What does Revelation 9:19 mean?

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. Revelation 9:19

Explanation

Revelation 9:19 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the book of Revelation, which is known for its apocalyptic and prophetic content. The verse describes part of the vision that the Apostle John received and recorded, concerning the end times. In the apocalyptic imagery, the verse speaks of creatures with power in their mouths and in their tails, and these tails are likened to serpents with heads that can inflict harm. This verse is part of a larger section that discusses the fifth and sixth trumpets, which unleash judgments upon the earth.

The “power in their mouth” might symbolize the ability to deceive or spew forth destruction, while “tails like unto serpents, and had heads” could imply deceptive tactics or hidden dangers. In the apocalyptic context, these creatures could represent forces of evil or specific judgments that bring about pain and suffering to those who are against God.

Historical Context

Revelation was written by the Apostle John, commonly believed to be John the Evangelist. The book of Revelation is dated to the late 1st century AD, likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (81–96 AD). Early Christians faced persecution from the Roman Empire, and the many symbols and images found in Revelation are often interpreted as coded language that spoke to the experiences and hopes of persecuted Christians in a way that would not have been fully clear to outside oppressors.

In this historical context, the creatures described in Revelation 9:19 could be seen as symbols for Roman powers or any oppressive force against the faithful, portraying their destructive and deceitful nature.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the verse reflects different viewpoints:

• Traditional Dispensationalism: Believers of this view might interpret the verse as a literal future event that will take place during the Great Tribulation, a period of significant suffering before the Second Coming of Christ.

• Preterism: This viewpoint holds that many of the prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled in the early history of the Church, particularly in the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD or the eventual downfall of the Roman Empire.

• Idealism: Idealists would view this verse as a timeless symbol of the battle between good and evil, with the creatures representing the ongoing spiritual struggle and the harm sin can cause.

Practical Applications

Modern readers can apply the metaphorical teachings of Revelation 9:19 in the following ways:

• Vigilance Against Deception: The reference to the power of the creatures’ mouths and tails like serpents suggest the importance of being vigilant against deceitful influences in life.

• Spiritual Discernment: The dual threat (mouth and tail) might encourage believers to exercise spiritual discernment in all areas, understanding that threats can come from multiple, sometimes unexpected, directions.

• Resilience and Hope: For those undergoing trials, the prophecy may serve as a reminder of the temporal nature of evil and the ultimate victory of good, providing resilience and hope.

Cross-References

• Revelation 9:10 – “And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.”
• Revelation 12:3-4 – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…”
• Revelation 13:11 – “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

Language Study

The original Greek text uses key words such as:

• “Stoma” (Στόμα): Translated as “mouth,” can imply command, speech, or a source of consumption and destruction.

• “Ourai” (Οὐραί): Translated as “tails,” in biblical Greek it is sometimes used symbolically to represent power or authority.

• “Óphis” (Ὅφις): Translated as “serpent,” often symbolizes deceit, evil, or Satan himself in biblical literature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern mythology, serpentine creatures often represented chaos and evil. The use of serpent imagery in Revelation 9:19 reflects this broader cultural perspective and carries with it the connotations of danger and moral evil.

Comparatively, in some other religious traditions:

• Hindu mythology has the serpent king, Vasuki, used to churn the cosmic ocean for the elixir of life, symbolizing both destructive and regenerative forces.

• In ancient Egyptian religion, Apep was a serpent deity that embodied chaos and was an enemy of the sun god, Ra.