A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.
Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision itself. I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the golden altar, Rev 9:13, Rev 9:14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned loose. 2.
Commenting on Revelation 9:13-21
And by these three was the third part of men killed,.... The Alexandrian copy, and some others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read, "by these three plagues": as the western Roman empire is in the preceding chapter frequently expressed by the third part of several things, see Rev 8:7; so here the eastern Roman empire by the third part of...
Verse 18. By these three. Three things--explained immediately as referring to the fire, the smoke, and the brimstone. Was the third part of men killed. , on each of which verses we have notices of calamities that came upon the third part of the race, of the sea, of rivers, etc.