Revelation 9:7-11: a reflection

7The shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for war. On their heads were something like golden crowns, and their faces were like people’s faces. 8They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions. 9They had breastplates like breastplates of iron. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots and horses rushing to war. 10They have tails like those of scorpions, with stingers. In their tails they have power to harm men for five months. 11They have over them as king the angel of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is “Abaddon”, but in Greek, he has the name “Apollyon”.

In the frightening vision of the fifth trumpet, the tormenting locusts from the abyss have a king over them, and the passage names him: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek Apollyon, which means Destroyer. The one who rules these forces of torment is, at his very core, a destroyer; destruction is his name and his nature. Whatever else the vision means, it names the character of the enemy: he destroys.

Notice what the name reveals about the enemy of our souls. His name is Destroyer. That is what he does, and what he is about: ruin, harm, the tearing down and destroying of what God has made. He does not build, heal, or give; he destroys. Jesus said the same of the enemy: the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Behind the forces that oppose God and torment his creatures stands one whose very name is destruction.

And that dark name throws into relief the opposite character of Christ. For Jesus, having named the destroyer, went on: but I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Where the enemy is the Destroyer, Christ is the giver of life. The one whose name is Apollyon, Destroyer, is opposed by the one who came to give life. Recognize the enemy for what he is: a destroyer, whose aim is always ruin. And run to the one who came to give life, and life abundantly. Do not be deceived by the destroyer; cling to the giver of life.

Lord, the vision names the enemy Abaddon, Apollyon, Destroyer, for destruction is his very nature; he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Thank you that against him stands Christ, who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly. Help me recognize the destroyer for what he is, whose aim is always ruin, and not be deceived by him. And help me cling to you, the giver of life, running from the destroyer to the One who came to give life abundantly. You are life; keep me in you.