Apollyon: The Destroyer is Unleashed

This is the umpteenth time I've read Apollyon and the title has always made me wonder, who or what is Apollyon.

Revelation 9:11 (NIV): They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).

The creepiest part of Apollyon was when the locusts call out together, "Abaddon, Abaddon." That isn't in scripture, but it is great writing.

Later in chapter 9, Revelation says that the locusts will sound like horses and chariots. I recommend watching locust swarm videos to better imagine what big locusts in a swarm would sound like. It would be deafening.

Apollyon was well-written with better tricks used to pass the time than before. Richard Ferrone made Nicolae sound more his show more age, which cleared up a complaint from the earlier books. Over-all I find this my favorite so far. show less

I enjoyed the story as fiction. I laughed, cried, fumed, and shouted--all positive things--but I want to temper that strongly by saying that I wouldn't suggest it as theological or eschatological material, as some have. I'm not really concerned with the order and how's of end-time events and believe we waste too much time trying to figure it out. As Jesus said: "No one knows the times or the seasons, but my heavenly Father." Do worry about it. Live and hope. You don't need to have it all marked out on a calendar.If someone were to ask me what fictional literature I would suggest, this series wouldn't occur to me at all, and I wouldn't suggest it if it did. But, seeing as I have read it (except the last one and the prequels), I felt like show more I ought to review it. For story, I would give it three stars, maybe four. But my reservations pull that rating down to two. show less

Apollyon: The Destroyer is Unleashed
Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins
c. 1999
ISBN: 0-8423-2926-9
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Wheaton, IL
www.tyndale.com

I found "Apollyon" interesting, but I think it contains too many side plots describing the lives of minor characters. The authors do not write much about Nicolae Carpathia, Leon Fortunato, Peter the Second, the ten rulers, and the ruling clique of the "Global Community," which are the main characters in the earlier volumes of the “Left Behind” series. Not much is happening with the main characters Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah and the two witnesses "Eli" and "Moishe" in this book. Some scenes are good, especially the speeches by Carpathia, because they gave me a glimpse of his inner malice. The two show more witnesses were not characterized very well. They speak the old-fashioned English of the Bible. This doesn't help to characterize them into real people. I read this book out of curiosity, since it is a widely acclaimed best seller.

I'm familiar with the teaching of the rapture and tribulation but I find believing it very difficult. I believe many predictions in Revelation (especially the four winds and the three woes) were meant for the Judeans of Christ's time. They seem to me to be warnings of what will happen to those people if they fail to recognize the Messiah and try to defeat him. I also believe these predictions are presented in symbolic terms rather than meant to be taken literally. Reading "Apollyon's" description of the two witnesses breathing fire that instantly vaporizes the flesh from their attackers then melts their weapons and crumbles their bones just leaves me wondering. Is this literally true? "Apollyon" describes the locusts as having six-inch metallic-like, indestructible bodies. They look like horses, but have two-part abdomens with an almost invisible stinger in their tails. They have horse-like legs and wings. Their heads have a human-like countenance, lion-like teeth, and long hair like a woman. They constantly call the name "Abaddon" in Hebrew. This seems just too fantastic to be taken literally the way LaHaye and Jenkins describe them.

I Think it's possible that the Gentile nations will be called to task for rejecting God's chosen one, when he is ready to make his second appearance, just like Judea was called to task when he made his first appearance. I believe this confrontation is coming, but not in such a literal way. Many of us may experience the whole thing without realizing what happened, just like many in Judea experienced the crucifixion, the resurrection, the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, and the annihilation of the Judean nation in A.D. 135, with many of their descendants scattered all over the world not realizing why these things happened.

In spite of its shortcomings, I think "Apollyon" serves a good purpose because it gets people at least thinking about what God might really expect from them. show less

This thrill-ride was a glimpse into the very near and frightening future, as the New World Order sets the stage for today’s preppers and survivalists. How will life fare for those of us who will not take on the mark of the beast? It was fun to read of technological advances that seemed astonishing when the book was written, yet have become part of our daily lives in this millennium...SMILE!!!

I am no on page 236 and upset that loved ones die. One of my favority characters too. I finally finished it, it took me 6 days which is actually great for me with my busy schedule. But the storyline was good, the writer defenatley keeps you interested in what is going to happen next. I am very close to my character, Buck, Chloe and Rayford. If you read this keeping in mind that it's fiction; you will enjoy this series. I am interested to continue and see what unfolds with Hattie since it's starting to look like she is really a spy or something. I don't know what to make of her yet. I will let you know what happens in "Assasin"

Apollyon (Left Behind #5) / written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins -- Wheaton, IL : Tyndale House Publishers, c1998. (403 pages) -- RANGE 9 -- ADULT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

SUMMARY: The Tribulation calendar moves closer to the halfway point and the fourth Trumpet Judgment strikes the solar system and cripples the earth. and then the fifth Trumpet Judgment brings the plague of scorpionlike locusts led by Apollyon, chief demon of the abyss. The judgements are getting worse and worse and the Tribulation Force members are in exile as fugitives of the Global Community. Tens of thousands of the 144,000 witness meet at Teddy Kollek Stadium to hear the teachings of Tsion Ben-Judah who returns to Jerusalem for this historical event.

REVIEW: show more They just keep getting better and better. The plague of locusts is a powerful scene and the horror of the creatures is very vivid in the description as the story unfolds. The Tribulation Force finds new members and will loose a few while we wonder about the future of the others.

Just keep reading and then grab the next one and keep reading some more. I read them so fast that the details for each title are blurred in my mind -- just keep reading. show less

Writing: 4.5; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Overall: 4.5

As the world enters the second half of the seven years of tribulation, the prophesied 144,000 Jewish witnesses and their teacher, Tsion Ben-Judah, sweep across the globe eye witnessing the salvation of many. Meanwhile, the small band of Christians known as the Tribulation Force, continue rounding up their friends and family lost during the catastrophic earthquake. Highly recommend.

***March, 19, 2025***