War & Destroyer / Abaddon & Apollyon

Shalom, all.

Sorry, folks, but there's a different interpretation of Revelation 9:1-12 that is more literal and more true to the Scriptures.

"Then the fifth messenger blasted (on his shofar) and I saw a heavenly body fall out of the sky down to the earth (meteorite): and to it was given the exact coordinates of the pit of the abyss.
"And it cracked open the pit of the abyss: There arose a cloud of smoke out of the pit as though it came from a huge furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened from the smoke of the pit.
"Then out of the smoke came locusts that landed on the earth: to them was given poison like the poison that the scorpions of the ground have. They were commanded that they should not hurt the grass on the ground nor any foliage nor any tree; they should hurt only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The command given to them was that they should not kill men, but that they inflict pain on them for five months: The pain they inflicted was like the poison of a scorpion when one of them strikes a person. During that time, these people shall consciously and purposely look for death but shall not find it; they shall wish to die, but death will elude them.
"The appearance of the locusts was such that they were armored for battle like horses prepared for war are all formidably dressed: on their heads were victor's-wreath-shaped antennae as though they were victors' wreaths of gold; their faces were like the faces of people; they had hairs on their body long like the hair of women, and their mandibles were like lions' teeth. They had thoraces as though they were made of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise from many horses and chariots running to the battlefield. (I.e., the loud, low-pitched buzz of a giant insect.) They had tails like those of scorpions with stings in their tails: their specialty was to torture people for five months. However, they had a king ruling them who is the messenger from the pit of the abyss whose name in the Hebrew language is Abaddown and in Greek is Apolluon (both meaning 'Destruction,' not ‘Destroyer’).
"One cry of grief is over, but, look out! There are two more coming!"

The above verses tend to indicate that these locusts are perhaps a residual, antediluvian species trapped in a state of suspended animation within an underground chamber with an unsounded bottom (abussos = no bottom) which will be opened by the impact of a certain meteorite upon the key pressure point of the earth's crust. (While abussos means “[a pit with] no-bottom,” this could be either a pit with an unsounded bottom such as a deep fissure, or a pit deep enough that it’s “bottom” truly is past the core of the earth. Once a hole includes the center of gravity of the planet, all directions from there would be UP! I tend, though, to believe the former.)

This species is primarily a form of locust, indicating that this species is a winged insect possessing rear legs for leaping. That its sound is a low-pitched droning is indicative that this species is larger than present-day specimens, probably as “prehistoric” (or rather “antediluvian”) dragonflies and damselflies are larger than their living counterparts. They were not prehistoric or living before recorded history; they were antediluvian, living prior to the Great Flood of Noah’s time.

As many antediluvian creatures changed their diets after the flood becoming carnivorous, these creatures, too, will not be able to survive on the weakened vegetation of our planet. (Prior to the Great Flood, all animals were herbivorous.) Their diet will tend toward being carnivorous. As a starving, desperate species, they will attack human beings to acquire nourishment only to be frustrated. Finally, after five long months, the species will die from lack of nourishment: Since this species has a king, much as ants and bees have a queen, when the king dies, the others will die soon afterward. The name of their king, "Destruction," suggests both the results and the fate of this species, and has no correlation to haSatan.

A puzzling aspect of these verses is when people desire death only to have it elude them. The question used to come to my mind, "How is this accomplished? Does God actually suspend death for five months?" That would certainly be possible and within the ability of God, but then it occurred to me on January 3, 1993, to look up how the poison of scorpions affects someone. In the book Insects of the World, on page 11, J.E. Remington said, "However, there are a few species, especially in northern Mexico and northern Africa, that inject nerve poisons." (Emphasis mine.) The answer would then appear to be that of nerve dysfunction -- people are literally immobilized! They are paralyzed by the venom and are thus unable to affect their own deaths or to ask others to kill them for mercy's sake. The toxin, however, is not life threatening... just extremely painful! All of one's nerve endings would feel like they were on fire! People will wish they were dead, but will be unable to do anything about it! Apparently, the toxin will wear off in time, but not before it’s taken its toll on the victim.​

Oh, you people...​

[11]"And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon."
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[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.
[5] And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
[6] And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.​

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 KJV
[2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
[4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
[5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
[6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.​

Revelation 16:12-16 KJV
[12] And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
[13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
[14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
[15] Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
[16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
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Revelation 18:10-11 KJV
[10] Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

Revelation 18:15-19 KJV
[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
[16] And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.​