The Lake of Fire

     The Greek word for ‘lake’ limne is synonymous with Gehenna and in the present context means ‘a lake of burning sulphur.’

     During the rapidly approaching 70^th week, the fate of those who have denied Christ, but worship the anti-Christ is described.

     “…he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God…He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night.” 

Revelation 14:9-11

     Thus the common elements of Gehenna are confirmed: eternal torment with fire and brimstone with no rest day or night.

     When Christ returns to earth to defeat the anti-Christ and false prophet, the two of them are cast into the lake of fire.  The rest of those killed will be resurrected to stand before the great white throne judgment and then join the anti-Christ and false prophet. 

     “Then the beast (anti-Christ) was captured, and with him the false prophet…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire... And the rest were killed with the sword…”  Revelation 19:20-21

     During the millennial kingdom Satan is locked in the bottomless pit.  He will be released at the end of the 1000 years to make a final attempt to deceive those on earth in natural bodies.

     He is devoured quickly with fire from heaven.

     “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

     Therefore, the anti-Christ, the false prophet, and the devil himself will be tormented (tortured) forever.

     The souls of those who died in their sins are in hell (Hades).  When resurrected, they will stand before the great white throne.  Those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will also be cast into the lake of fire.

     “…and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.  Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:13-14

     “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15

     The lake of fire was not created for God’s highest creation, i.e. man.  It was not God’s will that any should perish.

     When Jesus returns to earth He will gather all survivors of the tribulation before Him.

     “…and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”  Matthew 25:32-33

    

     All will be judged on how they cared for Jesus during His absence.  Jesus told those on His right that they had fed Him when He was hungry, gave Him drink when He was thirsty, provided hospitality and lodging, provided clothing when He had need, and visited Him while in prison.

     The sheep questioned Jesus as to when they had done the things He listed, and His response:

     “…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”  Matthew 25:38

     All who commit to Christ are His brethren.  Therefore, when a person shows compassion to one of Christ’s brethren they are in essence showing compassion for Christ Himself.

     Likewise when anyone neglects Christ’s brethren, they are in essence rejecting Christ.

     The reward for those who loved Christ’s brethren?

     “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  Matthew 25:34

     And the punishment for those who neglected Christ’s brethren?

     “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…and these will go away into everlasting punishment…”  Matthew 25:41, 46

     In summary, the lake of fire (Gehenna) is eternal punishment for unrepentant man which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 

     Conversely, the eternal kingdom for believers was specifically prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

     There is no such thing as cessation of being for anyone.  Everlasting consciousness is the fate for all mankind.