Revelation 9
When Warnings Go Unheard
Revelation 9 describes the fifth and sixth trumpets, which bring terrible suffering and death upon the earth. Yet even under these judgments, people refuse to turn from their sins. This chapter shows us both the horror of evil and the danger of a heart that will not listen to God.
Walking Through Revelation 9
Evil Has Limits (Revelation 9:1-6)
1 Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. 2 He opened the shaft of the abyss and smoke rose out of it like smoke from a giant furnace. The sun and the air were darkened with smoke from the shaft. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts onto the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to damage the grass of the earth, or any green plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their forehead. 5 The locusts were not given permission to kill them, but only to torture them for five months, and their torture was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person. 6 In those days people will seek death, but will not be able to find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.Revelation 9:1-6 · NET Bible
When the fifth angel sounds his trumpet, John sees a star that has fallen from heaven. This star acts as a personal being and receives a key to the Abyss, a deep prison linked with evil spirits. The passage does not clearly name this being, so we should be careful about claiming more than John tells us.
Smoke rises from the opened pit, and locusts come out. But these are not ordinary insects. Instead of eating plants, they torment people who do not have God's seal, his mark of ownership. Their power is limited: they may torment for five months, but they may not kill. The suffering becomes so terrible that people long for death without finding it.
I do not want us to miss the limits placed on these creatures. Evil is frightening, but it is not free to do whatever it wants. Even here, God's rule has not failed.
The Destroyer's Army (Revelation 9:7-12)
7 Now the locusts looked like horses equipped for battle. On their heads were something like crowns similar to gold, and their faces looked like men’s faces. 8 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like iron breastplates, and the sound of their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. 10 They have tails and stingers like scorpions, and their ability to injure people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon. 12 The first woe has passed, but two woes are still coming after these things!Revelation 9:7-12 · NET Bible
John describes the locusts through a series of comparisons. They look like horses ready for battle, with something like gold crowns, human faces, women's hair, and lions' teeth. They have armor like iron, wings that sound like charging chariots, and tails that sting like scorpions. These strange features show their strength, terror, and power to hurt.
Their king is the angel of the Abyss. His Hebrew name is Abaddon, and his Greek name is Apollyon. Both names carry the meaning of destruction. John does not clearly identify him as Satan, so we should not treat that connection as certain.
The first woe, or great trouble, has now passed, but two more are coming. This is not a puzzle inviting us to match every detail with a modern weapon. It is a warning about evil's true nature. Sin may promise freedom and pleasure, but the kingdom behind it brings slavery and destruction.
A Judgment at the Appointed Time (Revelation 9:13-16)
13 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice coming from the horns on the golden altar that is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel, the one holding the trumpet, “Set free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 15 Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour, day, month, and year were set free to kill a third of humanity. 16 The number of soldiers on horseback was 200,000,000; I heard their number.Revelation 9:13-16 · NET Bible
The sixth trumpet sounds, and a voice comes from the horns, or raised corners, of the golden altar before God. Earlier, this altar was connected with the prayers of God's people. Its presence reminds us that heaven has not ignored their cries for justice.
The voice commands the release of four angels bound at the great Euphrates River. For the first readers, that river marked a region from which feared armies could come. These angels have been kept ready for a set hour, day, month, and year. Their release is not an accident or a surprise to God.
This judgment goes beyond the torment of the fifth trumpet: a third of humanity is killed. John hears that the mounted army numbers two hundred million. The number presents an overwhelming force. I find a sober truth here: God's patience should never be mistaken for a promise that judgment will never come.
The Deadly Power of the Army (Revelation 9:17-19)
17 Now this is what the horses and their riders looked like in my vision: The riders had breastplates that were fiery red, dark blue, and sulfurous yellow in color. The heads of the horses looked like lions’ heads, and fire, smoke, and sulfur came out of their mouths. 18 A third of humanity was killed by these three plagues, that is, by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses resides in their mouths and in their tails because their tails are like snakes, having heads that inflict injuries.Revelation 9:17-19 · NET Bible
John now describes the horses and their riders. The riders wear breastplates colored like fire, deep blue, and sulfur. The horses have heads like lions, and fire, smoke, and sulfur pour from their mouths. These three plagues kill a third of the human race. Their tails are like snakes with heads, and they also cause harm.
The picture reaches beyond an ordinary army. Death comes from the horses' mouths, while their tails bring further injury. Nothing about this force is safe or gentle. The repeated mention of fire, smoke, and sulfur gives the scene the feel of terrible judgment.
Faithful Christians differ over how some details of this vision will unfold. We do not need to settle every question to receive its warning. God's judgment is real, and evil is deadly. Let this move us toward humble trust in God, not excited guesses about which current event might match each image.
Hearts That Still Refuse to Turn (Revelation 9:20-21)
20 The rest of humanity, who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk about. 21 Furthermore, they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells, of their sexual immorality, or of their stealing.Revelation 9:20-21 · NET Bible
The chapter ends with a deeply sad response. Those who survive do not repent, which means turning away from sin and back to God. They continue worshiping demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. These objects cannot see, hear, or walk, yet people keep giving them the honor that belongs to their Creator.
Their false worship goes hand in hand with murder, sorcery, sexual sin, and theft. Sorcery means using magic or seeking hidden spiritual powers. John shows us that what people worship shapes how they live. Turning from God damages both our hearts and our treatment of others.
Don't rush past this ending. Pain by itself does not make a person humble. A heart can keep resisting even after a clear warning. I want to encourage you to respond to God today. His call to turn from sin is not an enemy's threat; it is a call to leave what destroys us.
- Judgment — God's right response to evil, showing that sin will not be allowed to rule forever.
- Repentance — Turning away from sin and turning toward God in trust and obedience.
Is there an area where you are resisting God's correction instead of trusting his wisdom and love?
Father, keep our hearts tender toward you. Help us turn from every false source of hope and trust in Jesus. Thank you that evil has limits and that your grace calls us out of darkness.