Study of Revelation Chapter Nine Plagues
Revelation Chapter Nine Plagues
Revelation 9:18 describes a scene where a third of mankind is killed by three plagues: fire, smoke, and brimstone proceeding from the mouths of certain entities [1, 5]. Understanding this passage requires examining the concept of "plagues" within the biblical context.
The term "plague" is used throughout the Bible to describe divine judgments or afflictions. In the Old Testament, it often refers to the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt before the Exodus [2, 6]. These plagues were a series of calamities that included turning the Nile to blood, infestations of frogs and lice, disease on livestock, boils on humans and animals, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn sons.
The ninth plague, described in Exodus 9:13-26, was a period of intense darkness that lasted for three days. This plague was distinct from the others in that it directly affected the Egyptians' ability to see and interact with one another, while the Israelites were not affected [7, 8]. According to Matthew Henry, the ninth plague was a supernatural darkness that was "a thick and palpable darkness, not only a privation of light, but a positive and sensible calamity" [7].
The concept of plagues is also associated with divine judgment and punishment. In Leviticus 13:9, the term "plague" is used to describe a skin condition, likely leprosy, that was considered a divine affliction [3]. Similarly, in Numbers 25:9, a plague is described as a punishment for the Israelites' idolatry, resulting in the death of 24,000 people [4].
The use of "plague" in Revelation 9:18 is likely drawing on this biblical tradition. The passage describes a future judgment where a third of humanity is killed by fire, smoke, and brimstone. This imagery is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, where fire and brimstone are used to describe God's judgment.
Different traditions interpret the plagues in Revelation 9 in various ways. The Jewish tradition, as represented in the Midrash Rabbah, views the plagues as a demonstration of God's power and justice. For example, Shemot Rabbah 23:9 interprets the plagues as a manifestation of God's "finger" or power [9]. In contrast, Christian interpreters like Matthew Henry see the plagues in Revelation as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a demonstration of God's judgment on humanity [7].
The Protestant academic tradition, represented by Tyndale House, notes that the plagues in Revelation are a reminder of God's judgment and power, drawing on the Old Testament imagery [11]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, provides a detailed analysis of the Exodus plagues, highlighting their significance as a demonstration of God's power and a call to repentance [10, 12].
The ninth plague in Exodus and the plagues in Revelation 9 share a common theme of divine judgment and the call to repentance. While the contexts and specifics differ, both accounts demonstrate God's power and authority over creation. The use of "plague" in both contexts serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness.
Sources
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 9:18 (Rotherham) — by these three plagues, were slain, the third part of mankind, by reason of the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, that proceedeth out of their mouths;”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Plague — A "stroke" of affliction, or disease. Sent as a divine chastisement (Num. 11:33; 14:37; 16:46-49; 2 Sam. 24:21). Painful afflictions or diseases, (Lev. 13:3, 5, 30; 1 Kings 8:37), or severe calamity (Mark 5:29; Luke 7:21), or the judgment of God, so called (Ex. 9:14). Plagues of Egypt were ten in number. (1.) The river Nile was turned into blood, and the fish died, and the river stank, so that the Egyptians loathed to drink of the river (Ex. 7:14-25). (2.) The plague of frogs (Ex. 8:1-15). (3.) The plague of lice (Heb. kinnim, properly gnats or mosquitoes; c”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 13:9 (Geneva1599) — When the plague of leprosie is in a man, he shalbe brought vnto the Priest,”
- Numbers “Numbers 25:9 (YLT) — and the dead by the plague are four and twenty thousand.”
- Revelation “Revelation 9:18 (NASB) — A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Plagues, The Ten — The occasion on which the plagues were sent is described in Exod 3-12. + The plague of blood.When Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh, a miracle was required of them. Then Aaron's rod became "a serpent (Authorized Version), or rather "a crocodile." Its being changed into an animal reverenced by all the Egyptians, or by some of them, would have been an especial warning to Pharaoh, The Egyptian magicians called by the king produced what seemed to be the same wonder, yet Aaron's rod swallowed up the others. (Exodus 7:3-12) This passage, taken alone wou”
- Exodus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Exodus 10 (introduction): The eighth and ninth of the plagues of Egypt, that of locusts and that of darkness, are recorded in this chapter. I. Concerning the plague of locusts, 1. God instructs Moses in the meaning of these amazing dispensations of his providence (Exo 10:1, Exo 10:2). 2. He threatens the locusts (Exo 10:3-6). 3. Pharaoh, at the persuasion of his servants, is willing to treat again with Moses (Exo 10:7-9), but they cannot agree (Exo 10:10, Exo 10:11). 4. The locusts come (Exo 10:12-15). 5. Pharaoh cries Peccavi - I have offended (Exo 10:16, Exo 10:17), whereupo”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 11:7: 11:7 As stated explicitly in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth plagues (8:23; 9:6, 26; 10:23), the Lord distinguished between his people and the Egyptians. These events clearly resulted from the express activity of God and were not just a chance collection of natural tragedies.”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Shemot Rabbah 23:9: Another matter, “then Moses…sang” – that is what is written: “The Lord is known, He executed justice” (Psalms 9:17). It refers to the Egyptians, as the Holy One blessed be He executed justice against them in Egypt and at the sea. Rabbi Yehoshua says: They were afflicted with ten plagues with one finger, as it is stated: “The magicians said to Pharaoh: It is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:15). At the sea they were afflicted with fifty plagues, as it is stated: “Israel saw the great power [ hayad hagedola ]” (Exodus 14:31). 12 The literal translation of hayad ha”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 7:17: Behold, I will smite - Here commences the account of the Ten plagues which were inflicted on the Egyptians by Moses and Aaron, by the command and through the power of God. According to Archbishop Usher these ten plagues took place in the course of one month, and in the following order: - The first, the Waters turned into Blood, took place, he supposes, the 18th day of the sixth month; Exo 7:20. The second, the plague of Frogs, on the 25th day of the sixth month; Exo 8:2. The third, the plague of Lice, on the 27th day of the sixth month; Exo 8:16. The fourth, grievo”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 18:8: 18:8 The plagues (18:2-3) are a reminder that destruction was not merely a human action; it is the Lord God who judges her. He is mighty, able to accomplish what he promises.”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 9 (introduction): The Lord sends Moses to Pharaoh to inform him that, if he did not let the Israelites depart, a destructive pestilence should be sent among his cattle, Exo 9:1-3; while the cattle of the Israelites should be preserved, Exo 9:4. The next day this pestilence, which was the fifth plague, is sent, and all the cattle of the Egyptians die, Exo 9:5, Exo 9:6. Though Pharaoh finds that not one of the cattle of the Israelites had died, yet, through hardness of heart, he refuses to let the people go, Exo 9:7. Moses and Aaron are commanded to sprinkle handfuls of ash”