Revelation 9:3
Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While locusts were known for their destructive swarms, these infernal ones are specifically given the power to sting and torment, mirroring the painful venom of scorpions, not just the destructive hunger of normal locusts. This venomous quality is the key difference, highlighting their purpose to inflict suffering beyond mere consumption.
The smoke from the bottomless pit obscures the sun and then clears to reveal swarms of terrifying, locust-like creatures. These are not ordinary locusts; they are empowered like scorpions to torment people for five months, specifically those who do not bear God's seal. This vision follows the sounding of the fifth trumpet, which unleashes this plague upon humanity.
Imagine a thick, choking smoke filling the air, obscuring everything. From this darkness, something terrifying emerges. What does this smoke represent in God's message?
The smoke from the bottomless pit is a powerful symbol of spiritual darkness and deception.
Blinding Deception
This smoke isn't just an atmospheric phenomenon; it represents the blinding influence of evil that clouds understanding and leads people astray. Just as smoke obscures vision, these forces obscure the truth of God.
Origin of Evil
The smoke signifies the origin of the destructive power unleashed. It comes from the 'bottomless pit,' a place associated with ultimate spiritual darkness and the domain of demonic forces. This suggests that the 'locusts' are not natural creatures but agents of spiritual evil.
The Agents of Harm
From this smoke come locusts, which are described as having 'power like the power of scorpions.' This highlights that the devastation isn't merely physical but carries a painful, tormenting quality, akin to a scorpion's sting, delivered by entities originating from spiritual darkness.
Locusts are known for their devastating numbers, but these have a different kind of power – the power to inflict painful torment. What does this specific, stinging power signify?
The comparison of these locusts to scorpions points to a specific kind of spiritual warfare and torment.
Beyond Mere Destruction
While natural locusts devour and destroy, scorpions inflict painful stings. This suggests that the 'locusts' in Revelation are not just about widespread devastation but also about causing intense suffering, anguish, and torment to people. This torment is often spiritual, affecting the soul and mind.
Malicious Intent
The sting of a scorpion is often a deliberate, targeted act of inflicting pain. This implies a malicious intent behind the actions of these symbolic locusts. They are empowered not just to ravage but to torment, indicating a purpose to inflict suffering and spiritual agony.
Understand the original words
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.
The imagery of locusts with scorpion-like power draws heavily on Old Testament plagues and prophetic warnings of devastating judgments. In the context of the fifth trumpet, it powerfully symbolizes destructive forces, possibly referencing the Saracen conquests, that inflict pain and torment upon humanity, echoing historical patterns of widespread devastation caused by invading armies.
c. 1446 BC
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
Locusts were a devastating plague sent upon Egypt, covering the land and consuming all vegetation. This event serves as a significant Old Testament backdrop for later locust imagery.
c. 750 BC
Joel's Prophecy of Locusts
The prophet Joel vividly describes an apocalyptic swarm of locusts as a judgment from God, darkening the land and causing widespread devastation, further developing the imagery of locusts as agents of divine wrath.
c. 7th Century BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Empires Rise
The rise of powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon often led to military campaigns and deportations that caused immense suffering and disruption across the ancient Near East.
c. 6th Century BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Babylonian conquest and exile of Judah resulted in widespread destruction and suffering, with the invaders acting as instruments of judgment upon the disobedient nation.
This passage describes the devastating plague of locusts that covered the land of Egypt, highlighting their destructive power and immense numbers, which is a clear thematic link to the locusts emerging in Revelation.
Joel 2:4Joel vividly describes locusts as an army, emphasizing their terrifying appearance and destructive force, mirroring the description of these supernatural locusts in Revelation.
Luke 10:19Jesus tells his disciples they have authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, indicating these creatures represent dangerous spiritual forces and a source of pain and harm, much like the scorpion-like power attributed to the locusts in Revelation.
Psalm 78:46This Psalm recounts God's judgment on Egypt, noting how He gave over their crops to the ravager, and their labor to the locust, drawing a parallel between divine judgment and the destructive agents like these locusts.
Nahum 3:15Nahum compares the Assyrian army to locusts in their destructive capability and number, underscoring the symbolic use of locusts throughout Scripture to represent overwhelming forces of destruction.
ellicottRevelation 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."
(3) And there came . . . —Better, And out of the smoke there came forth locusts upon the earth; and there was given to them power, as the scorpions of the earth (? land-scorpions) have power. The outcome of the gloom is the power of devastation and pain. We still have reference to the Egyptian plagues—this time to the locusts ( Exodus 10:12-15 ): “Th…
barnesRevelation 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."
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth - That is, they escaped from the pit with the smoke. At first they were mingled with the smoke, so that they were not distinctly seen, but when the smoke cleared away they appeared in great numbers. The idea seems to be, that the bottomless pit was filled with vapor and with those creatures, and…
While locusts were known for their destructive swarms, these infernal ones are specifically given the power to sting and torment, mirroring the painful venom of scorpions, not just the destructive hunger of normal locusts. This venomous quality is the key difference, highlighting their purpose to inflict suffering beyond mere consumption.
The smoke from the bottomless pit obscures the sun and then clears to reveal swarms of terrifying, locust-like creatures. These are not ordinary locusts; they are empowered like scorpions to torment people for five months, specifically those who do not bear God's seal. This vision follows the sounding of the fifth trumpet, which unleashes this plague upon humanity.
The smoke from the bottomless pit obscures the sun and then clears to reveal swarms of terrifying, locust-like creatures. These are not ordinary locusts; they are empowered like scorpions to torment people for five months, specifically those who do not bear God's seal. This vision follows the sounding of the fifth trumpet, which unleashes this plague upon humanity.
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Spiritual Warfare Tactic
This 'scorpion power' can be understood as a tactic in spiritual warfare. It represents doctrines, lies, or influences that, when they 'sting' people, cause spiritual pain, doubt, fear, and separation from God. It's a power that pierces and poisons the spiritual life.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem by Romans
The Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple were catastrophic events causing immense death, suffering, and displacement for the Jewish people.
c. 610-632 AD
Rise of Islam and Arab Conquests
The emergence of Islam and the rapid expansion of Arab conquests dramatically reshaped the political and religious landscape of the Middle East and North Africa.
c. 670 AD— this verse
Saracen Invasions
Following the rise of Islam, Saracen armies launched devastating campaigns across the Eastern Roman Empire and beyond, causing widespread destruction and torment.
"Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth." — While locusts were known for their destructive swarms, these infernal ones are specifically given the power to sting and torment, mirroring the painful venom of scorpions, not just the destructive…
