Revelation 9:7

And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.

And {G2532} the shapes {G3667} of the locusts {G200} were like {G3664} unto horses {G2462} prepared {G2090} unto {G1519} battle {G4171}; and {G2532} on {G1909} their {G846} heads {G2776} were as it were {G5613} crowns {G4735} like {G3664} gold {G5557}, and {G2532} their {G846} faces {G4383} were as {G5613} the faces {G4383} of men {G444}.

Now these locusts looked like horses outfitted for battle. On their heads were what looked like crowns of gold, and their faces were like human faces.

And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads, and faces like the faces of men.

And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men’s faces.

Revelation 9:7 offers a vivid and unsettling description of the mysterious locusts that emerge as part of the fifth trumpet judgment, painting a picture that is both terrifying and highly symbolic.

Context

This verse is part of the broader prophetic vision given to John in the Book of Revelation, specifically detailing the first woe associated with the sounding of the fifth trumpet. These are not ordinary locusts; they are supernatural entities released from the bottomless pit. Their purpose, as described in Revelation 9:5, is to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, rather than to kill them.

Key Themes

  • Apocalyptic Imagery: The passage uses striking, often grotesque, imagery to convey the nature and terror of divine judgment and the forces unleashed.
  • Demonic Power and Authority: The descriptions highlight the formidable, yet delegated, power of these entities, emphasizing their capacity for torment.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Even these destructive forces operate under God's strict control, with their power and scope precisely limited, as seen in Revelation 9:4.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The descriptions in Revelation 9:7 are rich with symbolism:

  • "Shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle": This imagery immediately evokes military power, swiftness, and destructive capability. Horses were central to ancient warfare, symbolizing strength and conquest.
  • "On their heads were as it were crowns like gold": This suggests a semblance of authority, victory, or even a temporary reign. It's "like gold," implying a counterfeit or delegated authority rather than true, inherent royalty. It could signify their brief period of permitted triumph.
  • "Their faces were as the faces of men": This detail adds a chilling dimension. It might suggest intelligence, cunning, or a capacity for malevolence that goes beyond mere instinct. The human-like face on an otherwise monstrous creature makes them more sinister and deceptive.

Practical Application

While this verse describes future apocalyptic events, it offers timeless insights:

  • Spiritual Warfare: It reminds believers of the reality of spiritual forces of evil and the need to be prepared, as Paul describes in Ephesians 6:11 regarding the armor of God.
  • God's Control: Even in the midst of terrifying judgments and the unleashing of evil, God remains sovereign. The power of these entities is limited and directed by His will.
  • Seeking God's Protection: The distinction between those sealed by God and those who are tormented underscores the importance of a relationship with Christ for eternal security and protection from spiritual harm. Those who belong to God are protected from the specific torment described here, offering comfort and assurance.

Revelation 9:7 thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate justice and the consequences for those who reject His ways, while simultaneously affirming His protection over His faithful servants.

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.

  • Daniel 7:8

    I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn [were] eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

  • Nahum 3:17

    Thy crowned [are] as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, [but] when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they [are].

  • Joel 2:4

    The appearance of them [is] as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

  • Joel 2:5

    Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

  • Daniel 7:4

    The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

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