ACC ~ Revelation 9 v18 - 19

THE DEVIL DOES HARM THROUGH IMPIOUS KINGS AND WORLDLY PRELATES. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: [The smoke, fire, and sulphur from their mouths] are the blasphemies that proceed from their mouths against God. “Their tails are like serpents.” The leaders [of the heretics] we call “tails,” and the rulers of the world we call “heads.” It is through these that the devil does his harm, and without these he is not able to do harm. For either irreligious kings do harm by an evil exercise of authority, or worldly prelates do harm by teaching badly. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 9.18-19, HOMILY 7.

SIN CONSUMES THE FRUIT OF THE HEART. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: “The fire that proceeds with smoke and sulfur from their mouths,” through which one third of humankind is killed, signifies those sins that consume the fruits of the heart by means of the poisonous assaults and instigations of the demons. Or the fire signifies the devastation of cities by fire and by the shedding of blood, which God allows to be done through the hands of the barbarians. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9.17-19.

Rev