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{{otherusesabout|the Hebrew word}}
{{Armenians}}
'''Abaddon''' ([[Biblical Hebrew language|Hebrew]] '''אבדון''' ''Avaddon'', meaning "destruction"). In [[Hebrew Bible|Biblical]] references (''[[Book of Job|Job]]'' 26:6; ''[[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]]'' 15:11), it comes to mean "place of destruction", or the realm of the dead, and is associated with [[Sheol]]. Abaddon is also one of the compartments of [[Gehenna]].<ref name="oxford">Metzger & Coogan (1993) O''xford Companion to the Bible'', p3.</ref> By extension, it can mean an underworld abode of lost souls, or [[hell]]. In some legends, it is identified as a realm where the damned lie in fire and snow, one of the places in Hell that [[Moses]] visited. <ref name ="Ginzberg">Ginzberg, Lewis. ''The Legends of the Jews'', Volume II: From Joseph to Exodus. 1909. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/loj/loj206.htm] </ref>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 20px; float: right;">[[Image:ArmPatrLogo.gif|250px|none|thumb|Official standard of the Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Church.]]</div>


In ''[[Book of Revelation|Revelation]]'' 9:11, it is personified as Abaddon, "Angel of the Abyss",<ref name="oxford"/> rendered in Greek as [[Apollyon]]; and he is described as king of the locusts which rose at the sounding of the fifth trumpet. In like manner, in Rev. vi. 8, Hades is personified following after death to conquer the fourth part of the earth.
The '''Armenian Apostolic Church''' ([[Armenian language|Armenian]]: Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցի, Hayasdaneaytz Arakelagan Yegeghetzi) is the world's oldest [[national church]]<ref>The Journal of Ecclesiastical History – Page 268 by Cambridge University Press, Gale Group, C.W. Dugmore</ref><ref>The Armenian Massacres, 1894–1896: 1894–1896 : U.S. media testimony – Page 131 by A. Dzh. (Arman Dzhonovich) Kirakosian</ref> and one of the most ancient [[Christianity|Christian]] communities.<ref>The Antiquities of the Christian Church – Page 466
by Johann Christian Wilhelm Augusti, Georg Friedrich Heinrich Rheinwald, Carl Christian Friedrich Siegel</ref>


Abaddon is one of [[the infernal names]] used in [[LaVeyan Satanism]], and is first in the list—only as it comes first alphabetically—and means "the destroyer."
The official name of the church is the '''Armenian Orthodox and Apostolic Church'''{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. It is sometimes referred to as the '''Armenian Orthodox Church''' or the '''Gregorian Church''', however the latter name is not preferred by the church, as it views the Apostles [[Bartholomew the Apostle|Bartholomew]] and [[Jude the Apostle|Thaddeus]] as the founders, and [[Gregory the Illuminator|St. Gregory the Illuminator]] as merely the first official head of the church.


==Identification of Abaddon==
== Origins and history ==
Many Biblical scholars believe him to be Satan or the antichrist
[[Image:Tiridates III of Armenia-Baptism.jpg|left|upright|thumb|Baptism of [[Tiridates III of Armenia|Tiridates III]].]]
[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] originally also considered Abaddon a demon, but now identify him with Jesus.<ref>[[The Watchtower]], May 1, 1992 p. 11, “''Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah''.”</ref>
Various legends tie the origin of the Armenian church to the apostles. Apostolic succession is an important concept for many churches, especially those in the east. The legend of the healing of [[Abgar V]] of [[Edessa]] by the facecloth of Jesus has been appropriated by the Armenian church by claiming that Abgar was a prince of Armenia.<ref>Tiran Nersoyan, The Armenian Church (Armenia: 1700th Anniversary Committee of Holy Etchmiadzin, 2001, accessed October 2, 2001); available from http://www.etchmiadzin.com/history/aboutch.htm; Internet</ref> The more common tradition claims that [[Thaddeus]], one of the [[Seventy Apostles]] was sent to Armenia from nearby Edessa by Abgar (uncle of King Sanatrook of Armenia) to evangelize. The details of the story vary widely, but in all stories Thaddeus converted Sandookdht the king's daughter. In some versions Sanatrook was also converted, but later apostasized. In other versions, he was never converted, but was always hostile to Christianity. In any case, Sanatrook martyred both Thaddeus and Sandookdht. Some versions have the apostle Bartholomew arriving in Armenia about the same time to also be martyred.<ref>See, among others, Yowhannes Drasxanakertci, ''History of Armenia'' (tr. Krikor H. Maksoudian; Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press, 1987), 78; Aziz S. Atiya, ''History of Eastern Christianity'' (Notre Dame IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1967), 315; Khoren Narbey, ''A Catechism of Christian Instruction According to the Doctrine of the Armenian Church'' (tr. Ter Psack Hyrapiet Jacob; Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, 1892), 86-87.</ref> Though these stories are considered historically questionable by modern scholars, the church in Armenia had to have begun early as persecutions against Christians in 110, 230, and 287 were recorded by outside writers [[Eusebius]] and [[Tertullian]].<ref>Atiya, ''History of Eastern Christianity'' 316.</ref>


According to them, there are several proofs in favor of their concepts, including [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 20:1, which reads that "the angel with the key of the abyss and a large prison in his hand seized the dragon (Satan the Devil) and threw him down into the abyss, and closed it on him (Satan)", meaning that the 'angel of the key' had power and authority superior to that of the Devil himself. Therefore, from their standpoint, Abaddon, "the angel with the key of the abyss" (see [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 9:1,11) and "the ancient serpent", "the dragon", Satan the Devil, must not be both the same person.
The [[Kingdom of Armenia]] was the first state to adopt [[Christianity]] as its religion <ref>''"The conversion of Armenia to Christianity was probably the most crucial step in its history. It turned Armenia sharply away from its Iranian past and stamped it for centuries with an intrinsic character as clear to the native population as to those outside its borders, who identified Armenia almost at once as the first state to adopt Christianity"''. (Nina Garsoïan in ''Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times'', ed. R.G. Hovannisian, Palgrave Macmillan, 1997, Volume 1, p.81).</ref> when St. [[Gregory the Illuminator]] converted [[Tiridates III of Armenia|King Tiridates III]] and members of his court,<ref>Academic American Encyclopedia – Page 172 by Grolier Incorporated</ref> an event traditionally dated to 301 A.D. (after [[Mikayel Chamchian]] 1784).<ref>Estimated dates vary from 284 to 314. Garsoïan (''op.cit.'' p.82), following the research of Ananian, favours the latter.</ref> Gregory, trained and ordained in Christianity at Caesarea returned to his native land to preach about 287, the same time that Tiridates III took the throne. Tiridates owed his position to the Roman Emperor [[Diocletian]], a noted persecutor of Christianity. In addition, he became aware that Gregory was a son of Anak, the man who assassinated his father. Consequently Tiridates imprisoned Gregory in an underground pit, called [[Khor Virap]], for 13 years. In 301, 37 Christian virgins, fleeing Roman persecution, came to Armenia. Tiridates desired one of them, [[Rhipsime]], to be his wife, but she turned him down. In a rage, he martyred the whole group of them. Soon afterward, according to legend, God struck him with an illness that left him crawling around like a beast. The story is reminiscent of Nebudchadnezzar in Daniel 4. [[Xosroviduxt]], the king’s sister, had a dream in which she was told that the persecution of Christians must stop. She related this to Tiridates, who released Gregory from prison. Gregory then healed Tiridates and converted him to Christianity. Tiridates immediately declared Armenia to be a Christian nation, becoming the first official Christian state.


==External links==
Tiridates declares Gregory to be the first [[Catholicos]] of the church and sent him to Caesarea to be consecrated. Upon his return, Gregory tore down idol centers, built churches and monasteries, and ordained hundreds of priests and bishops. While meditating in the old capital city of Vagharshapat, Gregory had a vision of Christ coming down to the earth to strike it with a hammer. From the spot rose a great Christian temple with a huge cross. He was convinced that God wanted him to build the main Armenian church there. With the king’s help, he did so, along the lines of what he saw in the vision at the spot he saw the hammer strike. He renamed the city [[Vagharshapat |Etchmiadzin]] which means “the place of the descent of the only-begotten”.<ref>See Drasxanakertci, ''History of Armenia'', 78ff; Atiya, ''History of Eastern Christianity'', 316ff; Narbey, ''A Catechism of Christian Instruction According to the Doctrine of the Armenian Church'', 88ff.</ref>
*[http://www.cblibrary.org/schaff_h/aa/abaddon.htm ''Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge''] Abaddon

Initially the Armenian church participated in the larger church world. Its Catholicos was represented at the [[First Council of Nicea]] and the [[First Council of Constantinople]]. Although he could not attend the [[Council of Ephesus]], the Catholicos Isaac Parthiev sent a message agreeing with its decisions.<ref>Narbey, ''A Catechism of Christian Instruction According to the Doctrine of the Armenian Church'', 86-87.</ref> The Armenian church began to retreat from the larger church world in 373 when King Pap appointed the Catholicos Yusik without first sending him to Caesarea for commissioning.<ref>Drasxanakertci, History of Armenia, 86-87.</ref>

Christianity was strengthened in Armenia by the translation of the [[Bible]] into the [[Armenian language]] by the Armenian [[theologian]], [[monk]] and [[scholar]] [[Saint Mesrob|St. Mesrob Mashtots]]. Until the fifth century, Armenia had its own spoken language, but not written. The Bible and liturgy were in Greek. The Catholicos Sahak commissioned Mersob to create an Armenian alphabet, which he completed in 406. Subsequently the Bible and liturgy were translated into Armenian and written down in its new script. This began a cultural rennaisance with the production of a host of Armenian literature.<ref>Atiya, ''History of Eastern Christianity'', 424-26.</ref>

Unlike other eastern churches, the Armenian [[Bible]] originally had 39 books in the [[Old testament |Old Testament]]. What are commonly called the [[Apocrypha]] or [[Deuterocanonical]] books were not translated until the 8th century and not read in the churches until the 12th century.<ref>W. St. Clair Tisdall, "Armenian Versions of the Bible," in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Ed. James Orr; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1915).</ref>

==Monophysitism==

Historically, the [[Armenia]]n church has been referred to as [[monophysitism|monophysite]] by both Catholic and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] theologians because it (as well as the [[Coptic Christianity|Coptic Orthodox Church]]) rejected the decisions of the [[Council of Chalcedon]], which condemned monophysitism. The Armenian Church officially severed ties with [[Bishop of Rome|Rome]] and [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Constantinople]] in [[554]], during the second Council of [[Dvin]] where the [[Chalcedonian|dyophysite]] formula of the Council of Chalcedon was rejected.

However, the Armenian Orthodox Church argues that this is an incorrect description of its position, as it considers Monophysitism, as taught by [[Eutyches]] and condemned at Chalcedon, a heresy and only disagrees with the formula defined by that council. The Armenian church instead adheres to the doctrine defined by [[Cyril of Alexandria]], considered as a saint by the Chalcedonian churches as well, who described Christ as being of one incarnate nature, where both divine and human nature are united. To distinguish this from Eutychian and other versions of Monophysitism this position is called [[miaphysitism]].

In recent times, both Chalcedonian and anti-Chalcedonian churches have developed a deeper understanding for each other's positions, recognizing their substantial agreement while maintaining their respective theological language. Hence, the Monophysite label is avoided when describing the Armenians' or Copts' belief regarding the Nature of Christ.

== Structure and leadership ==
<!-- [[Image:GareginII.jpg|thumb|upright|left|His Holiness [[Karekin II]], Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians]] -->
{{Eastern Christianity}}
The Armenian Apostolic Church is headed by a ''[[Catholicos]]'' (the plural is ''Catholicoi''). The Armenian Apostolic Church should not be confused, however, with the [[Armenian Catholic Church]] whose patriarch (governing bishop of the Armenian Rite) is [[Nerses Bedros XIX]], which is an [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic church]] in communion with the [[Holy See]] in [[Rome]].

The Armenian Apostolic Church is one of a few apostolic churches in the world to have a democratic system; the people decide if they want to keep priests in their churches and may ask for different ones, as do some other ecclesiastical constitutions, such as [[Baptists]] and other [[Congregational]] churches.

===Two Catholicossates===

The Armenian Apostolic Church is divided into two Holy Sees, with the [[Catholicos of All Armenians]] residing in [[Echmiadzin]] having theoretical sovereignty over the Catholicos of See of Cilicia residing in [[Antelias]]. The two Holy Sees are:

====Holy See of Echmiadzin====
At present, the [[Catholicos of All Armenians]] is his Holiness [[Karekin II]] (sometimes spelled as Garegin), who resides in the city of [[Echmiadzin]], west of [[Yerevan]] in the Republic of [[Armenia]].

The jurisdiction of the Holy See of Echmiadzin is extensive and includes the Republic of Armenia, the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople]] (Istanbul, Turkey) and [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]], Republic of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia (and all former Soviet Union countries), Egypt and Africa, all Europe (except Cyprus and Greece), Iraq, India, and all Asia (except for Lebanon, Syria, Iran and the Gulf), Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America.

In the United States and Canada, there is a special status, whereby Prelacies from both the Holy Sees of Echmiadzin and Cilicia keep their own affiliated network of churches separate from each other. Armenian-Americans and Armenian-Canadians of Apostolic Orthodox faith can choose either of the two Holy Sees to affiliate by.

====Holy See of Cilicia====
The [[Holy See of Cilicia]] (officially known as the Catholicossate of the Great House of Cilicia): At present, His Holiness [[Aram I]] [[Catholicos of Cilicia]], who resides in [[Antelias]] north of [[Beirut]] in [[Lebanon]] heads the church.

The jursidiction of the Holy See of Cilicia is geographically more limited and includes the Middle Eastern countries, namely Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Greece and Iran. As mentioned earlier, in the United States and Canada, both the Holy See of Cilicia and Echmiadzin have their own affiliated network of churches separate from each other. Armenian-Americans and Armenian-Canadians of Apostolic Orthodox faith can choose either of the two Holy Sees to affiliate by.

====Reasons for the division====

The divisions of the two Catholicossates stem from frequent relocations of the Church headquarters under Ottoman Rule. The schism was further reinforced during the period in which Armenia was part of the [[Soviet Union]] when various churches affiliated with one of the two Holy Sees of the church. Despite efforts of reunion, the division continues to date, although significantly, in the nineties, the same individual, His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of Cilicia for the period 1983-1994, was elected, upon the eath of [[Zareh I]] as new Catholicoss of All Armenians in 1995 becoming His Holiness [[Karekin I]] Catholicoss of All Armenians residing in Echmiadzin and serving as Supreme head of the church until 1999, he was not able to unite the two Catholicossates.

===Two Patriarchates: Constantinople and Jerusalem===

The Armenian Apostolic Church also has two Patriarchates of high authority both under the jurisdiction of [[Catholicos of All Armenians]] at [[Echmiadzin]]. They are:

*[[Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople]] in Istanbul, Turkey headed since 1998 by Patriarch of Constantinople His Beatitude Archbishop [[Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan of Constantinople|Mesrob II Mutafyan]]
*[[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]] in the [[Armenian Quarter]] of [[Jerusalem]] headed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop [[Torkom Manoogian]]

== Similarities to other churches ==
[[Liturgy|Liturgically]] speaking, the Church has much more in common with the [[Latin rite]] in its externals, especially as it was at the time of separation, than the [[Eastern Orthodox Churches]]. For example, their bishops wear [[mitre]]s almost identical to those of Western bishops. They usually do not use a full [[iconostasis]], but rather a curtain (which was also used in the West at the time of separation). The liturgical music is [[Armenian chant]].

Armenian priests below the rank of bishop are allowed to be married before ordination and their descendants' surnames are prepended with the prefix "Ter" (or "Der" in Western Armenian), meaning "Lord", to indicate their lineage.

== Armenian Apostolic Communities in the World ==
Today there are large Armenian Apostolic congregations in many countries outside [[Armenia]], including [[Russia]], [[Iraq]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[France]], the [[United States]], [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[Cyprus]], [[Israel]], [[Greece]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Belgium]], [[Estonia]], [[England]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Netherlands]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]], [[Argentina]], [[Uruguay]] and others.

Major Armenian presence in Israel/Palestine is the Jerusalem [[Armenian Quarter]] and the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]].

Also of particular importance is the [[Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople]] in Turkey and the Armenian Apostolic Church of [[Iran]] (see also [[Christians in Iran]])These churches represent the largest Christian ethnic minority in both of these predominantly [[Muslim]] countries, Turkey and Iran.

== See also ==
*[[Eastern Christianity]]
*[[List of Catholicoi of Armenia]]
*[[Vardapet]]; Armenian doctor-monks


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
*David Marshall Lang.Armenia: Cradle of Civilization. London:George Allen and Unwin. [[1973]].


*{{cite book
==Notes==
| last =Metzeger
{{Reflist}}
| first =Bruce M. (ed)
| authorlink =
| coauthors = Michael D. Coogan (ed)
| title = The Oxford Companion to the Bible
| publisher = [[Oxford University Press]]
| date = 1993
| location = Oxford, UK
| pages =
| url =
| doi =
| isbn = 0-19-504645-5 }}


*{{cite book
| last =Halley
| first =Henry H.
| authorlink =
| coauthors = James E. Ruark (ed)
| title = Halley's Bible Handbook
| publisher = [[ZondervanPublishingHouse]]
| date = 2000
| location = Grand Rapids, MI
| pages =
| url =
| doi =
| isbn = 0-310-22479-9 }}


*{{cite book
==External links==
| last =MacDonald
{{portalpar|Armenia|Flag of Armenia.svg}}
| first =William
{{portalpar|Oriental Orthodoxy|ChristCopticArt.jpg}}
| authorlink =
* [http://www.armenianchurch.org/ The Armenian Church]
| coauthors = Art Farstad (ed)
* [http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/ Armenian Orthodox Church Catholicosate of Cilicia]
| title = Believer's Bible Commentary
* [http://www.armenian-patriarchate.org/ Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem]
| publisher = [[Thomas Nelson Publishers]]
* [http://www.armenianpatriarchate.org.tr/ Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople]
| date = 1995
* [http://www.araratian-tem.am/ Araratian Patriarchal Diocese]
| location = Nashville, TN
* [http://www.armenianchurch.ca/ Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada]
| pages =
* [http://www.armenianchurch.net/ Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)]
| url =
* [http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/ The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western)]
| doi =
* Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church Library Online: [http://www.armenianchurchlibrary.com English] | [http://www.armenianchurchlibrary.com/index-arm.html Armenian] | [http://www.armenianchurchlibrary.com/index-rus.html Russian]
| isbn = 0-8407-1972-8 }}
* [http://www.stgregoryofnarek.am/ Prayer Book of the Armenian Church]
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Armenian_Apostolic_Church Armeniapedia – Armenian Apostolic Church]
* [http://www.sain.org/Armenian.Church/Index.htm Some information]
* [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txn/armenian.htm Basic info]
* [http://www.armeniaemb.org/DiscoverArmenia/ArmenianChurch/AllArmenianChurches.htm Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to the US] General Information
* [http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Worldwide_Armenian_Church_Directory Directory of Armenian Churches Worldwide]
Apostolic Churches in Asia
* [http://www.armenianchurch.in Armenian Churches in India]
* [http://www.apostoliclk.org/ Apostolic Church Sri Lanka]
{{Christianity in Europe}}
{{Asia in topic|Christianity in}}
{{Armenia topics}}
{{Oriental Orthodoxy}}


{{Wikisource1911Enc|Abaddon}}
[[Category:Armenian Apostolic Church]]
*{{Catholic}}
[[Category:National churches]]
*{{1911}}
[[Category:Oriental Orthodoxy]]
*''This article incorporates text from the public-domain ''Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' 1907''
[[Category:301 establishments]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches]]


[[Category:Book of Revelation]]
<!-- interwiki -->
[[Category:Hebrew words and phrases]]
[[Category:New Testament places]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible places]]
[[Category:Deities in the Hebrew Bible]]


[[da:Abaddon]]
[[ar:كنيسة الأرمن الأرثوذكس]]
[[de:Abaddon (Biblische Figur)]]
[[frp:Égllése apostolica armènièna]]
[[es:Abadón]]
[[be-x-old:Армянская апостальская царква]]
[[eo:Abadon]]
[[bg:Арменска апостолическа църква]]
[[fr:Abaddon]]
[[cy:Eglwys Apostolaidd Armenia]]
[[ia:Abaddon]]
[[de:Armenische Apostolische Kirche]]
[[he:אבדון]]
[[et:Armeenia Apostlik Kirik]]
[[nl:Abaddon]]
[[es:Iglesia Apostólica Armenia]]
[[ja:アバドン]]
[[fr:Église apostolique arménienne]]
[[pl:Abaddon (postać biblijna)]]
[[hy:Հայ Առաքելական Եկեղեցի]]
[[pt:Abaddon]]
[[hr:Armenska apostolska Crkva]]
[[ru:Абаддон]]
[[it:Chiesa apostolica armena]]
[[fi:Abaddon]]
[[he:הכנסייה האפוסטולית הארמנית]]
[[sv:Abaddon]]
[[ka:სომხური სამოციქულო ეკლესია]]
[[uk:Абадонна]]
[[lt:Armėnų apaštališkoji bažnyčia]]
[[wo:Abadon]]
[[hu:Örmény Apostoli Ortodox Egyház]]
[[zh:亞巴頓]]
[[ml:അര്‍മീനിയന്‍ ഓര്‍ത്തഡോക്സ് സഭ]]
[[nl:Armeens-apostolische Kerk]]
[[ja:アルメニア教会]]
[[pl:Apostolski Kościół Ormiański]]
[[pt:Igreja Apostólica Armênia]]
[[ru:Армянская апостольская церковь]]
[[simple:Armenian Apostolic Church]]
[[sl:Armenska apostolska cerkev]]
[[sr:Јерменска апостолска црква]]
[[fi:Armenian apostolinen kirkko]]
[[sv:Armeniska apostoliska kyrkan]]
[[tr:Ermeni Apostolik Kilisesi]]
[[uk:Вірменська апостольська церква]]
[[zh:亚美尼亚使徒教会]]

Revision as of 00:14, 13 October 2008

Template:Otherusesabout Abaddon (Hebrew אבדון Avaddon, meaning "destruction"). In Biblical references (Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11), it comes to mean "place of destruction", or the realm of the dead, and is associated with Sheol. Abaddon is also one of the compartments of Gehenna.[1] By extension, it can mean an underworld abode of lost souls, or hell. In some legends, it is identified as a realm where the damned lie in fire and snow, one of the places in Hell that Moses visited. [2]

In Revelation 9:11, it is personified as Abaddon, "Angel of the Abyss",[1] rendered in Greek as Apollyon; and he is described as king of the locusts which rose at the sounding of the fifth trumpet. In like manner, in Rev. vi. 8, Hades is personified following after death to conquer the fourth part of the earth.

Abaddon is one of the infernal names used in LaVeyan Satanism, and is first in the list—only as it comes first alphabetically—and means "the destroyer."

Identification of Abaddon

Many Biblical scholars believe him to be Satan or the antichrist Jehovah's Witnesses originally also considered Abaddon a demon, but now identify him with Jesus.[3]

According to them, there are several proofs in favor of their concepts, including Revelation 20:1, which reads that "the angel with the key of the abyss and a large prison in his hand seized the dragon (Satan the Devil) and threw him down into the abyss, and closed it on him (Satan)", meaning that the 'angel of the key' had power and authority superior to that of the Devil himself. Therefore, from their standpoint, Abaddon, "the angel with the key of the abyss" (see Revelation 9:1,11) and "the ancient serpent", "the dragon", Satan the Devil, must not be both the same person.

External links

References

  1. ^ a b Metzger & Coogan (1993) Oxford Companion to the Bible, p3.
  2. ^ Ginzberg, Lewis. The Legends of the Jews, Volume II: From Joseph to Exodus. 1909. [1]
  3. ^ The Watchtower, May 1, 1992 p. 11, “Keep Close in Mind the Day of Jehovah.”
  • Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Abaddon".
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