TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
And they were released. These four angels had been kept ready for this moment, for this day and month and year, to kill a third of mankind;
Berean Standard Bible
So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.
American Standard Version
And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.
World English Bible Messianic
The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the foure Angels were loosed, which were prepared at an houre, at a day, at a moneth, and at a yeere, to slay the thirde part of men.
Young's Literal Translation
and loosed were the four messengers, who have been made ready for the hour, and day, and month, and year, that they may kill the third of men;
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In the KJVVerse 30,856 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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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Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:15
“The four angels were released” indicates the beginning of the persecution.… He indicates by an apt expression the four times during which the persecution will be continuing, that is, [he indicates] three years and six months. He said “for the hour, the day, the month, and the year,” since a day is gradually filled with hours, and months with days, and finally years with months. It says that they were “prepared” in order to indicate the character of the devil and his angels. For they entangle themselves in ongoing hostilities against the church and constantly desire to do it harm. However, divine power restrains them, lest they wreak havoc as much as they want. Rightly did he previously say that the locusts were similar to horses arrayed for battle, for now when he says that the angels were loosed, he says that he saw horses.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And the four angels were released. In the manner of prophecy, which designates to us things to come, he himself sees the events in the spirit. He called them four angels because that persecution will rage in the four parts of the world. These are the ones he previously saw standing at the four corners of the earth, and were prevented from harming the earth and sea for the sealing of God's servants.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
Who were prepared for the hour, and day, and month, etc. Malignant spirits, who at every moment of hours and times hunger for human death, will then be allowed to rage more freely to opportunely destroy the Church. What do you think they will do when released, who now harm so much while bound?
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year: for to kill the third part of men. The loosing of these angels represents the beginning of the last persecution. He says prepared, because the Devil is always waiting for the good's failure. By an hour, a day, a month, and a year we understand by metalepsis four times, namely three years and six months, during which that persecution will rage. The third part of men of which it is said that it will be killed consists of superiors and inferiors, that is of persuaders and persuaded, because the dead will kill the dead.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
When this happened, they went out with an innumerable "cavalry" force. And he says this is the invincible power of the divine angels, accompanied by the greatest cavalry; and he says he saw those sitting on the "horses" wearing fiery, "hyacinth", and divine "breastplates".
Jacob Bar-SalibiAD 1171
'On this Caius says : It is not written that angels are to make war, nor that a third part of men is to perish; but that nation shall rise against nation [St. Matth. xxiv. 7].
Hippolytus in reply to him: It is not of angels he says that they are to go to war, but that four nations are to arise out of the region which is by Euphrates, and to come against the earth, and to war with mankind. But this that he says, four angels, is not alien from Scripture. Moses said, When He dispersed the sons of Adam, He set the boundary of the nations according to the number of the Angels of God [Deut. xxxii. 8 (LXX.)].
Since therefore nations have been assigned to angels, and each nation pertains to one angel, John rightly declared by the Revelation a loosing for those four angels: who are the Persians, and the Medes, and the Babylonians, and the Assyrians. Since then these angels who have been appointed over the nations have not been commanded to stir up those who have been assigned to them, a certain bond of the power of the word is indicated, which restrains them until the day shall arrive and the Lord of all shall command. And this then is to happen when Antichrist shall come.'
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 9:15 details a terrifying escalation of divine judgment, revealing that four previously bound angels are released at a divinely appointed and precisely timed moment—an hour, a day, a month, and a year—with the specific purpose of slaying one-third of humanity. This event marks a significant intensification of the sixth trumpet judgment, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all events and His unwavering justice in the face of persistent human rebellion.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 9:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. Apocalyptic Imagery is central, presenting a vivid, symbolic vision of cosmic judgment rather than a literal historical event in the common sense. The "four angels" and their release from the "great river Euphrates" are part of this symbolic language, representing divine agents of wrath unleashed from a traditionally threatening boundary. Symbolism is also evident in the "third part of men," which is a recurring motif in Revelation (e.g., Revelation 8:7-12), signifying a significant, but not total, destruction, emphasizing the partial yet devastating nature of these judgments before the final consummation. The precise temporal phrase "an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year" functions as Hyperbole or Emphasis, not necessarily to provide a literal calculation, but to powerfully underscore the Divine Sovereignty and meticulous pre-ordination of God's plan. It highlights that no event, no matter how catastrophic, occurs outside of God's precise timing and control, reinforcing His omnipotence and foreknowledge.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:15 profoundly articulates God's active involvement in human history, particularly through judgment. It dismantles any notion of a passive or indifferent deity, instead portraying a God who meticulously orchestrates even the most catastrophic events according to His sovereign will and precise timetable. The release of the angels and the subsequent slaying of a third of humanity serve as a stark reminder that divine patience has limits and that unrepentant rebellion will inevitably incur severe consequences. This judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to humanity's persistent refusal to repent, even after experiencing lesser judgments. It underscores the biblical truth that God is both loving and righteous, and His righteousness demands that sin be addressed.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:15, while depicting a terrifying future judgment, offers profound insights for contemporary believers and a sobering warning for all humanity. For the follower of Christ, this verse reaffirms God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and all time. Even amidst global chaos and devastating events, God remains firmly on His throne, executing His plans with precision. This should instill a deep sense of trust and peace, knowing that nothing, not even the release of destructive spiritual forces, is outside of His control. It calls us to live with vigilance, not in fear, but in anticipation of Christ's return, recognizing the urgency of sharing the Gospel. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse serves as a stark and compassionate warning: God's judgments are real, meticulously planned, and will culminate in the ultimate reckoning. It is a powerful call to repentance and to seek the salvation freely offered through Jesus Christ before the final and irreversible judgments are poured out. Understanding these prophecies should motivate a life of holiness, prayer, and passionate evangelism, living as ambassadors of reconciliation in a world hurtling towards judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are these four angels, and why were they bound at the Euphrates?
Answer: The identity of these four angels is a subject of scholarly debate. Some interpret them as literal angelic beings, possibly fallen angels or demonic entities, who were previously restrained by God for a specific purpose. Their binding at the "great river Euphrates" (a significant geographical and symbolic location in biblical history, often associated with invaders from the East) suggests that they are powerful, destructive forces held in check until God's appointed time. Their release signifies a divinely permitted unleashing of evil for the purpose of judgment, highlighting that even malevolent spiritual powers operate under God's ultimate authority.
What does "slay the third part of men" mean, and why is it a "third part" and not all?
Answer: "Slay the third part of men" signifies a catastrophic loss of human life, indicating a global event of unprecedented scale. The phrase "the third part" is a recurring motif in Revelation's judgments (e.g., Revelation 8:7-12), suggesting a significant but not total destruction. The fact that it's a "third part" and not everyone emphasizes that these are severe, yet measured, judgments. They serve as a warning and a call to repentance, demonstrating God's justice while still extending a measure of His patience before the final, ultimate judgments. It highlights that God's wrath is precise and purposeful, not indiscriminate.
Why is the timing specified so precisely ("an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year")?
Answer: The precise specification of "an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year" (G5610, G2250, G3376, G1763) serves to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous control over all events, even those involving immense destruction. It indicates that this judgment is not random or chaotic but is part of a divinely predetermined plan, executed at an exact, pre-appointed moment. This level of detail underscores God's foreknowledge and His ability to orchestrate history down to the smallest increment of time, reinforcing the reliability of His prophetic word and the certainty of His judgments. It is a powerful statement about the intentionality behind His actions, leaving no room for chance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:15 describes a terrifying judgment executed by angels, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan, culminating in Jesus Christ. The severity of this judgment underscores the gravity of sin and humanity's desperate need for a Savior. Jesus, as 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 such future judgments. He is not only the Savior but also the appointed Judge of the living and the dead, the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given. The precise timing of the angels' release in Revelation 9:15, orchestrated by God, points to the ultimate truth that all history, including judgment, is moving towards the revelation of Christ's glory and His final triumph. Believers are called to find their refuge in Him, for He is the one who delivers us from the wrath to come, having already endured the ultimate judgment on our behalf. Thus, Revelation 9:15, though grim, ultimately magnifies the grace and power of Christ, who alone can save humanity from the righteous judgments of God.