TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Revelation 9 verses 1–12
Upon the sounding of this trumpet, the things to be observed are, 1. A star falling from heaven to the earth. Some think this star represents some eminent bishop in the Christian church, some angel of the church; for, in the same way of speaking by which pastors are called stars, the church is called heaven; but who this is expositors do not agree. Some understand it of Boniface the third bishop of Rome, who assumed the title of universal bishop, by the favour of the emperor Phocas, who, being a usurper and tyrant in the state, allowed Boniface to be so in the church, as the reward of his flattery. 2. To this fallen star was given the key of the bottomless pit. Having now ceased to be a minister of Christ, he becomes the antichrist, the minister of the devil; and by the permission of Christ, who had taken from him the keys of the church, he becomes the devil's turnkey, to let loose the powers of hell against the churches of Christ. 3. Upon the opening of the bottomless pit there arose a great smoke, which darkened the sun and the air. The devils are the powers of darkness; hell is the place of darkness. The devil carries on his designs by blinding the eyes of men, by extinguishing light and knowledge, and promoting ignorance and error. He first deceives men, and then destroys them; wretched souls follow him in the dark, or they durst not follow him. 4. Out of this dark smoke there came a swarm of locusts, one of the plagues of Egypt, the devil's emissaries headed by the antichrist, all the rout and rabble of antichristian orders, to promote superstition, idolatry, error, and cruelty; and these had, by the just permission of God, power to hurt those who had not the mark of God in their foreheads. 5. The hurt they were to do them was not a bodily, but a spiritual hurt. They should not in a military way destroy all by fire and sword; the trees and the grass should be untouched, and those they hurt should not be slain; it should not be a persecution, but a secret poison and infection in their souls, which should rob them of their purity, and afterwards of their peace. Heresy is a poison in the soul, working slowly and secretly, but will be bitterness in the end. 6. They had no power so much as to hurt those who had the seal of God in their foreheads. God's electing, effectual, distinguishing grace will preserve his people from total and final apostasy. 7. The power given to these factors for hell is limited in point of time: five months, a certain season, and but a short season, though how short we cannot tell. Gospel-seasons have their limits, and times of seduction are limited too. 8. Though it would be short, it would be very sharp, insomuch that those who were made to feel the malignity of this poison in their consciences would be weary of their lives, Rev 9:6. A wounded spirit who can bear? 9. These locusts were of a monstrous size and shape, Rev 9:7, Rev 9:8, etc. They were equipped for their work like horses prepared to battle. (1.) They pretended to great authority, and seemed to be assured of victory: They had crowns like gold on their heads; it was not a true, but a counterfeit authority. (2.) They had the show of wisdom and sagacity, the faces of men, though the spirit of devils. (3.) They had all the allurements of seeming beauty, to ensnare and defile the minds of men - hair like women; their way of worship was very gaudy and ornamental. (4.) Though they appeared with the tenderness of women, they had the teeth of lions, were really cruel creatures. (5.) They had the defence and protection of earthly powers - breastplates of iron. (6.) They made a mighty noise in the world; they flew about from one country to another, and the noise of their motion was like that of an army with chariots and horses. (7.) Though at first they soothed and flattered men with a fair appearance, there was a sting in their tails; the cup of their abominations contained that which, though luscious at first, would at length bite like a serpent and sting like an adder. (8.) The king and commander of this hellish squadron is here described, [1.] As an angel; so he was by nature, an angel, once one of the angels of heaven. [2.] The angel of the bottomless pit; an angel still, but a fallen angel, fallen into the bottomless pit, vastly large, and out of which there is no recovery. [3.] In these infernal regions he is a sort of prince and governor, and has the powers of darkness under his rule and command. [4.] His true name is Abaddon, Apollyon - a destroyer, for that is his business, his design, and employment, to which he diligently attends, in which he is very successful, and takes a horrid hellish pleasure; it is about this destroying work that he sends out his emissaries and armies to destroy the souls of men. And now here we have the end of one woe; and where one ends another begins.
They say that death is a rest. And so, they seek death, not that they may die but that they might have rest from evil things while the evil vices die away. They desired to die, that is, that they might die to the world and, as the apostle says, live again to God. “They seek death but will not find it,” it says. They desire to be changed to better things, so that they might have rest after the labor of sins.… Therefore, “death will flee” while life is close by and we are truly dying while we are being freed from the chains of sins.
Through these words the magnitude of the evils is revealed. For it is common among those in severe troubles to call upon death. But it is from the judgments of God that death does not come to those in the midst of trouble who seek it. For he considers it beneficial to use the bitterness of tribulations to make hateful that sin which was the mother and patron of their torments.
And in those days men will seek death, and will not find it. Preferring to end a miserable life with a quick death. As blessed Cyprian lamented under the Decian storm: "To those willing to die, he says, it was not permitted to be killed."
And in those days men shall seek death, and shall not find it: they shall desire to die, and death shall fly from them. The days in question run all the way from the Lord's coming to the end of the world. Indeed the elect seek death when they want to stick to God through a retired way of life; but death flies from them because they are bound either by the indissoluble chain of a responsibility of government or by that of an inferior status.
Could it be that some of the Fathers accepted the concept of restoration [ἀποκατάστασιν] from this point onward, saying that sinners are punished only up to this time, but thereafter no longer, as if they have been purified by the punishment? But what should be done regarding the many others among the Fathers, and the approved Scriptures, which speak of the punishments of those who were then being punished as eternal?
What then might one say, or how should one regulate the parts? One must blend the opinions of both sides. I say this as in a kind of exercise, and not as a definitive statement; for I add to the doctrine of the Church that which wishes the punishments in the future to be eternal, since even this was said by the Lord in the Gospel according to Matthew, saying, "And these will go away into eternal punishment" (Matt. 25:46); and Isaiah said, "Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched." (Isa. 66:24)
As in an exercise, therefore, this must be said: a middle portion of each part of the path is to be marked out, because until a certain time—"five months", as the present Revelation, having employed a certain secret number, has said—the sinners will be severely "tormented" "as if" stung "by a scorpion"; but after this, gradually, although we will not be entirely free from punishment, it will be to such an extent that we "will seek death and not find it".
For who would have a need to seek death for those who are not punished at all? "Death", he says, "will flee from them", for they share in punishment eternally.
Continue studying Revelation 9:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Revelation 9:6 vividly portrays the horrific intensity of the fifth trumpet judgment, where the torment inflicted upon unrepentant humanity is so extreme that death, typically feared, becomes a desperately sought-after escape, yet remains agonizingly unattainable. This verse underscores a profound reversal of the natural human instinct for self-preservation, revealing a state of unparalleled physical and spiritual anguish from which there is no relief.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 9:6 employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey the intensity of the judgment. Irony is central, as the natural human instinct to preserve life is completely inverted; death, normally feared, becomes the most coveted desire. This reversal underscores the extremity of the suffering. Hyperbole is also evident in the description of a torment so severe that it drives people to seek death, a state of agony beyond ordinary human experience, emphasizing the unparalleled nature of this divine judgment. Furthermore, Personification is used when "death shall flee from them," giving death the agency of an active entity that deliberately avoids those who seek it. This device vividly illustrates the supernatural withholding of relief, making the suffering even more profound and inescapable. The repetition of the idea—seeking death and desiring to die, coupled with death's unavailability—creates a sense of Emphasis and reinforces the inescapable nature of the torment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:6 serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's grace and remaining in rebellion. It powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, not only over life and death but also over the very conditions of existence. The withholding of death, even when desperately sought, demonstrates that God's judgment is precise and controlled, designed to bring about a specific outcome—the full experience of the consequences of sin for those who refuse repentance. This passage underscores the terrifying reality that there is a point beyond which God's patience gives way to righteous judgment, and for those who have hardened their hearts, even the "mercy" of death will be denied, prolonging their agony as a testament to divine justice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:6, while describing a future prophetic event, offers profound implications for our present lives. It serves as a chilling warning about the severity of divine judgment for those who persistently reject God's offer of salvation through Christ. The image of people desperately seeking death but unable to find it should impress upon us the immense value of the grace and mercy God extends today. Now is the time to turn to Him, to receive His "seal" of salvation, and to find refuge in His lovingkindness, before a time comes when relief is impossible. This verse also reminds us of God's ultimate authority over all things, including life and death. This truth should inspire both reverent awe and a deep desire to live in alignment with His will, recognizing that our lives are in His sovereign hands. It compels us to consider the eternal consequences of our choices and to embrace the hope found only in Christ, which delivers us from the wrath to come.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the "seal of God" mentioned in Revelation 9:4, and how does it relate to this verse?
Answer: The "seal of God" mentioned in Revelation 9:4 refers to a divine mark of protection placed upon God's faithful servants, distinguishing them from those who are subject to the judgments. While its exact nature is debated (some see it as literal, others symbolic of spiritual ownership and preservation), it signifies those who belong to God and are spiritually protected from the specific torment of the locusts. Revelation 9:6 directly relates to this by highlighting the fate of those without this seal: they are the ones who will experience such unbearable torment that they seek death, yet cannot find it, precisely because they lack God's protective mark. The seal, therefore, represents immunity from this particular judgment, underscoring the dire consequences for those who have rejected God's authority and grace.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:6 describes a future judgment, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The ultimate power to withhold or grant death rests solely with God, and this power is fully embodied in Jesus Christ. He is the one who holds "the keys of Hades and of Death" (Revelation 1:18), demonstrating His absolute authority over both life and the grave. The torment described in this verse, where death is denied, foreshadows the ultimate and eternal separation from God, which is the true "second death" (Revelation 21:8) for those who reject Christ. Conversely, for those who are "sealed" by God through faith in Christ, death has lost its sting because Jesus has conquered it through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). He offers not a desperate longing for death, but the promise of eternal life (John 3:16) and deliverance from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Thus, Revelation 9:6, by depicting the horror of death withheld, implicitly magnifies the glorious freedom and hope found in Christ, who has overcome death and offers true, everlasting life to all who believe.