Where/What is the "lake of fire"?

[shad]

Where/What is the "lake of fire"?
(Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15)

LAKE OF FIRE

The "Lake of Fire" is decoded in the Book of Revelation." It is not left to our imagination. It is not a place. It is a condition:

"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

The first death is Adam's death, which everybody dies. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

Every descendant of Adam is guaranteed an opportunity to accept Christ's blood and have life. Once anyone has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on his behalfâ€â€if he or she were to reject itâ€â€they would be worthy of Second Death.

There is no redemption from Second Death. It is permanent. Fire represents destruction. "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26).

BEAST AND FALSE PROPHET

The "beast" and "the false prophet"â€â€the papacy and Protestant federationâ€â€are destroyed permanently in Second Deathâ€â€from which there is no recovery (19:20). Just as the "beast" is symbolic, so is the fire.

Anything put in fire is consumed and destroyed. Fire represents destruction. In the "little season" of freedom after the thousand years, the "devil" also will be destroyed permanently in Second Death (20:10) as well as those who will not obey during the thousand years, those "not found written in the book of life" (20:14, 15).

TORMENTED

Since the "lake of fire" means extinction, how are the devil, the beast and the false prophet "tormented day and night for ever and ever" in Second Death?

The word for "tormented" is BASANIZO which is the verb form of BASANOS meaning "primarily a touchstone, employed in testing metals, hence torment, is used" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine). In other words, the destruction of the false systems of Christendom will forever be a standard of God's retributive justice.

 

[Vic C.]

I think it's both a real place and a condition. Much has been said about it's condition(s). There are many ways to interpret this. Little is said about it's physical location. The first century reader of Revelation would certainly know of it's location, because The Lake of Fire was a name given to a specific place in the Mid east:

http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d810201.htm

The "beast" and "the false prophet"â€â€the papacy and Protestant federationâ€â€are destroyed permanently in Second Deathâ€â€from which there is no recovery (19:20). Just as the "beast" is symbolic, so is the fire.

This, in my opinion, is one of personal interpretation. There are all kinds of theories about who they are. The idea of the Papacy was propagated by the Reformers. The idea that Protestantism is the false prophet is rather a new concept and usually held by those who oppose denominations. Personally, I don't agree with either idea.

imho.

 

[shad]

Yes Vic,

There are many ways to interpret prophesy, and we will not find out who is right until Jesus starts His reign.

 

[XTruth]

Isaiah 66:
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Based on this passage and others, I believe the lake of fire is going to be a real place on earth that will be used as an eternal monument to show futre generations that sin does not pay.

 

[shad]

Isaiah 66:
22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Based on this passage and others, I believe the lake of fire is going to be a real place on earth that will be used as an eternal monument to show futre generations that sin does not pay.

Pleae read this; viewtopic.php?f=17&t=35120#p421177

It explains about the lake of fire.

 

[shad]

I think it's both a real place and a condition. Much has been said about it's condition(s). There are many ways to interpret this. Little is said about it's physical location. The first century reader of Revelation would certainly know of it's location, because The Lake of Fire was a name given to a specific place in the Mid east:

http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d810201.htm

The "beast" and "the false prophet"â€â€the papacy and Protestant federationâ€â€are destroyed permanently in Second Deathâ€â€from which there is no recovery (19:20). Just as the "beast" is symbolic, so is the fire.

This, in my opinion, is one of personal interpretation. There are all kinds of theories about who they are. The idea of the Papacy was propagated by the Reformers. The idea that Protestantism is the false prophet is rather a new concept and usually held by those who oppose denominations. Personally, I don't agree with either idea.

imho.

Vic,

please read this; viewtopic.php?f=17&t=35120#p421177

this explains the misunderstanding of lake of fire.

 

[Vic C.]

I read it; I had to read it to make sure you weren't promoting Universal Reconciliation. ;) We don't have rules against discussing annihilation, although I will admit, it's a hotly debated subject around here.

 

[shad]

I read it; I had to read it to make sure you weren't promoting Universal Reconciliation. ;) We don't have rules against discussing annihilation, although I will admit, it's a hotly debated subject around here.

No, I am not Unversalist. We will perish if we don't accept Jesus, period. Universalists are saying everyone without accepting Jesus will be saved. that's not what Jesus says.

BTW, I don't belong to any organization.

 

[Vic C.]

Let me correct what I said:

We don't have rules against discussing annihilation. I'll correct my post accordingly.

 

[shad]

Let me correct what I said:

We don't have rules against discussing annihilation. I'll correct my post accordingly.

ok, thanks vic.