What and Where is The Bottomless Pit?
There are many theories out there to what the bottomless pit is, and where it is located. In order to find out what the Bible says, we will need to better understand the Hebrew and Greek terms used to describe the bottomless pit, and we will need to clearly define the three Greek words used for hell in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament Scriptures). Thanks to Greek mythology, biblical translations of the word hell has been widely misunderstood. This can easily lead the reader into believing pagan doctrines, all while bringing more confusion to the contour of the earth. We will shortly answer three very important questions that are in complete relation to each other.
- What are the three Greek words translated as hell in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament Scriptures)?
- What are the Hebrew and Greek words used for abyss?
- What is the bottomless pit, and where is it located?
I was prompted to study this topic more deeply when I heard what some professed Christian preachers who teach both biblical cosmology (flat earth with a dome-like roof) and end-time prophesy were teaching about where Satan is bound during the thousand-year reign. Some have been led to believe that after Mashiach’s second coming, Satan is left to wander the surface of the desolate earth. This belief may have been influenced by the book Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith, a Seventh-Day Adventist. In the commentary for the book of Revelation chapter twenty, Uriah Smith explains his theory of how the bottomless pit is merely just the surface of a formless earth (the aftermath of the seven last plagues). The only way to uncover error is to examine it under the Word of Aluahim, so that’s exactly what we will do.
Before we get started, I need to point out that the word hell is a pagan word. It is neither Greek nor Hebrew, but rather is derived from the Germanic language. Originally “Hel” meant “to cover”. The word was also used to designate the deity of the Norse underworld (Niflheim) and daughter of Loki. The word hell is an improper translation and can and should be omitted from the definition of the word it is being used to describe. When the pagan word hell is read, it is automatically associated with Greek and Roman mythology and paganism. This has purposely led Bible readers into believing false doctrines concerning both the state of the dead and the character of the Aluahim of the Bible.
Thanks to the Roman Catholic church, much paganism has crept into biblical doctrine. Pagan dogma is rooted deeply within society and tradition has woven together with biblical theology. For instance, in Acts 12:4, the word Pascha which literally translates as Passover, is wrongfully translated in the King James Bible as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Passover. Passover is one of YAHUAH’S appointed times, while Easter is a pagan Babylonian tradition which gives worship to “the queen of heaven”. The pagan word hell is just one of many examples where paganism is entwined with the true religion of Mashiach.
Hades
The Greek word hades that is used to describe the place of the dead, is also a pagan word. Hades, meaning “the unseen one”, is the name of the Greek deity of the dead and king of the underworld, with which his name became synonymous. Interestingly, one of the symbols used to depict this pagan deity is the serpent. Hades is the first Greek word that is improperly translated as hell in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament).
This is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 86, hades (hah’-dace): grave, hell.
The Greek word hades is used by the Hebrew translators in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) similarly like the Hebrew word sheol in the Tanakh (Old Testament).
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines the Hebrew word Sheol (sheh-ole’) as: the grave, hell, pit.
The Hebrew word sheol and the Greek word hades are the terms used by the ancient Hebrews to describe the place where the dead are resting and awaiting resurrection, either unto everlasting life or eternal death. It is simply what we call, the grave.
The Dictionary defines grave as: a place of burial for a dead body, typically a hole dug in the ground and marked by a stone or mound.
Speaking about Yahushua, Peter says,
Acts 2:31: He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Mashiach, that His soul was not left in hell (hades; the grave), neither his flesh did see corruption.
Peter’s speech during Shabuot (Pentecost) was inspired by a prophesy written in the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures). This same verse is found in the book of Psalms. This same word used for hell in the Hebrew translation (Tanakh) is sheol. It reads as follows,
Psalms 16:10: For You will not leave my soul in hell (sheol; the grave); neither will You suffer Your holy one to see corruption.
These two verses written in both the Greek and the Hebrew are perfect examples of how these two words (hades and sheol) are used synonymously to describe the grave.
“Neither his flesh did see corruption”. Interestingly, the internal organs of a body begins to decompose 24-72 hours after dead. 3-5 days after death – the body starts to bloat and blood containing foam leaks from the mouth and nose. It is a well-known fact that Yahushua spent three days and three nights in the grave (hades in the Greek/sheol in the Hebrew). Peter tells us that his flesh did not see corruption. This verse is both figurative and literal. Mashiach never sinned, and therefore was never corrupted, but even in the grave his physical body did not fully decompose. Our heavenly Father resurrected Yahushua, hence Peter saying, “that his soul was not left in hell (the grave)”.
Speaking to John on the island of Patmos, Yahushua proclaims,
Revelation 1:18: I am he that lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of hell (hades: the grave) and of death.
Before we move on, it is essential for us to understand what it means in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) to have the keys to something. This reference to having the keys is used a few times concerning both hell and the bottomless pit.
This Greek word is Strong’s Concordance number 2807, kleis (klice): a key. Further definition in the Greek Lexicon says: since the keeper of the keys has the power to open and to shut, the word kleis is figuratively used in the New Testament to denote power and authority of various kinds.
Yahushua tells John that he has the keys of hell (the grave) and of death. He is simply telling John that he has the power and authority over the grave (through resurrection) and death (by overcoming sin). The death that Yahushua is referring to, is the second death. This death occurs after the thousand-year reign when the second resurrection occurs. This is the eternal death by the unquenchable lake of fire or as the Greek writers of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) use the term, Geenna.
For more information on the two resurrections and what happens after we die, please read the following article, What Happens After We Die?
Geenna
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 1067, geenna (ghe’-en-nah): Gehenna, hell. Of Hebrew origin (gay’ and Hinnom); valley of (the son of) Hinnon; ge-henna (or Ge-hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem [Yarushalam], used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment – hell [improperly translated].
Geenna is the second word wrongfully translated as hell in the Brit Chadashah (Greek New Testament). It is the punishment rewarded to all the unjust after they are resurrected. It is the “hell fire” as Yahushua calls it, or the “lake of fire” as John describes it, or “everlasting contempt” as Daniel puts it. All these are descriptions of geenna – the “second death”. John writes,
Revelation 21:8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Most everyone will have to die once in order to pay the debt for sin. Paul writes, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Aluahim is eternal life through Yahushua HaMashiach our Aluahim” (Romans 6:23). Thanks to the grace of our Aluahim who died the second death for us, that we may have another chance at living the life Aluahim originally intended. Only the unjust will take part in geenna – the second death. Daniel writes,
Daniel 12:2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
The ones who are resurrected to be cast into the lake of fire are the unjust or unrighteous. The ones who are resurrected to live an eternity with Aluahim are the just and righteous (refer to Acts 24:15). The definition of the just, is one whom keeps the Law (Torah) of Aluahim and walks in His statutes, and keeps His judgments (refer to Ezekiel 18:5-9). If we are not resurrected unto everlasting life (the first resurrection that occurs upon the return of Mashiach), then we are resurrected to be cast into the lake of fire (the second resurrection that occurs after the thousand-year reign). Many wicked people who live for the lusts of the flesh have been duped by the Devil into thinking that they can escape the second death, but Yahushua tells us,
Matthew 23:33: You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell (geenna)?
It can be easy to get caught up in the world and take our eyes off the One who can either grant us eternal life or reward us with eternal death. Walking with Aluahim is not easy and will take much sacrifice. Yahushua reminds us how important it is to keep Aluahim’s Law (Torah) both physically and mentally. He says,
Mark 9:47: And if your eye offends you, pluck it out: it is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of Aluahim with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire (geenna).
Luke 12:5: But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear Him, which after He has killed, has power to cast into hell (geenna); yes, I say unto you, Fear Him.
According to biblical truth, man must die for his sins. The place in which his dead body rests to await a resurrection is referred to as hades in the Greek, sheol in the Hebrew, or the grave (in modern English). Those who lived by faith and kept the commandments of Aluahim (the just), will take part in the first resurrection that occurs when Mashiach returns. These people will be granted eternal life, and will reign with Mashiach for a thousand years. Those who did not keep the commandments of Aluahim (the unjust), will take part in the second resurrection that occurs after the thousand-year reign. These people (the unjust) will be resurrected unto judgement and will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the “second death”, “everlasting contempt”, or geenna.
I must point out that it is a common yet pagan belief that geenna (sometimes translated as hell fire) is a place of eternal torture. This false theology crept into the pagan religion of Christianity by none other than the Harlot herself – the Roman Catholic church (the mother of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). The other half of this false doctrine is the belief that we are rewarded directly after death, with either eternal life in heaven or eternal torment in a place called hell. One of the verses to support this pagan doctrine is in the book of Revelation. Let’s take a look at it so we can shed light on the Truth.
Revelation 14:11: And the smoke of their torment ascended up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.
Before I break down this verse, it is important to share what the Bible says about the soul of the unrighteous sinner.
“The soul that sins, it shall die…” – Ezekiel 18:20
There is no such thing as a sinner that lives forever. Therefore, the unjust (or wicked) are not living forever in torment in a place called hell or geenna.
Now, let’s break down Revelation 14:11.
First, take note that the verse says it is the “smoke” of them that receive the mark of the beast that “ascends up forever and ever”. This implies that they are ashes. To bring more clarity to this doctrine, let’s read a few other supporting Scriptures from the Tanakh. The prophet Malachi tells us plainly, that the second death does not last for an eternity. He writes,
Malachi 4:1,3: For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yes, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says YAHUAH of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says YAHUAH of hosts.
Speaking about the reward of the just or righteous, the prophet writes,
Isaiah 61:3: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of YAHUAH, that He might be glorified.
Speaking about Satan’s inevitable demise, the prophets writes,
Ezekiel 28:18: You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore will I bring forth fire from your midst, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold you.
Notice that YAHUAH said that He will bring Satan to ashes upon the earth right in front of every unjust person that the Adversary deceived. This happens directly after the second resurrection in what the Bible refers to as the great judgment day. Aluahim used Sodom and Gomorrah as an example to what will happen to the unjust on judgement day. The prophet and apostle Peter reiterates the words of the Psalmist by writing,
2 Peter 2:6: And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live without Aluahim.
Just like the unjust were burned to ashes in Sodom and Gomorrah, they will once again be burned unto ashes during judgment day. It is common knowledge that no one can live in eternal fire, for at some point we become ashes. The prophet Isaiah supports this common sense by asking the rhetorical question,
Isaiah 33:14: …Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isaiah tells us that the only people who will not be burnt to ashes from the everlasting fire, are the righteous and just. He goes on to further describe the attributes of the righteous and just,
Isaiah 33:15: He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding the bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil.
Next, we need to understand what it means to “have no rest day nor night”. Paul tells us in the book of Hebrews what it means to live unrighteous (without Aluahim), and all while telling us the fate of those who choose this lifestyle,
Hebrews 3:11: So I swear in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living Aluahim. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
The apostle is merely reciting the wise words of the Psalmist,
Psalm 95:10-11: Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, it is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known My ways: unto whom I swear in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.
These verses are telling us that those who do not enter into Aluahim’s rest; have an “evil heart of unbelief”, “depart from the living Aluahim” by being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”, and therefore have not known the ways of Aluahim. This rest that the prophets are referring to, is none other than YAHUAH’S day of rest – the seventh day Sabbath, which lasts one-thousand years (the Millennial Sabbath). Our brother Paul speaks more about this rest in Hebrews 4:1-11. He writes, “Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:11). The unjust or unrighteous will not be granted this rest on YAHUAH’S day, which is the ultimate Sabbath for YAHUAH and His people. This particular Sabbath is well-known as the thousand-year reign, or the millennial Sabbath.
For a deeper study on “that rest” and the Millennial Sabbath, please read the article, The Thousand-Year Rest and Reign (Millennial Sabbath).
Another important fact to point out about the style of the Hebrew writers, is that they sometimes use the words “everlasting” and “forever”, but this does not mean that there is not an actual end. For instance, our brother Jude uses the word “everlasting”, when speaking about the wicked angels whom are in “chains under darkness”. This makes the reader think that these angels will be in chains forever, but then afterwards Jude tells us that it is until a certain time; judgment day. He writes,
Jude 1:6: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
By applying this theology to Revelation 14:11, it becomes obvious that the smoke of the unjust (those that receive the mark of the Beast) does not ascend up for an eternity, but will eventually end after they become ash. The “unquenchable fire”, and the “everlasting fire”, as the Bible puts it does not last an eternity. The “everlasting contempt, and “everlasting damnation”, as the Bible puts it, merely means that the wicked or unjust will perish forever and ever. Simply put, the unjust (or wicked) will die the ultimate death and never be resurrected again. There is not another chance for any of us. This current life is the only life we are given to either choose to live in the ways of our Creator or not.
Both wicked men and wicked angels (also called demons or devils) will be cast into the lake of fire, “And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…” (Revelation 20:10). “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). This is exactly what it sounds like. If our body is thrown into a burning fire, we will shortly die and eventually become ash. This is what the second death will be like. Some may take longer to die, while some will die instantly. But either way, the second death is quick and surely does not last for an eternity.
Our loving Creator whom sacrificed His son for us would never punish any of us in eternal fire (geenna) for a short lifespan of sins. This is another example of how the character of the Aluahim of the Bible has been distorted and wrongfully represented. Our Creator asks Ezekiel a rhetorical question,
Ezekiel 18:23: Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?
And at the end of the chapter, YAHUAH plainly says,
Ezekiel 18:32: For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies…
If Aluahim has no pleasure in seeing the wicked perish, then how could He watch them suffer forever and ever in fire?
Tartaroo
Aluahim has allowed many sinful angels to continue working for Satan in deceiving the human race, but He has incarcerated many other evil angels until the great day of judgment. This prison for the angels is called in the Greek, tartaroo – the deepest and darkest abyss. Tartaroo is the third word wrongfully translated as hell in the Greek New Testament.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 5020, tartaroo (tar-tar-o-o): cast into hell. From Tartaros (the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment – cast down to hell.
This word tartaroo is of special interest concerning the topic of the bottomless pit. This Greek word is used only one time in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). Our brother Peter tactfully writes this word instead of hades or geenna, to describe the prison that holds evil angels (also called demons or devils) until the day of judgment which occurs after the thousand-year reign. He writes,
2 Peter 2:4: For if Aluahim spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartaroo), and delivered them into chains of (gloomy) darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.
Earlier, we read what our brother Jude also explains to be a holding place or prison for the wicked angels. He writes,
Jude 1:6: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
From these two parallel verses, we gather that this place:
- is in “darkness”
- is “down” or beneath the surface of the earth
- is a prison hence the word “chains”
- is for wicked angels only “angels that sinned” and “angels which kept not their first estate”
- a type of death row, “to be reserved unto judgment” and “unto the judgment of the great day”
The Greek word tartaroo is used only once in Scripture, but the description of tartaroo is used multiple times throughout both the Tanakh and the Brit Chadashah. For instance, when Yahushua and his disciples came to the country of the Gergesenes, they met two men possessed with devils. Before Yahushua commanded the devils to come out of the men, the devils pleaded with the one they feared. Luke records,
Luke 8:31: And they (the devils) besought Him (Yahushua) that He would not command them to go out into the deep (abussos).
This Greek word abussos means both deep and abyss. The Hebrew equivalent is the word tehom, which also means both deep and abyss. This place where Yahushua was going to send the devils, was tartaroo, which is located in the abyss or the bottomless pit. Instead of sending these wicked angels to prison in the bottomless pit to await judgment, Yahushua allowed them to enter into a whole herd of pigs (an unclean animal). To learn more about this prison – tartaroo, we must further define both the Greek word abussos, and the Hebrew word tehom.
For another study about tartaroo, please read the article, Did Messiah Preach in the Underworld?
The Abyss
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 12, abussos (ab’-us-sos): boundless, bottomless, deep. From alpha (as a negative particle) and a variation of buthos; depthless, i.e. (specially) (infernal) “abyss” — deep, (bottomless) pit.
This Greek word abussos has multiple meanings but is often translated as deep, and bottomless pit. The word pit is often assumed after the word abussos when translated as bottomless, but there is one verse where John specifically uses two separate Greek words, both abussos (bottomless or deep) and phrear (pit or well), to make up the word bottomless pit – the place in which Peter calls tartaroo. Let’s read that verse now,
Revelation 9:1-2: And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless (abussos) pit (phrear). 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.
The Greek word used for pit is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 5421, phrear (freh’-ar): well, pit. Of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water of other purposes), i.e. A cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss (as a prison) – well, pit.
The Scriptures have used the word “star” a few times to depict an angel (refer to Revelation 9:1,11, 12:4, 22:16, Job 38:7). Whom John saw “fall from heaven unto the earth” was none other than Satan. Satan rebelled against the Creator and therefore was sentenced to leave heaven and dwell in earth. To my understanding, Satan’s fall (when iniquity was found in him) is separate from the time he was cast out of heaven. Satan was not the only one cast out of heaven, for he was able to deceive a third of the angels to join him in his battle against their Creator. John writes,
Revelation 12:7-9: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon; and the Dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
John further writes,
Revelation 12:4: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…
Yahushua prophesied Satan’s expulsion from heaven. He says,
Luke 10:18: … I beheld Satan, as lightning fall from heaven.
Concerning the fall of Satan, the Prophet Isaiah writes,
Isaiah 14:12: How are you fallen from heaven, O Helel (improperly rendered as Lucifer. See Lucifer), son of the morning (improperly rendered as star in some versions). How are you cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
Isaiah 14:15: Yet you shalt be brought down to hell (sheol: the grave), to the sides of the pit (bowr: cistern, well).
Isaiah uses the word sheol, but is clearly describing the abyss or bottomless pit. In the Tanakh (Old Testament), the word sheol is used to describe the grave and the abyss – the deepest darkest part of sheol. The direct Hebrew translation of this verse is:
Isaiah 14:15: Yet you shalt be brought down to the lowest depths of the pit.
The Hebrew word used for pit is Strong’s Concordance number 953, bowr (bore): a pit, cistern, well. This is the same definition as the Greek word phrear which is figuratively used as the pit or prison used for wicked angels (demons or devils).
We have gathered that the bottomless pit is undoubtedly somewhere deep beneath the earth, it is in complete darkness, and according to the definition of what a cistern or well is, it is either in or surrounded by water.
In Luke 8:31, when the devils begged Yahushua not to send them to the deep, the Greek word abussos was used. Notice the Hebrew equivalent to the word deep, which is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 8415, tehom (the-home’): deep, sea, abyss, confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, vain, vanity, waste. Or thom {the-home’}; (usually feminine) from huwm; an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean water-supply) – deep (place), depth.
In the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures), when this Hebrew word tehom (deep) is used, it is often in association to a vast amount of water underneath the earth. Let’s read the very first time this word is used in the Bible. Moses writes,
Genesis 1:2: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep (tehom). And the Spirit of Aluahim moved upon the face of the waters.
The second verse in the Bible gives us the location of the bottomless pit. It tells us that it is under the “face of the waters”. During the flood, we are told that the deep was broken up in order to pump the water from the pit unto the surface of the earth. We read,
Genesis 7:11: In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep (tehom) broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
There is water above, below, and surrounding the whole earth. The water above the earth is located above the firmament (hence why the sky is blue). The firmament was created to separates earth from heaven, and also to separate the water above the firmament from the water below the firmament (refer to Genesis 1:6-8). This is the water that poured out of “the windows of heaven”. There is water underneath us also, and this is “the fountains of the great deep”, which is below what we call, “the aquifers”. A fountain is a spring or source of water. During the flood, this water from the abyss was jetted up and out unto the surface of the earth. And there is evidence of these springs, except the world has been taught that they are called “craters”.
In the blessing to Joseph, Jacob gives an analogy to the heavens above, and the deep or abyss below, by using the physiology of a woman’s body. He says,
Genesis 49:25: Even by Aluahim of your father, who will help you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep (tehom) that lies under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.
Anatomically, a woman’s breasts are above the womb, as where heaven is above the deep. The breasts provide nourishment, as heaven is where our spiritual food comes from. During pregnancy, the baby is situated within the amniotic sac in the womb. This sack is both filled with water and surrounded by water. It has a lining or walls to restrain the fetus, and is completely dark. The womb represents the deep, or the abyss. By using this metaphor, Jacob gives us a more detailed blueprint of the bottomless pit that exists somewhere deep beneath the earth. Jacob’s blessing encompassed the entire composition of heaven and earth and not one part is left out. In the book of Job, we read,
Job 28:14: The depth (tehom) says, it is not in me: and the sea says, it is not with me.
Job 38:16: Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the search of the depth (tehom)?
Job tells us that the deep or abyss is something that holds space. By using the word “in”, implies that the abyss contains borders. This just provides more evidence that the bottomless pit is a structure that like a womb, and has space to hold living creatures or more specifically fallen angels. Concerning the scroll that no man can open except for the son of Aluahim, John records,
Revelation 5:3: And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Soon after, John sees every living creature worship Aluahim. He records,
Revelation 5:13: And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the lamb for ever and ever.
It is clear that Aluahim’s creation encompasses heaven, earth, and a place deep under the earth. This place is the bottomless pit. When speaking of the bottomless pit (abussos), John writes,
Revelation 11:7: And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless (abussos) pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Revelation 17:8: The beast that you saw was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit (abussos), 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.
The Apostle purposely uses the word “ascend”, indicating that the bottomless pit is that place “under the earth” that he mentioned earlier. He also uses the word “out”, revealing that the bottomless pit is an enclosed space. This is comparable to Job, when he wrote, “in” (refer to Job 28:14, 38:16), referring to the deep or abyss. The apostle Paul tells us the same thing, but by using the word “descend” instead. Telling us once again, that abussos, the bottomless pit, is below us. He writes,
Romans 10:6-7: But the righteousness which is of faith speak on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? Or, Who shall descend into the deep (abussos)?
Multiple writers describe this same exact place, the abyss, the deep, the bottomless pit, as a place deep beneath the earth, a prison for the devils, and also surrounded by water. The bottomless pit should be factored into the contour of the earth for it is an actual physical place deep beneath the earth.
The words used to describe the bottomless pit are:
- the bottomless pit (English)
- the abyss (English)
- the deep (English)
- tartaroo (Greek) – a prison within the bottomless pit
- abussos (Greek) – the deep abyss
- tehom (Hebrew) – the deep
- hell (pagan Old English)
The King of the Deep
Revelation 9:1-2: And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless (abussos) pit (phrear). 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.
Earlier, we discussed what it meant in the Brit Chadasah (New Testament Scriptures) to have the keys to something. It denotes possessing power and authority to that in which one has the keys to. We are told that Satan wants to be like the most-high (refer to Isaiah 14:13), so when Michael casted him out of heaven, Aluahim granted Satan exactly what he desired. Only, instead of being given authority in heaven, he was given kingship over the deep. Satan also has kingship over the earth. See, when man sinned against the Most-High, he forfeited his dominion over the earth unto Satan. Satan’s power and authority is everything under heaven; earth and the deep. This is why Satan was able to offer all the kingdoms of the world to Yahushua (refer to Matthew 4:8-9).
Revelation 9:11 elaborates on Revelation 9:1. Verse 1 tells us that a “star” fell from heaven, and was given a key. Verse 11 tells us that the “star” is an “angel”, and as we discussed earlier, having a key denotes kingship.
Revelation 9:11: And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon (meaning the destroyer), but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon (meaning the destroyer).
Strong’s Concordance says this about the Greek word Apolluon (Apollyon): The Destroying One. Cause to perish, be ruined – properly, “the destroyer” (from the Abyss), i.e. Satan.
Satan is the Destroyer, and “angel of the bottomless pit”. He is the king of this world and the leader of all the fallen angels. He currently possesses the keys (power and authority) to the bottomless pit, which is an actual location. Although, the bottomless pit figuratively represents spiritual darkness and eternal death, all in which Satan holds power and authority over. We can see this type of symbolic language in Revelation 9:2, as it is not literal smoke, but spiritual darkness that arises out of the pit. The sun in Revelation 9:2 represents spiritual light (Truth), and the smoke which came from Satan’s lair covers the light (Truth). This time period is often referred to as, the dark ages.
We have discovered that the bottomless pit is: somewhere deep beneath the earth, surrounded by water and is filled with water, and is completely dark. We also know that Satan is the king of this place, holds power and authority over it, and this is why the prophet Isaiah describes Satan as a sea creature. He writes,
Isaiah 27:1: In that day YAHUAH with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He shall slay the Dragon that is in the sea.
Take note, that when a prophet writes “in that day” or “in those days” they are usually speaking of either: the day when Yahushua returns, the day of judgment (exactly 1,000 years after Yahushua’s return), or when the saints are living forever in the new world. In this case, Isaiah is referring to the day of judgment – the day YAHUAH destroys Satan forever and ever.
The Hebrew word used in this verse to describe Satan is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance number 3882, leviathan (liv-yaw-thawn’): From lavah; a wreathed animal, i.e. A serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea- monster); figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Bab. – leviathan, mourning.
This word leviathan is used in Job 3:8, 41:1 and Psalm 104:26 to describe the crocodile, but in Psalm 74:14 and Isaiah 27:1 it is symbolically used in reference to Satan. It’s interesting that crocodiles (specifically the Saltwater and the Nile crocodile) have the strongest known bite force of the entire animal kingdom. Once they get a hold of their prey, it is nearly impossible to get out from its grip. They will shake their victim violently in means to kill. If they don’t succeed, then they drag it down to the depths of the water. How fitting of a metaphor for the most dangerous wicked angel ever created. Once Satan has a grip on our lives, it is nearly impossible to survive. He will shake us up and try to drag us down to the deep with him. Satan is the “dragon that is in the sea”, the “angel of the bottomless pit”, the king of the deep, the one who was given kingship over a place full of water and darkness.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance also associates the word leviathan (the Dragon) as a symbol of Bab. In the book of Ezekiel, we read of the river Kebar near Tel-abib, not modern Tel-aviv in the state of Israel, but in ancient Babylon where Ezekiel spent seven days observing the Hebrews (refer to Ezekiel 3:15). The definition of Kebar is: a river of Bab. This river was named after a pagan deity. A Wikipedia definition of Bab tells us that he is also Set (also known as Bab, Baba, or Seth), an ancient Egyptian deity. The occult writer tells us,
“… Hermes, the deity of wisdom, called also Thoth, Tat, Seth, Set, and Sat-an; and that he was, furthermore, when viewed under his bad aspect, Typhon, the Egyptian Satan, who was also Set.”
– Helen Petrovna Blavatsky, Isis unveiled, Vol 1: Science
Every single pagan deity, whether it be Baal, the queen of heaven whom has many names (such as Venus, Ashtoreth, and Istar), Molech, Dagon, Zeus, Adonis, Mercury, Jupiter, Ra, Isis, Horus, Hades, Poseidon, Ganesh, Vishnu, Baphomet, Allah, Jesus (not Yahushua the true Messiah), and along with the countless others, all point back to the original author of them all – Satan (the Adversary of YAHUAH and His children). In short, anyone who is not giving worship and glory to YAHUAH is worshiping the Evil One – the king of the bottomless pit.
Satan is the exact opposite of Aluahim. YAHUAH cannot lie, and while Satan is the father of lies. YAHUAH is the King of creation, life, and light, and while Satan is the king of destruction, death, and darkness. Satan’s number one objective is to bring as many people down to the pit with him, and by any and all means possible. Simply, Satan wants to destroy our souls.
Satan Imprisoned
Revelation 20:1-3: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit (abussos) 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.
I will begin by saying that there is some controversy to whom this angel is that strips Satan from the power and authority he has over the abyss, and sentences him to one thousand-years in tartaroo – the prison of the angels located in the abyss (abussos in the Greek and Tehom in the Hebrew). Some believe that in this scenario, Yahushua is acting High Priest, Satan is the scape goat, and so it is another angel that performs this task. I don’t have an answer to whom it is that chains up Satan, but that theory seems biblically sound. To my understanding there is only one angelic being who holds more power than Satan. This would be none other than Michael, the chief angel, and the only one who had the power to throw Satan out of heaven. The book of Daniel tells us that even the mighty angel Gabriel needed help from Michael in a battle. Daniel records the words of the messenger Gabriel. He writes,
Daniel 10:13: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Next, we read that this angel now has the key (power and authority) to the bottomless pit. This means that Satan no longer wields kingship over the abyss, the other fallen angels, nor anything under heaven. This verse only speaks about Satan, but it is safe to assume that all of his fallen angels (also called demons or devils) are cast into prison with him. When a king is captured, then all his subjects are considered defeated as well.
Before the framework of the earth was created, the deep (or abyss) was considered to be everything under heaven. Everything under heaven was darkness and water,
Genesis 1:2: And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep (tehom). And the Spirit of Aluahim moved upon the face of the water.
Some have falsely come to believe that the earth, after the seven last plagues, is once again formless and empty. Therefore, believing that the bottomless pit is once again everything under heaven or what we call earth. And because of this theory, I chose to perform this in-depth study in which has taught me a whole lot while revealing much Truth. So let’s break this down.
First, if earth is supposedly the bottomless pit after the seven last plagues, then John would have not written, “into the bottomless pit”. This clearly implies that Satan is being cast inside of a place, tartaroo – the prison for devils – in which we previously learned much about.
Second, we have uncovered that the bottomless pit (also known as the deep, the abyss, and tartaroo) is an actual place deep beneath the earth.
Third, nowhere in John’s revelation does it say that earth’s framework and borders are completely destroyed. The firmament is opened up for Yahushua to return, but is not completely destroyed. We know this because John is shown, “a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having harps of Aluahim” (Revelation 15:2). This sea of glass is the firmament which was created on day two. It is a solid structure that separates the waters that are above it from the waters that are below it. Also, there is still the presence of dry land, “rocks of mountains” as John puts it, and seas (that Aluahim created on day three), in which needs borders to encapsulate the seas. John writes,
Revelation 6:14-15: And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.
This passage tells us that the seven last plagues does not absolutely destroy everything on the earth (man, beast, and the earth), although every creature in the sea is destroyed by the second plague (refer to Revelation 16:3). It also tells us that even though the mountains and islands are moved out of their places, those who are terrified for their lives will try and hide from the face of Aluahim inside the mountains of the earth (or underground bunkers).
After the Mashiach returns, he will destroy the remnant of all the wicked who survived the seven last plagues and all the end-time catastrophes. Then, he will send Satan and all of his wicked angels to prison in the bottomless pit. Next, he will call his own from the grave (sheol/hades), and along with the saints who are still alive (refer to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to bring them to heaven for the millennial Sabbath (thousand-year reign). During the thousand-year reign with Mashiach in heaven (the millennial Sabbath), the earth is left desolate. The only living creature that may survive for a short time are the birds (refer to Revelation 19:17-21). The framework (firmament) and borders (ice wall and mountains) of this world will still exist, and therefore the earth is not formless and empty as it was before day two of creation.
During this thousand-year Sabbath, Satan and his angels are constrained by the power of Aluahim inside the abyss – deep beneath the earth. They are forced to keep YAHUAH’S Sabbath, but will be let free out of the abyss once this Sabbath day has ended. After the wicked are resurrected and Satan and his angels are freed, they will all-together stand before the throne of YAHUAH Aluahim. This is that great judgment, when all the unjust (man and angel alike) are cast into the lake of fire – geenna.
A New World
It is not until after the great judgment, that John sees a new heaven and a new earth. It is now, that the framework, firmament and borders of earth, is changed. John writes,
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea.
John is telling us that the firmament will no longer exist. See, “Aluahim called the firmament Heaven” (Genesis 1:8), and it was made to “divide the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament” (Genesis 1:7). And the waters under the firmament in which Aluahim gathered together was called seas (refer to Genesis 1:9-10).
In this new world, there will no longer be a firmament to separate man from his Creator or earth from heaven. Part of the Firmament “dissolved” as Peter puts it in 2 Peter 3:12, or “departed as a scroll” as John puts it in Revelation 6:14, when Yahushua returned before the Thousand-year reign. John further writes,
Revelation 21:3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of Aluahim is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Aluahim Himself shall be with them, and be their Aluahim.
Currently, Aluahim’s throne resides in the waters above the firmament. “Who lays the beams of His chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds His chariot: who walks upon the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104:3), writes the Psalmist. In the new world, Aluahim’s throne will still be situated in water. John writes, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of Aluahim and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).
John goes on to tell us that in this new world, “there was no more sea”. The Hebrew word used for deep and abyss, tehom, can also be translated as deep sea. We know that the abyss is located somewhere deep beneath the earth, and surrounded by sea water. We also know that since Satan and all his angels will be destroyed before the coming of this new world, that there will be no reason to have a prison for them. This means, that in this new world there is no more bottomless pit. The contour of earth will completely be changed, and the world in which we know now will be entirely different.
The firmament (creation day two) will be no more, and thus no separation of heaven and earth. There will be no more seas (creation day three), thus no need for a border to encapsulate the seas (i.e. ice wall). But there will still be fresh water. There will still be the sun and moon as time keepers (refer to Isaiah 66:23), but the light will come from the glory of Aluahim (creation day four). For John writes,
Revelation 21:23: The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it for the glory of Aluahim illuminated it.
Revelation 22:5: And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for YAHUAH Aluahim gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
If there will be no more sea, then there will be no more sea animals (creation day five). This does not necessarily mean that there will not be any fish in this new world, for there will be water. And lastly, man will be given a new body much like the angels (creation day six). Yahushua tells us,
Matthew 22:30: For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of Aluahim in heaven.
Although much will change, there are two constants that have always been, and will always be; Light and Law.
Light will always exist (creation day 1), because “…Aluahim is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Light was always in heaven, but did not come about in earth until Aluahim commanded it on the first day of creation. Also, Aluahim’s Law will forever be, including His holy Sabbath (creation day 7), “For the commandment is a lamp; and the Law is Light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).
John sees, that “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the Tree of Life, which bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). At the end of the vision, the main message throughout the Bible is repeated one final time. John clearly tells us, who it is that will have access to the Tree of Life, and thus live forever and ever in YAHUAH Aluahim’s Kingdom. We’re told,
Revelation 22:14: Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
