Destruction.

"And the 5th angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit... Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth... they have as King over them the angel of the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he's called Apollyon."

(Revelation 9:1,3,11)

In Revelation 9, some kind of heavenly being ('star') falls from heaven to earth and unleashes havoc in the form of mutant locusts.  Any farmer knows what normal locusts can do to crops.  These, however, are diabolical.  Chaos & damage ensue.  The author tells us the name of their king: Abaddon (which means "Destruction" in Hebrew) or Apollyon (which means "Destroyer" in Greek).

We don't know if this "fallen star" is Satan, or some other malevolent being.  What captured my interest this morning was the NAMES of the king: Destroyer/Destruction.  And the locusts bear witness to this truth.  I started thinking about the difference between that name and the "name above all names."  Jesus brings life, hope, grace & restoration.  This enemy simply brings destruction.

Look around.  Where do we see destruction?  Violence & wars.  Hatred & intolerance.  Homelessness.  Broken marriages & families.  Unforgivenss.  Bitterness.  Abuse.  Slavery & trafficking.  Destruction is everywhere.  BUT THAT IS NOT OF GOD!  I want to be an agent of life & life, O Lord.  Help me to walk in your ways.  Bring healing to those who have experienced destruction in their lives.  AMEN.