ACC ~ Revelation 9 v3

DEMONIC POWERS HARM HUMANKIND. TYCONIUS: In the locusts he signifies spiritual and adversarial powers that we see flying around in the air in the manner of locusts for the purpose of harming humankind. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9.3.

A GNAWING OF SOUL. OECUMENIUS: I think that he calls “locusts” those worms of which Isaiah spoke: “Their worm will not die, and their fire will not be quenched,”perhaps calling a “worm” that gnawing of the soul and the unceasing, creeping pain that it suffers. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9.1-4.

HERETICS RISE HIGH AND THEN ARE DISSIPATED. PRIMASIUS: The “locusts” signify those who come forth from the smoke. For, like smoke, the heretics desire to rise high, since by their teachings they strive for positions of eminence, yet, again like smoke, they are dissipated. We read of this smoke, for in the person of those who are evil it was said, “Smoke is the breath in our nostrils, and reason is the sparks for moving our heart.” When the impious are said to strive by sin against wisdom, that is, against the Lord Jesus Christ, they are also described as fighting against his church, harming it by their malicious mouth, while they are hindered from harming the green grass and trees. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9.3.

Rev