Four-fold Reference to Angels Opening the Bottomless Pit:

1. … “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star (angel) fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (Rev. 9:1). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” (Rev. 9:2). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.” (Rev. 20:1). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And cast him (Devil/Satan) into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Rev. 20:3). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The two angelic openings of the bottomless pit with a key from heaven is a double confirmation that Christ does “hold the keys to heaven and hell.” The two angels referenced could not perform the task of opening the bottomless pit unless they were authorized to do so, AND given a key from Christ. From our cultural perspective, the bottomless pit is a maximum security prison for the most evil and destructive of angels and creatures. In order to be securely hidden in this prison, must be “bound in great chains” AND have a seal placed on him. He is the worst offender placed into this prison and has a double dose of restraint (great chains and seal). Logic from the four verses above that entities can’t go into, or out of the bottomless pit or maximum security prison unless Christ allows it by giving a key to a specific angel assigned to the task. The activity of opening and closing the bottomless pit with a heavenly key from Christ is just one of twenty-four (24) roles or responsibilities assigned to angels throughout the book of Revelation. A summary of all angelic roles identified throughout Revelation is contained in the last section, twenty-four (24) God’s abundant or doubled organization.