What is the Lake of Fire?
What is the Lake of Fire and what is its purpose? Perhaps few
subjects have provoked so much speculation as the lake of fire. Is
it literal? Is it only a figure of speech? What is it? The answer of
Scripture is plain and clear, and all that is necessary is a
consideration of God’s explanation. The teaching concerning the lake
of fire does not appear anywhere in Scripture except in the book of
Revelation This in itself raises the question, why only in the one
book and at the end of the book? Is it the same as Gehenna or Hades
or other references believed to be hell fire? No, it is entirely
different.
It is mentioned in Revelation and in just in 5
verses toward the end of the book:
Rev_19:20 (KJV) And the
beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received
the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These
both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev_20:10 (KJV) And the devil that deceived them was cast into
the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev_20:14 (KJV) And death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev_20:15 (KJV) And whosoever
was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of
fire.
Also to be included in this would be:
Rev 21:8
(KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all
liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death.
The book of Revelation
is either to be understood as literal or symbolic or both. The
meaning of the Lake of Fire in this prophetic book becomes clearer
when we examine some of the statements in this book to figure out
what is literal and what is spiritual or symbolic..
Many were
taught and believe that the book of Revelation is a literal prophecy
about events that will happen at the close of the age.
A
close examination will show that most of what is said in this
marvelous book called Revelation (Unveiling) is not literal, but
symbolic. To believe that it is to be taken literally raises all
sorts of problems.
Being told how end time events unfold is
very appealing to many Christians. This topic is a big drawing card
for preachers and evangelists. Their colorful and eloquent way of
explaining how events mentioned in Revelation would transpire is a
very popular topic. They claim they have an understanding of the
sequence of events to take place on the world stage. In most cases
they do not know what they are really talking about. Their appeal
lies in linking historical and current events to the words in
Revelation. Topics such as “the secret rapture”, “who is the beast”,
“mark of the beast”, “the place of safety”, etc. Much of what they
say, although of interest to many, is mostly guess work or
balderdash.
Now for a most important aspect to understanding
this book. Just how was this revelation to John to be recorded and
preserved? Right from the outset notice it:
Rev 1:1 (KJV) The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto
his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and
signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
What does it
mean to “signify?” Certainly this prophecy of the revelation or
unveiling of Christ was written by John, but there is spiritual
meaning behind the words. To “signify” has to do with signs and
symbols.
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify
Definition
: to be a sign of (something) : to mean (something)
So it
means a sign or symbol that represents an idea or thought.
The synonym for sign is: symbol.
The first eleven verses of
Chapter one in Revelation are an introduction regarding where, how,
and what John is going to record for us. Much of this introduction
can be taken literally, however, not all. Beginning with verse
twelve, we are confronted with one symbol after another for the
remainder of the entire twenty-two-chapter-book. Everything written
in Revelation is true, but much can not be taken literally.
There is no mistaking this simple truth. The book of Revelation is
written in symbols. So what is written in the verses, in symbols,
has a spiritual meaning and application.
There are very many
examples of this symbolic language. Here are just a few showing this
fact.
Rev 2:17 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I
give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,
and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he
that receiveth it.
Will Christ reward the faithful with a
literal little white stone? The stone and the name written in it
represents something else? Something of much greater value? This is
not literal.
Another example:
Rev 6:13 (KJV) And the
stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her
untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Do the
literal stars of heaven fall on the earth? The smallest known stars
are generally much larger than the earth.
Yet another of many
verses:
Rev 19:13 (KJV) And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Will
the King of the universe really wear clothing dripping with literal
“blood?” Is God’s wrath a literal “winepress?”
If one does
not understand that the “signs,” that is, symbols need to be
interpreted, one will never understand this book. The definition of
many of the symbols are contained in the Old Testament. Stars in a
hand are not physical stars; frogs out of a prophet’s mouth are not
physical frogs, candlesticks are not really candlesticks. Do you
really think there is a dead lamb laying on a throne in heaven? If
one understands these things are “signs,” then understand that the
Book of Revelation is full of hundreds of “symbols.” No, none of
these things are literal.
Nevertheless many Christians will
argue that the “Lake of Fire” is literal. From what has been written
so far in this article, it is only reasonable to consider this Lake
of Fire as symbolic. If this is so then it has a spiritual meaning.
What is the spiritual meaning?
There are three main views
within Christianity as to what this “Lake of Fire” is.
1....Mainstream Christian Belief
Fundamentalist Christians
are the largest group who believe that the lake of fire is a literal
fire. They also believe this lake of fire is just another term for
HELL If you read the previous articles in this web site under the
topic of HELL, you can see that an ever burning fire to torture evil
people, referred to as Hell, is a pagan doctrine. The Greek word
Hades which means grave should not have been translated as “hell”.
But their explanation contradicts the idea that the lake of fire
is literal. They teach that the lake of fire is literal fire that
burns like real fire, but they then contradict the literalness of
this fire by teaching that it doesn’t actually burn up anything: It
just causes unbearable pain. But really, can a fire that doesn’t
actually burn up physical, material things, be called a literal
fire? They also deny the truth about the second death because they
don’t believe those in the Lake of Fire ever die and lose
consciousness. More about the second death a little later in this
article.
It is a physiological impossibility for a literal
fire to cause pain on the nervous system of a person and yet never
actually kill them and burn them up if the fire is applied
eternally. Furthermore, real fire does not cause symbolic or
figurative death–real fire causes real death.
2… Belief of
many Sabbath Keeping Churches of God and Jehovah Witnesses
Another group of Christians, primarily Jehovah Witnesses and many
Sabbath keeping Churches of God, consider that the Lake of Fire is
the place that God annihilates people who refuse to accept Christ as
Savoir. They use the parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man” as proof
of this doctrine. More about this parable in a later article.
They teach that both the lake of fire and the second death are
symbolic and not literal. They believe that this phrase does not
represent a place or condition of literal torment in literal fire
forever. However, they believe that it does picture or represent the
total annihilation of all those who are judged and are not granted
salvation.
This belief is certainly much more merciful than
the Christian fundamentalist one, however, it too is not in harmony
with other scriptures. Think about the fact that God tells us that
there is a spirit in man, every human being, and that spirit returns
to God when a person dies (Eccl. 12:7). What happens to the spirit
(spirit can not be destroyed) if a person is “annihilated”? Not to
mention the fact that it would prove our heavenly Father either
unable or unwilling to save most of His own children. What kind of
an eternal example would that be for those who are saved? God tells
us to “love our enemies” while He Himself “hates our loved ones” by
destroying most of them for all eternity? This teaching is also
wrong.
3....Another Christian Belief
A small group of
Christians believe that the Lake of Fire is symbolic of the fact
that our God is a consuming fire and His fire is good and not
vindictive or used to torture or totally destroy evil people. His
consuming fire will ultimately destroy death, hell (the grave) and
sin. The last enemy to be destroyed is death (I Cor. 15:26). There
is only a small group who are of this latter persuasion. But it is
the only way that these Scriptures on the lake of fire and the
second death will harmonize and not contradict the rest of God’s
Word.
Words of God are spiritual
Jesus said the words
He spoke are spirit and life (John_6:63). The spirit of His word
tells us what is the real and intended meaning, not just the
apparent and surface meaning, or the “letter.” It is a common
mistake among Christians to suppose that the Bible is written in
very plain and simple language, and that the correct meaning is that
which lies upon the surface – the most obvious and apparent sense.
It may sound strange and erroneous to some to hear any one say that
the Bible has a deeper spiritual meaning than the literal words.
Much of what Christ said was in figurative language with spiritual
meaning. Read the article on Gehenna in this web site and you will
see this. Just trying to understand through the letter, you will
find the Scriptures often seem contradictory and frustrating.
Therefore to all scripture there is a spirit as well as a letter.
Mat_13:13(KJV) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because
they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they
understand.
For all too many, the marvelous Scriptures have
no meaning beyond the literal meaning of the literal words. And so,
for most, the Word of God remains a giant enigma.
There
should be no question as to the certainty of this lake of fire;
neither should there be any doubt as to the consequence of having to
be cast into it. The few Scriptures in Revelation with their
seemingly dreadful foreboding should be a concern to all of the
potential consequences of sin.
Excluded from experiencing
this Lake of Fire and the second death are those in the first
resurrection, those who are the called and chosen, the saints of
God.
Rev_2:11 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be
hurt of the second death.
Rev_20:6 (KJV) Blessed and holy is
he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second
death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years.
We need to see the
purpose of the Lake of Fire and how it is related to the second
death. A most profound statement is in Rev. 20:14.
And death
and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Before we take a close look at this particular scripture, notice
this verse:
Rev_19:20 (KJV) And the beast was taken, and with
him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which
he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them
that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of
fire burning with brimstone.
This is the first time that
“lake of fire” is mentioned in scripture. It is where the beast and
false prophet are cast at the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
It is also where Satan (Adversary) is cast after deceiving the
nations at the end of the millennium.
Rev 20:10 (KJV) And the
devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be
tormented day and night for ever and ever (eons of the eons).
If the beast and false prophet are mortal, then a real lake of
fire would burn them up making it impossible for them to be
tormented for the two coming eons. “For ever and ever” is a wrong
translation. See the articles under “Plan of God” for an
explanation. If the beast and false prophet are supernatural, or
spirit, then physical fire would not harm them. So, if the fire is
literal, it can serve no useful purpose. Satan is a spirit, and
therefore cannot be tortured with real fire. Real, physical fire has
no effect on spirit. But these beings can be tormented, which is
quite different than being tortured.
Torment does not mean
torture as some would infer. A loving God does not torture, but He
can cause torment. Torment is an agitated or agonizing state, either
in nature or in the mind. This word tormented or torment is from the
Greek word (βασανίζω) (Strong’s G928) transliterated as basanizo .
One example of the use of the Greek word basanizo is in Matthew
14:24
Mat 14:24 (KJV) But the ship was now in the midst of
the sea, tossed (Greek word basanizo meaning tormented) with waves:
for the wind was contrary.
This tells us that the sea was
“tormented”, not tortured. The sea was violent with swelling
forceful waves. The Greek word would not be translated as tortured.
Another example of this torment pertaining to people was the
mental anguish experienced by the centurions servant where we read:
Mat 8:6 (KJV) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of
the palsy, grievously tormented . (Greek word basanizo).
Note
that torment in the lake of fire is only mentioned in connection
with the evil spirit beings. We saw that the phrase the lake of fire
occurs five times in the book of Revelation, and in only two of
these occurrences is there said to be consciousness and torment. The
three individuals–Satan, the Wild Beast, and False Prophet are the
only ones said to be tormented for a set length of time in the lake
of fire. They are seized and cast into the fiery lake alive, and
exist in its torment for the ages of the ages (eons of the eons) and
not forever. They are there until the consummation, when death is
finally abolished.
In Rev. 20:14 we read that death and hell
were cast into the lake of fire.
Rev_20:14 (KJV) And death
and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
From these verses we can conclude the following concerning the
lake of fire:
The adversary (Satan) and his cronies were cast
into it
Death and hell (the grave) were cast into it.
Those not written in the book of life were cast into it.
God
says in Heb. 12:29 that He is a consuming fire.
John the
Baptist said he baptized with water for repentance but says when
Jesus comes He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire
(Matt.3:11).
Jesus said He came to set fire on the earth
(Luke 12:49).
Paul said that our works would be revealed by
fire and will try (test) those works (1 Cor. 3:13).
Peter
said that our faith will be tried (tested) with fire (1 Pet. 1:7).
God has shown Himself to be not only a God of love, but also of
fire, a consuming fire in the Scriptures. It is amazing how often
God speaks of fire in bringing judgement on all. Judgement by God is
good, it serves a righteous purpose. The last time that fire is
mentioned in the scriptures is in reference to the lake of fire.
The lake of fire is a place of torment for Satan and his
cohorts. Since they are spirit, they do not die in this place. Never
the less, the lake of fire does end, it is not eternal as many
believe.
In the second resurrection, the dead, small and
great, will stand before the white throne to be judged and
experience the lake of fire. This experience is not for the purpose
of torture or torment. The lake of fire is the second death (Rev.
20:14).
For the vast majority of humanity who are resurrected
at the white throne it is a place of judgement and condemnation.
They will behold the Jesus Christ, the righteous judge and Savior,
seated on His white throne, not a black throne.
It is here
that all the irreverence and injustice of men will receive just
adjudication and all wrongs will be made right. After justice has
been fully meted out to each one, being outside of the present age
of grace and faith, the second death will have jurisdiction over
them for a while.
The lake of fire is not presented as a
place of suffering, but a place of death, in connection with the
great white throne judgment. There is no value for the thought that
the lake will destroy or burn out the second death. It is the second
death.
DEATH is the designation which God Himself has placed
upon the lake of fire to describe its effect upon those who are
chastised at the great white throne. Our thoughts about the burning
lake are usually the very opposite of this. We imagine it a place of
torture, of pain prolonged and excruciating, of terror and despair,
of hopeless and helpless horror. Few of our false notions are as
difficult to displace as this.
The main point of all this is
to accept God’s declaration that, for those who are judged before
the great white throne, the lake of fire is the second death. If we
take God at His word, exactly and accurately, and add nothing to it
and take nothing from it
It is simply a fact, then, that in
the second death, life is non-existent, no matter how much the
conclusions of some proponents of eternal torment hold to the
proposition that the second death is a second lifetime in the fiery
flames of never ending hell. From a clear grasp of Revelation 20:14
alone, it becomes evident that any such a position is dreadfully
wrong. The lake of fire is the second death.
Literal death
entails the absence of life; and, in the case of the second death,
death is literal. The second death, however, will only continue
until the consummation. Death will finally be gone forever, the last
enemy to be destroyed.
1 Cor 15:26 (KJV) The last enemy that
shall be destroyed is death.
In that glorious day, death will
be abolished and all will be immortalized (vivified), that God may
be All in all.
This is related to what happens in the
fifth and final age (eon). This is discussed in an article under the
heading of “The Plan of God”.
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