Revelation 9

1. I saw a star fall (fallen) from heaven. Apparently Satan (cp. Luke x. 18); here employed as the executioner of Divine wrath.

the bottomless pit. Lit., “the pit of the abyss,” i.e., the abode of evil spirits: see xx. 1, and note on Luke viii. 31.

2 smoke. “Denotes the diffusion on earth of the diabolical spirit of cruelty and hatred. Out of this smoke come the ’locusts’” (Dr. Vaughan).

3 locusts. A visitation of locusts is a fearful calamity (see Exod. x. 4-15); a symbol of extensive, severe, irresistible, and continued punishments (see Joel i. 2-7; ii. 1-9, and notes). “There is much, however, here which points to an outbreak of moral evil” (Archdeacon Lee in Speaker’s Commentary).

4 the seal of God. The seal mentioned before in vii. 2, 4.

5 five months. The term of five months may refer to the duration of the ravages of the natural locust: cp. ver. 10. It symbolises an indefinite but brief duration.

a scorpion. A symbol of merciless men (Ezek. ii. 6).

7 crowns like gold. This may refer to the horns of the locusts, which are tipped with yellow, and are here called “crowns,” as emblematic of their victorious march: cp. Joel ii. 7-9.

8. And they had hair, etc. Cp. Jer. li. 27; Joel i. 4, and notes. For “teeth like lions,” see Joel i. 6. The “breastplates as it were iron” (9), may refer to the hard and firm cuticle on the fore part of the locust, which serves as a shield when it moves among thorny vegetation.

11. And they had a king, etc. Moving as an organised body (see Joel ii. 7, 8), to fulfil the cruel purposes of the great Destroyer, “Abaddon”: see Job xxvi. 6; xxviii. 22.

13 the golden altar. Cp. viii. 3. The judgement is proclaimed from the golden altar of incense, as if in reply to the Intercessor’s prayers.

14. Loose the four angels, etc. Four ministers of Divine wrath that had latherto been restrained, as on the outskirts of the Holy Land. Respecting the number “four,” see note on vii. 1.

the great river Euphrates. “The great river is the symbolic limit which separates the Church from her enemies” (Stern).

Palestine had for many ages been subject to invasion by formidable hosts from the region of the Euphrates: see Gen. xiv.; Judges iii. 8; 2 Kings xv. 19, etc. Assyria and Babylon had been proverbial for the multitudes of their cavalry; and they abounded with representations of symbolical animals, to which the figures of this vision bear remarkable resemblance. And in the days of John, the Parthian horsemen from the same region were dreaded even by the legions of Rome.

15 for an hour, etc. Rather, as R.V., “For the hour and day and month and year,” i.e., the exact time appointed by God at which they were to lead forth their destroying army.

16 two hundred thousand thousand. “Two myriads of myriads”; an overwhelming multitude of dreadful monsters.

17 breastplates of fire, etc. Glaring and terrific. 18 By these three. The best MSS. add “plagues”; i.e., the fire, smoke, and brimstone, issuing from the mouths of the horses; which are represented as performing the principal work of destruction, the riders only guiding them.

1 clothed with a cloud. The emblem of majesty (see Psa. xviii. 12; Ezek. i. 4). “The rainbow” (as iv. 3) is the emblem of mercy.

2 a little book. Cp. Ezek. iii. 1-4. This small scroll appears to have contained prophecies; perhaps some of those which John was to utter (see vers. 8-11). Godet thinks that they are contained in x. 1-13.

he set his right foot on the sea, etc. Signifying the Divine control over both land and sea.

3 seven thunders. Properly, “the seven thunders”; “seven peals of thunder” (Weymouth). Cp. Psa. xxix; John xii. 28, 29. The number seven here as elsewhere denoting completeness.

4. Seal up, etc. In no other instance is John forbidden to write (or publish); in i. 19 and three subsequent instances he is expressly commanded to do it (xiv. 13; xix. 9; xxi. 5); cp. Dan. xii. 4, 9.

5 lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware, etc. Cp. Dan. xii. 7, and note.

6 that there should be time no longer. Or, “that there shall be no more delay.” The sounding of the seventh trumpet is at hand.