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The lake of fire is a literal sulfur fire that burns forever and ever and torments non-Christians. It is the second death and the place of eternal separation from God. Learn more about the description, location and meaning of the lake of fire in Revelation.
The lake of fire is a biblical symbol of complete annihilation, not a literal place or torture. It is the same as Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom, and it is different from hell, the common grave of mankind.
The second death is spending eternity in the Lake of Fire, which burns forever. Only those who are holy and have their names in the book of life will escape this fate. Learn more about the biblical meaning and significance of the second death.
The phrase lake of fire describes hell. In the Greek text “lake of fire” is composed of two words. Fire is an adjective that describes the lake; that is, the lake is a fiery place. Lake of fire appears to be a description and not a title of location. So, hell or the lake of fire will not be populated with the spirits of the wicked until ...
The symbolic quality of the lake of fire is further evident from the context of references to it in the book of Revelation. Death is said to be hurled into this lake of fire. (Re 19:20; 20:14) Death obviously cannot be literally burned. Moreover, the Devil, an invisible spirit creature, is thrown into the lake.
The testimony of Scripture is always that they will suffer in immortal bodies—eternal bodies. The pain is described as being so bad, that people will gnash their teeth (Matthew 8:12; 13:42; Luke 13:28). The lake of fire will be a dark place without light (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; Luke 13:28). It will be like living in a furnace (Matthew 13:42, 50).
Unrepentant sinners, the Devil, and even death and the Grave (or, Hades) are thrown into it. The inclusion of a spirit creature and also of death and Hades, all of which cannot be affected by fire, indicates that this lake is a symbol, not of everlasting torment, but of everlasting destruction. —Re 19:20; 20:14, 15; 21:8.
Revelation 22:15 describes the unbelievers who will be outside the New Heaven and New Earth, where only believers will live. They will be in the Lake of Fire, the second death, as a result of their rejection of God and His Son.
The web page explains the difference between the Sheep and Goat Judgment in Matthew 25 and the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20. It argues that the Sheep and Goat Judgment occurs after the Second Coming of Christ and the battle of Armageddon, while the Great White Throne Judgment occurs after the millennial kingdom and the Lake of Fire.
The Bible does not teach that hell is a place of eternal fire or torment. Hell, or the Grave, is the common grave of mankind where the dead are unconscious and cannot feel pain. Learn more about the Bible verses, history and parables related to hell.
