The locust army in Revelation 9, led by Abaddon, the angel of the Abyss, reveals a striking reality: not all powerful leadership originates from the godless. Some leaders have heavenly origins and operate with real authority granted from above, yet they are destined for judgment because of the extreme destruction their leadership brings. Abaddon himself is not an earthly ruler but a being who once had a place in the divine order—yet now leads an army of torment, serving a role that ultimately brings about judgment and chaos.
This reveals that some movements or leaders, even those with heavenly backing, can still go too far—bringing excessive destruction, corruption, or suffering beyond what was divinely intended. Though their mission may have begun with divine sanction or necessity, their fate is sealed because they overstep, turning judgment into devastation. They are not necessarily leading in direct rebellion against God, but their leadership crosses into such extremes that they too become subject to divine wrath.
This challenges simplistic ideas of good versus evil. Some forces of judgment and power operate under heaven’s authority for a time but are later cast down for the excesses of their actions. Their leadership is more heavenly than expected, yet their destiny is the Abyss. This serves as a warning: great power, even if initially given by God, does not exempt one from accountability when it is used to bring about excessive destruction.
(Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, Feb 2025)
