Revelation 9:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

John gradually, by a fitting expression, foretells the four times during which the persecution will continue, namely three years and six months. Therefore he said, "for the hour and day and month and year."

A day is gradually completed by hours, months by days, and, of course, years by months. He uses the expression "prepared" to indicate the character of the devil and his angels.

They wage unceasing war against the Church of Christ and constantly desire to harm her. Yet the divine power does not permit them to harm her as much as they wish.

Rightly he had said earlier of the locusts that they were "like horses prepared for war" (Rev 9:7). For now, when he says that the angels were released, he says that he sees horses.

John spoke of four angels because these persecutions will rage in the four parts of the world. These are the angels whom he previously saw standing at the four corners of the earth.

They were forbidden to harm the earth and the sea until the servants of God had been sealed. They were prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and so forth.

The evil spirits, who thirst for the death of men at every hour and moment, will then be permitted to work destruction more freely, so that the Church may be strengthened. Yet in due time they too will perish.

What do you think they will do when set free, if even while bound they cause so much harm?

Andrew of Caesarea says that these are the evil demons bound at Christ's first coming to earth. They withdrew from the heavenly altar and fell to the earth.

They will be released so as to stir up the nations not only against Christians, but also against one another.