A Revelation Invitation

In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails. They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.

The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come. (Revelation 9:7-12 ESV)

What do we make of such horrifying imagery? How should we process such a disturbing scene? The Lord could not have portrayed evil any more vividly than he has above. While this is only a symbolic representation of evil, it’s horrifying nonetheless. By pursuing its own selfish ambitions and evil desires humanity has invited evil into the world. The prince of demons has obligingly opened the abyss so that this darkness may pour forth. No one is unaffected. Only those with God’s seal on their foreheads are safe from harm. God has not caused this evil, but he finally has the world’s attention.

The king over the swarm of locusts, the angel of the bottomless pit, is named Abaddon (Hebrew for Place of Destruction) and Apollyon (Greek for Destroyer). This is what evil does when it goes unchecked in the world, like the insect, it destroys. It destroys families. It destroys friendships. It destroys societies. It destroys cooperation. It destroys nations. We are looking into the face of evil. Though he permits it, God is not the source of this evil and suffering. No, this is the evil and suffering that the wicked have unleashed upon themselves. It robs people of light, joy, peace, understanding. It results in a hopeless dread. This locust army symbolizes the demonic corruption arising from within the Roman Empire, from every empire that has followed and ultimately from within humankind itself. This evil arises out of the depths of people’s own hearts. And with two more woes to come there is no relief in sight for the ungodly.

This hurts the imperial powers-that-be but not God’s people. We are told that these locusts will not destroy completely. They will only torture. They bring suffering and ruin for a time, time enough to cause people to prefer death. But also, time enough to repent. Hell has been unleashed on the world, and the world must live with the consequences of their choices. It’s not obvious to the world, but God is displaying both his sovereignty over the world and the great mercy he extends to it. He permits this manifestation of evil in his world but limits its scope so that men might repent.

When the world seems to be falling apart around us, it just might be. But the kingdom of God is eternal, the church will be victorious and our salvation is secure. We may suffer because of the evil in the world, but we will not be defeated by it. The angel of the bottomless pit cannot harm us. Praise be to God.

Lord God, it’s alarming to face such an exhibition of evil in our world. Some of that evil has impacted me personally. I ask you to help me witness to my friends and neighbors who suffer under evil’s destruction. May I witness to the healing power of Jesus, power to overcome evil, to transform relationships and to endure suffering with hope. And I am grateful for your protection through all the trials that may come. Amen.