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Revelation 9:18

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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.

By {G5259} these {G5130} three {G5140} was {G615} the third part {G5154} of men {G444} killed {G615}, by {G1537} the fire {G4442}, and {G2532} by {G1537} the smoke {G2586}, and {G2532} by {G1537} the brimstone {G2303}, which {G3588} issued {G1607} out of {G1537} their {G846} mouths {G4750}.

It was these three plagues that killed a third of mankind — the fire, smoke and sulfur issuing from the horses’ mouths.

A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.

By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths.

Commentary

Context of Revelation 9:18

Revelation 9:18 is a pivotal verse within the apocalyptic vision of the sixth trumpet judgment. It describes the devastating outcome of the demonic cavalry, first introduced in Revelation 9:16 as an army of 200 million. This verse specifies the agents of destruction: "fire, smoke, and brimstone," which are said to issue directly from the mouths of the horses, as detailed in the preceding verse, Revelation 9:17. The context immediately before this verse portrays these supernatural horses with heads like lions and tails like serpents, possessing destructive power.

Key Themes and Imagery

  • Massive Judgment: The chilling phrase "the third part of men killed" signifies an unprecedented global catastrophe, yet it is not total annihilation. This recurring motif of a "third part" in Revelation (e.g., a third of the trees, a third of the sea) emphasizes the severity and scale of God's judgments leading up to the end.
  • Divine Wrath and Consequences of Sin: The "fire, smoke, and brimstone" imagery is deeply rooted in Old Testament narratives of divine judgment, most notably the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This symbolism powerfully conveys God's righteous anger against persistent rebellion and unrepentance.
  • Supernatural Devastation: The description of these destructive elements issuing from the mouths of demonic horses highlights the supernatural and terrifying nature of these judgments, far beyond any conventional warfare. It underscores that these are not merely human conflicts but divinely orchestrated events.

Prophetic Significance and Application

Revelation 9:18 serves as a stark warning about the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's authority and refusing to repent. Despite such overwhelming devastation, the subsequent verses in Revelation 9 reveal humanity's stubborn refusal to repent of their idolatry and evil deeds. This highlights the profound spiritual blindness that can grip the human heart even in the face of immense suffering.

For a contemporary audience, this verse prompts reflection on:

  • The Reality of Judgment: It underscores that God is sovereign and just, and there will be a day of reckoning for persistent sin and rebellion.
  • The Urgency of Repentance: The failure of those in Revelation to repent despite severe warnings serves as a call to believers to live lives of faithful obedience and to share the Gospel message, which offers salvation from future judgment.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in these terrifying visions of judgment, God remains in control, orchestrating events according to His divine plan.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 9:17 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Revelation 9:15 (6 votes)

    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.