Question
I would like more information about the Pit in the earth and the 12 compartments in the second heaven.
Response
First of all, my understanding is that “the pit” is the basic description of the fact that there is a shaft-like cavity that descends into the earth, just like the word “pit” is used to describe a hole or cavity going deep into the ground, or the shaft of some excavation leading into the earth. This shaft-like cavity descends into the earth and right into the heart of the earth. In connection with this, it is described as “the bottomless pit,” having no visible or detectable bottom, nor designated or specified depth. Instead it is simply designated as being exceedingly deep and descending into the earth without a fathomable bottom. Being “the pit” that it is, as it descends into the heart of the earth it leads to the various places, parts, (and/or as I often refer to them as) compartments that exist in the heart of the earth. The expression “lower parts of the earth” indicates to me that there are a plurality of literal “parts” or compartments to descend into in the earth, and this is further substantiated to me by the fact that there are separate and distinct designations for these separate places or “parts” in the heart of the earth. Hence the two particular compartments of “hell” referred to by the Lord in Luke 16 are literal compartments, possessing the features which the Lord describes. I also understand, (as I think I presented in The Battle on The Cross series), that there is an actual main opening or “mouth” to “the pit,” and that it is located under the Red Sea. In addition, it is also my understanding that all of the compartments in the heart of the earth to which “the pit” leads, are compartments of confinement. All of them are designed to confine and hold on to occupants. Hence the various references, both general and specific, to “bars,” “prison,” “gates,” “keys,” “chains,” etc., in connection with the pit and its compartments.
With respect to these “bars,” “gates,” “keys,” “chains,” and the like that belong to these compartments in the heart of the earth, it is also my understanding that they are literal. Now in saying this, this does not necessarily have to mean that they are constructed of the same physical materials that we ourselves use to construct “bars,” “gates,” “keys,” “chains,” and the like, here on the earth. But neither does it deny that they very well could be the situation. All I am saying is that I am given to understand by these specific words that these very things exist; i.e. that they are as real and effective in their function in the heart of the earth as I think of them to be here on the earth. And they effectually produce the confinement that they are designed to produce for the occupants that are subject to them in the various compartments in the heart of the earth. Now I readily admit that I do not fully understand all of the mechanics pertaining to the issue of how either angelic beings, or the souls of men, can be restrained, or confined, in these literal places in the heart of the earth. So I cannot describe in exacting detail just how the mechanics of confinement work, etc. But I know from what the verses say that it is real; that it takes place. (Howbeit I do know, for example, from the reality of my own makeup that a physical, material entity can both contain and retain a spiritual, immaterial entity. For this is just what my physical body is doing right now to my own soul and spirit. My soul and spirit is not free, so to speak, to leave my body until death occurs. Not only that, but in view of what Paul teaches us about the changes that will take place at our rapture/resurrection, our present bodies are “natural” bodies and not “spiritual” ones. Hence our present bodies specifically respond to our souls and not to our spirits. Therefore, it is even possible for a material entity like our physical bodies to affect an immaterial entity (like our soul) different from how it affects another immaterial entity (like our spirit). However, again, I cannot say that I know the precise details of how this is so. Nonetheless the words God uses to describe it testify to me that it is so.) Therefore, I know that angelic beings and the souls of men can be confined, restrained, imprisoned, and the like, and that it can occur in physical, material places, and even by physical, material means.
With respect to what happens to unsaved people upon their death: they experience “the sting” of death as their soul/spirit descends into hell, into the very same compartment of it where the rich Pharisee of Luke 16 is, and where they begin to experience the pain of the judicial judgment for their sins, as the debt and penalty of it (the payment for which the Lord Jesus Christ made for them and could have been applied to them had they believed “the gospel of Christ”) begins to be exacted upon them.
Regarding “the keys of hell and of death,” my understanding is that these are literal keys that lock and unlock the “gates of death” (which are probably at the opening of the pit) and the compartment of “hell” itself located down the descent of the pit and in the heart of the earth. My understanding is that these are not the only keys associated with the pit and the “lower parts of the earth,” but they are the ones which pertain to man and to the compartments of the pit with which men have to do. For example, there is undoubtedly a key that pertains to the compartment of hell which is the “prison” of the angels that sinned in Noah’s day, as referred to by Peter and Jude. Satan as “the prince of the world” and as the one who had “the power of death” before the battle on the cross etc., would not have possessed the key to this “prison” of the those angels. Just like he himself does not possess the key to the particular compartment of the pit that will be the place of his own incarceration for the 1000 years described in Revelation 20. That particular compartment is also a compartment of hell, but according to Isaiah 14 he will be brought down “to the sides of the pit” when he is confined there. Since the word “sides” is often used to refer to the lowest recesses or farther recesses of some large place like a cave, ship, etc., this particular compartment is probably the one at the furthest recess of the pit. Hence the emphasis upon “the bottomless pit” in Revelation 20 in describing the time of Satan’s incarceration. So there are more keys to the pit and its compartments than “the keys of hell and of death.” But these particular ones are the keys that specifically concern man, which Satan held until the battle on the cross.
You also asked me to give you some more information on my understanding regarding there being 12 compartments/zones to the basic structure and/or make up to the heavenly places.
First off let me underscore that this is my own understanding, or even idea, of what the governmental structure of the heavenly places around the earth may very well be like and may very well consist of. It seems consistent with what I see that God relates about the heavenly places, the organization that is there, and the parallels between it and the organizational structure He gave to the earth. Secondly, let me also say that I haven’t dealt with, or especially focused upon, this particular issue in my own studies for some time now, and frankly I would need to refresh my memory with much of what I have studied and thought about in the past regarding it in order to respond to it in any detail. However, I can at least give you the gist of my understanding on this matter.
As I said, it is primarily based upon my understanding from things God relates about the heavenly places and how that the governmental structure that exists there and that is composed of principalities, powers, mights, thrones, dominions, etc., parallels that of those that exist and function on the earth. My thinking is that the parallel goes beyond just the fact that a similar type governmental structure exists in the heavenly places as it does on the earth. But even to the issue that the very organizational map, so to speak, pertaining to the structure of the heavenly places may also parallel what God originally set up on the earth when He did what Moses said He in did in Deuteronomy 32:8. As Moses states, “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.” My understanding is that when God (as “the Most High”) did this He did it with Israel being in the midst of the nations, so to speak, and with the “number” issue referring to the number of Israel’s 12 tribes. Hence, as I see it, the “bounds of the people” in their nations that He established around Israel were composed of 12 zones, so to speak, providing for Israel in their midst to influence them accordingly, just as Moses had stated earlier in Deuteronomy 4. And in connection with this basic “map” of the original governmental structure of the earth, my thinking is that the same structure may very well be what exists in the heavenly places surrounding the earth, with the earth (like Israel) being in the midst of the heavenly places.
Now there are other issues and matters that I think fit into this and that give further credence to it in my thinking. However, as I said, right now I just don’t have this particular subject very fresh in my mind so that I can adequately recall and/or set forth the significance that I have attached to some of these other issues and matters. But the primary foundation upon which my “idea” rests is what I have just set forth.
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries
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