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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 9:1–12.
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.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
By the “tails” he speaks of the leaders who have fallen away from the Head of the church, that is, from the Lord, and so those who were the first have become the last. This is as God thought it worthy to say through Isaiah, “The elders who are honored and admired are the head; and the prophet who teaches iniquity is the tail.” Therefore, the “power” of the locusts refers to the character of the false prophets who never desist from attacking the true church by their lying and venomous doctrines.
[The noise of their wings was like the sound of chariots] signifies that the few who were in the lead as the horses have now been multiplied in the chariots [that follow]. This suggests either an increase in the diversity of new opinions or the increase in the number of those who have been led astray. Moreover, they rush into battle because the preachers of error rebel against the truth and fight against unity. The apostle described such persons in a similar fashion, “As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith,” and following. … [That they had power in their tails] reminds us of what Isaiah wrote, “The elder and the honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail, and those who bless my people will lead them astray, and those who are blessed have fallen.” It is clear from this that these persons wish to rule that which every saint and teacher of the truth desires at all costs to avoid, namely, the glory of the world and the error of a destructive preaching. That they have power in their tails for five months indicates again the present life where falsehood can be strong and can either capture the useless or torment the spiritual for a short period of time.
Their iron breastplates show their hardness of heart.… We think that the sound of the wings of these spiritual locusts is said to resemble the sound of war chariots because of their speed in the air. For, as the blessed David says, “They make war upon us from on high.” And their tails which are like those of scorpions symbolize the result of sins, the producing of spiritual death. For “sin when it is perfected brings forth death.”
And the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots of many horses running into battle. It is more terrifying than it is to be explained, that so much strength grows in this army. First, the smoke rises. Then it brings forth locusts, which are first compared to scorpions, and soon to horses and lions. Their strength would suffice if they did not also come armored. Now, indeed, they are called to be both flying and like chariots fighting.
As for what follows, And they had breastplates as breastplates of iron, it indicates their hearts, which are hard and obdurate against the truth so that they may not be penetrated by the arrow of truth. And the noise of their wings was as the noise of chariots, the noise of many horses running to battle. By the wings of the locusts we understand the proud science of the heretics. It is fitting to say that the noise of these wings is like that of the chariots of horses that are many and run together to battle: the heretics both divide themselves with their doctrines and fight together against the Church.
After this, the divine evangelist vividly and fearfully describes to us the nature of the worms. In each of the descriptions concerning them, one would marvel at the precision of the account; for he did not say that they had the "teeth of lions", the "tails of scorpions", or the "faces of men", but rather, in each case, he presented a figurative and parabolic representation of what was situated there, not the literal reality. Therefore, either their terrifying and astonishing nature is indicated through these images, or he truly sketched their form.
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Summary
Revelation 9:9 continues the chilling description of the locust-like creatures unleashed during the fifth trumpet judgment, focusing on their formidable defensive capabilities and the overwhelming sound of their advance. This verse paints a vivid picture of an unstoppable, terrifying force, emphasizing their invulnerability and the sheer magnitude of their movement, likening them to an ancient military horde thundering into battle.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is an integral part of John's detailed prophetic vision concerning the fifth trumpet judgment, which begins in Revelation 9:1. Following the opening of the bottomless pit and the release of these unique creatures, the preceding verses (Revelation 9:7-8) have already established their bizarre and terrifying appearance, combining features of warhorses, human faces, women's hair, and lion's teeth. Verse 9 specifically elaborates on their military attributes, detailing their protective armor and the overwhelming auditory impact of their movement. The entire passage in Revelation 9 describes a period of intense torment for humanity, specifically targeting those who do not bear the seal of God on their foreheads.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery in Revelation 9:9 draws heavily from ancient military concepts and the common experience of warfare in John's time. "Breastplates of iron" would have immediately conveyed an image of superior, impenetrable armor, as iron was a strong and durable material. The comparison to "chariots of many horses running to battle" evokes the most terrifying and powerful military force known in the ancient world. A cavalry charge or chariot assault was a deafening, earth-shaking event, symbolizing overwhelming power, speed, and an unstoppable advance. This imagery would have resonated deeply with John's original audience, who understood the devastating impact of such armies, making the description of these supernatural locusts even more fearsome and impactful.
Key Themes
Revelation 9:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Judgment, portraying these creatures as instruments of God's precise and severe wrath upon an unrepentant world. Their destructive power, though limited to torment rather than death as stated in Revelation 9:5, serves as a stark warning of the consequences of rejecting God. Secondly, the "breastplates of iron" highlight the theme of Invulnerability and Irresistible Power, signifying that these divinely commissioned agents are impervious to human resistance. This reinforces God's absolute sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. Finally, the overwhelming sound and speed conveyed by the "chariots of many horses" emphasize the Imminence and Scale of God's Wrath, depicting a judgment that is both rapid and all-encompassing, much like the swiftness with which the day of the Lord will arrive.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the Greek thōrax, meaning "chest" or "corslet," this word denotes a piece of defensive armor covering the torso. In this context, it emphasizes the protective, military-like nature of the locusts, suggesting invulnerability to attack and highlighting their role as agents of judgment equipped for their specific mission.
Derived from sidēros (iron), this adjective specifies the material of the breastplates. Iron, known for its hardness, strength, and durability in the ancient world, symbolizes extreme resilience and resistance. Its use here underscores the impenetrable defense of these creatures, making them impervious to conventional human weaponry and signifying their unstoppable nature.
This term, phōnḗ, can refer to a voice, noise, or sound. Here, it describes the auditory impact of the locusts' movement. The comparison to chariots highlights a deep, rumbling, and overwhelming noise, indicative of a massive, rapidly advancing force that instills terror and conveys the immense scale and power of their advance.
Verse Breakdown
"And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron"
This clause describes the defensive armor of the locust-like creatures. The repetition of "breastplates" and the use of the simile "as it were" (Greek: hōs) emphasize that while they possess a protective covering, it might not be literal iron but something that effectively functions with the same impenetrable strength and resilience. This signifies their divine protection and the futility of human resistance against them, highlighting their role as divinely appointed instruments of judgment.
"and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle"
This vivid auditory description conveys the terrifying impact of the creatures' movement. The comparison to "chariots of many horses running to battle" evokes the overwhelming noise, speed, and destructive power of a large, ancient cavalry charge. It paints a picture of an unstoppable, thundering advance, designed to instill fear and demonstrate the irresistible nature of the judgment being unleashed upon the earth.
Literary Devices
Revelation 9:9 is rich in imagery and employs powerful similes to convey the terrifying nature of the locusts. The description of "breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron," creates a strong visual and tactile image of formidable, unyielding defense, suggesting an invulnerability that is both real in its effect and symbolic in its nature. This is a clear simile, comparing the unknown material of their defense to the known strength of iron. Furthermore, the verse uses a powerful auditory simile: "the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle." This comparison evokes the thunderous, overwhelming noise of a massive ancient cavalry charge, effectively conveying the speed, power, and terrifying scale of their advance. This auditory imagery immerses the reader in the apocalyptic scene, amplifying the sense of dread and the irresistible force of divine judgment. The entire description also functions as symbolism, where the physical attributes of the creatures represent deeper spiritual realities about the nature of God's wrath and the futility of human resistance against His sovereign will.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Revelation 9:9 powerfully illustrates the awesome and terrifying nature of God's judgment, emphasizing its unstoppable force and the futility of human resistance. The imagery of impenetrable armor and overwhelming sound underscores divine sovereignty over all creation, even over instruments of wrath. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God is just and will hold humanity accountable for its rebellion. For believers, it highlights the profound security found in God's protection, as those sealed by Him are exempt from this specific torment, reinforcing the urgency of spiritual discernment and faithfulness in the face of global upheaval.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 9:9, while depicting a future apocalyptic event, offers profound spiritual insights for believers today. It underscores the absolute seriousness of God's judgment and the unstoppable nature of His divine will. The imagery of an invincible, thundering force should instill a deep reverence for God's power and justice, prompting a renewed urgency to heed the call to repentance and faith. For those who are sealed by God through faith in Christ, this verse offers a unique perspective: comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all events, even those that bring torment, and that His protective hand is upon His people (Psalm 91:7-10). It challenges us to examine our own lives, ensuring our spiritual armor is in place (Ephesians 6:10-18), and to live with a sense of urgency, sharing the hope of salvation before the full weight of God's righteous judgment falls upon an unrepentant world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "breastplates of iron" for these creatures?
The "breastplates of iron" signify the creatures' invulnerability and the impenetrable nature of their defense. In the ancient world, iron was a superior material for armor, symbolizing strength and durability. This detail emphasizes that these locust-like beings are not susceptible to human attacks or resistance, highlighting their role as divinely appointed instruments of judgment against which no earthly power can prevail. It underscores the futility of fighting against God's decreed will.
Why is the sound of their wings compared to "chariots of many horses running to battle"?
This comparison is a powerful auditory simile designed to convey the overwhelming scale, speed, and terrifying impact of the creatures' advance. In ancient warfare, the sound of numerous chariots and horses charging into battle was deafening, earth-shaking, and indicative of an unstoppable, destructive force. By likening the sound of the locusts' wings to this, John communicates the immense, thundering power and rapid, relentless movement of these agents of judgment, instilling fear and emphasizing the irresistible nature of the torment they bring. It paints a picture of a massive, divinely orchestrated military assault that cannot be evaded or withstood.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Revelation 9:9 vividly portrays instruments of divine judgment, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies not in the torment itself, but in the sovereign authority of Christ over all such events and His provision for those who belong to Him. These terrifying creatures, though agents of God's wrath, are ultimately under the control of the Lamb who was slain, who holds the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). The impenetrable breastplates and overwhelming sound foreshadow the absolute power of Christ, who will one day tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. For believers, the imagery of these judgments underscores the urgent call to repentance and faith in Jesus, who offers refuge from the coming wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10). His sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate 'breastplate of righteousness' (Ephesians 6:14), protecting His followers not from earthly torment, but from eternal condemnation, ensuring their security even amidst the most formidable displays of divine judgment.