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Revelation 9

21 verses

TL;DR

Revelation 9 describes the unleashing of demonic forces—locusts from the bottomless pit and a host of horsemen from the Euphrates—to torment the ungodly for five months and then kill a third of humanity.

Summary

In Revelation 9 the fifth angel releases a star who is given the key to the bottomless pit. When the pit is opened, smoke erupts, darkening the sun and air, and locusts with scorpion‑like power descend upon the earth. They are commanded not to destroy vegetation but to torment only those without God’s seal for five months, causing death to flee from the desperate. The locusts are described in vivid, battle‑like detail, with crowns, iron breastplates, and scorpion stings, and their king is the angel of the pit, Abaddon (Apollyon). One woe has passed; two more loom. The sixth angel then frees four bound angels from the Euphrates, each prepared to kill a third of humanity with fire, smoke, and brimstone. The verse ends with a lament that the survivors still cling to idolatry and wickedness.

Outline
  1. Release of locusts from the bottomless pit
  2. Description and torment of the locusts
  3. Release of horsemen from the Euphrates and annihilation of a third of humanity
Themes
Judgment and divine wrathThe futility of rebellionThe terror of the end times
Keywords
Revelationlocustsbottomless pitAbaddonApollyonEuphrateshorsemenjudgmentwrathpenitence
People
Johnthe Fifth Angelthe Sixth Angelthe StarAbaddon (Apollyon)the four bound angels
Places
the bottomless pitthe great river Euphratesthe golden altar
Things
key to the bottomless pitlocustsscorpion tailsiron breastplatesfiresmokebrimstonethe starAbaddon
Key Verses
  • Revelation 9:1: Introduction of the star and the key, setting the stage for the unleashed judgment.
  • Revelation 9:3: First appearance of the locusts, establishing the nature of the judgment.
  • Revelation 9:10: Reveals the king of the locusts, identifying Abaddon/Apollyon as the agent of destruction.
  • Revelation 9:14-15: Describes the release of the four angels, moving from locusts to a larger scale judgment.
  • Revelation 9:18: Shows the specific means—fire, smoke, brimstone—by which the third of humanity is slain.
Questions
  • What does the repeated command to 'not destroy vegetation' suggest about God's priorities during judgment?
  • How might the vivid description of the locusts serve to convey spiritual truths?
  • In what ways does Revelation 9 warn against the persistence of idolatry and wickedness?
  • What lessons can modern believers draw from the description of the angels of the Euphrates?
  • How does the concept of 'death fleeing' affect our understanding of divine providence?
Sentiment

negative
The passage portrays intense suffering, judgment, and the terror of divine wrath.