Have you ever wondered where the abyss is? Where exactly is this abyss? The Scriptures speak of it, but what exactly is it, and why does it exist? The abyss is not a myth or a tale designed to stir the imagination—it is real. While some readers of Revelation may interpret it symbolically, God has revealed the truth, and I will do my best to explain what He has made known.
We are not called to dwell endlessly on the unknown, yet understanding the abyss is part of discerning truth in a world filled with false prophets and ministers of Satan who spread deception. Your ultimate goal is salvation. Some rush to baptism out of fear, without true conversion. But baptism is holy and meant to be once for life. Though re-baptism may occur if one has fallen from faith, it is spiritually dangerous—a subject for another day.
For now, let us focus on the abyss. It first appears in Genesis, is referenced by prophets such as Isaiah, and later emerges in Revelation. Though its origin is not fully explained, God revealed its reality through His prophets. The abyss is closely tied to Satan’s rebellion. Before he turned against God, Satan and his angels were part of the countless hosts of heaven. We do not know when or how God’s heaven began, nor should we question it.
Throughout history, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, and philosophers have debated such mysteries, much like the Greeks who gathered in public plazas to argue their philosophies. Yet Scripture gives us glimpses of truth. Moses, in Genesis, described the abyss in these words:
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)
As revealed by God, the first war and rebellion, the first sin, began in Heaven. Sin appeared when Satan turned against God. Some have wrongly accused God of creating evil, but Scripture makes clear: God did not create evil. Rather, because He granted absolute freedom to His angels, sin mysteriously arose when Lucifer chose pride over obedience.
Lucifer, once the most radiant and beautiful of angels, held a special place as a cherub, a guardian shielding others from the consuming fire of God’s presence. But pride took root in him. He exalted himself above the other angels, boasting in his beauty and brightness. Convinced of his own strength, he believed he could rival God Himself. He accused God of being controlling, claiming there was no freedom under His rule. Yet Lucifer misunderstood the nature of God’s omnipotence and the consuming fire of His holiness.
This pride grew into rebellion. The angel, once radiant, became corrupted; his beauty turned to darkness. He spread deception among the angels, convincing them that God was a tyrant. One-third of heaven’s host believed his lies and joined his rebellion.
Scripture records what followed:
“War broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down, that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” (Revelation 12:7-8)
Lucifer, now called the serpent, was cast down in fury, along with the angels who followed him. They became corrupted spirits, stripped of their former glory. Though the battle was beyond human imagination, flashes of lightning, thunder, and spiritual conflict, God’s power prevailed. Satan and his angels were defeated and hurled to the earth.
As John wrote: “He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9)
The collapse of the ground gave rise to what we now call the black hole, which scientists observe as expanding in the heavens. Through this passage, God cast Satan and his angels into the abyss. In truth, the universe itself reflects this abyss: once a dark, empty void of desolation.
It is beyond human imagination to picture billions of angels falling together, one third of heaven’s host siding with Satan. For ages beyond counting, they have been bound in this abyss. Though details remain hidden, God revealed glimpses through His prophets. Scripture confirms that the abyss is their prison. As spirits, they were confined in darkness, unable to summon light. Satan’s limited power could not pierce the void. They drifted in emptiness, water, darkness, airless space, a vast limbo suspended in desolation.
Before God created the world, this abyss was formless and void. After countless ages, God devised His plan. His Spirit descended into the abyss, into the place of darkness. At first, Satan and his angels remained powerless, imprisoned. But when God visited, they witnessed His glory firsthand.
Scripture declares: “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3)
And there was light. Over six days, God shaped creation, earth and seas, stars and heavens, moon and sun, bringing beauty and order to the abyss. On the seventh day, He rested and blessed His work, establishing the Sabbath.
Thus, the abyss was transformed. What was once desolate became a living world, radiant with wonder and light. And Satan, with his fallen angels, watched it unfold, beholding with their own eyes the immeasurable power of God.
