Revelation Chapter 9

Distributed by:  KJV Bible Studies

Email:   mail@kjvbiblestudies2.net

Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net

Introduction:  Chapter 9 of Revelation covers the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments. The catastrophic nature of the Tribulation increases. The events from 9:1 to 11:12 are under the first "woe" pronounced by the angel.

I. Star Falls From Heaven

Rev 9:1  And 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. 

Where the previous four trumpets dealt with physical occurrences being cast to the earth, here,  the star that is fallen is not a literal star as in 8:10.  This we know from the personal pronouns that are used "him" and "he".   There are many different views as to who this ‘star’ is. Some take the position it is Christ, for He has the keys of hell and death. Others view the ‘star’ as an angel.

The word translated as fall (piptw pipto) is a perfect participle so the phrase could be interpreted,  as having fallen from heaven.  It is evident that the star that John saw may have had already fallen.  Who in the scripture was likened to “a star fallen from heaven?  The fact “he” was given the only key to the abyss might lean toward the position of “him” being Satan.

Luke 10:18 and Revelation 12:12-13 may allude to the same fact. Moreover, verse 11 implies this star to be the “angel of the bottomless pit” which apparently is Satan. The account of his fall is given in Isaiah 14:12-15. Without doubt, Satan is the star seen here and the reference of his falling relates to his original fall.

Isa 14:12  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 

Isa 14:13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 

Isa 14:14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 

Isa 14:15  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 

The bottomless pit is the abode of evil spirits and demons. They dread and hate the place as is seen in Luke 8:31 "And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep." - (abyss or bottomless pit).   Satan is given the key to the bottomless pit. This prison of the cursed is opened only by divine permission. Jesus Christ has the keys as we see in Revelation 1:18 "…and have the keys of hell and of death." So Jesus gives the key to the devil.

There is the day coming when all the demons and evil spirits of hell shall be turned loose upon the earth. They will be given the power to indwell and rule men who have rejected Christ as the Savior. The torment they inflict will be beyond imagination.

Rev 9:2  And 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. 

This bottomless pit evidently is in the earth.  Though some have sought to spiritualize the smoke, referring to a spiritual darkening of the world in that day, it would seem rather that what is described here is literal.  The abyss may well be one and the same as hades which evidently is located in the bowels of the earth.

Precisely how it is vented onto the surface of the earth is not made clear. It would almost seem to be volcanic in nature.

Rev 9:3  And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 

Out of this infernal smoke, belched into the atmosphere of the earth, fly supernatural and apparently bothersome demonic creatures. John likens them to locusts.   It is clear from the unfolding context that these are no ordinary locusts. Implied is that they are given power to hurt, even as scorpions do, with their venomous sting.

Rev 9:4  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. 

It is clear these scorpion-like locusts are not natural. They were commanded not to to hurt the grass, the trees, or any green thing  That is the normal food source for natural locusts.   These hellish creatures were commanded to hurt only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. Those having the seal of God upon their foreheads are none other than the 144,000. See Revelation 14:1.

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 

Apparently all others, particularly those who are the followers of the antichrist, are open season for these demonic creatures.  Evidently, by this time most of those who have turned to Christ have already been martyred for their faith.

Rev 9:5  And 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. 

Rev 9:6  And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 

These demonic creatures will strike men with their stinger as they fly through the air and the pain of the venom will remain for five months.    Verse 5 says the lingering misery and pain from these demonic creatures will be such, men will wish to die but cannot.

Rev 9:7  And 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. 

More graphic details regarding these demonic creatures are indicated.  “The shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle.”  The analogy is two-fold.

(1)    Middle-eastern locusts reputedly resemble the face of a horse, particularly in battle array.

(2)    Plagues of locusts in the Middle East are like unto armies as they swarm across the land.

These creatures had on their heads “as it were crowns like gold.” They were not gold, but as it were like gold. This may well allude to their superiority over lost mankind.    They also had the faces like those of men. It is clear these are not mere insects. There is nothing said concerning their size.

II. Scorpions Further Described

Rev 9:8  And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 

Rev 9:9  And 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. 

These hellish creatures apparently have long hair like women and ferocious teeth like lions.   Their appearance bears strong resemblance to the imagery of many of the famous bands of today. It also describes a lot of tattoos I have seen on people lately. The source of both is the same.

These locust-like swarms will produce a deafening sound that man is unfamiliar with as they roam across the earth.

Rev 9:10  And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 

These not-of-this-world creatures have tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.  From verse 5, it is clear the painful aftermath of their sting lasted five months. Here, it might be implied that the curse of these creatures roaming the earth itself lasts for five months as well.

Rev 9:11  And 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. 

And 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.  More insight is given in that these demonic armies have “a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit.” This angel may be one and the same with the star described earlier.    Once again, it should be recalled that these demonic creatures rise up out of the abyss. (Here only the word abyssos is used. ‘Pit’ is not in the Greek text. )

This demonic king of the abyss is named in Hebrew Abaddon which therein means ‘destruction.’ In Greek, his name is Apollyon which means again ‘destroyer.’   Of interest is that the name Apollyon is a derivative of the Greek word (apollumi) apollumi which means ‘perishing’ or ‘perdition.’   Apollyon literally means ‘the perishing one,’ or ‘the one of perdition.’ This quite evidently is none other than Satan.

Putting it all together, the fifth trumpet judgment is God’s allowance to Satan to open the bottomless pit (hades) where apparently a hoard of demons and fallen angles have been confined.  They will have ample opportunity to torment mankind for a period of time during the second half of the Tribulation.

Rev 9:12  One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 

From heaven is the ominous announcement, “One woe is past; and, behold, there come two more woes more hereafter.”   Implied is the awfulness and power of this judgment.   The second woe is noted in 11:13-14.

Rev 11:13  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 

Rev 11:14  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.  

The third woe is not specifically defined, but is usually assumed to be the seventh trumpet judgment though a case could be made for the seven vial judgments.

Rev 9:13  And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 

Rev 9:14  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 

As the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, John ‘heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God.”   Though the Tribulation is raging on the earth below, John’s vantage point remains in heaven.  The “golden altar” evidently is the altar of incense in the Temple of God in heaven.

The voice is not identified, I believe it is that of Christ for it commands the high ranking angel who sounded his trumpet.  The order to the angel of the sixth trumpet is, “Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” The word translated as in is (epi) epi which also has the sense of ‘upon,’ ‘by,’ or ‘at.’ Moreover, the word translated as bound (dew deo) is perfect tense and passive voice.

The idea is that they were previously bound. When, we are not told. However, it may well go back into the mists of time when Satan was cast to the earth upon his fall.  Significant is that the Euphrates River flows through or adjacent to the ancient city of Babylon. All false religions in the world trace their roots back to the old Babylonian mystery religion.  Who these four angels are, we are not told. However, it is apparent they are of Satan’s realm and have been bound, perhaps for their particular viciousness, until this very time.

Rev 9:15  And 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. 

And 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. Thus, these four angels were released which had been made ready “for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year.”   

The thought is, ‘which were prepared for the hour, and day, and month, and year.’ These four vicious angels had been bound to this very time “for to slay the third part of men.”   Whereas it took the first four seal judgments to slay one-quarter of the earth’s population, by these four angels another third of mankind will perish.  

Simple arithmetic reveals that in eliminating one-quarter of the population, three-quarters are left. Now a third of that is slain. That cumulatively is one-half of the earth’s population and the Tribulation is not any-where near over.

Rev 9:16  And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 

With the loosing of these four wicked angels, evidently another army of demonic creatures is released with them.   Much has been made in recent decades of what is presumed to be an army of two-hundred-million and their presumed source.  A popular view is that this is the army of Red China, two-hundred-million strong, marching into the Middle East for apocalyptic battle. However, a close look at the text will show this likely is not the case.

First, the numbering here is relative and not absolute.  The word translated as two hundred is (duo) duo which literally means ‘two.’   The words translated thousand (muriavmyrias) literally means innumerable. The English word myriad derives therefrom.  It is the same word translated as ‘ten thousand’ in Revelation 5:11, ‘innumerable multitude’ in Luke 12:1, and ‘thousands’ in Acts 21:20.

The best Greek word for ‘thousand’ is chilias. (John’s comment at the end of the verse, “and I heard the number of them” does lend credence to a specific number and this opted for two hundred thousand thousand.)  Moreover, as will be quite apparent in the succeeding context, these horsemen like the locust earlier in the chapter clearly are supernatural and demonic in nature.

Rev 9:17  And 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. 

The supernatural and demonic character of these horsemen from hell is described. They wore “breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone.”  Some think this refers to the color of the breastplates, perhaps from varying distance. that may be. Jacinth can have a blue color and brimstone is usually thought of as sulphurous yellow. Their description as being of fire may allude to their shiny appearance. These grotesque horses had heads like lions and out of their mouths “issued fire and smoke and brimstone.”   

Some have sought to liken these unearthly creatures to the mechanized weapons of modern warfare as they issue fire, smoke, and destruction from their mouths (i.e., weapons)  One-third of the earth’s population (assuming ‘men’ to be generic for mankind) is awesome. To picture this demonic hoard of horsemen from hell inflicting death at will across the planet is terrifying to even consider.

Rev 9:18  By 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. 

Rev 9:19  For 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. 

John makes clear the three are the fire, smoke, and brimstone from the mouths of these hellish creatures turned loose on the earth.   One-third of the earth’s population (assuming ‘men’ to be generic for mankind)  has a huge impact on the earth.  To picture this demonic hoard of horsemen from hell inflicting death at will across the planet is terrifying to even consider.

In Verse 19, these unearthly, quasi-spiritual creatures have power to inflict mortal wounds not only in their mouths, but also in their tails which were likened unto serpents.  Though the second woe is not mentioned as being complete until 11:14, the intervening text is essentially parenthetical. This may in fact be the second woe.

Rev 9:20  And 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: 

Despite the awesome destruction being inflicted all around, the remainder of the earth’s population refuse to turn from their worship of demons and idols.   The connection between idolatry and demons is again mentioned. The greater thought is that they refuse to turn to God. There is a refusal to repent, despite the terrifying judgment from God. The depravity of the human heart hardened by sin remains apparent.

Rev 9:21  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. 

The sin-hardened world in that day refuses to repent of the sin abounding in their lives.   Apparent is violence resulting in murder.  The word translated as sorceries (farmakeia pharmakeia) refers to both the occult and the use of illicit drugs often associated with the occult.

Rampant sexual immorality (including homosexuality) is apparent in that day of which the remaining worldings refuse to repent. Part and parcel therewith is thievery as people may steal whatever they can in that day to survive.  Consider the cities in our Nation known as “the cities of refuge”. They have been taken over by alien criminals. Laws have been changed to to release them without 3bail until their court appearance. 

The greater truth is that even in the face of great judgment from God, the remaining wicked world refuses to turn from its sin.

KJV Bible Studies are prepared and distributed free of charge. The lessons may not be sold without consent. If you have questions or wish to discuss the lessons, or possibly need help in finding Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior, contact us by email below.

Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Website: http://www.kjvbiblestudies.net

Email:   mail@kjvbiblestudies2.net

Practice Random Acts of Kindness.  Each act spreads, and many will be blessed.