Commentaries:
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Revelation 9:11
God frequently names people and things what they are, calling Satan, not only the enemy, but more specifically identifying him by what he does. 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.” There is no destroyer greater than Satan, and one thing he destroys is life. Jesus says about him in John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning.” Will he reap exactly what he sows?
John W. Ritenbaugh
Do Angels Live Forever?Related Topics: Abaddon | Apollyon | Satan as a Murderer | Satan as Adversary | Satan as Destroyer | Satan as Destroyer of Mankind | Satan as Enemy | Satan as Enemy of God | Satan Destroys Life | Satan Will Reap What he Sows
Revelation 9:11
Abaddon means "destruction" and Apollyon means "destroyer." A destroying spirit has deceived mankind. Because man is deceived, he does not realize that he has been the dupe of a destroying spirit.
Thus mankind, with these awesome, somewhat godlike powers and intellect, uses them to destroy, to maim, to sear, to rape, to exploit. It happens on a massive scale. It also happens in individual relationships with one another. It is not confined to the great and mighty things, which are only an accumulation of small things allowed to become big.
This destroying, deceiving spirit, through his minions, the demons, is able to deal with us on an individual basis. He can deceive us into using our powers to go counter to what God intended, to what God instructed all the way back in the Garden of Eden. He says there that we are to dress and to keep, to do things that produce positive results and beauty everywhere we go and in everything we do.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Right Use of PowerOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Revelation 9:11:
Ezekiel 28:15-17
Ephesians 2:2-3
Revelation 9:11
Revelation 11:14
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What Does Revelation 9:11 Mean?
Abaddon means destruction and Apollyon means destroyer. This destroying spirit has deceived mankind, and because man is deceived, he does not realize he has been the dupe of a destroying spirit. Mankind uses its godlike powers and intellect to destroy, maim, sear, rape, and exploit, both on a massive scale and in individual relationships. Through his minions, the demons, this deceiving spirit deals with people individually, deceiving them into going counter to what God intended in the Garden of Eden, where He instructed mankind to dress and keep, producing positive results and beauty. God names Satan by what he does. There is no destroyer greater than Satan, who destroys life and was a murderer from the beginning. He is Helel who became Satan, king of all demons.