RSV ~ Revelation 9 Notes

Rev 9:1-12 | ISB Notes

The fifth trumpet unlocks the abyss, releasing volcanic smoke and swarms of warrior locusts. These are demonic forces let loose to torture and terrorize the earth. Four restrictions are placed on this first woe: (1) vegetation is to be left unharmed (9:4); (2) only the wicked are to be targeted for torment (9:4); (3) victims are not to be killed (9:5); and (4) the plague is to end in five months (9:5). Limitations such as these suggest that God is administering remedial or corrective punishment that is aimed at bringing about repentance (9:20-21).

• The prophet Joel once described an invasion of locusts that overran Judea in OT times. As in John’s vision, he compared them to an army of war horses (9:7; Joel 2:4) with lion’s teeth (9:8; Joel 1:6) and wings that sounded like chariots (9:9; Joel 2:5). This, too, was a plague from the Lord intended to induce repentance (Joel 2:12-16).

Rev 9:1 | ISB Notes

a star fallen: A demon or fallen angel (8:10; 12:4, 9).

the bottomless pit: Or “the abyss”, which corresponds to the Hebrew Sheoland the Greek Hades. In the cosmology of Israel, this is the gloomy underworld where the spirits of men sink down after death to await the final Judgment (20:13; Ps 9:17; Wis 16:13-14). It is also the dwelling of infernal spirits that crawl up to bring death, destruction, and deception into the world of the living (11:7; 20:1-3; Lk 8:29-31; 2 Pet 2:4). Christ has authority over this realm because he holds the “keys” to the abyss and can order angels and demons to lock and unlock it at his discretion (1:18; 20:1).

Rev 9:4 | ISB Notes

the seal of God: A mark of protection on the righteous of Israel. See note on Rev 7:3.

Rev 9:5 | ISB Notes

five months: Roughly equivalent to the life cycle of an actual locust.

Rev 9:11 | ISB Notes

his name: Abaddon is a Hebrew term that means “destruction”, and Apollyon is a Greek term that means “destroyer”.

• The former is associated with the underworld in Job 26:6, Ps 88:11, and Prov 15:11.

Rev 9:13-21 | ISB Notes

The sixth trumpet unbinds four demons who rouse an army of fire-breathing horses into battle. Unlike the locusts (9:5), these beasts with lion heads and serpent tails are given permission to kill masses of human life (9:18).

Rev 9:13 | ISB Notes

the golden altar: The heavenly altar of incense, where the prayers of the saints ascend before God (8:3). Like its earthly counterpart, it has four horns protruding from its four corners (Ex 37:25-28).

Rev 9:14 | ISB Notes

river Euphrates: The longest river in ancient Mesopotamia. Along its banks lived the Babylonians, one of the traditional archenemies of Israel.

Rev 9:15 | ISB Notes

hour … day … month … year: The plan of God unfolds according to a precise timetable determined in advance.

a third of mankind: The same fraction is applied to the plagues unleashed by the earlier trumpets (8:7, 9-10, 12).

Rev 9:20 | ISB Notes

did not repent: The survivors of the sixth trumpet remain hardened in their wickedness (16:9, 11) despite the merciful purpose of these judgments to discipline sinners and bring them back to God (Lev 26:14-33).

worshiping demons and idols: The Bible equates idolatry with service to fallen spirits (Deut 32:16-17; Ps 106:36-37). Taunts against idols as lifeless and motionless images were proverbial (Ps 115:4-7; Dan 5:23; Hab 2:18-19).