Revelation 9:6

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

And {G2532} in {G1722} those {G1565} days {G2250} shall men {G444} seek {G2212} death {G2288}, and {G2532} shall {G2147} not {G3756} find {G2147} it {G846}; and {G2532} shall desire {G1937} to die {G599}, and {G2532} death {G2288} shall flee {G5343} from {G575} them {G846}.

In those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, but death will escape them.

And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them.

Revelation 9:6 KJV describes a horrifying aspect of the fifth trumpet judgment, where the torment inflicted upon humanity is so severe that death, normally feared, becomes a desperate desire, yet remains unattainable. This verse paints a vivid picture of unparalleled suffering during the prophetic end times.

Context

This verse is situated within the fifth trumpet judgment, following the release of locust-like creatures from the bottomless pit. These creatures are empowered to torment, but not kill, those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The suffering is described as being like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man (Revelation 9:5), lasting for five months. Verse 6 emphasizes the intensity of this torment, where death offers no escape.

Key Themes

  • Unbearable Suffering: The central theme is the sheer agony inflicted, which is worse than the fear of death itself. Humanity's natural instinct to preserve life is overturned by an overwhelming desire for its cessation.
  • Divine Judgment's Severity: This passage underscores the terrifying nature of God's righteous judgment against unrepentant humanity. It's a demonstration of divine control, where even death cannot provide refuge from God's wrath.
  • Hopelessness and Despair: The inability to find death, even when desperately sought, highlights a profound state of spiritual and physical despair. There is no relief, no escape, and no end in sight for those experiencing this torment.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Life and Death: The verse powerfully illustrates that life and death are ultimately in God's hands. He controls who lives, who dies, and even when death is withheld, serving His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "seek death" and "desire to die" convey an extreme sense of desperation. The original Greek words for "seek" (zetesousin) and "desire" (epithymesousin) emphasize an earnest and strong longing. The repetition of the idea—seeking and desiring death, yet having it flee—reinforces the inescapable nature of the torment. It's a reversal of the natural order, where the ultimate escape is denied.

Practical Application and Reflection

While a prophetic passage describing future events, Revelation 9:6 carries profound implications for today:

  • A Grave Warning: This verse serves as a stark warning about the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's grace and remaining in rebellion against Him. It highlights the severity of divine judgment for those who do not heed the call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Value of Present Grace: It underscores the immense mercy and grace God extends in the present age, offering salvation and freedom from such future judgments. Now is the time to seek God, before the day when relief is impossible.
  • God's Ultimate Authority: The passage reminds us that God is sovereign over all things, including life and death. This should inspire both reverence and a desire to live in alignment with His will.

This terrifying prophecy emphasizes the urgency of seeking God's protection and accepting His seal of salvation, ensuring one is not among those who will experience such dreadful times.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 8:3

    And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Luke 23:30

    Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

  • Revelation 6:16

    And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

  • Isaiah 2:19

    And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • Hosea 10:8

    The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

  • Job 7:15

    So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.

  • Job 7:16

    I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days [are] vanity.

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