1. Revelation 9:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the star John saw that had fallen from heaven?

Revelation 9:1 (ESV)

1 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

The Holy Spirit had earlier explained that the stars in Jesus’ right hand were “angels” (Revelation 1:20) and so we may understand this star (= heavenly entity) also to be an angel. Angels are “all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). The exalted Lamb (Revelation 5:1–14) sent this angel in immediate response (“fallen” implies haste) to the blowing of the fifth trumpet—a blowing in turn triggered by the cries of God’s people (Revelation 8:3–4; see also Exodus 2:23 in relation to Exodus 7:1 – 12:51).