Difference between revisions of "Apollyon"

<p> ("destroyer".) Satan (&nbsp;Revelation 9:11. He is the tempter, in order that he may be at last the destroyer. The Greek translation of the Hebrew '''''Abaddon''''' , (destruction). As the twofold names '''''Αbba''''' (Hebrew) Father (Greek) in &nbsp;Mark 14:36 combine Jew and [[Gentile]] in the common salvation, so Satan's two names '''''Abaddon''''' (Hebrew) and '''''Αpollos''''' (Greek) combine them in a common destruction. </p>

<p> ''''' a ''''' - ''''' pol´i ''''' - ''''' on ''''' ( Ἀπολλύων , <i> ''''' Apollúōn ''''' </i> ; אבדּון , <i> ''''' 'ăbhaddōn ''''' </i> , "destroyer"): [[Present]] participle of the verb ἀπολλύω , "to destroy." </p> I. Definition <p> A proper name, original with the author of the [[Apocalypse]] and used by him once (&nbsp;Revelation 9:11 ) as a translation of the Hebrew word "Abaddon" (see Abaddon ) to designate an angel or prince of the lower world. </p> II. Old [[Testament]] Background <p> 1. Fundamental Meaning </p> <p> The term Abaddon ("destruction") appears solely in the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament and in the following narrow range of instances: &nbsp;Job 26:6; &nbsp;Job 28:22; &nbsp;Job 31:12; &nbsp;Psalm 88:11; &nbsp;Proverbs 15:11 . In all these passages save one (&nbsp;Job 31:12 ) the word is combined either with Sheol, "death," or "the grave," in such a way as to indicate a purely eschatological term based upon the advanced idea of moral distinctions in the realm of the dead. In the one exceptional passage (&nbsp;Esther 8:6 is incorrectly referred to - the word here is different, namely, אבדן , <i> ''''' 'ābhedhān ''''' </i> ) where the combination does not occur, the emphasis upon the moral element in the "destruction" mentioned is so definite as practically to preclude the possibility of interpreting the term in any general sense (as Charles, <i> HDB </i> , article "Abaddon"; per con., Briggs, <i> ICC </i> , "Psalms" in the place cited.; <i> BDB </i> , sub loc.). The meaning of the word, therefore, is: the place or condition of utter ruin reserved for the wicked in the realm of the dead. </p> <p> 2. Personification </p> <p> One other feature of Old Testament usage is worthy of consideration as throwing light upon &nbsp;Revelation 9:11 . Abaddon and the accompanying terms "Death" and [[Sheol]] are personified (as in &nbsp;Job 28:22 ) and represented as living beings who speak and act (compare &nbsp;Revelation 6:8 ). </p> III. New Testament Usage <p> 1. The Starting-Point </p> <p> The starting-point of the Apocalyptist's use of "Apollyon" is to be found in the fundamental meaning of "Abaddon" as moral destruction in the underworld, together with the occasional personification of kindred terms in the Old Testament. The imagery was in general terms familiar while the New Testament writer felt perfectly free to vary the usage to suit his own particular purposes. </p> <p> 2. Apollyon Not Satan but Part of an [[Ideal]] Description </p> <p> (1) Since Apollyon is a personification he is not to be identified with Satan (compare &nbsp;Revelation 9:1 where Satan seems to be clearly indicated) or with any other being to whom historical existence and definite characteristics are ascribed. He is the central figure in an ideal picture of evil forces represented as originating in the world of lost spirits and allowed to operate destructively in human life. They are pictured as locusts, but on an enlarged scale and with the addition of many features inconsistent with the strict application of the figure (see &nbsp; Revelation 9:7-10 ). The intention is, by the multiplication of images which the author does not attempt to harmonize, to convey the impression of great power and far-reaching destructiveness. (2) This interpretation finds additional support in the writer's significant departure from the familiar usage. In the Old Testament the <i> place </i> of destruction is personified - in &nbsp; Revelation 9:11 , personal forces <i> issue </i> from the Abyss, of which the presiding genius is [[Destruction]] in person. The seer's picture is equally independent of the tradition represented by the [[Talmud]] (Shab f. 55) where Abaddon is personified as jointly with Death president over six destroying angels. These modifications are evidently due to the exigencies of the pictorial form. It is clearly impossible to portray forces proceeding from the place of ruin in the charge of the place itself. </p> <p> 3. Apollyon [[Necessary]] to the [[Picture]] </p> <p> The importance of the conception of Apollyon to the completeness of the picture should not be overlooked. It is intended to represent these forces as having a certain principle of internal unity and as possessors of the power of effective leadership. </p> <p> 4. General Significance of the Description </p> <p> As to the specific significance of the vision of the locusts as a whole it is not easy to reach a conclusion. Professor Swete suggests ( <i> [[Commentary]] on Apocalypse </i> in the place cited.) that "the locusts of the abyss may be the memories of the past brought home at times of divine visitation; they hurt by recalling forgotten sins." It seems to us more probable that it represents an actual historical movement, past or to come, demoniacal in origin and character, human in the mode of its operation and the sphere of its influence, used by God for a scourge upon mankind and kept in restraint by His grace and power. See Abaddon . </p>

<p> ( '''''Ἀπολλύων''''' ), the Greek equivalent (&nbsp;Revelation 9:11) of the Hebrews title ABADDON (See Abaddon) (q.,v.). </p>