Revelation 9:1-3 (Angels; Authority And The Abyss)

In those days, (the great tribulation), you think it couldn’t get any worse than:

• 1/3 of trees and all the green grass burned up
• 1/3 of the world’s oceans turned to blood
• 1/3 of the sea creatures died and ships destroyed
• 1/3 of the world’s fresh water sources poisoned
• 1/3 of the sun, moon and stars darkened

Think again! Revelation (Chapter) 9:1-12 shows worse things yet to come. God reveals to us when “the fifth angel sounded” his trumpet: a bottomless pit will be opened somewhere on earth. Certain demons will be released to torment man for five months; led by a really super bad leader by the name of Abaddon (Hebrew) or Appolyon (Greek). And that’s just the first “woe!” But before we really get into the fullness of chapter 9, In this study, we will explore what the bottomless pit is, because there are some misunderstandings, opinions, ideas and speculative interpretations circulating the internet. (And we’ll start in,)

Revelation 9:1 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 pit.

A lot of people have tried to figure out who this fallen star is. I say “who,” because the Holy Bible gives us a gender of this star, “a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key.” We know according to the Scriptures, this “star” is not a ball of gas and light as astronomers teach all stars in the universe that we see every night, to be. The word “star” here is a metaphor, symbology or code for an “angel.” And not just any angel, but an unholy or demonic angel. And how we know this for certain is what this Scripture is telling us, “a star fall from heaven unto the earth.”

Stellar Bodies vs. Celestial Bodies

How do we know the word “star” here, is referring to an angel and not a star in the universe that’s part of the constellations? Besides a “star” having a gender, we see in the Scriptures also, that when God created the universe and the greater light (the sun) and the lesser light (the moon) and all the stars; and “set them in the firmament of the heaven” for light, to divide day and night, for signs (mentioned in Scriptures, not for divination), season, days and years (Genesis 1:14-19). He was only referring to everything we see in the night sky. But there are other Scriptures where stars are angels, better known as “celestial beings.”

 Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Notice, these stars are singing. How can a ball of gas and light sing? They don’t. So, these are none other than angelic celestial beings. That’s why angels are described in Revelation 1:16 as “stars” in the right hand of Jesus Christ. Which are the seven spirits mentioned in Revelation 1:4-20; Which is pointing to the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 2:18; 3:1; 3:7; 3:14). Even the Apostle Paul differentiates between celestial bodies (angels), terrestrial bodies (human beings and animals) and stars in the universe (what we call Stellar bodies),

1 Corinthians 15:39-41 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and bodies of terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one differeth from another star in glory.

Holy And Unholy Angels

There is a difference between the sun, moon, stars, and planets known as a Stellar body from angels known as a celestial body. So, this is how we know according to Scripture, what kind of “star” he saw. It’s not a stellar body which is a ball of gas and light. It’s a celestial being, an “angel.” And we also know according to Scriptures, there are holy and demonic angels.

Notice, in the beginning of this study, I mentioned this fallen star to be an unholy or demonic angel. How do we know this “star” (angel) is demonic or unholy? Revelation 9:1 tells us specifically, “a star fall from heaven unto the earth.” When holy angels of God appear, it never tells us, ‘a star fall, fell, or fallen.’ That description is only reserved for demonic angels who followed satan. Take for example:

Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

Revelation 10:1-3 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

This passage of Scripture tells us specifically that an angel came down from Heaven to earth, Not fallen or cast out of Heaven. This reveals to us that this specific angel is holy and was sent by God. This angel obeyed God to give the Apostle John a little book. 

But we also see in the Book of Revelation, When God refers to demonic angels, He refers to them as fallen or cast out of Heaven, meaning thrown out of Heaven. And the effect of being thrown out of Heaven is “fall”, “fell”, or “fallen.” And where do we get this concept from in Scripture?

You may have heard over the years, a story about how Lucifer rebelled against God, and was cast out of Heaven with a 3rd of all holy angels that followed Lucifer in his rebellion; and ended up on earth. Where we get that from specifically, is no other place than,

Revelation 12:3-4 & 7-9 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

(Notice first of all, “wonder in Heaven,” which is, “a great red dragon.” This dragon is none other than Lucifer, who was once a holy angel until iniquity was found in his heart (Ezekiel 28:13-17/Isaiah 14:12-15 the very descriptions about the devil; satan). All this originated from Heaven (the dwelling place of God) first.

“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:” The Holy Bible reveals in this passage of Scripture many revelations. But what we will be focusing on briefly is, “his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven” and “cast them to the earth:”

The number of fallen angels is a 3rd of all holy angels. We do not know the exact entire number of all holy angels that were created by God. Also notice the red dragon’s tail “drew the third part of the stars of heaven.” This word “drew” is specific. And there are a lot of meanings behind the word “draw,” depending on its usage.

“Drew” is obviously the past tense word for “draw.” Meaning God has revealed to us that this has already taken place in the past. One of the definitions of the word, Drew: ‘to allure; to entice; to persuade; or cause to follow.’ This gives us a picture, that Lucifer somehow caused the third of the holy angels to follow behind him. Most likely enticed them, allured them to follow him through lies and deception. Why? Because he is a liar and the father of all lies and liars as it is written,

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

This is how he “drew the third part of the stars of heaven.” he lured, enticed them with deception to follow him. Continuing with that thought, we also see in Revelation 12, the revealing of a war in Heaven and the dragon and a third of the stars were cast to the earth as it says, “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 deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

So, this is how the devil’s kingdom started? All angels were created by God Most High and Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3/Colossians 1:13-18); and they were all holy. Until the 3rd were cast out of Heaven because they followed satan long ago. And at that moment on, God changed the devils name from Lucifer (which means in Hebrew: ‘Angel of Light’) to satan (which means in Hebrew: ‘Enemy; Adversary.’). And ever since then, God has referred to demonic angels that have followed satan as “fallen!” This is how we know that this “star” in Revelation 9:1 is a demonic angel.

And he will be given the key to open the “Bottomless Pit”. Now of course, we do not know who this fallen angel is exactly. The Holy Bible does not give any clues pointing to satan as being this “fallen angel.” The reason why I bring this up, “fallen angel” can be any demonic angel of satan’s kingdom and not necessarily pointing to satan directly. Besides that, the identity of this particular unholy angel is not really important. What God is pointing out here, is not the cause, but rather the effect of the opening of the “Bottomless Pit.”

God Given Authority

Who gives this unholy angel the key to the Bottomless Pit? We know for sure through the Scriptures, that God has authority over all events mentioned in the Book of Revelation. God Most High; the Father of Jesus Christ, not only authorized the opening of the seal judgments (Revelation 5). He also authorizes in their appointed times, each trumpet blasts of each holy angel that was given a trumpet. So it is He alone that gives a fallen angel the key to the Bottomless Pit.

And this key is not a physical key per se. The word key symbolizes authority in the Scriptures. So God gave an unholy angel limited authority to open the “Bottomless Pit” and to do nothing else. This also shows us that God is not only in control of certain events and the timing of certain events all throughout human history, including the Book of Revelation. He is also in control of satan’s kingdom, including satan himself, the antichrist spirit and all demonic activity. He has them all on a leash.

And gives them certain restrictive liberty to do certain things and also has authority to stop them, according to God’s perfect will. It is also curious that He uses an unholy angel to open the Bottomless Pit. While He uses a holy angel to seal it with satan in it (Revelation 20:1-3). This is not the first time we see in Scriptures where God uses demon spirits to bring forth His judgments (Revelation 6:1-8, it is pointing to the horsemen of deception, war, inflation and Death).

What Is The Bottomless Pit?

What is the Bottomless Pit exactly? Some people have ignorantly claimed over the years, the Bottomless Pit is Hell. And even claimed to capture an audio recording of the screams and agony of tormented souls deep in a cave somewhere. But the “Bottomless Pit” is not Hell. Meaning the place of fire and torment, “where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched”  that Jesus Christ has taught (Mark 9:43-48).

Hell, the Lord has taught is Gehenna or Gehinnom. And the Bottomless Pit is not that place. In fact, satan and all unholy angels that God allowed to roam the earth (Job 1-2/Revelation 12:4 & 12) has never been to Gehenna, and never will. Because we see in Scripture, that when the devil and all his angels are judged, they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire not Hell (Gehenna). And like wise, people who are not found written in the Lambs Book of Life will also be thrown in the Lake of Fire after them (Revelation 20:11-15). The Lake of Fire is “Agam Ha’Eish” in Hebrew. And in the Greek, Limne-tou-pyros. And both translations mean the same thing, “a lake or pool of fire, burning with sulfur.

And we never see in Scripture that the devil and his angels are cast into Hell (Gehenna). But we have seen an eye witness account through Jesus Christ, the teachings of Hell (Gehenna), where the souls of the rebellious against God and His teachings, evil doers, hypocrites and sinners will go before they are cast into the Lake of Fire. Including those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord when they die will be also cast into Hell (Gehenna or Gehinnom) as well.

This is why the Lake of Fire is called the “second death.” Because the first death is Hell (Gehenna). And when death (the grave) and Hell (Gehenna) gives up the dead that were in them. They will face the final eternal judgment with God Most High, and be cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:13-14).” Scriptures where Jesus Christ teaches about Hell (Gehenna) being the place of fire and torment:

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.

Mark 9:43-47 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

But the “Bottomless Pit” are not those places meaning Hell (Gehenna) or the Lake of Fire (Agam Ha’Eish) either. It’s not even Sheol or Hades (abode of the dead, referring to the grave) where the souls of both sinners and the righteous who died went in the Old Testament days. It’s not a place where souls of the rebellious against God and against His teachings go. Nor is it a place for sinners, evil doers or hypocrites, including those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord, after death. It’s not a place where demons are tormented either. So what is the Abyss exactly? Why did God create such a place for really super bad demonic angels?

Remember what the Holy Spirit revealed through the Apostle Peter briefly about certain angels being locked away in chains and in darkness by God, reserved for judgment?

2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

That word for “Hell” in this passage of Scripture is the Greek word “Tartarus.” And that word was only used one time throughout the entire Holy Bible. And the specific use of this word is only reserved as a, “subterranean prison.” This word is not applied to human souls at all, like Gehenna (Hell) or Agam Ha’Eish (Lake of Fire) is. This word was not used as a metaphor or a physical description for Sheol or Hades either. It’s only reserved for the use of these certain angels who have sinned and became demonic angels… Bound in a dark, subterranean prison. And that’s what the Bottomless Pit is.

And oftentimes, people misunderstand and misinterpret this passage of Scripture to mean, ‘that God reserved these angels who have sinned, bound in chains, awaiting the judgment of God.’ But that interpretation is only half the story. They are not waiting for God to cast them into the Lake of Fire when all is said, done and fulfilled according to the Scriptures. And needed a temporary place to put them in the meantime.

They are actually waiting for God to release them, to be used for God’s judgment here on earth. And that’s what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter is revealing to us. And that’s what Revelation 9:1-12 is really showing us. The releasing of these really super bad demonic angels who are bound in chains, in this dark, subterranean, solitary confined prison.

And then, when everything is said, done and fulfilled according to all the Scriptures; in the final judgment, eventually, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire with the antichrist, the false prophet, satan, the rest of 3rd of all unholy angels who have sinned, along with the souls of all sinners whose names are not found in the Book of Life with the angel of Death.

And one last thing about the abyss, is there an entrance to it? According to Revelation 9:1-3, there is a physical entrance that will open the Bottomless Pit, “a star 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 upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”

There has never been an entrance to this “Bottomless Pit” found on earth anywhere. Scientists in Russia claim to have drilled deep into the earth but that’s not an entrance. The abyss is not some “transcendent spiritual dimension,” a sudden appearing “wormhole” or some science fiction “cosmic portal” that will open “magically” out of thin air by a demonic angel and out comes these locusts. It’s an actual real place, but there is no  “locked entrance” to it; as if a deep cave or well that is locked with a padlock as some speculative interpreters have written this entrance to be.

Instead, God gives this unholy angel authority, power to open the earth, like God had opened the earth in the days of Korah (Numbers 16:31-33). That’s why you cannot find a physical entrance to the abyss. And that is also why God has not revealed the exact location where this will take place. Because there isn’t one now, until the day where God will authorize the opening of the earth to access the abyss. And the abyss will open, when the fifth angel sounds his trumpet. And on that specific day that God only knows, is when He will give that unholy angel the authority to open it.