The figure of Apollyon, mentioned in the book of Revelation, has sparked significant discussion and debate among theologians and Bible scholars. Is Apollyon the same as the destroyer angel described in the Old Testament? How does this figure fit into the biblical narrative of divine judgment? This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Apollyon, his role in Revelation, and his connection to the angelic being known as the destroyer.
Apollyon in Revelation: The Angel of the Bottomless Pit
Revelation 9:1-11 provides a vivid description of the events following the sounding of the fifth trumpet. John writes: “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace… And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:1-2, 11, NKJV).
Key Observations:
- The Angel with the Key: The angel who opens the pit is described as coming from heaven and is given the key, symbolizing authority from God to release the contents of the pit. This angel is not Apollyon but a separate being acting under God’s command.
- Apollyon’s Role: Apollyon is named as the king over the demonic locusts that emerge from the pit. His title, “the destroyer,” points to his role as an agent of divine judgment.
The Old Testament Destroyer Angel
To understand whether Apollyon could be the destroyer angel from the Old Testament, we must look at the instances where such an angel appears:
- The Passover in Egypt: In Exodus 12:23, we read: “For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” This “destroyer” is an angel sent by God to bring judgment upon the Egyptians while sparing the Israelites who obeyed God’s command.
- David’s Census: In 2 Samuel 24:15-16, God sends an angel to strike Israel after David’s unauthorized census: “And when the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, ‘It is enough; now restrain your hand.’”
These accounts indicate that the destroyer angel acts under divine authority to execute judgment. This angel is not an independent or malevolent figure but one fulfilling God’s will.
Is Apollyon the Same as the Destroyer Angel?
Apollyon’s title, meaning “the destroyer”, strongly suggests a connection to the role of the destroyer angel described in the Old Testament. While Revelation 9:11 does not directly link Apollyon to the specific instances of the destroyer angel in Exodus or 2 Samuel, the thematic similarities are significant. Both figures execute judgment under God’s command, emphasizing that they serve as agents of divine justice rather than autonomous entities.
Apollyon’s position as “the angel of the bottomless pit” and “king over the locusts” portrays him as a powerful being given authority during the end-time judgments. This supports the idea that he could indeed be the destroyer angel, acting in a role consistent with God’s purpose of bringing judgment upon the earth.
Apollyon and the Angel with the Key: Not the Same Being
One crucial distinction to make is that Apollyon is not the angel with the key to the bottomless pit. Revelation 9:1-2 describes the angel who opens the pit as coming from heaven, holding the key granted by God. This angel acts under divine authority to release the judgments contained within the pit. On the other hand, Apollyon is identified as the leader of the forces released from the pit, ruling over the demonic horde that brings torment upon those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
This distinction is critical for understanding that Apollyon is not Satan either. Satan is the adversary and deceiver, ultimately bound by the angel with the key in Revelation 20:1-3: “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” The angel binding Satan indicates a figure acting on God’s behalf, not a rebellious force.
The Nature of Apollyon’s Work: Divine Judgment
The fact that Apollyon is called “the destroyer” points to his role as an instrument of divine judgment, similar to the angel of destruction in Exodus and 2 Samuel. Apollyon’s actions align with God’s plan during the end times to bring severe judgment on an unrepentant world. He is depicted as a figure of power and authority, but under the ultimate sovereignty of God.
Is There a Connection to the Angel with a Sickle?
Revelation 14:17-19 describes an angel with a sharp sickle who gathers the clusters of the vine of the earth and throws them into “the great winepress of the wrath of God.” While the text does not name this angel as Apollyon, the theme of executing divine judgment is consistent. The sickle symbolizes reaping and judgment, reinforcing the idea that angels, including those like Apollyon, serve roles that involve the execution of God’s decrees.
Apollyon as a Good Angel
The portrayal of Apollyon as the “angel of the bottomless pit” may seem severe, but it does not necessarily indicate evil or rebellion. Just as the destroyer angel in the Old Testament acted according to God’s will, Apollyon’s role as a destroyer is consistent with fulfilling divine justice. Angels are created beings with free will, but those who remain loyal to God operate within His commands, even when their tasks involve judgment.
My Final Thoughts
Apollyon, known as “the angel of the bottomless pit” and “the destroyer,” serves as an agent of God’s judgment during the end times. While not explicitly named as the same destroyer angel from the Old Testament, Apollyon’s title and role align with the characteristics of such an angelic being who carries out divine justice. He is not Satan, nor is he the angel with the key to the pit, but rather a powerful figure who leads the forces released to torment the earth.
Understanding Apollyon’s role helps clarify the distinction between the agents of God’s judgment and rebellious forces like Satan. The Bible portrays Apollyon as an angel carrying out God’s will, highlighting the theme of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophetic judgment as history moves toward its culmination.
