Revelation 9:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I think the horses point to men mad after women and beastlike, or to those subdued by demons and under their power. The riders point to those who govern them.

They usually not only make use of one another's services, but also use evil men as instruments in plots against their fellow men.

The fiery, hyacinth, and sulfurous breastplates, as I suppose, point to the aerial substance and desolating activity of the evil spirits. The lion-like heads point to their murderous savagery.

The horses are men, and the riders are evil spirits. For as in a good sense we may say, "You rode upon Your horses," that is, upon the prophets, "upon Your chariots of salvation" (Hab 3:8), so here, by contrast, this name is connected with evil destroying spirits.

Although horses have nothing in common with locusts, nor locusts with horses, and likewise with lions, each of the images employed is suitable for signifying heretical men.

In the description, or qualitative characterization, of the breastplates there is an indication of the punishments of the impious. For we read that those who serve the beast are subject to fire and brimstone, and that "the smoke of their torment goes up unto ages of ages" (Rev 14:11).

If by the horses evil spirits are understood, then Saint John rightly says that the horses' tails had heads. For the calculated consequences of demonic suggestions and incitements are poison-bearing sin and spiritual death.

"Breastplates fiery, hyacinth, and sulfurous." Armed soldiers wore breastplates of steel or bronze on the chest.

Steel, because of its bluish-gray color, is here called hyacinth. Bronze, because of its resemblance to the color of sulfur, is called sulfurous. A breastplate flashing with reflected rays of the sun and the fire of conflagrations is called fiery.