Revelation 9:13-21

The Sixth Trumpet or the Second Woe. The loosing of the four angels of death, and the slaughter of a third part of the human race.

Revelation 9:13. the horns: the corners. the golden altar: cf. Revelation 8:3.

Revelation 9:14. Loose the four angels: these angels are kept bound in the river Euphrates (cf. Revelation 16:12) waiting for the day of vengeance. There is a striking parallel in a Syriac Apocalypse of Ezra, Let these four kings be loosed which are bound near the great river Euphrates which shall destroy a third part of mankind. Many commentators see in this reference an expectation that the armies of Parthia were soon to be loosed on the Roman Empire.

Revelation 9:16. The figure 200, 000, 000 is probably derived from Psalms 68:17, The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands.

Revelation 9:17. hyacinth is sometimes used as (a) the name of a precious stone (Revelation 21:20), (b) of a dye, i.e. blue. The breastplates appeared as flame-coloured, smoky blue, and yellow like sulphur.

[Revelation 9:19. their tails: The Parthians twisted their horses-' tails to a point. There may be a further reference to their skill in shooting backwards. A. J. G.]

Revelation 9:20. the rest of mankind, i.e. the two-thirds who were not killed. worship devils: both in OT and NT the worship of the pagan world is said to be given to demons (cf. Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalms 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20).

Revelation 9:21. The four sins mentioned in this verse are the characteristic vices of the pagan world. For the connexion between idolatry and immorality cf. Romans 12:1. [sorceries: the Gr. word means magic spells inciting to illicit lusts. A. J. G.]