Tartarus is a place of punishment and torment mentioned in the Bible. It is described as a dark, gloomy dungeon or abyss where fallen angels are confined. Though not extensively discussed, Tartarus gives insight into the nature of the afterlife and spiritual realm. Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible reveals about Tartarus.
Brief Background
The word “Tartarus” itself does not appear often in Scripture, only being directly referenced once in 2 Peter 2:4. However, the imagery and concept of a spiritual prison or underworld for fallen spirits permeates biblical teaching. In the Old Testament, references are made to the “spirits in prison” (Isaiah 24:22) and beings trapped in “the depths of the Pit” (Ezekiel 26:20). Jesus himself made cryptic statements about beings confined in spiritual darkness and captivity (Luke 8:31).
Outside of the Bible, Tartarus was a place in Greek mythology believed to be as far below Hades as the earth is below heaven. It was considered the deepest abyss and dungeon of suffering for gods who had offended the chief Greek god Zeus. The Greeks viewed Tartarus as a place of maximum security punishment and imprisonment for spiritual beings.
Peter’s direct mention of Tartarus associates it with this Greek mythological understanding of a spiritual prison. By referencing Tartarus, the Bible is conveying the reality of an underworld for fallen angels and linking it to spiritual captivity and darkness. Tartarus is a realm where divine justice and judgement are meted out.
Why the Fallen Angels are in Tartarus
Tartarus serves as the holding place for fallen angels who rebelled against God. Specifically, 2 Peter 2:4 states: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.” This refers to the original rebellion of Satan and the angels who followed him in his prideful opposition to God’s authority. Revelation 12:7-9 recounts Satan, the “great dragon” being defeated and thrown down from heaven with his angels. Tartarus is where these fallen angels are now confined and restrained until their final judgement.
Jude 6 also references these fallen angels “who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling.” They abandoned their role and habitation in the spiritual realm to sinfully lust after the material realm of earthly women and pollute humanity (Genesis 6:1-4). For going beyond their sphere and proper realm, these angels are kept in darkness and chains. Tartarus restrains their influence over humanity as they await judgement.
A key purpose of Tartarus is to restrict the activity of demonic spirits. Without such confinement, these fallen angels would be able to interact with and influence the physical world unrestrained. Like a prison segregates criminals from society, Tartarus quarantines hostile spirits from inflicting further harm. It limits the power of the demonic realm over humanity.
Characteristics of Tartarus
Though details are limited, Scripture gives some insight into the nature of Tartarus:
- Darkness – Repeatedly associated with “gloom”, “blackest darkness” and separation from spiritual light. It is a realm completely devoid of God’s presence and truth (2 Peter 2:4,17; Jude 6,13).
- Confinement – Fallen angels are forcibly bound and imprisoned there, unable to escape or leave (2 Peter 2:4). It is a place of captivity and restraint.
- Punishment – Inhabitants experience torment and suffering. Greek myths described excruciating torture for divine prisoners of Tartarus. It is a place of judicial wrath and retribution.
- Inescapable – No exit or parole from this abyss. Fallen angels are completely trapped and segregated until judgement day (Luke 8:31; Revelation 20:7).
- Underworld – Located in the depths beneath the earth in the supernatural dimension. Analogous to the Greek underworld but in the spiritual realm.
Tartarus contrasts sharply with Heaven. While Heaven is filled with God’s radiant glory, Tartarus is completely devoid of His presence. The joy and freedom in Heaven is juxtaposed with the misery and bondage of Tartarus. It reflects the bifurcation of the spiritual realm between good and evil.
Relationship to Other Spiritual Places
Tartarus is distinct from other planes of existence in the spiritual world. Some key differences:
- Hell – While sometimes equated with Hell, Tartarus is technically a separate place. Hell (Gehenna) is the final place of judgement for the wicked after resurrection, while Tartarus is a temporary prison for fallen angels before judgement.
- The Abyss – Revelation 20:1-3 refers to a spiritual abyss where Satan is bound during Christ’s millennial reign. This likely coincides with or is linked to Tartarus as a dimension of confinement.
- Heaven – Whereas Heaven is in the spiritual presence of God, Tartarus is completely removed from His presence. A place of separation from the divine.
Tartarus serves a distinct role as a prison and place of punishment and separation from God’s presence. It is not a final destination but a temporal holding place in the supernatural world. Both fallen angels and wicked humans end up in eternal judgement, but Tartarus is reserved for spirits while Hell is intended for resurrected human beings.
Inhabitants of Tartarus
According to Scripture, the inhabitants of Tartarus include:
- Satan – The devil and leader of the angelic rebellion. He is currently bound there but will be released for a time before his final judgement (Revelation 20:7).
- Demons – Fallen angels and evil spirits who oppose God’s authority. They are confined there because of heinous sins (2 Peter 2:4).
- The Beast and False Prophet – These end times satanic leaders will be thrown into Tartarus upon Christ’s return (Revelation 19:20).
Tartarus is exclusively a spiritual prison for fallen angels. While human souls go to Sheol/Hades upon death, Tartarus is reserved for those spiritual beings who sinned and fell from their position in the heavenly places. Just as police isolate captured criminals to protect society, God contains these hostile spirits.
Purpose of Tartarus
The Bible indicates several divine purposes for the existence of Tartarus:
- Punishment – It inflicts suffering and torment on fallen angels because of their rebellion and evil (2 Peter 2:4).
- Containment – Restrains fallen angels from exerting influence over humanity until judgement day (Jude 6). Limits Satan’s power and deception in the present age (Revelation 20:3).
- Justice – Carries out righteous judgement against those who oppose God’s reign. Divine justice is enacted.
- Protection – Serves as a quarantine to protect the world from unrestrained demonic activity and evil. Temporarily isolates evil spirits.
Tartarus displays God’s justice and wrath against evil. Yet it also expresses mercy by preventing the full extent of Satan’s schemes against the world. It demonstrates God’s sovereignty over the spiritual realm and his ability to impose moral order.
Connection to Spiritual Warfare
Though fallen angels are confined in Tartarus, they still influence events on earth. Scripture speaks of spiritual warfare against powers and principalities of the demonic realm (Ephesians 6:12). However, Tartarus ensures this warfare is limited and restrained. Believers can have confidence that Satan and his angels operate within restrictions God has sovereignly imposed through Tartarus.
Christ’s finished work on the cross provides victory over these hostile powers (Colossians 2:15). One day believers will join Christ in judging the fallen angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). Tartarus signifies that though the demonic realm is still active, the decisive battle has already been won at the cross. Its power is strictly limited and temporary until the final judgement.
Tartarus and Eternity
Tartarus is not the final destination for its inhabitants. It is a temporary holding place and spiritual prison until the day of judgement. Scripture speaks of a permanent Lake of Fire prepared for the Devil and His angels (Matthew 25:41). After temporary confinement in Tartarus, Satan and demons will face eternal punishment and destruction there.
Likewise, the Abyss holding Satan during Christ’s Millennial Reign is temporary, since he is released for a final rebellion before being destroyed forever (Revelation 20:7-10). The Beast and False Prophet also experience transient punishment in Tartarus before the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20).
For humanity, the intermediate holding place is Hades rather than Tartarus. But like Tartarus, Hades is temporary. The final destination is either eternal life in Heaven or eternal punishment in Hell (Revelation 20:11-15). Tartarus foreshadows this coming, permanent bifurcation of the cosmos based on response to Christ.
Significance of Tartarus
The biblical revelation of Tartarus provides several key insights for the believer:
- God has imposed moral order to the spiritual realm and rebellion carries consequences.
- Fallen angels are restricted in how much they can influence humanity.
- Spiritual warfare is real but victory over evil has already been accomplished by Christ.
- Temporary places of confinement prefigure coming, permanent destinations of judgement.
- God’s justice and wrath perfectly balance His mercy, love and holiness.
While details are limited, the reality of Tartarus displays God’s sovereign control over the spiritual realm. The confinement of fallen angels demonstrates that while evil is still active, it operates under divine restrictions. This reinforces the believer’s trust in God’s complete authority over the supernatural world.
Tartarus also foretells the future, permanent separation between those who love God and those who oppose Him. Just as rebels are isolated in Tartarus, Scripture teaches of an eternal divide between the righteous and unrighteous. Those who reject Christ as Savior and Lord will someday face eternal separation from God. Tartarus points ahead to this ultimate spiritual bifurcation based on relationship to God.
Conclusion
In summary, Tartarus is a realm of punishment and confinement for fallen angels until final judgement. Though not extensively described, it offers insight into the moral order and judgement of the spiritual realm. Tartarus displays God’s justice and sovereignty while restricting demonic influence over humanity. While details are limited, its reality reinforces key biblical truths about the spiritual world and God’s complete authority over all creation, whether earthly or spiritual.
