Revelation 9:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Because of what has already been said, and what follows, some understand the locusts as the punishing angels of God. In each expression they are depicted allegorically, either to inspire fear, or because of their swiftness, or because of the punishment suffered in Gehenna by those who deserve it.

But I think it more probable that these locusts are evil demons, ready to wage war against us. They wear gold-like crowns on their heads as signs of victory.

We too will be crowned with such crowns if we submit to them, having attained a wicked victory through pleasure.

Under the forms of locusts and horses ready for battle, John depicts the makers of harmful teachings. As the locust causes harm with its mouth, so they bring destruction by their preaching. It is written: "fierce wolves, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). They are also like horses, because they suddenly rush out from around a turn, in order by this stratagem of war to deceive and destroy many. He rightly shows that if the mouth is exposed in false teaching, then the adornment too will be womanish and soft, and the spirit prone to temptations. Therefore the apostle says: "Among them are those who creep into households and captivate women burdened with sins, led by various desires" (2 Tim 3:6), and so forth.

From the smoke of scientific and technological progress, which darkens the sun and air to the point of ecological catastrophe, there comes forth a new ideology of technology, like the old Tower of Babel forgotten and then remembered again. It spreads across the whole maddened planet by means of the militant noise and clamor of the mass media. It exercises harmful dominion over the minds and hearts of men for a definite time, five months. This time is needed to prepare a generation incapable of being corrected or repenting from the coming admonitions. At the same time, its destructive nature is evident to all: to believers who speak the language of the knowledge of God, and to pagans who chiefly use the language of Hellenic wisdom.