146 REVELATION 9 do. He is the “angel” of the Abyss. This is not Satan, who is the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2) and he does not go to the Abyss until after the Tribulation (20:1-3). This is another high-ranking angel in Satan’s hierarchy. His name is “Abaddon” (Heb) or “Apollyon” (Greek), which means in both languages, “Destroyer or Exterminator.” At times Satan may appear as an “angel of light,” but the name of this angel is more genuine to his character. Reflection: How did Jesus describe this terrible period of time in Matt 24:21?
Note: These horrible tortures are not God’s direct action. God will merely unleash these demonic hordes to do what they want to do to man. God only limits their destruction, but He is not the cause of it. Were it not for His limitations all humanity would be destroyed by these invincible demonic hordes. God is teaching humanity that choosing to accept the Satanic lies and deceptions has dire consequences, that if not limited, can be devastating. He destroys his own followers.If man wants to believe Satan’s lies, then He will give mankind the relationship with Satan they deserve.
WARNING OF MORE TO COME
9:12
One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. 9:12 God is giving warnings with the purpose of encouraging people to repent and believe. If they persist in their unbelief and rebellion against God then they reap the consequences. God always will accept anyone who repents. Likewise, this message will renew the hope of believers that survive to know that things are accelerating to a conclusion. Reflection: By giving this warning of more to come, is this generating a fear in the hearts of men? Is this a good thing?
F. THE SIXTH TRUMPET (9:13-21) ARMY OF 200 MILLION KILL 1/3 OF MANKIND
9:13
Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God