TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Complete Jewish Bible
The sixth angel sounded his shofar, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the gold altar before God,
Berean Standard Bible
Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God
American Standard Version
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,
World English Bible Messianic
The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the sixt Angel blew the trumpet, and I heard a voyce from the foure hornes of the golden altar, which is before God,
Young's Literal Translation
And the sixth messenger did sound, and I heard a voice out of the four horns of the altar of gold that is before God,
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In the KJVVerse 30,854 of 31,102
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Commentary on Revelation 9 verses 13–21
13 ¶ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself.
I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Rev 9:13, Rev 9:14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of God's anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, Rev 9:14. 3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may sometimes lie at a great distance from them, so that no danger may be apprehended from them. These four messengers of divine judgment lay bound in the river Euphrates, a great way from the European nations. Here the Turkish power had its rise, which seems to be the story of this vision.
II. The vision itself: And the four angels that had been bound in the great river Euphrates were now loosed, Rev 9:15, Rev 9:16. And here observe, 1. The time of their military operations and executions is limited to an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year. Prophetic characters of time are hardly to be understood by us; but in general the time is fixed to an hour, when it shall begin and when it shall end; and how far the execution shall prevail, even to a third part of the inhabitants of the earth. God will make the wrath of man praise him, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain. 2. The army that was to execute this great commission is mustered, and the number found to be of horsemen two hundred thousand thousand; but we are left to guess what the infantry must be. In general, it tells us, the armies of the Mahomedan empire should be vastly great; and so it is certain they were. 3. Their formidable equipage and appearance, Rev 9:17. As the horses were fierce, like lions, and eager to rush into the battle, so those who sat upon them were clad in bright and costly armour, with all the ensigns of martial courage, zeal, and resolution. 4. The vast havoc and desolation that they made in the Roman empire, which had now become antichristian: A third part of them were killed; they went as far as their commission suffered them, and they could go no further. 5. Their artillery, by which they made such slaughter, described by fire, smoke, and brimstone, issuing out of the mouths of their horses, and the stings that were in their tails. It is Mr. Mede's opinion that this is a prediction of great guns, those instruments of cruelty which make such destruction: he observes, These were first used by the Turks at the siege of Constantinople, and, being new and strange, were very terrible, and did great execution. However, here seems to be an allusion to what is mentioned in the former vision, that, as antichrist had his forces of a spiritual nature, like scorpions poisoning the minds of men with error and idolatry, so the Turks, who were raised up to punish the antichristian apostasy, had their scorpions and their stings too, to hurt and kill the bodies of those who had been the murderers of so many souls. 6. Observe the impenitency of the antichristian generation under these dreadful judgments (Rev 9:20); the rest of the men who were not killed repented not, they still persisted in those sins for which God was so severely punishing them, which were, (1.) Their idolatry; they would not cast away their images, though they could do them no good, could not see, nor hear, nor walk. (2.) Their murders (Rev 9:21), which they had committed upon the saints and servants of Christ. Popery is a bloody religion, and seems resolved to continue such. (3.) Their sorceries; they have their charms, and magic arts, and rites in exorcism and other things. (4.) Their fornication; they allow both spiritual and carnal impurity, and promote it in themselves and others. (5.) Their thefts; they have by unjust means heaped together a vast deal of wealth, to the injury and impoverishing of families, cities, princes, and nations. These are the flagrant crimes of antichrist and his agents; and, though God has revealed his wrath from heaven against them, they are obstinate, hardened, and impenitent, and judicially so, for they must be destroyed.
III. From this sixth trumpet we learn, 1. God can make one enemy of the church to be a scourge and plague to another. 2. He who is the Lord of hosts has vast armies at his command, to serve his own purposes. 3. The most formidable powers have limits set them, which they cannot transgress. 4. When God's judgments are in the earth, he expects the inhabitants thereof should repent of sin, and learn righteousness. 5. Impenitency under divine judgments is an iniquity that will be the ruin of sinners; for where God judges he will overcome.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–21. Public domain.
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Victorinus of PettauAD 304
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
"And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is in the presence of God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels." That is, the four corners of the earth which hold the four winds.
"Which are bound in the great river Euphrates." By the corners of the earth, or the four winds across the river Euphrates, are meant four nations, because to every nation is sent an angel; as said the law, "He determined them by the number of the angels of God," until the number of the saints should be filled up. They do not overpass their bounds, because at the last they shall come with Antichrist.
TiconiusAD 390
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:13
When it says that the first woe has passed and the trumpet of the sixth angel has sounded, it announces the final preaching, that of the sixth age.
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:13, HOMILY 7
In the altar that is in the sight of God we are to understand the church. In the time of the last persecution she will despise the words and commands of that most inhumane of kings and will separate from those who have submitted to him.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, etc. The sixth angel represents the preachers of the final battle, who, at the prompting of the Gospel, expose the frauds of the Antichrist. The horns of the golden altar indeed represent the preeminent Gospels of the Church.
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
After these things the sixth angel also sounded the trumpet: and I heard the voice of one of the horns of the golden altar, which is before the eyes of God, saying to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet: Loose the four angels, who are bound in the great river Euphrates. The altar is the Church, and it is golden because it is illuminated by heavenly wisdom. Note also that the altar is before the eyes of God because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just. [Ps. 33:16] The horns of the altar are holy preachers, and by this one horn we understand the leader of preachers, that is Christ. He tells the sixth angel sounding the trumpet, that is, he proclaims to the Church, to loose the four angels, because he has granted it the power to bind and loose in heaven and on earth, according to this: Whatsoever thou shalt bind, etc. [Matt. 16:19] In the four angels we recognize the entire body of the reprobates, which consists of evil spirits and wicked men, of course separate in nature, but united in iniquity. Indeed the number four is frequently used to signify totality, whence it is said that in the end of the world the elect will be taken from the four winds of the sky by angels. [Matt. 24:31 and Mark 13:27] By the Euphrates, which is often mentioned with a negative meaning, is represented the worldly kingdom’s power, hostile to Christ and the Church; and the old enemy is said to be bound in this power with his body because he is not permitted to do as much harm as he wants. So let us take Loose the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates as if the Church were told, “Loose both men in angels, and angels in men, and bear in mind how much you ought to endure the hardships of persecution with equanimity, since your enemies are not able to inflict them on you except by your own judgment, which is in your Head, which proclaims for you and in you, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.” [Matt. 28:18]
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
When "the angel sounded", "I heard a voice" coming "from the horns of the altar". "The horns of the altar", he says, are those that stand out among the angels and surpass the others.
He calls the altar "golden" because of its honor and divine nature, made from precious material known to us, depicting a marvelous altar.
Just as we understood "the horns of the altar" to represent the rulers of the angels, so the altar itself symbolizes all the ministering spirits; because it offers a spiritual [λογικήν] sacrifice to God.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 9:13 marks a critical juncture in John's apocalyptic vision, as the sounding of the sixth trumpet ushers in a new phase of divine judgment. This verse describes John hearing a powerful voice emanating from the four horns of the golden altar, which stands directly before God in the heavenly sanctuary. This dramatic scene underscores the divine origin and authority behind the unfolding judgments, signaling that the next wave of devastation is not random but a direct decree from God's holy presence, intimately connected to the prayers and purposes of His heavenly court.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Symbolism is paramount, with the "golden altar" representing the heavenly sanctuary and the prayers of the saints, while its "four horns" symbolize divine power and universal authority. The anthropomorphism of a "voice" emanating from an inanimate object (the altar) personifies the divine decree, making it tangible and impactful. The sequential narration of the trumpet judgments (Revelation 8:6-12) creates a sense of escalating drama and predetermined progression, emphasizing God's control over time and events. The use of auditory imagery ("sounded," "heard a voice") immerses the reader in John's experience, making the divine pronouncement vivid and immediate.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:13 profoundly underscores the truth of God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His divine judgments. The voice emanating from the golden altar, a place intrinsically linked to the prayers of the saints, suggests a profound connection between the petitions of God's people and the unfolding of His justice. It implies that the cries for vindication and the longing for righteousness from those who have suffered for Christ are heard and are being answered, not necessarily in the form of immediate rescue, but in the systematic execution of God's righteous wrath upon those who reject Him. This scene serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of seemingly chaotic events, God remains firmly in control, orchestrating every detail according to His perfect will and timing.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:13 calls believers to a profound reflection on God's character: He is both merciful and just. While the world often dismisses divine judgment, this verse reminds us that God's patience is not infinite, and His justice will ultimately prevail. For those who belong to Him, this truth brings comfort and assurance that evil will not triumph indefinitely, and that their prayers for righteousness and the coming of His kingdom are not in vain. It also serves as a solemn warning to those who remain unrepentant, highlighting the severity of God's wrath against sin. This passage encourages a deeper commitment to living righteously, knowing that every action is observed by a holy God. It compels us to cultivate a life of prayer and intercession, trusting that our petitions are heard in the heavenly sanctuary and play a part in God's unfolding plan, whether for mercy or for justice. Ultimately, it fosters a healthy fear of the Lord and a renewed urgency to share the Gospel of repentance and salvation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "golden altar" in Revelation?
Answer: The "golden altar" in Revelation is consistently identified as the altar of incense, distinct from the altar of burnt offering. It is located in the heavenly sanctuary, directly "before God." Its primary significance is as the place where the prayers of the saints ascend to God, often mingled with incense (Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-5). In Revelation 9:13, the voice emanating from its horns signifies that the subsequent judgments are not random but are divinely ordained, perhaps even in response to the prayers for justice from God's persecuted people.
Why do the judgments in Revelation come in a sequence (trumpets, woes)?
Answer: The sequential nature of the judgments in Revelation (seals, trumpets, bowls) emphasizes God's deliberate, orderly, and progressive unfolding of His plan for both judgment and redemption. Each series intensifies the previous one, demonstrating God's long-suffering patience but also His unwavering commitment to justice. The "woes" (Revelation 9:12) specifically highlight particularly severe and devastating judgments, serving as escalating warnings intended to lead humanity to repentance before the final, ultimate judgment. This progression underscores God's sovereignty and His methodical approach to bringing history to its appointed climax.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:13 describes a scene of impending judgment, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in understanding that all divine judgment ultimately flows from the perfect justice and holiness of God, fully embodied in Jesus Christ. The voice from the altar, initiating further judgment, speaks from a heavenly sanctuary where Christ himself intercedes as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). The very altar from which judgment is decreed is also the place where the prayers of the saints, made effective through Christ's atoning sacrifice, ascend to God. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, bore the full weight of God's wrath on the cross, thereby offering a way of escape from the judgments described in Revelation for all who believe in Him (Romans 5:9). Furthermore, Christ is not only the intercessor but also the righteous Judge (John 5:22), who will ultimately execute all of God's decrees, bringing both justice to the unrepentant and final vindication to His faithful people (Revelation 19:11-16). Thus, the judgments from the altar ultimately point to the sovereign rule of Christ, who is both the means of salvation and the instrument of divine justice.