Revelation 9:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 9:13-21

Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself. I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Rev. 9:13, 14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of God's anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, Rev. 9:14. 3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 9:13-21

9:13-21 The sixth angel sounded a blast on his trumpet and I heard a voice from the four horns of the altar saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet: "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So there came the four angels who were prepared for that hour and day and month and year, to kill a third part of the human race. The number of the armed forces of cavalry was twenty thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number, and this was how I saw in appearance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:15

And the four angels were loosed ,.... The time being come, fixed by the decrees of God, making use of the Turks for the destruction of the eastern empire, the restraints of divine Providence were taken off from them, and they were suffered to pass the river Euphrates; they were let loose like so many furies, and in a little time overran and destroyed the whole empire, and settled their own, now called the Turkish or Ottoman empire; and which was done about the year 1301. Which were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 9:15

For an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year - We have in this place a year resolved into its component parts. Twenty-four hours constitute a day, seven days make a week, four weeks make a month, and twelve months make a year. Probably no more is meant than that these four angels were at all times prepared and permitted to inflict evil on the people against whom they had received their commission. There are some who understand these divisions of time as prophetical periods, and to these I... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:12-21

The inefficiency of judgments to lead all to repentance. The voice of suffering innocence does not pass unheeded. The Lord of sabaoth is long-suffering and very merciful, even towards the disobedient and towards the enemies of the truth; but the angels of judgment and punishment, bound and restrained, must at length be loosed. Though the Lord suffereth long and is kind, yet he will avenge his own elect which cry to him day and night. We learn— I. THAT THE END OF JUDGMENT IS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:15

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. The alterations in the Revised Version make the meaning much plainer: which had been prepared for the bout, and day, and month, and year, that they should kill, etc. That is to say those "which had" in God's foreknowledge "been prepared" in order to operate at the exact period required—the exact year, month, day, and even hour. Each knew his appointed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 9:15

And the four angels were loosed - Who had this mighty host under restraint. The loosening of the angels was, in fact, also a letting loose of all these hosts, that they might accomplish the work which they were commissioned to do.Which were prepared - See Revelation 9:7. The word used here properly refers to what is made ready, suited up, arranged for anything: as persons prepared for a journey, horses for battle, a road for travelers, food for the hungry, a house to live in, etc. See... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 9:13-15

Revelation 9:13-15. The sixth angel sounded, &c. At the sounding of the sixth trumpet, a voice proceeded from the four horns of the golden altar, (for the scene was still in the temple,) ordering the angel of the sixth trumpet to loose the four angels which were bound in the great river Euphrates; and they were loosed accordingly. Such a voice, proceeding from the four horns of the golden altar, is a strong indication of the divine displeasure; and plainly intimates, that the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:1-21

Fifth and sixth trumpets (9:1-21)Worse than the destruction by the forces of nature is the suffering brought by the forces of demons (fifth trumpet). These demonic forces are pictured in a strange and terrifying army of locusts. Though uncontrollable by any human power, they are not independent of the rule of God. He keeps them imprisoned in the abyss (RSV: bottomless pit), and even when he releases them he determines the extent of their activity (9:1-3).The demons do not harm plant life (as... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 9:15

were = had been. for. Greek. eis. App-104 . an = the hour, day, month, year. A fixed point of time, not a period of duration. The four notes of time being under one article and one preposition show that the occasion is one particular moment appointed by God. for = in order. Greek. hina. third part. See Revelation 8:7 . read more