Revelation 9:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 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... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 9:1-2

9:1,2 The fifth angel sounded a blast on his trumpet, and I saw a star failing from heaven on the earth, and to him there was given the key of the shaft of the bottomless abyss; and he opened the shaft of the abyss; and smoke went up from the shaft like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. The picture of terror mounts in its awful intensity. Now the terrors coming upon the earth are beyond nature; they are demonic; the abyss is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit ,.... With the key that was given him; he made use of his universal power over all bishops and churches, enacted laws, issued out decrees, made articles of faith, and imposed them on men's consciences, and obliged all to submit to his hellish principles and practices; and this, as it may be applied to Mahomet, the eastern antichrist, may regard the publishing of his Alcoran, and obliging all his followers to receive it as the infallible word of God: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 9:2

He opened the bottomless pit - Το φρεαρ της αβυσσου· The pit of the bottomless deep. Some think the angel means Satan, and the bottomless pit hell. Some suppose Mohammed is meant; and Signior Pastorini professes to believe that Luther is intended! There arose a smoke - False doctrine, obscuring the true light of heaven. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:1-3

Moral evil in the universe. "And the fifth angel sounded," etc. We take these verses to illustrate moral evil in the universe. Moral evil is a "pit." A pit is a scene of confinement and darkness. Moral evil, or sin, wherever it exists in the spirit, imprisons the faculties and blinds the vision. Socrates has well said, "No man is a free man who has a vice for his master." All corrupt souls are reserved in chains of darkness. Sin is slavery, sin is midnight. In relation to moral evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:1-6

The evil effect of degeneracy: the fallen star. Homiletic expositions aim to avoid as tar as possible the topics of controversy. Yet must they be definite in their view of the interpretation of the words of Holy Scripture. Their own sphere is the moral and practical. They speak with no authority in the department of exposition. The view taken of this figure does not confine its reference to any individual person; although some individuals have gained a special notoriety. Many who have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit; pit of the abyss, as above. This phrase is omitted by א , B, Coptic, AE thiopic, and others. It is inserted by A, B, many cursives, Vulgate, Syriac, Andreas. And there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace. The smoke of the incense ( Revelation 8:4 ) purified the prayers of the saints, making them acceptable before God; the smoke which ascends from the abyss clouds men's minds and darkens their understandings. And the sun... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit - It is represented before as wholly confined, so that not even the smoke or vapor could escape.And there arose a smoke out of the pit - Compare Revelation 14:11. The meaning here is that the pit, as a place of punishment, or as the abode of the wicked, was filled with burning sulphur, and consequently that it emitted smoke and vapor as soon as opened. The common image of the place of punishment, in the Scriptures, is that of a “lake that burns with fire and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 9:2-3

Revelation 9:2-3. There arose a smoke out of the pit As a great smoke hinders the sight, so do errors blind the understanding. The apostle keeps to the allegory, says Grotius, for smoke takes from us the sight of the stars; smoke, especially when proceeding from a fierce fire, is also a representation of devastation. Thus when Abraham beheld the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. The great displeasure of God is represented by 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 9:1-12

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 9:1-2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 9:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 9:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 9:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 9:2-3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 9:1-21

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