The Lake of Fire

Unfortunately, for many, it’s a real place. God created this place of torment and destruction for judgment of the devil and his angels who followed him. (Matthew 25:41). Men who cast their lot with Satan and his minions will accompany them to this same horrible destination.

Jesus used as an example a place familiar with those He was ministering to that was observable to them. It was a place outside of Jerusalem’s walls where waste of all kinds was dumped and set afire. It was commonly known in Jesus’ day as Gehenna, or the valley of Hinnom. New Testament translators frequently use the word “hell” to depict this place. It was always burning with a constant issue of acrid smoke. An apt place to showcase what hell or the lake of fire would be like.

The first mention of any being tossed into this lake of fire is of the antichrist and his false prophet. “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20). Next for a fire swim are those of the nations judged by Jesus immediately after His return that were supposedly of His flock but treated His church badly. He will separate them into sheep and goats, righteous and unrighteous. To the sheep He will say “Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” To the goats He will say “Depart from Me you cursed, into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels”. You can read all about this “Bema Seat” judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. After the 1000-year kingdom reign comes the Great White Throne Judgment. Here, all the dead from all of history that were not raised when Jesus came are raised to face judgment. Included will be those mortals who survived into the millennial reign and any born during the millennium. This general judgment will hang on one primary criteria. “Anyone who was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.“ (Revelation 20:15). Anyone not found in the Book of Life is termed “Death and Hades” and the lake of fire is called the second death. “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14). The lake of fire is not an issue for those of us found in Christ and resurrected or changed at His coming. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death (lake of fire) has no power.” (Revelation 20:6). Of course, Satan and most likely his angels have their turn. “The devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10)

Sounds to me like a long long time of torment for these three even though forever and ever are aions and aions (Greek) or ages and ages that do have a finite end. Bible scholars argue over whether it’s the fire that’s eternal or the torment of the wicked in the fire that’s eternal. Either way, whether the lake of fire is short term torment ending in destruction, or eternal torment for the wicked, God’s justice will be carried out. It’s a fiery lake in the spirit realm that is destructive to both body and spirit. Certainly not a place where we want to end up.

Yes, the lake of fire is a real place. Tragically, much of humanity will end up there. It’s not a topic often preached on from our Christian pulpits-but it should be. Jesus preached on it quite often. Praise God that He sent Jesus to show us the easy way to escape this judgment!

Maranatha, Jim