Revelation 9
Revelation 9 unfolds primarily around the moment when the fifth and sixth trumpets among the seven trumpet judgments are sounded. In this chapter, the greater suffering caused by humanity’s sins and stubbornness becomes evident, and God’s judgment appears in an even more specific and intense way. In particular, supernatural and symbolic images are presented, suggesting that both spiritual realities beyond human understanding and historical events can be referenced.
1verseThe 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.
2verseHe 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.
3verseThen out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4verseThey 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.
5verseThey 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.
6verseIn those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
7verseThe 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.
8verseThey had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions.
9verseThey had breastplates like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots and horses rushing to war.
10verseThey have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
11verseThey have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”, but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”.
12verseThe first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
13verseThe sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14versesaying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15verseThe 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.
16verseThe number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.
17verseThus 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 horses’ heads resembled lions’ heads. Out of their mouths proceed fire, smoke, and sulfur.
18verseBy these three plagues, one third of mankind was killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths.
19verseFor 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.
20verseThe 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’t see, hear, or walk.
21verseThey didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
Summary of the Main Content
- Verses 1-12: When the fifth angel sounds his trumpet, a star (a certain angel) falls from heaven and receives the key to the bottomless pit, then opens it. Here, with smoke, terrifying locusts (grasshoppers) appear, and the scene of them harming people is described. These locusts attack only those who do not have God’s seal on them.
- Verses 13-21: When the sixth angel sounds his trumpet, four angels are released from the Euphrates River, and the armies they lead kill one-third of mankind. However, people do not turn away from their sins even amid these judgments, continuing idolatry, murder, and acts of sexual immorality.
Symbolic Images and Their Meaning
In chapter 9, the bottomless pit, the locusts, and the armies that release fire, smoke, and sulfur are understood not only through literal interpretation but also through symbolic meaning. The locusts may mean a disasterous situation that brings suffering in that time, or they may point to spiritual beings, the sinful nature of human beings, or destructive phenomena appearing in human society. The armies released from the Euphrates River also show that the judgment is limited and planned under God’s permission. Even amid all suffering, it emphasizes that God remains sovereign.
The Message Given by the Whole Chapter
While this chapter relates to the final judgment of the world, it emphasizes not only stories of mere disasters but also the message of repentance and warning. God desires that people turn back even amid judgment, showing that He specially protects His own people. Yet many people still do not turn their hearts even while suffering, which highlights the contrast between human stubbornness and God’s mercy.
Points for Reflection
- Before hardship, do I have a heart that turns to God?
- Do I remember that God’s judgment is not merely discipline, but an opportunity for restoration and repentance?
- Am I alert to the reality of spiritual warfare and to the idols and sin in my life?
Apply It to My Life
- When I face the difficulties and hardships of life, I reflect on whether I draw closer to God—or whether my heart becomes even more stubborn.
- In the presence of all the warnings and words God gives, I pray so that I can respond with humility, repenting and obeying.
- I resolve to live in a way that intercedes for those around me who are suffering, helping them return through God’s love and grace.