What does Revelation 9:10 mean?

And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. Revelation 9:10

Explanation

Revelation 9:10 describes part of the vision that the apostle John had regarding the end times, as recounted in the Book of Revelation. In the vision, John sees locusts that come out from the Abyss after the fifth trumpet is sounded. These are not ordinary locusts but are depicted as having features resembling those of horses, human faces, lion’s teeth, and scorpions’ tails. The tails with stings are highlighted in this verse as instruments of torment. The locusts are given the power to harm people for five months, a limited period of time, by these stings, which implies that their purpose is not to kill but to afflict and torment humans.

The deeper meaning could be symbolic of a period of trial and divine judgment. The scorpion’s ability to inflict pain without causing immediate death may symbolize the judgment of God as partial and corrective rather than final and destructive. The five-month period could be understood literally or symbolically to signify an allotted and limited time of suffering.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, was written by the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, believed to be around 95 AD. This was a time of persecution for the early Christian church. The apocalyptic genre of Revelation uses symbolic language and vivid imagery to convey messages of hope for the persecuted as well as warnings for the oppressors. The historical setting includes Roman rule over Judea and widespread pagan idolatry, which caused cultural and religious conflict for the followers of Christ.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations have emerged from this verse. Some traditional pre-millennialist viewpoints interpret the suffering as a literal event that will occur during the end times. Amillennialists might view the locusts as representing ongoing spiritual warfare, with the verse symbolizing a divine purpose behind temptation or suffering. Post-millennialists may consider this passage as indicative of historic periods of tribulation that lead up to Christ’s eventual return and reign. The specific mentioning of five months can be interpreted as a symbol of God’s sovereignty even over the period of suffering, depicting that it is controlled and will not last forever.

Practical Applications

This verse can offer several practical applications, such as the resilience and perseverance through periods of hardship, reflecting on the temporary nature of suffering, and the understanding of divine sovereignty over all events. It may also teach about the importance of spiritual preparedness for trials and the comfort of knowing that God limits adversities and uses them for a greater purpose.

Cross-References

• Revelation 9:3 — “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
• Revelation 9:5 — “And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.”
• Joel 2:4-5 — “The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.”

Language Study

In the verse, the Greek word used for “tails” is “ouras,” referring to the tail or extremity of an animal. This word is specifically descriptive, emphasizing the locusts’ tails’ likeness to scorpions. The term “scorpions” in Greek is “skorpios,” which in the mind of the ancient reader would conjure up images of pain, harm, and venomous attacks. “Stings” in Greek is “kentra,” meaning a sting or a pointed instrument that pierces or wounds which is used metaphorically to describe the infliction of anguish or distress.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The descriptions found in Revelation often draw from cultural and religious imagery known at the time. Scorpions’ ability to inflict pain is a common motif in ancient Near Eastern cultures and is found in other religious texts as symbols of divine retribution or evil. The use of locusts could be a reference to plagues, such as those in Egypt from the book of Exodus, symbolizing widespread divine judgment.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the behaviors and abilities of actual scorpions and locusts are well-documented. The torment described as being caused by these creatures is physiologically possible through their venom (in the case of scorpions) or via the damage locust swarms can cause to crops, reflecting a real fear of these creatures. The specified time frame of five months aligns with the life cycle of locusts, which may suggest this period was symbolic for an actual natural occurrence or human suffering.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have contributed interpretations of this verse. Some, like Matthew Henry, suggest that the torment could be symbolic of a period of spiritual or emotional affliction brought on by demonic influences. Others, such as John Gill, interpret this passage more historically, viewing these locusts as representing certain armies or political forces that brought torture and suffering upon the people for a set period. Still, others, like Craig S. Keener, focus on the symbolic nature of the narrative, stating the importance of understanding the imagery within the context of a first-century worldview and the purpose of encouraging faithfulness amidst persecution.