Revelation 9
The Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the Abyss
1The 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.
2He 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.
3Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4They 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.
5They 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.
6In those days people will seek death, and will in no way find it. They will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
7The 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.
8They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions.
9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots and horses rushing to war.
10They have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months.
11They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”, but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”.
12The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
The Sixth Trumpet: Army from the Euphrates
13The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!”
15The 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.
16The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million. I heard the number of them.
17Thus 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.
18By these three plagues, one third of mankind was killed: by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur, which proceeded out of their mouths.
19For 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.
20The 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.
21They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
Revelation 9 presents the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments, unleashing supernatural torment and destruction upon the earth. The fifth trumpet releases demonic locusts from the abyss that torment unbelievers for five months, while the sixth trumpet frees four angels who lead a massive army that kills one-third of humanity. Despite these devastating plagues, the surviving remnant refuses to repent of their idolatry and sins, demonstrating humanity's hardened resistance to God's judgment.
Context
Following the first four trumpet judgments affecting nature in chapter 8, chapter 9 escalates to direct supernatural attacks on humanity, setting up the final trumpet judgment in chapter 11.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2The Abyss OpenedA fallen star opens the bottomless pit, releasing dark smoke that darkens the sky.
- 3-6Demonic Locusts ReleasedSupernatural locusts emerge with power to torment unsealed humans for five months.
- 7-12Description of the LocustsThe locusts appear as grotesque warrior-creatures led by Abaddon, the angel of destruction.
- 13-16The Sixth Trumpet SoundsFour bound angels are released from the Euphrates to lead a massive army.
- 17-19The Demonic ArmyA 200-million strong cavalry with lion-headed horses kills one-third of mankind with fire, smoke, and sulfur.
- 20-21Humanity's UnrepentanceThe surviving population remains hardened in idolatry, murder, sorcery, and immorality despite the judgments.
The Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the Abyss
9:1–9:12The fifth trumpet releases demonic locusts from the abyss to torment those without God's seal for five months. These creatures are led by Abaddon/Apollyon and cause such agony that people seek death but cannot find it.
theme_rarity
John's locusts bear crowns and human faces while wielding scorpion stings, uniquely blending imperial imagery with demonic torment in a creature that defies both natural and mythological categories.
The Sixth Trumpet: Army from the Euphrates
9:13–9:21The sixth trumpet releases four bound angels at the Euphrates who lead a massive army that kills one-third of humanity. Despite these plagues, the remaining people refuse to repent of their idolatry and sins.
theme_rarity
Despite witnessing apocalyptic devastation that kills one-third of humanity, the survivors' stubborn refusal to repent reveals how deeply entrenched human rebellion becomes against divine judgment.
Revelation 9:1
Revelation 20:1lexicalI saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
Revelation 8:10lexicalThe third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the river…
Revelation 6:13lexicalThe stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
Matthew 16:19lexicalI will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and…
Matthew 24:29lexical“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the star…
Revelation 9:3
Acts 2:19lexicalI will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
Revelation 14:18lexicalAnother angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the s…
Matthew 28:18lexicalJesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Revelation 6:8lexicalAnd behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth…
Revelation 9:4
Revelation 8:7lexicalThe first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of t…
Revelation 7:3lexicalsaying, “Don’t harm the earth, the sea, or the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their forehead…
Mark 6:39lexicalHe commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.
Revelation 9:12
Revelation 11:14lexicalThe second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.
Matthew 18:16lexicalBut if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be e…
Luke 22:47lexicalWhile he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came nea…
Matthew 26:47lexicalWhile he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and club…
Revelation 9:13
Revelation 8:13lexicalI saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the ea…
Revelation 8:3lexicalAnother angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add i…
Revelation 15:7lexicalOne of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever…
Revelation 5:8lexicalNow when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one…
Revelation 11:15lexicalThe seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom…
Revelation 9:14
Revelation 16:12lexicalThe sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared…
Matthew 24:31lexicalHe will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four…
Revelation 8:13lexicalI saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the ea…
Revelation 8:10lexicalThe third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the river…
Revelation 7:2lexicalI saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four a…
Revelation 9:15
Galatians 4:10lexicalYou observe days, months, seasons, and years.
Acts 23:23lexicalHe called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seven…
Matthew 17:23lexicaland they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
Matthew 16:21lexicalFrom that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Luke 18:33lexicalThey will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”
Revelation 9:17
Revelation 11:5lexicalIf anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm th…
Revelation 19:21lexicalThe rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came out of his mouth. So all the birds…
Revelation 13:2lexicalThe beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion…
Revelation 6:2lexicalThen a white horse appeared, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and t…
Revelation 19:11lexicalI saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he ju…
Revelation 9:18
Revelation 11:5lexicalIf anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm th…
2 Corinthians 13:1lexicalThis is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
Revelation 9:20
2 Timothy 2:20lexicalNow in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor…
Acts 7:41lexicalThey made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
Luke 8:10lexicalHe said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seei…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter