What does Revelation 9:21 mean?

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelation 9:21

Explanation

The verse Revelation 9:21 is part of the Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, the last book of the New Testament. Here, John is describing the peoples’ reaction to the plagues and calamities that have been inflicted upon the Earth as part of the divine judgments during the end times. Despite these severe judgments, which are meant to prompt repentance and a return to God, the verse tells us that humanity did not repent of their murders, sorceries, fornications, or thefts. These four sins can be viewed both literally and symbolically: “murders” refers to the taking of human life, “sorceries” involves the manipulation of forces through dark powers, “fornications” represents sexual immorality, and “thefts” signifies the act of stealing or dishonest gain. The deeper meaning suggests a stubborn refusal to turn away from systematic and pervasive evil, despite clear signs and opportunities for redemption.

Historical Context

Revelation was written toward the end of the first century A.D., a time when the early Christian church was experiencing intense persecution by the Roman Empire. The author, traditionally believed to be John the Apostle, is writing from the island of Patmos, where he was exiled. The historical setting is one of a struggling Christian community seeking hope and reassurance in the face of oppression. Revelation uses apocalyptic language and symbolic imagery to depict the final victory of good over evil and God’s ultimate justice.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse emphasizes God’s desire for repentance and the human capacity for hardness of heart. Diverse Christian traditions interpret the Book of Revelation differently. For many evangelical and fundamentalist interpreters, this verse is a literal foretelling of future events, warning of the stubbornness of humanity despite God’s attempts to bring them to repentance. For more allegorical or symbolic interpretations, such as those found in some mainstream Protestant or Catholic readings, the passage could represent recurring patterns throughout history in which societies fail to turn towards righteousness despite warnings and consequences.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, Revelation 9:21 challenges individuals to self-reflect on their own moral choices and decisions. One might ask themselves if they are stubbornly holding onto harmful behaviors akin to those described in the verse and whether they are resistant to change despite negative consequences. It also serves as a call to take seriously the potential for human refusal to repent and emphasizes the value of continual personal and collective moral assessment.

Cross-References

• Revelation 16:9 – “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”
• Revelation 16:11 – “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
• Revelation 2:21-22 – “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, key words in Revelation 9:21 include “φονεία” (phonoiá, meaning “murders”), “φαρμακεία” (pharmakeía, from which we derive the word “pharmacy” or “sorceries” in this context often associated with magical arts and poisoning), “πορνεία” (porneía, translated as “fornication” but broadly referring to all forms of sexual immorality), and “κλοπή” (klopé, meaning “theft”). Understanding these terms in their original language gives insight into the serious nature of the sins listed.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Sorcery, as mentioned in Revelation 9:21, has parallels in other ancient cultures and religions which often had a deep belief in the magical and the supernatural. For example, in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, there were numerous spells and rituals. Likewise, sexual immorality and theft were common themes of immorality in other religious texts, such as the Codes of Hammurabi or the Egyptian Book of the Dead, suggesting these were widely recognized societal issues.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific perspectives might look at the behaviors mentioned in Revelation 9:21 as subjects for social science rather than theology or morality, examining the psychological, sociological, and environmental factors that influence human behavior, including criminal actions (such as murders and thefts) and social behaviors (such as sexual practices). However, the choice to engage or abstain from such behaviors could also be seen through the lens of science, including the study of free will, ethics, and the development of moral reasoning.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians offer different interpretations of Revelation 9:21. Some commentaries emphasize the justice of God, highlighting the passage as an example of divine patience with humanity’s continued iniquity. Others view it in the context of the book’s broader themes of final judgment and the need for repentance. Still, others consider the verse through an eschatological lens, discussing it in relation to the end times and the ultimate destiny of humanity. Across commentaries, there is a recognition of the depth of human sin and the need for transformative change—both personal and systemic.