Scripture gives detailed information about the demon-locusts horrific appearance and their destructive powers. [Footnote G: Abaddon signifies destroyer.]. (, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 11:24. His function is to oversee the destruction of Earth on Judgment Day. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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 name Abaddon appears only here in Revelation, although the word is found in the Hebrew Bible a few times with reference to the abode of the dead, in parallel with Sheol (Job 26:6; Prov 15:11). This is my final demand. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Abaddon, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Abaddon, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Abaddon. Who Is the Fearsome Abaddon in the End Times? They have a ruler over them, called a king (basileia [basileiva]), the angel of the abyss, whose name is given in both Hebrew and Greek. We see them called angels of God (Luke 12:8), sons of God (Job 1:6), sons of the mighty (Psalm 89:6), heavenly host (Psalm 148:2; 1 Kings 22:19), holy ones (Psalm 89:5), holy watchers (Daniel 4:13), rulers (Daniel 10:13), and heavenly beings (Psalm 29:1). But because Tobit and the Wisdom of Solomon dont fall into every Bibles canon, we need to exercise discernment and caution whenever we read these texts. 3. [12] He is described in the Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as being present in the Tomb of Jesus at the moment of the resurrection of Jesus.[14]. Abaddon is the fallen cherub that was tempted to fall and became the Archdemon that rules the Abyss. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? To disappoint our Lord and then lose rewards (for faithfulness) is a scary thought. It is clearly impossible to portray forces proceeding from the place of ruin in the charge of the place itself. He is also referred to as a chief prince, one who works to protect Gods people. Abaddon is the embodiment of chaos and destruction, and its name symbolizes the destruction of all that is good and pure. Abaddon in Revelation. After all, the text makes it clear that the locusts will only torture those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. So I threw you to the earth(Ezekiel 28:12-19). It is the world of the dead in its utterly dismal, destructive, dreadful aspect, not in those more cheerful aspects in which activities are conceived of as in progress there. He will be permitted to take those who reject Christ as King during the cleansing of the whole earth to make way for a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1), says Candace Lucey inWhat Is the Apollyon? The Length of Abaddon's Reign. What is Sheol and Where is it? Bible Meaning and Definition Some biblical researchers believe there are indirect New Testament passages that refer to the locale of Abaddon, without specifically naming that place. Jul. Plagues such as these locusts unleashed by Abaddon reveal the true nature of belief. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. But before this, he was a beautiful, wise, guardian cherub, in the Garden of Eden. Abaddon is mentioned in Revelation 9:11, but the identification of Abaddon is left open to interpretation. Revelation 9:11 So far as the OT is concerned, and notwithstanding the evident suggestions of its derivation (from Heb. bhadh , to perish), the connotation of the word does not appear to advance beyond that of the parallel word Sheol in its older meaning of the general dwelling-place of all the dead. Demons in the Bible - Different Types and How They Attack The Hebrew term Abaddon (Hebrew: , 'addn), an intensive form of the word "destruction", appears as a place of destruction in the Hebrew Bible. In fact, they are instructed not to bother with the grass or trees [when they are released] but to, instead, swarm against humans. [9][pageneeded] Jehovah's Witnesses also cite Revelation 20:1-3 where the angel having "the key of the abyss" is actually shown to be a representative of God, concluding that "Abaddon" is another name for Jesus after his resurrection. Those sealed (believers) will remain untouched. destruction. Azazel - Here a little, there a little - Spirit Realm A similar definition of Abaddon operates in Psalm 88:11 and Proverbs 15:11. Some biblical interpretations even treat Lucifer (Satan) and Abaddon as the same figure. Its worth a look at the verse which precedes the scene. Abaddon is described by John during the 'Seven Trumpets' prophecy. Salem Media Group. 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. They swarm out of a seeminglybottomless pit. Beelzebub Gluttony. Abadias . God is not there. The fifth angel is Gods; he is one of those who stand before God (Revelation 8:2). In reference to the meaning of the term "death angel," the Bible uses the term "destroyer," as in the passage of Exodus 12:23: For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel . In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers mentor and is part of a critique group. The Hebrew term Abaddon (Hebrew: addn, meaning "destruction", "doom"), and its Greek equivalent Apollyon (Koin Greek: , Apolln meaning "Destroyer") appear in the Bible as both a place of destruction and an angel of the abyss. These modifications are evidently due to the exigencies of the pictorial form. It has possibilities of information mediate between those of "all living" and those of God (Job 28:22). (See RSV). The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. He uses his locust subjects as a tool of mass destruction to accomplish this purpose. In these passages, we learn that Gabriel is an angel who appears in human form, but may have a look about him that causes trepidation. There are two kinds of wrath for man, Gods (Romans 1:18), and Satans, which God allows him to unleash during what many biblical scholars call the Great Tribulation [the last three years of the Tribulation, which culminates in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-16)]. In some legends, Abaddon is identified as a realm where the damned lie in fire and snow, one of the places in Gehenna that Moses visited.[3]. Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. Where do we see Abaddon (or the word destroyer) show up in the Bible? The Scariest Things In The Book Of Revelation, The Bible's - Ranker The Most Terrifying Figure In The Bible Isn't Satan, It's God's Right It's from John's writings in Revelation that we learn the angel of death is not the devil, but Abaddon, the leader of fallen angels tasked by God to torture Earth and humanity as punishment for the sins of humankind. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! ABADDON. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. God does not give names lightly (Genesis 32:27-28, 1 Chronicles 21:1). Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. As for the character of Abaddon, we only encounter this being in Revelation. What is Abaddon? - Symbol Sage Job 26:6 basically means there is nothing hidden from God, including Abaddon, which has no covering. And unbelievers here on earth are as close to heaven as they will ever be. In the Tobit text, Abaddon (operating under the name Asmodeus) kills seven husbands of a woman named Sarah. There are many different ancient biblically texts that discuss Abaddon. She writes fiction and nonfiction. The Abaddon is a powerful demon of the Christian demonology who is believed to be the symbol of destruction and also the angel of the abyss. Berean Literal Bible They have a king over them, the angel of the abyss. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Annette has also written curriculum for character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Psalm 88 is one of lament from one who thinks the Lord had left him to his troubles, and since he felt as if he were in the place of destruction(Abaddon), where none of Gods lovingkindness is not declared (Psalm 88:11). Protestant commentator Matthew Henry (1708) believed Abaddon to be the Antichrist,[6] whereas the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary (1871) and Henry Hampton Halley (1922) identified the angel as Satan.[7][8]. Those on earth during the Tribulation period witness the horrific events that follow. You were on the holy mount of God You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. Because he desired to be God, he pridefully rebelled against Him and was cast out of heaven with the angels who took his side ( Isaiah 14:12-18 . The ones against whom the Lord will use the Assyrian as His "rod" or "club" are those in Jerusalem (10:12a). Revelation 9:1-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Trusting Him with what remains a mystery to us is part of living a faithful life. All rights reserved. What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation? In the New Testament the word occurs once (Revelation 9:11), the personalization becoming sharp. Then war broke out in heaven. 1995. Revelation 9:11 gives us an introduction to Apollyon, the destroyer, (the personification of Abaddon, as we saw above), Abaddon, and to the abyss, the terrifying storehouse for fallen angels and the unbelieving dead. It makes sense the devil would command those of the netherworld (all with the permission of God (Job 1:6-12 and alluded to in Luke 22:31-32). His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek, he has the name Apollyon. What Does Apollyon Mean? Bible Definition and References Abaddon The Destroyer | Demonology | Fandom His function is to oversee the destruction of Earth on Judgment Day. Abaddon | ParanormalFact Wiki | Fandom It is believed it is Abaddon, or God's chosen Angel of Death, who releases the locusts. His name in Hebrew is "Abaddon," but in Greek, he has the name "Apollyon."(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) Job 26:6 Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering. See APOLLYON. In the Hebrew Bible, abaddon is used with reference to a bottomless pit, often appearing alongside the place Sheol ( l), meaning the resting place of dead peoples. | GotQuestions.org, What are the names of angels in the Bible? He is a thief (John 10:10), a murderer, and the father of lies (John 8:44). Abaddon & Abyss. Abaddon, also known as Apollyon - The Angel of the Abyss Finally, if Christians stick around during the Tribulation (i.e. Answer (1 of 7): The word occurs several times in the scriptures usually in connection with the grave or death. Abaddon, Abad'don. Abaddon, Christian Angel of Death | by Michael Roy - Medium The book of Revelation gives us three scene locations: heaven, earth, and the abyss, and chapter nine includes all three. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Salem Media Group. When the Abyss is opened, it will billow out enough smoke to blacken the sun and release a horde of locusts. 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). When Jesus rises from the dead, Abaddon and his son, Pestilence, seek to protect the underworld. Although Abaddon and his minions inflict unspeakable pain upon unsaved humanity during this period, God is still in control. While some believe Abaddon to be a location, he is most often considered a fallen angel. Abezethibou - one-winged Red Sea fallen angel. What does Revelation 9:11 mean? | BibleRef.com Antichrist. As time draws to an end, the clock is an ever-present reminder of our duty and honor to lead others to Christ. Biblical Data: It connotes the place where those that had died were believed to be congregated. Although we only see the instance in the latter half of the Bible in Revelation 9:11, five verses in the Old Testament use the word. In the Hebrew Bible, Abaddon appears 6 times in Masoretic text; it means destruction or "place of destruction, or realm of the dead. Abaddon | Demonology | Fandom Abaddon In The Bible - CHURCHGISTS.COM The word, found three times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint (LXX) and once in the Latin Vulgate translation (Apocalypse 9:11), is often associated with "place of destruction" and . Why do we need to know his name if his locusts wont affect believers in the End Times? His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek it is Apollyon. The Seven Princes of Hell is an idea we mentioned when we discussed Lucifer. In other words, many nominal Christians can fake their belief and their personal relationship with God. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Abaddon appears to be a demon who works under him who rules an Abyss full of locusts that will arrive onstage during the Final Days. Some believe this can be a pre-incarnate Jesus, but that is never made clear. CERN experiment 'proves GOD' is real, claims Bible expert | Weird The name Apollyon occurs only once in the Bible, namely in Revelation 9:11, as the name of the elaborately designated angel of the abyss and king over a hoard of hellish locusts who have power like scorpions, and who waft out from the rising smoke of a furnace upon the blast of the fifth trumpet.. Apollyon, which is Greek, is known in Hebrew as Abaddon, meaning Destroyer or Destruction, and . It is beyond understanding. When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord. Reference Bible. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Some Biblical scholars believe Abaddon to be the Antichrist or Satan. In this last passage the place idea comes nearer to vanishing in an abstract conception than in the other passages. In Psalm 88:11 Destruction is parallel to the grave; in Job 26:6 and Proverbs 26:6 it is parallel to Sheol; in Job 28:22 it is parallel to Death. In Job 28:22, Abaddon can speak and hear and is the personification of death. The words "Abaddon" and "Apollyon" are derived from the Hebrew and Greek words for "to destroy," respectively. Abaddon is a controversial figure for some, as the interpretations differ on whether Abaddon is a minion of Satan or an angel of death authorized by God. During the endof days in Revelation, God releases the demons of Hell. Abaddon - Angelicpedia Belphegor Sloth. In fact, out of the hundreds of angelic references, only four have names that are shared, with one whose name is implied. The Destroyer cannot completely destroy because God does not allow him to. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? At the same time, he is an instrument of judgment, used by God during the End Times, so there is some debate as to where his allegiance falls. Who Was Beelzebub in the Bible? There are two fallen angels mentioned by name in the Bible, Lucifer/ Satan and Apollyon/Abaddon. Abaddon belongs to the realm of the mysterious. Satan was able to inflict loss and suffering upon Job only to the extent that God permitted ( Job 1:12; 2:6 ). The definition of the Greek word Apollyon is "a destroyer." Abaddon, a Hebrew word, also means, "destroyer." Many Bible versions translate this passage simply as "they had a king over them called the destroyer," avoiding the words Apollyon and Abaddon altogether. All rights reserved. This angel also appears a few times throughout the book of Judges. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. In later Hebrew literature, however, when Sheol had come to be recognized as a sphere of moral distinctions and consequent retribution, Abaddon is represented as one of the lower divisions of Sheol and as being the abode of the wicked and a place of punishment. Job 31:12: it is a fire that consumes to destruction (Abaddon). In the Book of Revelation ( 9:1-11 ), when John sees his vision of the fifth trumpet blowing, a vast horde of demonic horsemen is seen arising from the newly opened abyss. We do have to keep in mind that the Old Testament and the New Testament were written in different languages, so the Greek word for destroyer is going to be a different word than the Hebrew one. What is the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:1-12)? Accuser. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In the Dialect of Upper Egypt", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abaddon&oldid=1152630189, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Koin Greek-language text, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from March 2016, Articles containing Classical Mandaic-language text, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Astarte, also spelled Athtart or Ashtart, great goddess of the ancient Middle East and chief deity of Tyre, Sidon, and Elat, important Mediterranean seaports. Under this name Bunyan presents him in the Pilgrim's Progress, and Christendom has doubtless been more interested in this presentation of the matter than in any other.In some treatments Abaddon is connected with the evil spirit Asmodeus of Tobit (e.g. In the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, an angel called Abaddon is described as the king of an army of locusts; his name is first transcribed in Koine Greek (Revelation 9:11"whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon,") as , and then translated , Apollyon. (WEB ASV NAS RSV) Job 28:22 Destruction and Death say,'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' (See NAS RSV) Michael also appears in four passages of Scripture. Abaddon belongs to the realm of the mysterious. What does it mean that Death and Hades will be riding on a pale horse (Revelation 6:8). For me, the scariest place is hell. Satan is called a dragon in Revelation 12:9 and 20:2, as well as the "evil one" in several places. So, while Lucifer functions as the king of Hell, Abaddon is the leader of the locust of demons unleashed to torture those who do not bear the seal of God. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Abaddon is also said to have a prominent role in the Last Judgment, as the one who will take the souls to the Valley of Josaphat. [Note: Targum. His identity is a matter of dispute. released through Familius Publishing in 2020. There is quite a bit we know about angels as they are referenced roughly 300 times from Genesis to Revelation, in various ways. Because Satans pride rules him, why would he give other demons titles he himself would rather lay claim to. In Job 31:12, Abaddon is described as a hellish abyss, "for it would be a fire that consumes to Abaddon.". The locusts will bite, sting, or cause pain to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. In Revelation 9:11 the name Abandon (also known as Apollyon) is mentioned in connection to where locusts have a king which is a demon in nature. He says, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia(Daniel 10:13). In Revelation, Abaddon is the king of the abyss or bottomless pit who commands an army of locusts. As for the character of Abaddon, we only encounter this being in Revelation. Jesus says about him in John 8:44, "He was a murderer from the beginning.". Sheol, abode of the dead in the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. Many also point to Ephesians 6:12, where it's described that Satan has underlings. In Chapter 9, Verse 11 -- yes, that's 9:11 -- John says the leader of an army of locusts released to fight humans is named Abaddon in Hebrew, Apollyon in Greek. They swarm out of a seemingly bottomless pit. 9:11) where, however, it is personified as the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Greek is "Apollyon" (, "destroyer"). In Revelation 9:11, Satan, the king of the bottomless pit, receives the Hebrew name "Abaddon" and the Greek name "Apollyon," both of which mean "destroyer.". In both the Jewish and Christian traditions, Abaddon is not only the personification of a fallen angel but an actual placeof destruction. a-bad'-on ('abhaddon, "ruin," "perdition," "destruction"): Though "destruction" is commonly used in translating 'abhaddon, the stem idea is intransitive rather than passive-the idea of perishing, going to ruin, being in a ruined state, rather than that of being ruined, being destroyed.The word occurs six times in the Old Testament, always as a place name in the sense in which Sheol is a place name. In a vision in the New Testament Book of Revelation, a jinn called Abaddon is shown as the king of an army of locusts; his name is first transcribed in Greek as "whose name in Hebrew Abaddon" (), and then . Who was Abaddon / Apollyon in the Bible? - Bible Portal 15 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know By Heart, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. Do not come any closer, God said. SHEOL - JewishEncyclopedia.com Word Origin the same as abaddon, qv. Such theories point to the fact that Satan is the ruler of Hell and Abaddon (which means destruction or place of destruction) is only synonymous for the kingdom of torture where Satan has dominion. Gods 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. The former name is Hebrew and the latter Greek, and both signify The Destroyer. He arrives on the scene in the Final Days and is introduced as one of Satans high-ranking officials, a fallen angel who rules over the Abyss. ; "place of destruction"). And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time(Luke 1:11-13,18-20). This argument does gain some support in Psalm 88:11, which states, will Your loving kindness be declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Abaddon? However, it's also in Job where Abaddon first gets identified as a conscious being. I define scary here as a location where you would neverwant to find yourself. It denotes, in certain aspects, the world of the dead as constructed in the Hebrew imagination. Only God understands it (Job 26:6 Proverbs 15:11). The name means destruction, so you can hazard a pretty good guess as to whether this being is good or bad. Its ruler? So we see the restraining Angel is called LAOEL, if you follow the apocryphal books , but to answer the question Abaddon isn't Jesus , he is the one unleashed from the pit the king of the locusts. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Asmodeus Lust. The scriptures tell us he is a fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12, NKJV), cut down for rebelling against his creator, God. In Abaddon there are no declarations of God's lovingkindness (Psalm 88:11).In a slight degree the Old Testament presentations personalize Abaddon. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. In Revelation 9:11 Abaddon is not merely personified in the free poetic manner of Job 28:22, but is used as the personal designation in Hebrew of a fallen angel described as the king of the locusts and 'the angel of the abyss,' whose name in the Greek tongue is said to be Apollyon. 88:12); and it occurs also in the New Testament), the proof verse being Psalms 88:12, while Midrash Konen makes it the actual second department of Gehenna. He carries out his role during the fifth trumpet of destruction, as we mentioned above with the locusts. Destruction, City of. For instance, one verse states: "They have over them as king the angel of the abyss." Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back(Revelation 12:7). Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. The firebrand preacher went on to claim the experiments at CERN somehow risk unleashing upon Earth an angel of destruction who is named in the Bible's Book of Revelation as Abaddon or Apollyon . Especially with thekiller bee problem, youd think wed give more clout to the locust texts in Revelation. Abaddon is given particularly important roles in two sources, a homily entitled The Enthronement of Abaddon by pseudo-Timothy of Alexandria, and the Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, by Bartholomew the Apostle. Who Was Beelzebub in the Bible? For example, Sheol is mentioned alongside Abaddon as in Proverbs 27:20, "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of men". Abaddon/Apollyon is often used as another name for Satan. Its a sobering fact and its one we would do well to remember as we witness to unsaved people. We also see a demonstration of supernatural power as he comes in flight and is able to make a man mute. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/MariaArefyeva. I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!(Judges 6:12,22). Or your faithfulness in Destruction? . Lucifer was a beautiful and high-ranking angel, and he became the first angel to rebel against God. [1908-09] 234f. Abaddon, also written as Apollyon, is a word that appears in the Bible in reference to both a place of destruction and a demonic angel of Hell. Both names appear regularly in popular culture as names for villainous places, characters, or objects. Satan - Encyclopedia of The Bible - Bible Gateway The word occurs six times in the Old Testament, always as a place name in the sense in which Sheol is a place name. With each encounter, he comes with a message. Like ourselves, the men of the earlier ages had to use picture language when they spoke of the conditions that existed after death, however their picturing of the matter may have differed from ours. NIV They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).