Bible Word of the Day
Bottomless Pit (Abyss, Abysso, Abusso)
Meaning
This word comes from a classic Greek verb which means bottomless. In Hebrew the word is “tehom.” In the Bible the word refers to the world of the dead as well as a subterranean prison for demons or fallen angels. The term is most well-known for its use in the book of Revelation chapter nine, which speaks of an angel who was given the key to the “Bottomless Pit” or the “Abyss.” The Bible tells us this is a real place with real fallen angels. And the angel unlocked the entrance to this pit in order to allow the demons trapped there to access those living on the earth who have rejected Christ. The Bible also tells us this will happen during the Tribulation period. The Tribulation period is a time at the end of this age when God will pour out His wrath on sinful humanity. In other words, this is a time when God’s patience and long-suffering will come to an end. And God will punish all those alive on the earth who have rejected Jesus for the sins committed by humanity.
These demons are so severe and dangerous God has locked them up for an appointed time. We have to remember that the Tribulation period is seven years long and it’s the last half, or the last three and half years of that seven year period which is called the Great Tribulation. Jesus told us that God has made this time short, only three and half years, because if it were any longer no one would survive it. The Bible tells us that during the Great Tribulation the Abyss will be opened and these demons will pour forth and they are given the power to torment mankind for five months. We have to remember this will be a time when what we call the supernatural will be part of everyday life. And those who are stung will be unable to kill themselves to escape the pain.
“Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.” (Revelation 9:1-5)