Abaddon {part 2)

by John Thomas Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

part 2
Who is Abaddon (Apollyon) in the New Testament?
The New Testament helps us identify the ruler over the realm of Abaddon in Revelation 9. This fallen angel, with the same name as his realm, is introduced after the fifth trumpet of Judgment is blown. Those on earth during the Tribulation period witness the horrific events that follow. A star falls from Heaven and releases a horde of demonic locust-like creatures from the smoke-filled Abyss. These creatures are then commissioned to torture everyone on earth who has received the mark of the Beast (Revelation 9:1-10).
Abaddon, whose Greek name is Apollyon, is revealed as the angel of the Abyss and the King of the tormenting locusts (Revelation 9:11). It is debated whether Abaddon's identity is that of Satan himself. However, we know the fallen angel cannot be Satan because our enemy has not yet been sentenced to Hell or any such confined space. Instead, the Bible tells us that Satan currently roams the earth, seeking whom he may devour (John 14:30, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2).
However, according to Revelation 20:1-7, it seems that Satan will eventually be locked and sealed in the realm of Abaddon for a thousand years before His final sentence, where he will be cast into the lake of fire once for all.
"And I saw an angel coming out of Heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, the Devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss and locked and sealed it over him to keep him from deceiving the nations until the thousand years ended."
What Is the Role of Abaddon (Apollyon) during End-Time Events?
At God's appointed time and His command, Abaddon is the one who fulfills the fifth wave of trumpet judgment that will overtake the earth during the Tribulation. He uses his locust subjects as a mass destruction tool to accomplish this purpose.
These "locusts" under Abaddon's rule are not the same crop-destroying insects that live in infamy on Earth. "They are instructed not to bother with the grass or trees when they are released but to, instead, swarm against humans. They are given five months in which to torment people with pain like that of a scorpion bite. The Bible says it will be such agony that people will long for Death but not be able to find it," explains Lori Stanley Roeleveld in What Do Locusts Symbolize in the Bible?
Scripture details the demon locust's horrific appearance and destructive powers. The apostle John—who received the End Times revelation from God, then recorded it for Believers throughout the ages to read—described the supernatural creatures using vivid language and his limited comparisons when translating the vision. However, these demons were likely beyond anything humans can comprehend this side of Heaven.
John describes the tormenting creatures as "locusts" with human faces, long flowing hair, and sharp teeth. They were dressed in breastplates of iron and looked like horses prepped for battle. They wore crowns of gold on their heads, and the sound of their wings in flight was a thunderous noise that resembled a team of horses rushing into battle. The locusts had the power to torment people for five months, using their scorpion-like tails to sting anyone who bore the mark of the Antichrist. Once stung, a victim would suffer to the point of longing for Death but would be unable to receive the comfort of the grave (Revelation 9:7-10).
Although Abaddon and his minions inflict unspeakable pain upon unsaved humanity during this period, God is still in control. Abaddon will not be permitted to destroy humanity. The role of this fallen angel is defined and ordained by God, and all the other powers of Hell are subject to God's sovereign will.
Why Should Christians Know About This?
If those who have not received the mark of the Beast are exempt from the torture involved in the fifth trumpet judgment, why should Believers be concerned with knowing the gory details outlined in Revelation nine?
"First, we should remember that even if we know Jesus as our personal Savior, many of our friends and family do not. We want to help as many souls as possible to come and know our Savior prior to these events,"
As time draws to an end, the clock is an ever-present reminder of our duty and honor to lead others to Christ. Now more than ever, it is essential that Believers waste no time in presenting the Good News to those around us—especially those we love. Their eternal security depends upon it, and Christians have been given this great commission as a way to honor Jesus and reveal His glory to the world at large.
The tragic events revealed in John's end-times visions are a sobering reminder to believers that Destruction lies ahead for anyone who has not placed their hope in Jesus. This should motivate us to shout from the rooftops the Way of salvation.
Another essential thing to consider when wondering whether the End Times study is critical is that the Bible tells us that God gives all Scripture for a purpose. God wants to teach, rebuke, correct, and train believers in righteousness through His Word so that we can be complete and fully equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
Scripture tells us that those who read the prophecies in the book of Revelation are blessed. "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near" (Revelation 1:3). God included the details of the fifth trumpet judgment and every other prophecy in Scripture to give His children an insight into future events and to shine the light of truth on who He is.
As long as we do not become fixated on and hyper-concerned with setting dates, and over-conceptualizing the End Times according to our limited understanding, a healthy study of the book of Revelation will enrich every believer's faith.
When we take the time to weed through, study, and consider all the complexities of the strange and terrifying last book of the Bible, we see that it points back to the redemptive thread woven through the entire fabric of Scripture. God's redemptive work comes into full view in the book of Revelation and completes the circle of mercy and grace that began in Genesis at the fall of man.