“The Abyss vs. The Angel of the Abyss vs. The Key of the Abyss”
Revelation 9:1 Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth, and the key to the bottomless pit was given to him.
Revelation 9:2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke rose from it like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the sky were darkened by it.
Revelation 11:7 After they had finished their testimony, the beast that came up out of the bottomless pit will fight against them, and overcome them and kill them.
Revelation 17:8 The beast you see was there before, but is not now; it will come up out of the bottomless pit and go to destruction. All who dwell on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life since the creation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was there before, is not now, but will be there.
Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
Revelation 20:3 They threw him into the bottomless pit, locked him up, and sealed him so that he would no longer deceive the nations, until the thousand years were over; after that, they must release him for a little while.
A. Main Comparison Table
|
Item |
The Abyss |
The Angel of the Abyss |
The Key of the Abyss |
|
Meaning |
The realm of death, Hades, and satanic darkness |
The leader who comes up from the abyss to execute destruction |
The authority to open and release the powers of the abyss |
|
Cause |
The accumulation of death and satanic power after the fall |
A satanic agent temporarily released in God’s economy |
Authority temporarily given by God for judgment |
|
Illustration |
A deep pit, the deep, a prison |
King of the demon-possessed locusts |
A key that opens a gate |
|
Function |
To imprison and contain dark powers |
To rule, destroy, and torment humanity |
To open the abyss and release judgment |
|
Explanation |
The dwelling place of demons, the source of the beast, and Satan’s future prison |
Named Abaddon/Apollyon, identified with Antichrist |
Given to Satan at the fifth trumpet, not permanently |
|
Purpose |
To manifest the power of death that Christ has overcome |
To carry out Satan’s final rebellion |
To fulfill God’s judicial plan |
|
Relationship |
The source and destination of dark powers |
Comes out of the abyss and rules its released forces |
Enables the abyss to be opened |
|
Examples |
Christ descended there after death and rose in resurrection (Rom. 10:7; Acts 2:24) |
The king of the locust army at the fifth trumpet |
Satan uses it after being cast to earth |
|
Application |
See that Christ has conquered death |
Discern the spirit and work of Antichrist |
Trust God’s absolute sovereignty |
|
Burden |
Proclaim Christ’s victory over death and Hades |
Warn against deception in the end times |
Encourage believers not to fear |
|
Prophesying Guide |
“Christ descended to the depths and rose in resurrection” |
“Antichrist is only a released instrument” |
“The key is still under God’s authority” |
|
Conclusion |
The abyss is defeated territory |
The angel of the abyss has only temporary power |
The key ultimately belongs to Christ |
|
Related Scriptures |
Rom. 10:7; Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:1–2; 11:7; 20:1–3; Eph. 4:9 |
Rev. 9:11; 11:7; 17:8 |
Rev. 9:1; 20:1 |
B. Spiritual Integrative Explanation (Summary)
- The abyss represents the deepest realm of death and darkness, yet it has already been conquered by Christ in resurrection.
- The angel of the abyss (Antichrist) is not the source of evil but a temporary outlet of satanic power.
- The key of the abyss proves that even Satan’s activity is limited by God’s sovereign permission.
C. Prophesying Summary (One Sentence)
The abyss reveals the depth of death, the angel of the abyss manifests ultimate rebellion, but the key of the abyss testifies that all darkness remains under God’s sovereign authority, and Christ has already triumphed in resurrection.
D. Spiritual Reminders for Believers
- Do not focus on disasters but on the resurrected Christ.
- Do not fear Antichrist’s power; the key is not in his hand.
- Stand on Christ’s victory and prophesy with assurance in the last days.
*Please refer to the 2025 Winter Training: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part Four), Chapter Two: Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades

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