Bible Question:
How could the angel of the bottomless pit in Rev.9:11 be Satan when Satan was not locked and chained in the pit and won't be released until the reign of Christ is over according to Rev.20:1-3? Is it possible that the king of the bottomless pit is a high ranking demon who was given the name “destroyer” because he is over demons which will cause lots of suffering and death upon mankind?
Bible Answer:
Rev. 9:11 tells us that the king over the demons in the bottomless pit or abyss is called Abaddon or Apollyon
They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon. (NASB) Rev. 9:11
Since Satan is a) the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), b) the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), c) free to move about in this present age (1 Peter 5:8), and d) constantly seeking someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8), Satan is free to move and do as he pleases. He is not limited by being imprisoned in the abyss – the bottomless pit. Consequently, he cannot be the king of the abyss. The king of the bottomless pit is an evil angel who serves Satan.
Regarding the events described in Rev. 20:1-3, it is important to notice they occur after Jesus’ second coming, after the great battle of Armageddon which occurs at the end of the Tribulation, and before the 1,000 year earthly reign of Jesus and the saints of the ages begins. The events described in Rev. 9:1-11 occur earlier – during the tribulation.
Conclusion:
Therefore, you are correct. Satan is not bound until the reign of Jesus Christ begins. You may be interested in the following study, “Prophecy of The Future.“
Suggested Links:
Prophecy of The FutureSeeking A Broken Heart
End of The Rule of Men