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The Abyss

- Satan’s Prison for a Thousand Years -

compiled by Rachel Cory-Kuehl

February 11, 2022

Last Edit: July 25, 2024

Scripture is from the NKJV unless otherwise noted

THE BOTTOMLESS PIT

Revelation 20:1-3 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.”

In the Septuagint (an ancient translation from Hebrew to Greek) the word “abussos” (Strong’s #12 - meaning bottomless or boundless) was used to translate the Hebrew “bohuw” (#0922 - meaning emptiness, void or waste). See Genesis 1:2 & Jeremiah 4:23. The same Greek word “abussos” is translated as “bottomless pit” in Revelation 20:1-2 of our English Bible.

Satan is thrown into the abyss, the emptiness, the void, the waste. Point #1 is that the bohuw is not a great hole or pit in the ground. Point #2 is that both Jeremiah and Isaiah describe THE EARTH as bohuw - “without form and void,” after “the great day of the LORD.”

In Revelation 12:7-9, Satan and his angels were “cast to the earth” after a war in the heavenly realm. He is presently “the god of this world” (2Cor 4:4). He presently still holds dominion (Heb 2:8). I think it fitting that he and his angels, will spend a thousand years on this dark planet, after the last plagues have destroyed all life here. Perhaps this earth will be circling a black hole. The prophecies do say “the earth will be moved out of its place” (Isa 13:13). Satan will be bound by those circumstances which he caused. The redeemed will be living in the New Jerusalem with Christ, within the heavenly realm.

SIDE NOTE: I think it doubtful that Satan was “cast to the earth” prior to his murder of God’s incarnate Son. At the time of Job, he attended the heavenly council meeting (Job 1:6). John the Revelator in a vision, “heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” (Rev 12:10). Satan is of course, “the accuser.” The name “ha satan,” means “accuser” or “one who opposes” (Zec 3:1-2). After the dragon was “cast to the earth,” he then “persecuted the woman” (Israel) who “gave birth to the male Child.” He then continues to “make war with her off-spring” “who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 12:17). It appears that Satan was “cast to the earth” shortly after Christ returned to the heavenly realm.

WITHOUT FORM, AND VOID

            In a vision, Jeremiah was shown the earth after “the great Day of the LORD.”

Jeremiah 4:23-26 “I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light. 24 I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth. 25 I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. 26 I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down at the presence of the LORD, by His fierce anger.”

“It was without form, and void.” The Hebrew words are those of Genesis 1:1, describing the earth as a formless watery blob, before God created anything. The New International Version says “it was formless and empty.” Both Jeremiah 4 and Genesis 1, use the word “bohuw.”

The New Jerusalem Bible renders the passage, “I looked to the earth -- it was a formless waste; to the heavens, and their light had gone. 24 I looked to the mountains -- they were quaking and all the hills rocking to and fro. 25 I looked -- there was no one at all, the very birds of heaven had all fled. 26 I looked -- the fruitful land was a desert, all its towns in ruins before Yahweh, before his burning anger” (Jeremiah 4:23-26).

I know someone will tell me that this is describing only the destruction of Judea by the Babylonians. I can agree. But must also disagree. I believe the destruction of Jerusalem in 586BC, was a TYPE of the final destruction - the destruction of the whole earth by the trumpet warning judgments and the final bowls of wrath - the last plagues. The Babylonians did not kill or remove every man from Judea (much less all the birds). They left the poorer classes to farm the land, so that it would not become a wilderness. And the Judeans of 586 were not slain by the presence of Yehovah. They were killed or deported, by the Babylonians.

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

ISAIAH DETAILS THE DESTRUCTION

Isaiah Chapter 34

34:3 “Also their slain shall be thrown out; Their stench shall rise from their corpses, And the mountains shall be melted with their blood.”

34:4 “All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll (See Hebrews 1:10-12). All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” (See Revelation 6:14.)

Isaiah is describing something as seen from the earth’s surface. The prophet confirms this planet will be knocked “out of its place” (perhaps out of its orbit) (Isa 13:13, Isa 24:18-20). The rapid movement of the earth through space, could make the stars appear to “fall.”

34:8-10 “For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Its streams shall be turned into pitch, And its dust into brimstone; Its land shall become burning pitch.

It shall not be quenched night or day; Its smoke shall ascend forever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste; No one shall pass through it forever and ever.” (See also Revelation 14:10-11 & Revelation 19:3.)

Isaiah is detailing the coming destruction of “Edom” (the kingdom of Esau’s descendants, v.5-6). The LORD calls them “the people of My curse.” But the “land of Edom” is not still burning today. The ancient destruction of Edom by the Babylonians was the TYPE. The rest of the passage tells us that this prophecy concerns the whole earth -burned with unquenchable fire.

The word “forever” in verse 10, is translated from the Hebrew ‘owlam (or o‘olam #05769) meaning a future of uncertain and very long duration. We know that the New Jerusalem will ultimately cover over “the land” area” that was inhabited anciently by Esau’s descendants.

34:11 “He shall stretch out over it the line of confusion [meaning ‘without form’] and the stones of emptiness” [meaning ‘void’ ].

         Once again we have “without form and void,” just as in Jeremiah 4:23-26.

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

I believe that events connected with Christ’s return will fulfill the ancient Day of Atonement prophecy. This “day” was one of the seven “appointed times” (moed) observed by all Israelite males, as commanded by Yahweh.

Leviticus 16:21-22 On that day, two goats were brought to the Tabernacle. Lots were cast over the two goats. The goat chosen as “the Lord’s goat” was sacrificed as a “sin offering” “for the people.” This sacrifice was to “make atonement” for “all the congregation of Israel.” Its blood was sprinkled over the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Its blood was also sprinkled in the first apartment, and then poured at the base of the Alter in the Courtyard.

After all of this was done - the High Priest was to confess over the head of the other goat - “the scapegoat” (or Azazel goat) “all the iniquities of the Children of Israel and all their transgressions.” “The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; . . .” (Lev 16:21-22).

The scapegoat was left alive. It was taken to an “uninhabited place” (Strong’s #4057 - a wilderness area) and released.

Are you connecting the dots? The sins of God’s people were confessed over the head of the “LORD’s goat,” which was then killed. The LORD’s goat represented Yeshua Messiah. “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Psalm 53:6). The Father “made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us” (2Co 5:21). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us –” (Gal 3:13 NRS). By His death we are reconciled to the Father (Rom 5:10). The word translated as “atonement,” means “reconciliation.” The Day of Atonements is the Day of Reconciliation.

After the sacrifice of the LORD’s goat, and after the he had completed the rituals inside the Tabernacle, the High Priest would then EXIT the Tabernacle. He would then confess again “the iniquities of the Children of Israel,” This time over the head of the scapegoat.

      The timing is very important!

The confessed sins of Israel were not put upon the scapegoat until the work of the High Priest was finished inside the Tabernacle.

In the fulfilment of this symbolic prophecy, Satan will not be condemned and banished until the special Day of Atonement work of Christ - our High Priest in Heaven, is finished.

The Tabernacle tent was a COPY, or representation, of “heaven itself.” The Levite priests served “the copy” (Heb 8:5). Any rituals performed by the Levite priests within the Tabernacle tent, represented or symbolized the work of Christ in Heaven.

The Tabernacle was partitioned on the inside, by a veil or curtain. Not to portray Heaven as divided into two rooms, but to portray TWO important works of Christ as “the Son of Man” in Heaven itself. First: His work as our advocate and High Priest before the Father. Second: His special “work” on the coming Day of Atonement. His first work has continued uninterrupted since He was installed as High Priest over the House of God, at Pentecost following His resurrection. His coming appearance before the Court of Heaven, to receive the “dominion” of the earth - will fulfill the work of the “second apartment” - the Most Holy Place (See Dan 7:9-14). The record of His perfect obedience “unto death,” symbolized as “His blood,” serves to justify both works.

NOTE: The author of the Letter to the Hebrews states clearly, “We do not yet see all things put under Him” (Heb 2:8).

In the Tabernacle prophecy, the scapegoat was not killed. It’s blood was not used for anything! It was banished to “the uninhabited place.” It would “bear” or “carry,” the confessed sins of God’s people away from the camp of Israel. In the fulfilment, Satan will be cast into the “without form and void” (the uninhabited place), by Christ the “fit man.” Satan was/and is, the instigator of all the sins. He is the deceiver. He should be condemned as the guilty one.

“The LORD’s goat” symbolized Yeshua Messiah - the perfect “lamb of God, who was “made to be sin” for us. The High Priest symbolized Yeshua. And the “fit man” symbolized Yeshua, who will soon banish Satan (the scapegoat) to “the uninhabited place.”

            HOW CAN SATAN “BEAR” OUR SINS?

Some object to the above interpretation, wondering how Satan could ever be said to “bear upon himself” all the iniquities of Israel (Lev 16:22).

Answer: It is possible to separate punishment from guilt (responsibility). As for instance, when an innocent person goes to prison for another’s crime.

Yeshua Messiah was the innocent victim. He “knew no sin.” He suffered punishment death (separation from the Father and physical death by torture) because He had taken for Himself something that was “cursed.” (Humanity was “cursed” - condemned to destruction, because of their sins.)

According to the Torah, any Israelite who took for himself, something the LORD had declared “cursed,” brought that curse upon himself. (See our study: “Cursed.”) The story of King Saul and that of Achen, are examples of individuals who brought a curse upon themselves in this manner.

Yeshua claimed fallen human beings for Himself. They were “cursed” because of their sin - “doomed to destruction.” In so doing, He brought their curse upon Himself. But Satan is the guilty one. He was the instigator. He tempted and deceived. He murdered Christ. “He was a murderer” and a liar “from the beginning” (John 8:44).

            Christ was punished, but Satan was responsible (guilty).

It is right and just that the heavenly “court” should assign the blame (responsibility/guilt) where it belongs. Just as Cain (the first murderer) was “driven out” (Gen 4:11-15), so Satan will be banished, to the “uninhabited place” (the “without form and void”).

Cain cried out, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Gen 4:13). The Scripture speaks of bearing responsibility, bearing guilt, bearing iniquity, bearing sin, and bearing punishment (Num Cpt 18, Lev 5:1, Lev 5:17-18, Lev 16:22, Num 9:13). It is not difficult I think, to see that Yeshua Messiah could “bear” the punishment, and then Satan could later be judged and banished, forced to “bear” the guilt.

The Son of God was “without sin.” As the perfect “lamb of God,” He carried our “curse” to the cross. He was “cursed” because He claimed us for Himself. Since then, the record of that full punishment has been “sprinkled” before the Father and before the Council of Heaven.

I contend that Messiah Yeshua is NOT still bearing our curse. Not after full payment was made.

            All Heaven now knows who the guilty party is. They, with us, are waiting for final justice.

The Court of Heaven will rule, taking dominion of the earth from Satan, and giving it to the Son of Man (Daniel 7:14). Yeshua will immediately fight with Satan to reclaim physical possession of this earth. He will return in glory to rescue His “bride.” His angels will then unleash the last plagues which will destroy the earth, leaving Satan confined to “the uninhabited place.”

Some object to this interpretation of Daniel Chapters 7 and 8, saying that Christ went before the Court of Heaven immediately upon His ascension. I agree. He ascended, and His death was accepted. He then was installed as High Priest over the House of God. He “sits at the right hand of God.” This does NOT preclude another appearance before the “court” of Heaven.

Daniel Chapter 7 describes events taking place on the earth at the time of the heavenly ruling. The Little Horn on the Terrible Beast, has pushed up three of the ten horns. He is speaking pompous words against the Most High. He is making “war against the saints,” right up to that judgment by the Heavenly Court - right up to the time for the saints to possess the kingdom (verse 7:22, 26, 27). This timed prophecy parallels that of the Revelation (Rev 13:5). These are the final events of this age!

The Spring Feast prophecies were all fulfilled, day for day, even hour for hour - all within one Feast cycle. Why would we expect the Fall moed (“appointed times”) to be fulfilled in a different manner? The Day of Atonement was ONE DAY. It was a prophecy of judgment day. The glorious return of King Yeshua, will be that judgment day. Daniel 12:2-3 describes the resurrection of BOTH righteous and wicked on that day.

At the “last Trumpet” (Rev 11:15). King Yeshua will rescue His “bride” (redeemed Israel), to remove her from the judgment destruction about to be unleashed. She will “go with Him” to the place He has prepared for her in the “Father’s House” (Jn 14:2). John saw the victorious redeemed “standing on the sea of glass,” which is before the throne of God in Heaven (Rev 4:6). Notice! This is in the context of the “seven last plagues.” Don’t tell me that the redeemed are never taken to Heaven. They absolutely are! And the context absolutely is last days!

Paul spoke of “our gathering together to Him” (2Thess 2:1-8). Yeshua said the angels will “gather together His elect” (Matt 24:31). One will be “taken,” while another would be “left”for scavengers, or “burned” like “chaff” after the “harvest” is “gathered” (Matt 3:12, 2Pet 3:10, Jer 8:2, Jer 16:4-6, Jer 25:33 ). Yeshua asked His Father for “those you have given me to be with me where I am (Jn 17:24 NET). And where was He going to be? That’s right. In Heaven with His Father (Jn 16:16-17).

John 16:28 “Now I leave the world and go back to the Father.”

      (Compare John 16:16-17, John 7:62, John 7:33 and Acts 3:21.)

John 14:2 “I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 13:33, 36-37 “I’m going away,” Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot come.” “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow Me afterward.” “Why can’t I follow you now Lord?” Peter asked. Then Jesus explained about the Father’s house.

Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Revelation 15:1 “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.”

On earth, the 7 last plagues are unleashed, while the redeemed “stand before the judgment seat of Christ” to receive their rewards (Rom 14:10, 2Cor 5:10). The Day of Atonement will be our wedding day!

ONE DAY WITH THE LORD

2Peter 3:8 “With the LORD one day is as a thousand years,

                                                    and a thousand years is as a day.”

I believe the “bride” of Christ will spend ONE DAY with her Beloved, in “the place” he has prepared for her, “in the Father’s House.” There is “no night” there (Rev 21:25). A thousand years will pass on the earth, during which Satan will be confined to the lifeless earth.

1. Yeshua Messiah will go before the Court of Heaven, just as the High Priest of Israel entered the Most Holy Place to appear before the LORD.

2. Satan will be judged by the Court of Heaven. His stolen dominion will be legally taken from him, and given to “the Son of Man.” Yeshua Messiah will banish the scapegoat to the “uninhabited place” as the last plagues destroy all life on planet earth.

3. Anyone who did not “humble himself” before Yahweh, on this DAY, would be “cut off” from Israel, in the sight of God. Those who are “cut off” will be left on the earth.

4. Christ will “gather” His bride (Israel redeemed) and remove her from the unfolding destruction. The rest of humanity will be “consumed instantly by the glory of God,” or “left” to destruction by the last plagues.

Yom Kippur will be a “day” of judgment, but it will also be the Day of Reconciliations. (That is what the word “kaphar” means - the word translated as “atonement.”) During this “day” we will live and reign with Him, over and within the New Jerusalem. During this “day,” the marriage of the Lamb will be consummated. He will fill us completely with His spirit.

In Ancient Galilean marriage custom, the consummation came BEFORE the wedding feast. The virgin state of the bride had to be confirmed, before the wedding feast could begin.

At the end of our wedding “day” with King Yeshua, we will return to the earth, where a thousand years will have passed. Satan has been living in isolation, confined to the earth with no humans alive to deceive or tempt.

Ahead of our return, Yeshua will restore the earth to life. Back on the earth, we will begin to rebuild, within “the land promised.” We will build Ezekiel’s Temple. We will plant gardens and vineyards. And of course, “the rest of the dead” will be resurrected to continue their lives. A vast multitude will constitute “nations in the four corners of the earth.”

NOTE: Remember, the land promised to Abraham’s Seed, encompassed a much greater area than the land presently occupied by the State of Israel.

We will go out to those nations, as “sign posts” directing them to King Yeshua (Isa 66:18-21). We will serve as “priests” to teach and govern them. We will invite them to the “wedding feast.” It’s called Sakkot - The Feast of Tabernacles. This was the only Feast of the LORD, to which “the Gentiles” were invited. (See our studies: “A Kingdom of Priests” and “The 8^th Day - Messiah’s Reign and The Rest of the Dead,” and “When will Messiah Reign?”)

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Revelation 5:9-10 [The 24 Elders sing.] “For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made [are making] us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”

Zechariah 14:16-19 “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. 17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.” (NIV)

Just as soon as “the rest” are resurrected, Satan will be “released.” He will have human beings to deceive. He will finally gather the rebellious into a great army - “Gog and Magog” (Rev 20:7-9). See our study: “Gog and Magog - Final War.”

SATAN WILL BE RELEASED

Revelation 20:2-3 “He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.”

Revelation 20:7-8 “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.”

QUESTION: If the fate of all mankind (saved or lost) is forever decided at the Glorious Return, why allow Satan to “deceive” once again?

ANSWER: Very simply, there will be millions (perhaps billions) who have yet to choose. They lived and died in ignorance of the True God and His Son. They will not “live again” until the 8^th millennium (Rev 20:5). Satan demands the right to test each son or daughter of Adam. God’s justice requires that all be tested.

A thousand years after the Glorious Return, “the rest” will be resurrected to continued physical life. They will learn of God the Father, and of His Son. At the same time, Satan will seek to deceive and to tempt. Actions will betray true heart motives. The rebellious will finally be judged by their actions. Satan will provoke a great rebellion, and during that final Battle of God and Magog, they will be consumed by “fire from heaven.” Satan himself will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever and ever.

            Cast out of Heaven - Cast to the earth

                                    Cast into the Abyss - Cast into the Lake of Fire

We pray this study will prove a blessing.

Prophecy Viewpoint

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