Chains of Darkness

[Van]

4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but held them captive in Tartarus with chains of darkness and handed them over to be kept for judgment, (LEB)

Our verse (2 Peter 2:4) contains several words or phrases that are translated differently in modern translations. In order to consider our options, we need to spend some time looking at how these words or phrases are used.

First, lets look at Jude 6 which expresses a similar or the same thought.

6 And the angels who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling place, he has kept in eternal bonds under deep gloom for the judgment of the great day, (LEB)

Putting the two expressions together, the angels seem to have abandoned their realm and went where God did not want them to go.

Rather than spare the trespassing angels, God held them captive in Tartarus. Or, as per other translations, God cast them down to “Hell;” or cast them down into Tartarus,. The grammar seems to use “Tartarus” like we use “jail.” When you put someone in jail, you can use the expression “jailing” and in this case the place is turned into a verb “tartarusing.” Thus the idea is God is confining the angels. Not all, but many commentaries say Tartarus is the lower or lowest pit or cave in Hades. Clearly not a good place to be held.

Now we come to the focus of this study, the chains of darkness. When just a young fellow, we visited Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park. At one point the guide told us to turn off our flashlights, and then he turned off the cave lighting. It got dark. Absolutely dark. All the muttering stopped. All the movement of the group stopped. We were in a cave of darkness, a pit of darkness, and in chains of darkness. The complete absence of light physically restrains us. But is that the whole idea here? I think not.

Many times the Bible contrasts light with darkness, with light being a feature of God’s realm, and darkness being a feature of being outside of God’s realm. Light and darkness is also used to compare knowledge, with God enlightening us, and without that light, we are in darkness. When we embrace the truth, we are, as the saying goes, walking toward the light. And when we hide from the light, we are scampering toward eternal loss. Loss of rewards, if we are saved, and of course the lost face eternal punishment.

As aliens in our dark world, we need to stick to truth, as our guiding light, and not filter it with the inventions of men..

 

[Van]

We are chained by our beliefs or attitudes or mindsets that do not reflect the truth of reality. For example, several times in the NT we read of the "bottomless pit." Now the earth is a sphere with a molten layer upon which the plates move. So any pit, cavern or abyss would have a bottom if not before, when it reached the molten layer. So our cosmology tells us that those who thought such things existed were probably flat earth thinkers, and pits or caverns or an abyss might reach through the flat earth and into a bottomless void. So as we see the mistaken views of the dark ages, and recognize their chains of darkness, we should be cautious that our cosmology, or viewpoint does not cause us to interpret wrongly.

See Revelation 9:1, 2, 11; Revelation 11:7, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 20:1, and 3.

Modern translations render the same Greek word "abyss" but is that just another name for Tartarus? Or is Tartarus just another name for the abyss? Stick to the light. Do not descend into darkness using speculation as your guide.

 

[Van]

Some commentators think Hades is a subterranean realm (spiritual rather than physical) where the spirits of the dead are taken. It has at least three compartments or holding areas. First, for those OT saints who had gained approval through faith, they were taken to this place of comfort called "Abraham's bosom." Those humans who had not obtained approval were taken to another compartment, a place of torment. Lastly, a great chasm was located between these first two compartments, and is referred to as the pit, or abyss or Tartarus. This "abyss" is the abode of the trespassing angels (demons.) Whether this view is correct or not we do not know, but it seems to be consistent at least with scripture. Also, according to this view, the comfort compartment was emptied by Jesus when he took the OT believing saints to the kingdom of God.

 

[Van]

The lost live in the realm of darkness. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

 

[robycop3]

The angels who didn't keep their proper domain were the ones who followed Satan in his rebellion.

 

[Van]

The angels who didn't keep their proper domain were the ones who followed Satan in his rebellion.

Yes, that view is found in some commentaries. But Satan and at least some fallen angels (or demons) are not currently in the pit.
So I am unsure if scripture tells us who is in the pit (Tartarus).