Revelation Chapter 9 Explained: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million Horsemen

Updated 8-18-26

John continues in Revelation chapter 9 to write about the trumpet judgements, specifically the 5^th and 6^th trumpet judgements. The last three of the trumpet judgments are also called the “woe judgments” because of the exclamation of the angel in Revelation 9:13. “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (KJV)

The timeline of these judgments may most likely occur in the last three and half years of the Great Tribulation.

Revelation 9:1-The Falling Star

“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (KJV)

The judgement on the Earth after the fifth angel blew his trumpet, the first of the three “woes,” was a star falling out of heaven to the Earth. This star was a male individual since the Bible uses the pronoun “he.” Bible scholars believe this star is Satan. After Satan rebelled against God, he still had access to heaven, according to the Book of Job. But this final fall was prophesied by Jesus Himself in Luke 10:18: “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” (KJV)

Satan falls from heaven, and after he arrives on Earth, someone gives him the key — the permission — to open the bottomless pit. The exact location and meaning of the bottomless pit are unknown. Some Bible scholars say this is hell, but I believe this place is not hell, but rather, another terrible place.

The Greek word for this pit is “abussos,” or translated to English, abyss. This pit seems to be a terrible abode of eternal spirits, since this same word is used in Luke 8:31 when Jesus encountered the man with many devils. The spirits that were inside the man begged Jesus not to cast them “into the deep” the abyss. Those devils were afraid of this pit.

Revelation 9:2-The Pit

“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.” (KJV)

Satan opens the bottomless pit to release his helpers. This smoke may be actual smoke or also the smoke could have been the great number of demonic creatures that fills the world and looks like smoke. The unnatural darkness caused by the smoke of this pit will cause worldwide chaos. The smoke darkens the natural light of the sun, which God commanded to rule over the day. Because of these satanic forces, the natural, God-given light is darkened.

Revelation 9:3-Locusts

“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.” (KJV)

Out of this thick smoke will emerge devilish beasts. These grasshopper-like creatures will be shaped like locusts, but, unlike locust, these unearthly, devilish creatures will wield the painful power of scorpions. Nothing is indicated about the size of these locusts. A regular locust is a small creature, but the great detail that John gives about these creatures may indicate they are monstrous animals.

Revelation 9:4-The Purpose of the Locusts

“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.” (KJV)

Although these are devilish creatures, these supernatural locusts are still under God’s control, and He will give them boundaries. God will use them to execute His judgement on rebellious man, but they can only do what God will allow them to do. Normal locusts eat green plants, but these beasts may not touch or eat plants, the natural food of locusts. Instead, they will have a target — all humans who do not have God’s seal in their foreheads.

Revelation 9:5-Their Sting

“And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.” (KJV)

The mission of these demonic creatures is to hurt those who do not belong to God. They cannot kill these humans, but their painful sting will torment them for five months — five entire months! This truly will be torment.

Revelation 9:6-Torture But No Death

“And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (KJV)

The agony of those who have the painful misfortune of being stung by one of these creatures will cause them to desire to die. Yet, despite any suicidal or murderous attempt to take their lives, they cannot die. All they will and can do is to suffer horribly, and wish for death to take them.

Revelation 9:7-10-Description of the Locusts

“And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.” (KJV)

“And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.” (KJV)  

“And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.” (KJV)

“And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.” (KJV)

John then describes the appearance of these devilish creatures from the pit. They looked like locusts to John but were unlike any insect he had ever seen. Instead of the body of a grasshopper they resembled a horse. Specifically, a war horse. These beings wore golden crowns, a symbol of authority. But despite their headdress, they had no authority. Rather, they followed the orders of their leader.

Their faces looked human, yet they were animal-like beings.

The scientific category of animals made in the laboratory who have more than one type of DNA is “chimera.” However, these beasts were not gene spliced in a laboratory. The mixing of different animal parts, including those with human characteristics, suggests angels such as what Ezekiel saw and described in Ezekiel 1:1-25. But these angels are not God’s messengers, but Satan’s. Although these angels are aligned with Satan, God will use them for His purposes.

John described these creatures as having feminine hair. Yet, unlike the loving and nurturing aspects of females, their teeth were large like a lion’s, showing their ferocious intent.

These things had the earthly protection of iron breastplates. Normal locusts have wings, and so do these creatures. But John heard these strange creatures flying, and the sound of their wings were extremely loud, like the sound of horses charging into battle. They seem to announce their evil intent in the noise of their wings.

These terrible insects had a tail like a scorpion, which they used to sting all those humans who did not have the seal of God in their forehead. Once a person is stung by these creatures, the agony will last continually for five months.

Revelation 9:11-The Locusts’ King

“And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.” (KJV)

Locust swarms are common. God says about locusts in Proverbs 30:27, “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;” (KJV)

But these unnatural insects need to have a leader, and their angelic leader’s name means “destroyer” in both Hebrew and Greek. Their leader is Satan. Satan is the destroyer, and he has both human and spirit helpers.

The angel of the bottomless pit, the king of these demonic locusts, does not live in the pit with them. At the right time, God allows Satan to have the key to the bottomless pit and to release his helpers from this place of torment. These actions prove that the only power Satan has is to destroy, cause wars, despair, death, and other countless problems. But still, he is under the control of Almighty God.

God allows evil and uses it as part of His righteous judgments. The actions of Satan and his forces, whether through the judgements portrayed in the Book of Revelation or at any other time or place within the Bible or without, are a depiction of this verse from Isaiah 45:7. “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (KJV)

Revelation 9:12-2 More “Woes”

“One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.” (KJV)

The swarm of devilish locusts was the judgment of the fifth trumpet and the first of “woe judgments.” John warns his readers there will be two more “woes” to come.

In real time, since the sting of the locusts lasts for five months, possibly the next trumpet (“woe judgment”) will take place five months after the devilish locust swarm. But John, seeing this great revelation, did not have to wait five months for the sixth angel and his judgment.

Revelation 9:13-The 6th Angel

“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God,” (KJV)

After the sixth angel sounded, John heard a heavenly Voice originating from the altar. This Voice gave the angel a command. The voice from the four horns of the altar is God’s voice — God’s command.

Revelation 9:14-Loose The 4 Angels

“Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” (KJV)

God told the sixth angel to free the four angels that were imprisoned in the River Euphrates. Obviously, God had imprisoned these four angels, because, Who else but God can capture and control angels? The River Euphrates is near the ancient city of Babylon in modern-day Iraq. Later, in the Book of Revelation, this river will be dried up to facilitate the arrival of the kings of the east. From this watery prison, God will use these four spiritual beings to bring His judgment to all parts of the world.

Revelation 9:15-Kill 1/3 Of Men

“And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” (KJV) 

Since these angels were in prison, they must be fallen angels. Yet, God had them reserved for a very special judgmental task at a precise and specific time. Their job was to kill the third part of mankind. It seems that those who will be killed by these four angels, and their army, were those men who did not have the protective seal of God in their foreheads.

Revelation 9:16-Massive Army

“And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.” (KJV)

The origin and nature of this army of horsemen are unknown. But John saw there were a total of 200 million soldiers. This army of horseman may be composed of other angels, who were also bound in the River Euphrates. Then, after they are released, this entire angelic army is under the leadership of the four principal angels.

Also, there are scholars who believe that there is only one country on Earth who could field these many soldiers, and that is China. The problem with this idea is that China will suffer catastrophic amounts of death, just like the other nations at this time. However, a combined number of Asian nations could field such an army for the “kings of the east” in Revelation 16:12.

Revelation 9:17-Devilish Horses

“And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.” (KJV)

The riders of this bizarre army must be humanlike, since John did not describe them otherwise. But their armor, especially their breastplates, are fiery colored, which may be composed of actual fire. Jacinth is a red/orange stone and brimstone is another name for sulfur. The horses this strange army will ride upon will not be horses such as we know. Their mounts will be creatures with heads like lions, but will belch out fire, smoke, and sulfur from their mouths.

Revelation 9:18-The Slaughter

“By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.” (KJV)

These strange horses and their riders do their destructive job by using actual fire, suffocating smoke, and sulfur to kill one-third of the population on Earth. Again, this army is targeting those individuals who do not have the protective seal of God in their foreheads.

Revelation 9:19-Deadly Power

“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.” (KJV)

These strange horses will kill, using both their front and back. The fire that will come out of their mouth will consume people, and their tails, which are like snakes, will be used to inflict deadly wounds.

Revelation 9:20-21-Unrepentant Survivors

“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:” (KJV)

“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (KJV)

God, through these terrible and ghastly plagues, is trying to get the attention of mankind. He wants them to repent of idol worship and worship Him instead. Humans have the God-given desire to worship something greater than themselves, so if they refuse to worship their Creator they will worship powerless, man-made objects to which they assign God-like qualities. God, through these horrific judgements, will punish unrepentant men for the worship of such devils, which are behind the idols. At the same time, God is showing mankind His great power.

God gives people a free will. But despite these judgements, wicked mankind does not repent of their sins. Specifically, they are:

• worshipping idols
• murdering
• practicing witchcraft
• indulging in sexual sins
• stealing

God wants sinful humans to repent. Repentance is a humble act. It is being sorry for sinful actions and turning away from those things. For those sins that we have done in the past, we cannot go back and change what we did. But in repentance, we can, and should, come to God and tell Him we are sorry for our past wrongs. As soon as a person confesses their sins and repents, God immediately forgives them. God wants people to repent, but like so many today, these future people, despite experiencing such horrific judgements, still refuse to repent.

Revelation Chapter 9 — Personal Reflection Question

Knowing that the humbling act of repentance is so vitally important to God, how does this inspire you to keep a “clean slate” with God; repenting of your sins daily?

Revelation Chapter 9 — Behind The Scenes Stuff

There are some wild creatures introduced in this chapter. Some Bible scholars believe most of the Book of Revelation is figurative. If the creatures, and even the events of Revelation are figurative, then the real meaning of what the symbols represent have yet to be figured out. Other Bible scholars lean heavily on history and then extrapolating into these future events to support their theories.

However, I take a more literal view of these events, believing the Book of Revelation shows a time of great trouble like the world has never before seen. Therefore, I believe the locusts with faces and crowns, the fire-breathing horses, will be just as John described. I also believe these mixed species of creatures are not genetically modified, the work of a mad scientist, or unleashed, uncontrolled artificial intelligence, but completely demonic. Only God can control these beasts, not man. Humans at this time will be far too busy either trying to stay alive, or embrace death, in a futile attempt to escape these terrible judgments.

Pin Me For Later!

Like John, what I read in this chapter of Revelation is fascinating, but only as an observer. I am glad I will not be on Earth during this fearful time, as I, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, will be allowed to escape the judgement God pours out upon the Earth during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 3:10; I Thessalonians 4:17).

The Complete Revelation Bible Study Series

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this Revelation Bible study guide here.

About the Author

Sharing is caring!