Revelation 9:2-4
He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The vision emphasizes that the smoke doesn't just dim the light; it actively darkens the sun and the air, suggesting a perversion and obscuring of truth itself, not just a reduction of its visibility. This smoke from the abyss isn't merely a phenomenon but a potent force that clouds understanding and obscures reality, originating from a place of deep corruption.
The fifth angel sounds, and a star falls from heaven, given the key to the abyss. This angel then opens the pit, from which immense smoke billows forth, darkening the sun and the air. This obscuring smoke is presented as the immediate prelude to the swarm of locusts that will emerge from the smoke itself.
Imagine the sun, the ultimate source of light and life, being completely blotted out. Revelation doesn't just describe a natural phenomenon; it uses powerful imagery to convey spiritual realities.
The Darkness of Falsehood
In Revelation 9:2, the smoke rising from the bottomless pit isn't just smoke. It's a potent symbol, representing the deceptive doctrines and falsehoods that emerge from the realm of evil. This smoke is so thick that it darkens the sun and the air, obscuring God's truth and confusing people's understanding.
Think of it like this:
The 'bottomless pit' isn't just a location; it's a symbol of God's judgment and the ultimate source of evil. When it's opened, the consequences are devastating.
God's Sovereign Control Over Evil
The terrifying imagery of the bottomless pit being opened, releasing smoke and darkness, points to a crucial truth: God is ultimately in control, even of the forces of evil.
Here’s what we see:
Understand the original words
skotizō · Greek Verb
A state of being deprived of light, frequently associated with divine judgment, separation from God’s presence, and spiritual blindness.
akris · Greek Noun
Migratory insects used biblically to symbolize an unstoppable, destructive plague or army sent as divine judgment upon the wicked.
exousia · Greek Noun
Refers to the authorized ability, jurisdiction, or capacity granted by God to execute a specific task, even when delegated to demonic forces.
sphragis · Greek Noun
A mark or sign indicating ownership, protection, and divine identification, signifying that an individual belongs to God and is kept safe from His wrath.
The imagery of smoke darkening the sun and air evokes ancient disasters like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or the plagues of Egypt. In the context of the Roman-Jewish wars, it powerfully symbolizes the oppressive chaos and spiritual darkness that can engulf nations and the people of God during times of intense conflict and judgment.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The first wave of Judean exiles, including Daniel and his companions, are deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II. This event marks the beginning of the Jewish exile and a period of significant cultural and religious upheaval.
c. 587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, bringing the Babylonian exile to its peak. This catastrophic event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and eschatological hopes.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia defeats the Babylonian Empire. This shift in power eventually leads to the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. This marks a pivotal moment of hope and restoration for the Jewish people.
This passage describes a plague of locusts so severe that they darkened the land, mirroring the obscuring effect of the smoke in Revelation 9:2.
Joel 2:2Joel describes a day of darkness and gloom, a thick cloud covering the land, which parallels the darkening of the sun and air caused by the smoke from the bottomless pit.
2 Corinthians 4:4This verse speaks of the god of this age blinding the minds of unbelievers, which connects to the idea of spiritual darkness and deception caused by the smoke, obscuring truth.
Genesis 19:28The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is described with smoke rising like the smoke of a furnace, a powerful image that Revelation 9:2 draws upon to depict the origin and nature of the unleashed darkness.
Isaiah 30:33This prophecy describes the Topheth furnace prepared for royalty, with its fire and brimstone, creating an image of smoke and judgment that resonates with the imagery of the bottomless pit and its dark emissions.
ellicottRevelation 9:2: "And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit."
(2) And he opened . . . —Translate, And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun was darkened, and the air, by reason of the smoke of the pit. The first result of the opening of the pit is the diffusion of such a dense smoke…
clarkeRevelation 9:2: "And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit."
He opened the bottomless pit - Το φρεαρ της αβυσσου· The pit of the bottomless deep. Some think the angel means Satan, and the bottomless pit hell. Some suppose Mohammed is meant; and Signior Pastorini professes to believe that Luther is intended! There arose a smoke - False doctrine, obscuring the t…
The vision emphasizes that the smoke doesn't just dim the light; it actively darkens the sun and the air, suggesting a perversion and obscuring of truth itself, not just a reduction of its visibility. This smoke from the abyss isn't merely a phenomenon but a potent force that clouds understanding and obscures reality, originating from a place of deep corruption.
The fifth angel sounds, and a star falls from heaven, given the key to the abyss. This angel then opens the pit, from which immense smoke billows forth, darkening the sun and the air. This obscuring smoke is presented as the immediate prelude to the swarm of locusts that will emerge from the smoke itself.
The fifth angel sounds, and a star falls from heaven, given the key to the abyss. This angel then opens the pit, from which immense smoke billows forth, darkening the sun and the air. This obscuring smoke is presented as the immediate prelude to the swarm of locusts that will emerge from the smoke itself.
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c. 330s BC
Alexander the Great's Conquests
Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire, bringing the Hellenistic period to the region. This introduces Greek culture and influence, leading to periods of both integration and conflict for Jewish people.
c. 167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt breaks out against the Seleucid Empire's oppression and forced Hellenization. This struggle for religious and national freedom results in a period of Jewish independence.
c. AD 64-70— this verse
Roman-Jewish Wars Intensify
Growing tensions and unrest between Jewish populations and the Roman Empire escalate, leading to widespread conflict. This period culminates in the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70.
"He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were g…" — The vision emphasizes that the smoke doesn't just dim the light; it actively darkens the sun and the air, suggesting a perversion and obscuring of truth itself, not just a reduction of its visibili…
