The Meaning of Revelation 9:15 Explained

Revelation 9:15

KJV: 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.

YLT: and loosed were the four messengers, who have been made ready for the hour, and day, and month, and year, that they may kill the third of men;

Darby: And the four angels were loosed, who are prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they might slay the third part of men;

ASV: And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Revelation 9:15 Mean?

Study Notes

angels
.
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

These angels were ready for a specific assignment at a specific hour in history (cf. Revelation 12:6; Revelation 16:12; Matthew 25:34; Matthew 25:41; Mark 10:40; Luke 2:31; 1 Corinthians 2:9).
"One article governing all four nouns shows that duration is not in view, but that the occasion of each one of the time designations is one and the same: the appointed hour occurs on the appointed day in the appointed month and in the appointed year.... Once again, this sounds the note of divine providence that recurs so often in this book (e.g, dei in Revelation 1:1, mellei in Revelation 1:19) ..." [1]
Their task was to put one-third of those who dwell on the earth (i.e, earth-dwellers) to death (cf. Revelation 8:13). This will result in approximately half the population of the earth alive at the beginning of the Tribulation being dead at the end of this judgment. One-fourth died under the fourth seal judgment ( Revelation 6:7-8), and many more died as martyrs and for other reasons (cf. Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21-22). However, it is only the earth-dwellers, those in rebellion against God, who suffer death as a result of this woe (cf. Revelation 9:20).

Context Summary

Revelation 9:12-21 - Impenitent In Spite Of All
The river Euphrates possibly stands for nations and hordes of men emanating from that region; and these verses are held by a large number of expositors to foretell the invasion of Europe by the Turks, who have desolated and held the sacred places of the Jewish faith. The Church of that time was eaten through with idolatry. Image worship had become almost universal, and the invariable consequence of this relapse from the noble spiritual ideals of the Jewish and Christian dispensations was materialism, sensuality, and the greed of the priest. On the other hand, the Turks were fierce iconoclasts, and their progress everywhere was marked by the demolition of Christian emblems.
Demons contrive to get themselves worshiped under the effigies of idolatry; and murders, sorceries, fornication, and theft infest their temples. There is perpetual controversy between the spirit of truth and these perversities; and this conflict must continue, not only in the Church, but in the heart, until everything that opposes the reign of the Spirit is overthrown, and every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5. Is this supremacy of the Spirit secured for thee, my reader? [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 9

1  At the sounding of the fifth angel, a star falls from heaven, to whom is given the key to the bottomless pit
2  He opens the pit, and there come forth locusts like scorpions
12  The first woe past
13  The sixth trumpet sounds
14  Four angels who were bound are let loose

Greek Commentary for Revelation 9:15

Were loosed [ελυτησαν]
First aorist (ingressive) passive indicative of λυω — luō “were let loose.” [source]
Which had been prepared [οι ητοιμασμενοι]
Perfect passive articular participle of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō to make ready For this use of εις — eis with ητοιμασμενον — hētoimasmenon see 2 Timothy 2:21. All preparation over, the angels are waiting for the signal to begin.That they should kill The same idiom in Revelation 9:5 about the fifth trumpet, which brought torture. This one brings death. [source]
For the hour and day and month and year [εις την ωραν και ημεραν και μηνα και ενιαυτον]
For this use of εις — eis with ητοιμασμενον — hētoimasmenon see 2 Timothy 2:21. All preparation over, the angels are waiting for the signal to begin. [source]
That they should kill [ινα αποκτεινωσιν]
The same idiom in Revelation 9:5 about the fifth trumpet, which brought torture. This one brings death. [source]
For an hour and a day and a month and a year []
This rendering is wrong, since it conveys the idea that the four periods mentioned are to be combined as representing the length of the preparation or of the continuance of the plague. But it is to be noted that neither the article nor the preposition are repeated before day and month and year. The meaning is that the angels are prepared unto the hour appointed by God, and that this hour shall fall in its appointed day and month and year. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 9:15

Revelation 12:6 Where [οπουεκει]
Hebrew redundancy (where - there) as in Revelation 3:8; Revelation 8:9, Revelation 8:9; Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12; Revelation 17:9; Revelation 20:8.Prepared (ετοιμαζω — hētoimasmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of τοπος — hetoimazō for which verb see Matthew 20:23; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2, and for its use with απο του τεου — topos John 14:2. and for the kind of fellowship meant by it (Psalm 31:21; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 1:3).Of God “From (by) God,” marking the source as God (Revelation 9:18; James 1:13). This anticipatory symbolism is repeated in Revelation 12:13.That there they may nourish her (ινα — hina ekei trephōsin autēn). Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 12:6 Prepared [ετοιμαζω]
Perfect passive predicate participle of τοπος — hetoimazō for which verb see Matthew 20:23; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2, and for its use with απο του τεου — topos John 14:2. and for the kind of fellowship meant by it (Psalm 31:21; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 1:3). [source]
Revelation 16:12 Was dried up [εχηραντη]
First aorist (prophetic) passive of χηραινω — xērainō (Revelation 14:15). Cf. Zechariah 10:11.That may be made ready (ινα ετοιμαστηι — hina hetoimasthēi). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō Common verb in Rev (Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2).The way for the kings Objective genitive βασιλεων — basileōn come from the sunrising “Those from the rising of the sun,” the kings from the east (cf. Matthew 2:2) in their march against Rome. Parthia in particular resisted Rome before Trajan‘s day. [source]
Revelation 16:12 That may be made ready [ινα ετοιμαστηι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō Common verb in Rev (Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2). [source]
Revelation 2:13 Holdest fast my name [κρατεω]
Present active indicative of Κυριος Καισαρ — krateō “dost keep on holding,” as in Revelation 2:25, Revelation 3:11. This church refused to say Κυριος Ιησους — Kurios Kaisar (Martyrd. Polyc. 8f.) and continued to say ουκ ηρνησω — Kurios Iēsous (1 Corinthians 12:3). They stood true against the emperor-worship.Didst not deny (αρνεομαι — ouk ērnēsō). First aorist middle second person singular of την πιστιν μου — arneomai Reference to a specific incident not known to us.My faith Objective genitive, “thy faith in me.”Of Antipas (Αντιπα — Antipas). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that ο μαρτυς μου — Antipa (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).My witness Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 2:13 Was killed [αποκτεινω]
First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 9:14 Loose [λυσον]
First aorist (ingressive) active imperative of λυω — luō “let loose.” Another group of four angels (Revelation 7:1) like Acts 12:4, described here “which are bound” Perfect passive articular participle of δεω — deō evidently the leaders of the demonic horsemen (Revelation 9:15.) as the four angels let loose the demonic locusts (Revelation 7:1.), both quaternions agents of God‘s wrath. [source]
Revelation 2:13 My faith [Αντιπας]
Objective genitive, “thy faith in me.”Of Antipas (Αντιπα — Antipas). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that ο μαρτυς μου — Antipa (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).My witness Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 2:13 My witness [ο πιστος μου]
Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 9:14 Which had the trumpet [ο εχων την σαλπιγγα]
Nominative case in apposition with αγγελωι — aggelōi (dative), the same anomalous phenomenon in Revelation 2:20; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 14:12. Swete treats it as a parenthesis, like Revelation 4:1; Revelation 11:15.Loose (λυσον — luson). First aorist (ingressive) active imperative of λυω — luō “let loose.” Another group of four angels (Revelation 7:1) like Acts 12:4, described here “which are bound” (τους δεδεμενους — tous dedemenous). Perfect passive articular participle of δεω — deō evidently the leaders of the demonic horsemen (Revelation 9:15.) as the four angels let loose the demonic locusts (Revelation 7:1.), both quaternions agents of God‘s wrath.At the great river Euphrates A regular epithet of the Euphrates (Revelation 16:12; Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 1:7). It rises in Armenia and joins the Tigris in lower Babylonia, a total length of nearly 1800 miles, the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire next to Parthia. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 9:15 mean?

And were released the four angels - having been prepared for the hour day month year so that they might kill a third - of mankind
καὶ ἐλύθησαν οἱ τέσσαρες ἄγγελοι οἱ ἡτοιμασμένοι εἰς τὴν ὥραν ἡμέραν μῆνα ἐνιαυτόν ἵνα ἀποκτείνωσιν τὸ τρίτον τῶν ἀνθρώπων

ἐλύθησαν  were  released 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λύω  
Sense: to loose any person (or thing) tied or fastened.
τέσσαρες  four 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: τέσσαρες  
Sense: four.
ἄγγελοι  angels 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡτοιμασμένοι  having  been  prepared 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἑτοιμάζω  
Sense: to make ready, prepare.
ὥραν  hour 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα  
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
ἡμέραν  day 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
μῆνα  month 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: μήν2  
Sense: a month.
ἐνιαυτόν  year 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐνιαυτός  
Sense: a year, in a wider sense, for some fixed definite period of time.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἀποκτείνωσιν  they  might  kill 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀποκτείνω 
Sense: to kill in any way whatever.
τρίτον  third 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τρίτον 
Sense: the third.
τῶν  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπων  of  mankind 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.