The Bottomless Pit is neither Hades, nor Hell, nor Tartarus

There are nine references to the Bottomless Pit in the Bible, all in the New Testament. The Greek word for the Bottomless Pit is abussos from which we get the English *abyss*, and it is not the home of the dead (which is Sheol-Hades) but the abode of evil demonic spirits. It is translated as *the deep* in Luke 8:31 and Romans 10:7 (KJV), and it must have close proximity to Hades as implied in Rom 10:7. So “the bottomless pit” or “the deep” are correct interpretation of “the abyss”.

Strong's Concordance
abussos: boundless, bottomless
Original Word: ἄβυσσος, ου, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: abussos
Phonetic Spelling: (ab'-us-sos)
Definition: boundless, bottomless
Usage: the abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 12: ἄβυσσος
ἄβυσσος, in classic Greek an adjective, (ος, (from ὁβύσσος equivalent to βυθός), bottomless (so perhaps in Wis. 10:19), unbounded (πλοῦτος ἄβυσσος,Aeschylus, the Sept. (931) 950). in the Scriptures ἡἄβυσσος (the Sept. for תְּהום) namely, χώρα, the pit,the immeasurable depth, the abyss. Hence, of 'the deep' sea: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 7:11; Deuteronomy 8:7; Sir. 1:3 Sir. 16:18, etc.; of Orcus (a very deep gulf or chasm in the lowest parts of the earth: Psalm 70:20 ()ἐκ τῶν ἀβύσσων τῆς γῆς, Euripides, Phoen. 1632 (1605) ταρτάρου ἄβυσσα χάσματα, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 20, 5 [ET] ἀβύσσων ἀνεξιχνίαστακλίματα, ibid. 59, 3 [ET] ὁ ἐπιβλέπων ἐν ταῖςἀβύσσοις, of God; (Act. Thom.32ὁ τήν ἄβυσσον τοῦταρτάρου οἴκων, of the dragon)), both as the common receptacle of the dead, Romans 10:7, and especially as the abode of demons, Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1;Revelation 9:11; Revelation 11:7; Revelation 17:8;Revelation 20:1, 3.

There is no one in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna or Hell) at present, but there are demons in the Bottomless Pit, which will be loosed in the future to do great harm to human beings under judgment.

DEMONS DID NOT WANT TO BE SENT TO THE ABYSS
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep (the abyss). (Luke 8:30,31)

When Christ cast out the legion of demons from the Gadarene demoniac, they pleaded with Him not to cast them into the Bottomless Pit (where they would remain confined for a very long time). So they were sent into a herd of swine.

AN ARMY OF DEMONS WILL BE RELEASED FROM THE ABYSS
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star [angel] fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts [an army of demons -- as seen in Rev 9:4-10 -- appearing as a swarm of locusts] upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power... And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. (Rev 9:1-12)

Abaddon or Apollyon -- an evil angel -- has been identified as Satan, and he is the king of these demons, as well as the king of the countless evil spirits which are in the atmosphere (hence “the prince of the power of the air”). But God controls all evil spirits as well as Satan, and He sends an angel with the key of the Bottomless Pit to release a horde of demons unlike any such phenomenon before. They are sent to torment the unsaved (those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads). This will happen under the Fifth Trumpet judgment of Revelation.

THE ANTICHRIST WILL COME OUT OF THE ABYSS
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them... The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev 11:7; 17:8)

We have generally assumed that the Antichrist (also called the Beast in Revelation 13) is a man who is totally in Satan’s control and perhaps even possessed by Satan. But here we see that he is actually a demon who takes the form of a man and reigns as the Antichrist. It is he who orders the execution of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. And he has supernatural powers to appear and disappear – he “was, and is not, and yet is”.

SATAN WILL BE IMPRISONED IN THE ABYSS FOR 1000 YEARS
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison...(Rev 20:1-3,7)

There are thousands of Christians who either (a) refuse to take this literally or (b) mistakenly claim that Satan is presently bound in the Bottomless Pit. But the context makes it crystal clear that this happens just before the Millennium is established on earth, and after the Millennium, Satan is loosed again very temporarily.

What Christians need to understand is that Satan is on the loose right now but under the control of God. Therefore we are still in the Gospel Age or the Age of Grace during which people must hear the Gospel and be saved.

Luke 24: 19-31

“19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day (the Jews of Jesus’ day concluded that riches were the favor of God, and poverty was the curse of God; therefore, this illustration given by Christ ripped to shreds their false doctrine):

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus (many claim this is a Parable not to be taken literally; however, as it is to be noticed, Jesus uses names in this illustration, meaning that it’s not a Parable but actually, something that really happened; consequently, it is chilling indeed!), which was laid at his gate, full of sores (the rich man saw Lazarus constantly, but offered no help whatsoever; as stated, such concluded ones like Lazarus to be cursed of God, and to help such would be thwarting the Plan of God; how so much the Word of God is twisted by so many),

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table (probably means that this rich man felt very good with himself in even allowing “crumbs” to be given to this beggar): moreover the dogs came and licked his sores (proclaims the fact that this man was not only poverty stricken, but, as well, was sick; he would not fit the mold of the modern prosperity gospel, which, in fact, is no Gospel at all; but he definitely did fit God’s mold; we should consider all of this very carefully).

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died (more than likely, no one cared, but the Lord cared, as we shall see), and was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s bosom (Paradise; where all Believers went before the Cross; as well, Jesus also tells us here that whenever a Believer dies, his soul and spirit are escorted by Angels into the presence of God): the rich man also died, and was buried (no Angels carried him away, for he died eternally lost; him being rich did not carry any weight as it regards his soul’s Salvation);

23 And in Hell he lift up his eyes (Jesus here plainly proclaims the Doctrine of Eternal Hell; as well, He also proclaims the fact that the soul and the spirit immediately go to Heaven or Hell at the time of death, and that the soul and the spirit are totally conscious), being in torments (to say the least, Hell is not a pleasant place and, as stated, it is eternal), and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (all Believers before the Cross expressed faith in the Revelation given to Abraham by God as it regards Redemption and, in a sense, it is the same presently [Rom. 4:16]).

24 And he cried and said, father Abraham, have mercy on me (there are no unbelievers in Hell, nor is there any Salvation there; the rich man repented, but too late), and send Lazarus (he had no concern for Lazarus back on Earth, but his conscience now recalls many things, but too late), that he may dip the tip of his finger in water (evidently there is no water there), and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame (the Bible teaches that the fires of Hell are literal; Jesus said so!).

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things (in no way does it mean that this was the cause of him being lost; it merely means that he was treated very well, but showed no thankfulness for his blessings), and likewise Lazarus evil things (the rich man didn’t allow his blessings to bring him to the Lord, and Lazarus didn’t allow his poverty to keep him from the Lord): but now he is comforted (because he had accepted the Lord), and you are tormented (the word “now” is that which is all-important; it speaks of the time after death; will it be one of “comfort” or “torment”?).

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed (this is in the heart of the Earth [Mat. 12:40]; before the Cross, even though all who went to Paradise were comforted, they were still captives of Satan, with him hoping that ultimately he would get them over into the burning pit [Eph. 4:8-9]; this means that when Believers died before the Cross, due to the fact that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, the sin debt remained, and Satan still had a claim on them; so all those in Paradise were awaiting the Cross, which would deliver them): so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot (proclaims the fact that all opportunities for Salvation are on this side of the grave; this means that the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory is a “fool’s hope”; there is no such place); neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence (but yet it was possible for those in Hell to look over and see those in Paradise, and it seems to speak to them; that place, due to the Cross, is now empty, with all liberated by Christ after the price was paid [Eph. 4:8-9]).

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that you would send him (send Lazarus) to my father’s house (this is the only example of praying to a dead Saint in Scripture; let those who do so remember that prayer to all other dead Saints will avail just as much as this prayer did — nothing):

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them (these statements proclaim the fact that this man had a working knowledge of God and more than likely even professed Salvation before his death; but he wasn’t Saved!), lest they also come into this place of torment (he did not ask this grace for himself, for he knew that he was eternally entombed; it is easy to step into Hell, but impossible to step out).

29 Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them (doesn’t mean that this event happened during the time of Moses, but that Abraham is referring to the Word of God; this tells us that at least a part of the Old Testament had then been written).

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent (the Scriptures contain all that is necessary to Salvation; a returned spirit could add nothing to them; and a man who will not listen to the Bible would not listen to a multitude, if raised from the dead; in fact, a few days later, the Lord did raise a man named Lazarus from the grave, and the Pharisees went about to put him to death).


31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead (this illustration as given by Christ, actually happened and, in fact, presents a startling portrayal of life after death; we learn from this, and in stark reality, that the only thing that really matters in life is being right with God; there is a Heaven and there is a Hell, and every soul who has ever lived has gone or is going to one or the other; the only way to make Heaven one’s eternal Home is to accept Christ; He Alone is the Door; everything else leads one to Hell, exactly as the rich man found out, and to his eternal dismay)."

JSM

So the KJV got it wrong, nothing new here.

AZM

Great post! However, my understanding is that Satan is not the angel of the Abyss mentioned in Rev.9:14. Remember, the Abyss requires a key to open it here at the 5th trumpet, as well as to be locked up after Satan is thrown in. Since the angel of the Abyss is currently still in the Abyss, then he cannot come out until the sounding of the 5th trumpet when it is opened. And since we know that Satan is not currently restricted to the Abyss, then he cannot be that angel spoken of.

I submit that this angel (abaddon/apollyon) is another powerful fallen angel, also called "the beast" who is referred to as the one who once was, now is not and yet will come up out of the Abyss mentioned in Rev.11:7, 17:8, 11. He is that same angel/beast who will kill the two witnesses after possessing the antichrist. And is the same beast to whom Satan will give his power, throne and great authority to. This abaddon will be the power behind the antichrist.

Consider this: If the antichrist is represented by the opening of the first seal rider on the white horse and that angel/beast doesn't come up out of the Abyss until the sounding of the 5th trumpet, then how can they be the same beings?

God used many names as metptphor used in parables Abraham in respect to seed spiritual Christ means the father of many denominations (nations) not one nation. Israel another name God named used as a metaphor
every word has a meaning associated with it to include Lazarus. (God helps)

Without parables Christ spoke not. That parable comes as a series of parables. He is not trying to trick us by sneaking in a literal interpretation in the middle of a series of parables. .

The idea of People buried returning to the dust as their corrupted spirit returns to the father who gave it temporally .They are subject to the letter law that kills. They have no literal tongue or need for literal water . Water poured on bones simply dries up

The conclusion to the parable is men refuse to walk by faith looking to the unseen understanding. God sent his Son inclusion to the parable and they still believed not. (no faith)

Parables can be literally true as a historical parable the gospel message hid from the lost. The whole period of Kings in Israel(paganism) was used as a parable for the time present until the time of reformation. Two or three levels of understanding .Un-believers (no faith) have no need for encouragement from scripture . No need for a gospel thread woven throughout.

The way I understand it is that while Satan is the king of all the demons, he is not necessarily confined to the Bottomless Pit, and this passage does not say that he is actually confined. Ali it says is that he is their king. By extension, he is also the king of all the fallen angels from before the Flood, who are imprisoned in Tartarus, and they too are confined while he is still free. The rest of Scripture indicates that Lucifer/Satan in the only king or prince over all the evil angels, including those presently free in the heavens.

While most commentators agree with you, Scofield references 1 Peter 5:8 for the Destroyer:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The bottomless pit according to the signified understanding of Revelation simply mean no end .It is not a literal pit and neither is it a literal chain in that parable.. The keys in that parable represent the gospel.... it loosen and binds to show the will of God. Some say Peter is the key. What do you think the key represents?

Satan the accuser of the brethren will be deceiving men up to the last day when the letter of the law no longer has any effect. . The idea of the kingdom of God on this corrupted creation is not a biblical idea. Flesh and blood will not enter the new order.

The end will come on the last day. witnessed 6 times in the book of John. The last days began nearly two thousand literal years ago when the veil was rent an the time for reformation came. . Going on three thousand .

It also does not say that Satan is that angel called destroyer.

My point is that, a key is required to come and go in regards to the Abyss. Therefore, if Satan is that beast in the Abyss, then he would not have the ability to come and go as he pleases, but only when it is opened. If that was the case, what would be restricting him from coming back up out of the Abyss after he is locked in at the beginning of the thousand years.

With all due respect, it dose not state that abaddon is the king of all the fallen angels before the flood. That is conjecture. What it does say is that he is the king over those demonic beings who resemble locusts.

I see the angel of the Abyss as being another fallen angel working with Satan, who at one time was in the world (once was) and is no longer out in the world but is in the Abyss (now is not) and will come up out of the Abyss at the sounding of the 5th trumpet.

Just as there are ranks among the holy angels, so there are also ranks among the fallen angels. And I believe that this angel of the Abyss is another powerful fallen angel who is currently in the Abyss and will come out when that 5th trumpet is sounded.

Thank you! You are NOT blinded by your own nor others interpretation! I agree about it not being a parable but an actual event used to illustrate the truth! Heaven and help are NOT metaphorical places and reality will certainly be a rude awakening for some! Blessings 🙏🙏🙏

I think a key to properly understanding the "abyss" is to look at what verses which use this term all have in common.

...or maybe run a google search or check a dictionary.

For what will knowing it improve my quality of life.

It would look as though some are cherry picking (out of context) Parables are illustrations of truth

The gospel (Truth) has the power to loose and bind.

The conclusion of the fifth beginning with chapter 15 in a "series" of parables below.

Luke 16: 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead

The conclusion, Men have no faith, no ears needed to hear and therefore believe God. God teaching the disciples how to hear the spiritual understanding hid purposely in parables ….. which without parables...….. spoke not.

Therefore how can we hear God the previous series ended with Luke 14: 35.... leading up to chapter 16's parable

Luke 14: 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The parable in question comes in a series of parables. Why would God sneak in a what some call a literal interpretation. Unless they are attempting to make hell more than a living suffering that we suffer as a living death.

This shown with Jonas and the Son of man Jesus. (two witnesses working as one ) Comparable parables set aside for the purpose of defining hell . You could say the last sign as a wonder or source of faith using the things seen the temporal to give us the unseen understanding.. The wrath of God revealed from heaven a dying corrupted creation.

The suffering Christ went through as the father poured out the wrath (revealed from heaven) on the Son. Not a dead sacrifice.

When the demonstration was over like any other sacrifice the blood (used as a metaphor to represent Spirit ) was poured into the ground at the foot of the altar returning the spiritless dust it was formed of and the Spirit returned to the father..

If a person is not given a new incorruptible spirit they simply will not rise to new spirt life forever and ever more. God is not merciless to some he gave grace.

This is about Hades, not the Bottomless Pit.

What the the KJV get wrong, or are you posting simply to put down the KJV?

You continue to push the false doctrine that nothing in the Bible is literal and everything is a parable? So why do you even bother?

Do you realize that each time you post you may lead someone astray? Or do you think this is all one big cosmic joke?

I think you are misunderstanding what I said.

1. Satan is the king or prince or leader of all the evil angels which were cast out of Heaven (God's Heaven). My point is that there are not two kings of evil angels and demons, just one.

2. There are four sub-sets of evil angels in the Bible (1) the pre-Flood angels who procreated the Nephilim and are in prison, (2) the angels who remain free the air (atmosphere/stratosphere), (3) the demons who roam this earth, and (4) the demons confined in the Abyss.

3. Abaddon/Apollyon/the Destroyer is identified as (1) the angel of the Bottomless Pit and (2) the king of the demons in the Bottomless Pit.

4. Revelation 9 does not say that he is in the Bottomless Pit. It simply says that he is the angel of the Bottomless Pit as well as the king of those demons. Which goes back to the fact that Satan is king of all demons and evil angels.

Or study the Bible and pray.

For one thing, it's good to know where Jesus took us from.

Amen to that!