. The imagery draws from Joel’s prophecy of an invading army described as locusts (Joel 2:1-11), while the vast army from the East echoes prophetic references to overwhelming military forces in Daniel and Ezekiel.

This chapter also fits within the larger apocalyptic tradition of Jewish literature, though it surpasses previous apocalyptic writings in its scope and theological significance. It represents a crucial stage in God’s final judgment of evil and the vindication of His people, demonstrating both His justice and His mercy even in judgment.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Abyss (ἄβυσσος/abyssos): The bottomless pit or deep place, used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew tehom (deep). In Jewish thought, it was the prison for evil spirits and the dead. Its appearance here emphasizes the supernatural nature of these judgments and their connection to demonic forces.
  • Locusts (ἀκρίδες/akrides): While literally meaning grasshoppers or locusts, these creatures are clearly supernatural beings. The term recalls the Egyptian plague but these locusts are given power like scorpions and commanded not to harm vegetation, indicating their demonic nature.
  • Apollyon (Ἀπολλύων): The Greek name meaning “Destroyer,” paired with Hebrew “Abaddon.” This double naming emphasizes the universal scope of destruction and may contain a wordplay on Apollo, the Greek deity associated with plagues and destruction.
  • Seal (σφραγίς/sphragis): The protective mark of God on His people, contrasting with the mark of the beast. Those without God’s seal are vulnerable to the locust torture, highlighting divine sovereignty in judgment.
  • Woe (οὐαί/ouai): An expression of doom or judgment, used here to mark the increased severity of the final three trumpet judgments. The term emphasizes the escalating nature of divine judgment.
  • Torment (βασανισμός/basanismos): Originally referred to testing metals with a touchstone, came to mean torture or severe pain. The five-month duration suggests a limited but intense period of suffering.
  • Repent (μετανοέω/metanoeō): Literally means to change one’s mind or purpose. Despite severe judgments, the text notes that many still refused to repent, revealing humanity’s hardness of heart.
  • Horses (ἵπποι/hippoi): The description of the cavalry in the sixth trumpet combines elements of natural and supernatural warfare, with fire, smoke, and sulfur emerging from lion-like heads.
  • Plagues (πληγαί/plēgai): The term encompasses both physical afflictions and divine judgments, connecting these events to the Egyptian plagues while surpassing them in severity.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1: The star “fallen” (πεπτωκότα/peptōkota) from heaven uses the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. This suggests this being’s fall predates this moment, likely referring to Satan or a high-ranking demon, rather than using the aorist tense which would indicate a fall occurring at that moment.
  • Verse 3: The locusts are given “authority” (ἐξουσία/exousia) rather than “power” (δύναμις/dynamis), emphasizing delegated permission rather than inherent ability. This highlights God’s sovereign control over even demonic forces.
  • Verse 5: The five-month duration precisely matches the natural lifespan of locusts, suggesting a divinely limited period of judgment rather than endless torment. The specific timeframe offers hope even within judgment.
  • Verse 7: The description “like horses prepared for battle” draws from Joel 2:4 but adds human faces, showing these are not mere animals but intelligent beings with purpose and identity.
  • Verse 11: The inclusion of both Hebrew and Greek names for the destroyer king demonstrates the universal scope of the judgment while maintaining connections to Jewish apocalyptic traditions.
  • Verse 15: The four angels are “prepared” (ἡτοιμασμένοι/hētoimasmenoi) for the exact hour, day, month, and year, emphasizing divine sovereignty over timing rather than random chance.
  • Verse 20: The use of “works” (ἔργων/ergōn) of their hands regarding idols emphasizes human responsibility in creating false gods, contrasting with the true God who creates humanity.

Revelation 9 Unique Insights

The structure of this chapter reveals a careful literary design that emphasizes increasing severity of judgment while maintaining divine control. The fifth trumpet brings torment without death, while the sixth trumpet brings death to a third of humanity. This progression suggests a divine pedagogy in judgment, giving opportunities for repentance before final destruction.

Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly 1 Enoch and the Dead Sea Scrolls, contains similar descriptions of imprisoned fallen angels and demonic armies. However, Revelation 9 uniquely emphasizes God’s sovereign control over these forces. The Qumran War Scroll describes a final battle between forces of light and darkness, but Revelation’s account is distinct in showing these forces as instruments of divine judgment rather than independent powers.

Early church fathers like Irenaeus and Hippolytus saw in the locusts a prediction of heretical movements that would plague the church, while others like Augustine emphasized the literal-symbolic nature of the vision, warning against both over-literalization and pure allegory. The rabbinical tradition, particularly in Midrash Rabbah, connects the abyss with Gehenna and sees in the locusts a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy on a cosmic scale.

The precise timing mentioned in verse 15 (hour, day, month, and year) reflects the Hebrew concept of appointed times (מועדים/mo’adim), suggesting these judgments are not random but part of God’s carefully orchestrated plan of redemption and judgment.

Revelation 9 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah’s authority over demonic forces, demonstrated during His earthly ministry, reaches its full expression in this chapter. Just as Yeshua commanded demons and they obeyed Him, here we see all supernatural forces, even those emerging from the abyss, operating under divine authority and limitations.

The purpose of these judgments aligns with Yeshua’s mission to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). However, while His first coming emphasized mercy and salvation, these judgments reveal the serious consequences of rejecting His offer of redemption. The chapter demonstrates that Yeshua is not only the Lamb who was slain but also the Lion of Judah who judges righteously.

The protection of those sealed by God recalls Yeshua’s promises to preserve His people through tribulation (John 17:15), showing His faithful care for His followers even in the midst of severe judgment.

Revelation 9 Scriptural Echoes

The locusts recall not only the Egyptian plague but also Joel’s prophecy of an invading army (Joel 2:1-11). However, while the Egyptian locusts destroyed vegetation, these supernatural locusts specifically target unsealed humans, showing an escalation in judgment.

The seal of protection echoes Ezekiel’s vision where the faithful are marked for preservation (Ezekiel 9:4). This continues the biblical theme of God protecting His people through judgment, seen from Noah through the Exodus.

The army from the East recalls various Old Testament prophecies about overwhelming forces (Daniel 11:44-45), while the hardening of hearts despite severe judgment parallels Pharaoh’s response to the plagues (Exodus 8:15).

Revelation 9 Devotional

In a world that often dismisses the reality of spiritual warfare, this chapter serves as a sobering reminder that we face real spiritual enemies. However, it also assures us that these forces operate only within God’s sovereign limitations. This should drive us to seek His protection and maintain our spiritual vigilance through prayer and obedience.

The chapter’s emphasis on unrepentant hearts despite severe judgment challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are there areas where we’ve grown hardened to God’s voice? The mercy shown in limiting these judgments and providing opportunities for repentance reveals God’s heart – He judges not out of vindictiveness but to lead people to repentance.

Just as those sealed by God were protected from the locust torture, we too can trust in God’s faithful protection of His people. This doesn’t guarantee exemption from all suffering but assures us of His presence and ultimate deliverance through trials.

Did You Know

  • The five-month duration of the locust torture exactly matches the natural lifespan of locusts in the Mediterranean region, showing how divine judgment often uses natural patterns in supernatural ways.
  • The description of the locusts combines features of four different creatures: locusts, horses, humans, and scorpions. This hybrid nature appears in ancient Near Eastern art depicting demons and divine judges.
  • The name Apollyon may contain a deliberate polemic against the cult of Apollo, who was often depicted as a destroyer through plague and was particularly worshipped in Asia Minor where Revelation’s first audience lived.
  • The army of 200 million would have been larger than the entire world population when Revelation was written, emphasizing the supernatural nature of this force.
  • Ancient Jewish tradition held that demons were imprisoned in the abyss, particularly those who had sinned in Noah’s day, making the release of these forces particularly terrifying to the original audience.
  • The description of the horses’ tails as serpents may reflect the Roman military standard of the serpent-shaped wind sock (draco), which appeared to be a serpentine tail when flowing in the wind.
  • The refusal to repent despite such severe judgments fulfills Yeshua’s prophecy that if people won’t believe Moses and the Prophets, they won’t believe even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:31).
  • The specific mention of demon worship alongside idolatry reflects Paul’s teaching that idol worship is actually demon worship (1 Corinthians 10:20).

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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