I am on Debian Sid.
I assumed it was crashing, but it seems there is no evidence of a crash. It just terminates and refuses to start.
~$ spark -debug
using classpath: /usr/share/spark/lib/jdom.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/log4j.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/lti-civil.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/fmj.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/jspeex.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/libjitsi.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/zrtp4j-light.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/jna.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/bcpkix.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/bcprov.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/bccontrib.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/ice4j.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/osgi.core.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/startup.jar:/usr/share/spark/lib/linux/jdic.jar:/usr/share/spark/resources
Listening for transport dt_socket at address: 8000
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: /usr/share/spark/plugins/spelling-plugin.jar /home/keantoken/.Spark/plugins/spelling-plugin.jar
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: e2c7822fa4a632478ffbe1edbffd0600 e2c7822fa4a632478ffbe1edbffd0600 equal:true
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: /usr/share/spark/plugins/roar.jar /home/keantoken/.Spark/plugins/roar.jar
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: e3b09027a4fad7955bf86a869e539ec6 9b9ba54834999faa9cf37d0478b5f3f8 equal:false
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: deleting: /home/keantoken/.Spark/plugins/roar,/home/keantoken/.Spark/plugins/roar.jar
WARNING: An illegal reflective access operation has occurred
WARNING: Illegal reflective access by org.jivesoftware.spark.util.URLFileSystem (file:/usr/share/spark/lib/spark.jar) to method java.net.URL.set(java.lang.String,java.lang.String,int,java.lang.String,java.lang.String,java.lang.String,java.lang.String,java.lang.String)
WARNING: Please consider reporting this to the maintainers of org.jivesoftware.spark.util.URLFileSystem
WARNING: Use --illegal-access=warn to enable warnings of further illegal reflective access operations
WARNING: All illegal access operations will be denied in a future release
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Spellchecker Plugin has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Reversi has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: TicTacToe has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Fastpath has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Unable to load plugin Http File Upload Plugin due to invalid operating system. Required OS = Windows
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Unable to load plugin Meetings Plugin due to invalid operating system. Required OS = Windows
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Transfer Guard has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Translator Plugin has been loaded.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: sparkis not overwritten in plugin
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: defaultis not overwritten in plugin
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: preferencesis not overwritten in plugin
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:33 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: spark_i18nis not overwritten in plugin
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Jabber Browser has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Asterisks Phone Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Jabber Version has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Sounds Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Layout Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Chat Post Loader has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Presence Change Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log error
SEVERE: Unable to load plugin org.jivesoftware.sparkimpl.plugin.viewer.PluginViewer.
java.lang.NullPointerException
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.utils.SubstanceColorUtilities.getDefaultBackgroundColor(SubstanceColorUtilities.java:759)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.utils.SubstanceColorUtilities.getBackgroundFillColor(SubstanceColorUtilities.java:661)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.__org__pushingpixels__substance__internal__ui__SubstancePanelUI__installDefaults(SubstancePanelUI.java:74)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.installDefaults(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.plaf.basic.BasicPanelUI.installUI(BasicPanelUI.java:62)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.__org__pushingpixels__substance__internal__ui__SubstancePanelUI__installUI(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.installUI(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JComponent.setUI(JComponent.java:685)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.setUI(JPanel.java:150)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.updateUI(JPanel.java:126)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:86)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:109)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:117)
at org.jivesoftware.sparkimpl.plugin.viewer.PluginViewer.(PluginViewer.java:101)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance0(Native Method)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.java:62)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.java:45)
at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Constructor.newInstance(Constructor.java:488)
at java.base/java.lang.Class.newInstance(Class.java:558)
at org.jivesoftware.spark.PluginManager.lambda$loadInternalPlugins$0(PluginManager.java:444)
at java.desktop/java.awt.event.InvocationEvent.dispatch(InvocationEvent.java:313)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEventImpl(EventQueue.java:764)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.access$500(EventQueue.java:97)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue$3.run(EventQueue.java:717)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue$3.run(EventQueue.java:711)
at java.base/java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)
at java.base/java.security.ProtectionDomain$JavaSecurityAccessImpl.doIntersectionPrivilege(ProtectionDomain.java:89)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEvent(EventQueue.java:734)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpOneEventForFilters(EventDispatchThread.java:199)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForFilter(EventDispatchThread.java:124)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForHierarchy(EventDispatchThread.java:113)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:109)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:101)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.run(EventDispatchThread.java:90)
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Emoticon Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Sparklers Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Notes Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Buzz Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Notifications Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Shortcut Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: History Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Contact List Assistant has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: My Favorites has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Language Plugin has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: SystemTray has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: UserIdle has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Privacy Lists has been loaded. Internal plugin.
Mar 19, 2018 5:49:34 AM org.jivesoftware.spark.util.log.Log debug
INFO: Args: []
java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.invokeAndWait(EventQueue.java:1328)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.invokeAndWait(EventQueue.java:1303)
at org.jivesoftware.Spark.startup(Spark.java:203)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0(Native Method)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(NativeMethodAccessorImpl.java:62)
at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.invoke(DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java:43)
at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:564)
at org.jivesoftware.launcher.Startup.start(Startup.java:88)
at org.jivesoftware.launcher.Startup.main(Startup.java:38)
Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.utils.SubstanceColorUtilities.getDefaultBackgroundColor(SubstanceColorUtilities.java:759)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.utils.SubstanceColorUtilities.getBackgroundFillColor(SubstanceColorUtilities.java:661)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.__org__pushingpixels__substance__internal__ui__SubstancePanelUI__installDefaults(SubstancePanelUI.java:74)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.installDefaults(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.plaf.basic.BasicPanelUI.installUI(BasicPanelUI.java:62)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.__org__pushingpixels__substance__internal__ui__SubstancePanelUI__installUI(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at org.pushingpixels.substance.internal.ui.SubstancePanelUI.installUI(SubstancePanelUI.java)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JComponent.setUI(JComponent.java:685)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.setUI(JPanel.java:150)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.updateUI(JPanel.java:126)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:86)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:109)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JPanel.(JPanel.java:117)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JRootPane.createGlassPane(JRootPane.java:521)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JRootPane.(JRootPane.java:348)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JFrame.createRootPane(JFrame.java:279)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JFrame.frameInit(JFrame.java:258)
at java.desktop/javax.swing.JFrame.(JFrame.java:181)
at org.jivesoftware.Spark.lambda$startup$1(Spark.java:205)
at java.desktop/java.awt.event.InvocationEvent.dispatch(InvocationEvent.java:303)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEventImpl(EventQueue.java:764)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.access$500(EventQueue.java:97)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue$3.run(EventQueue.java:717)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue$3.run(EventQueue.java:711)
at java.base/java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)
at java.base/java.security.ProtectionDomain$JavaSecurityAccessImpl.doIntersectionPrivilege(ProtectionDomain.java:89)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEvent(EventQueue.java:734)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpOneEventForFilters(EventDispatchThread.java:199)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForFilter(EventDispatchThread.java:124)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEventsForHierarchy(EventDispatchThread.java:113)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:109)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.pumpEvents(EventDispatchThread.java:101)
at java.desktop/java.awt.EventDispatchThread.run(EventDispatchThread.java:90)
~$