What does Revelation 9:17 mean?

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. Revelation 9:17

Explanation

Revelation 9:17 offers a vivid and symbolic portrayal of events occurring within the apocalyptic narrative of the Book of Revelation. The verse describes a vision of horses and their riders, which is part of the sixth trumpet judgment. This passage is known for its intense imagery, featuring horses with lion-like heads and riders with breastplates that exhibit the colors of fire, jacinth (a blue or bluish-purple), and brimstone. The horses themselves are depicted with the power to emit fire, smoke, and brimstone from their mouths—elements associated with destruction and divine judgment.

The literal meaning represents a catastrophic event, possibly war or divine punishment. On a deeper level, it echoes the trials and tribulations that will mark the end times, and serves as an admonition of the wrath and power of God. The apocalyptic imagery is intended to both warn and reassure the faithful of God’s ultimate control over evil.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, attributed to John, was penned during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely in the late 1st century A.D., possibly during or shortly after the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. The text of Revelation is written in a style known as apocalyptic literature, which was common at the time for delivering messages of hope to oppressed peoples. The symbols and imagery used would have been recognizable to contemporary Jews and Christians as indicative of God’s judgment and eventual triumph over evil.

Theological Insights

From an evangelical perspective, this verse is seen as a literal prophecy of future events leading up to the second coming of Christ. A preterist view would suggest that these events have already occurred symbolically with the fall of Jerusalem or the decline of Rome.

Amillennialists may interpret this vision allegorically, perceiving it as an ongoing struggle between good and evil rather than specific events in time. Postmillennial theology might focus on the eventual victory over these evil forces through the progress of the church before Christ’s return.

Practical Applications

For believers, Revelation 9:17 can remind individuals of the seriousness of judgment and the reality of spiritual warfare. It encourages Christians to remain faithful and vigilant in the face of trials and moral decay. It also serves as a call to repentance and reformation of life, inviting individuals to consider the ultimate outcome of their actions and the world’s trajectory.

Cross-References

• Revelation 9:18-19: “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.”
• Revelation 9:9: “And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.”
• Revelation 16:13-14: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
• Psalm 18:7-14: “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse, such as “breastplates” (θώρακας), “fire” (πυρός), “jacinth” (ὑακίνθινον), “brimstone” (θεῖον), and “lions” (λεόντων), have vivid meanings. “Brimstone,” or “θεῖον” in the original Greek, often associates with divine judgment or punishment. The term “jacinth,” or “ὑακίνθινον,” describes a blue color and may symbolize mystery or the heavenly realm. The Greek language heightens the intensity of these descriptions and conveys a sense of awe and terror.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse has broadly similar themes to some elements of other ancient mythology, such as the ferocity and power symbolized by creatures like the Chimera or the use of natural disasters and plagues as forms of divine retribution in various ancient cultures.

In Zoroastrianism, there are also depictions of cosmic battles between good and evil, with imagery that echoes some of the apocalyptic elements found in the Book of Revelation. However, there are distinctive features of the Christian narrative about the end times and the role of God in judgment.

Scientific Perspectives

The description in Revelation 9:17 has no direct scientific explanation as it is a supernatural vision, not a natural event. Scientific perspectives might analyze the composition of actual brimstone (sulfur) and its properties, or the behavior of fire and smoke in physical phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, which might have inspired such imagery.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators offer diverse interpretations of this verse. Some, like Matthew Henry, view it within the context of God’s judgment on a corrupt world. Others, such as G. K. Beale in his New International Greek Testament Commentary, look at the rich intertextual connections to the Old Testament and other Jewish apocalyptic literature. Dispensationalist scholars like John Walvoord and Mark Hitchcock often interpret the passage predictively, underscoring its prophetic significance for future events.