ABADDON (Hebrew – “Destruction”) & APOLLYON (Greek – “Destroyer”)
Suggested Reading: Revelation 9
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
You can see the remains of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece. This temple and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood, which were in it, represents the efforts of man to replace Almighty God with likenesses of fallen angels and demons who desired to be worshipped as if they were "The Great Creator," the One and only true God who is over and above His creation, yet is present everywhere, and who cannot possibly be represented by the works of man's hands. At the writing of the "Revelation," priests and people were in this building with the worship of (as Revelation 9:20-21 says), "demons and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 9:20a
But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands…
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
By now you’ve seen how difficult it is to try to analyze and systematize the content of apocalyptic writing. John is describing a vision, and in doing so is attempting to describe the indescribable. Scores of well-meaning attempts have been made over the years to tell us what John “really meant”, but all such efforts should be taken with more than a grain of salt. Especially if the would-be interpreter is dogmatic about his interpretation!
This is why it’s refreshing from time to time in Revelation to come across material that hints at the purpose of the vision. Look at verses 20 and 21. These two sentences follow a description of two of the three remaining trumpet-disasters. The fifth trumpet precedes a fallen star unlocking “the shaft of the Abyss,” out of which a dense cloud of smoke produces a plague of tormenting locusts (verses 1-11). The sixth trumpet releases a supernatural army of 200 million who destroy a third of mankind. What’s the point of these cataclysmic horrors?
Apparently repentance is the point. Verses 20 and 21 tell us that the “work of [mankind’s] hands” is sufficient to bring heaven’s wrath upon the earth. That “work” is idolatry, murder, occultism, and sexual immorality. The scope of the disasters shows how enraged God is at sin. Were it not for the gracious work of Christ, mankind would have been destroyed long ago. That’s why we should repent of all sin now – while there is yet time.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Almighty God, I pray for continuous grace so that I may live in a repentant state, deliberately turning away from sin and moving always toward You! Lord Jesus, may I take my stand beside You at the entrance to the bottomless pit, Hell, and by every means at my disposal, seek to rescue the perishing multitudes. In Your Name, Jesus, I volunteer! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As a Pastor for many years, I would take the opportunity at least once a month to speak at a gathering of our young people. On one occasion I passed around papers and pencils, asking that they would describe modern warfare, tanks, fighter aircraft, flame throwers, etc., but they were not allowed to use any language which was developed in the past 100 years. One by one, I saw the lights going on in their faces as they understood what their Pastor was getting at. They faced the same challenge as did John in Revelation, trying to describe a battle scene which was 2,000 years in the future (Revelation 9:7-10). John uses the word “like” four times here. This means it’s symbolic, not literal.
It’s confession time for me. The reason I chose to use Jim and Kathy’s commentary on Revelation, besides my high respect for them, is that I can sometimes be a chicken (the opposite of a lion) when it comes to this book. Surprised? As I shared in a recent blog, I think it has something to do with my Doctor of Theology Dad telling me when I was just a boy that he had visited a library in London, England, which had over 1,000 commentary books on Revelation and, according to the librarian, not one of them, as far as he knew, agreed 100% in their interpretations. Sometimes, we just have to wait and see. I remember coming home from grade 7 at Hopewell Public School, starting to cry when I saw my Dad, and telling him that my science teacher had made fun of me in front of the class because I had raised my hand and said that God created all things. My father put his hand on my shoulder and gently said, “Just wait David, God will prove Himself to you over the years.” I waited, and God has surely proven Himself to me over and over!
Yours for the blessing John promised we would receive from reading and hearing this book, even if we don’t understand everything at the present time,
David
P.S. If you have time, click here for Dr. Mark Hitchcock from a past 100 Huntley Street program on the importance of Bible prophecy. Dr. Hitchcock will be featured again throughout the month of June to teach on his new book, Blood Moons Rising.
Your challenge to describe modern warfare in previous century terms makes John’s “like …” understandable! Yet, writings are clear about the necessity of repentance, forgiveness, Gods omnipotent power and a world beyond comprehension after life. As humans, we live in a fine balance of time and space. Life is full of beauty, wonder and occasional sorrow. May we live fully committed to You Lord, in all our words, actions and deeds. Amen.
Amen!
Amen brother!
Amen!
Revelations does seem like God wants us to repent of our sins and is punishing us in thirds so He doesn’t lose all of us all at once.
Your dad was truly a saint DM. Thank you for being patient to prove your dad’s words correct.
Have a meaningful day dear saints.
A,en
Amen
Thank you for this blog DM et al. It is like jornalling and free therapy.
Being able to post a comment helps re-enforce my understanding of God’s word. To have fellow blogger’s comments is a delight. Thanks very much.
journalling
I have wondered, (from a previous day’s reading), what “do not harm the oil or the wine” would be refering to. I believe it would be refering to people who belong to God but why 2 different nouns? Anyway, today’s reading paints an awful time to be on the earth.
Indeed Doreen.
Indeed and awful time to be on earth
20 “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
Humans, how stubborn we all are. We are only conscious when something is happening to us or someone close to us. We sometime only remember that this world is not our own, when a Relative or Friend dies, and forget right after we receive a good news.
It is indeed only by HIS GRACE that we are saved!
Thank you all for the interpretations, the pictures, the comments and this hot morning bread David. May the good Lord continue to bless us all…Amen!
Good morning bloggers. I’ve been pondering Revelations 9 verses 3 and 4…
3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
I realize most of Revelation is symbolic of things past, present, and future. Verse 4 specifically refers to not harming plant life. I don’t believe John is using symbolism here… but in the same sentence it would appear that he uses symbolism with reference to “…the seal of God on their foreheads”.
If this is symbolic, then is the “mark of the beast” also be symbolic?
Could I get some feedback here please?
thanks
From what I’m understanding David L. is that we don’t know the answer to all the questions. I think DM explained it so eloquently when he wrote “It’s confession time for me. The reason I chose to use Jim and Kathy’s commentary on Revelation, besides my high respect for them, is that I can sometimes be a chicken (the opposite of a lion) when it comes to this book. Surprised? As I shared in a recent blog, I think it has something to do with my Doctor of Theology Dad telling me when I was just a boy that he had visited a library in London, England, which had over 1,000 commentary books on Revelation and, according to the librarian, not one of them, as far as he knew, agreed 100% in their interpretations. Sometimes, we just have to wait and see.”
It would be so great if we could talk face to face with DM or his like, but since that is rarely possible we’ll just have to take a lot of questions to the Lord.
Have a blessed long weekend!
I believe that all of Revelation is symbolic including the mark of the beast.
I don’t believe that it could be a mixture of symbolism and facts.
that would be even more confusing.
Thanks for all your responses… It would appear that we have a number of different ways of looking at this… May the Lord bless the reading of His Holy Word…
Pastor David your story of being teased by a teacher reminded me of our son when the class was asked the old question “what came first, the chicken or the egg?” Everyone said the egg, our son said the chicken because God made all things, and the teacher said “oh you only read that in a book, and politely our said said but isn’t that where you read your answer?” She did not say anything more!!!! And God has proven Himself over and over throughout the years. I am enjoying learning from Revelations and appreciated your prayer today. Let us stand firm on The Rock and repent of any sin that besets us.
Dear Rev. David M.
Again today you showed us how humble you can be asking us if we are surprised and yet I say NO I am not surprised because your searching for understanding even for you as a great teacher , obedient servant of Christ .
It shows that we all need one another and must make repent our first assignment daily .
Thank you so much to the Cantelones and all my sisters and brothers in Christ for sharing their study and thoughts on Revelation.
Have a blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole.
Here is a good account of prophecies some might find interesting. I believe, if this goes thru OK, there is a link at the bottom of the page which says ‘home’. That takes you into a ton of other prophecy info. Enjoy!
http://www.bible-prophecy.net/articles/a2pws.htm
How special the words Rev 9:4 “and it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those “men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” My understanding is that when we were filled with the Holy Spirit of God; Ephesians 1:13 …”in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise”.
To think how Great God’s love is His desire is that “none should perish but have everlasting life” it is our choice; but here we see that even though greatly tested they still chose not turn to God and His love
they were commanded to hurt “ONLY THOSE MEN WHO HAVE NOT”
the SEAL OF GOD in their in their foreheads.
In http://www.gotquestions.org the explanation given for Revelation 6: 5 (about not hurting the oil or the wine), explains the reference means GREAT FAMINE. Oil & wine are used primarily for cooking & the rider in black with scales, will give barely enough grain & oil (or wine) to sustain a person for a day’s work. (not what I thot).