{"id":39644,"date":"2017-07-30T10:53:41","date_gmt":"2017-07-30T08:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/lake-of-fire-in-the-book-of-revelation\/"},"modified":"2023-08-27T13:03:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T11:03:27","slug":"lake-of-fire-in-the-book-of-revelation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/lake-of-fire-in-the-book-of-revelation\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake of Fire in the Book of Revelation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There are many descriptions of hell. They are readily interpreted into the Bible in order to be read out again later. While the Bible does indeed speak of judgment<\/a>, and fire is also mentioned from time to time (literally and figuratively), the descriptions of hell in tradition have little to do with the biblical account. This article is about the lake of fire in the book of Revelation, although this very lake of fire is nowhere named as “hell”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Hell & Co.<\/h3>\n

Already earlier, some things were gathered on the subject of hell<\/a>, and the inconsistencies of an arbitrary translation were pointed out. They are known to be different terms that have been translated (very selectively) as “hell” in places. Thus, thoughts were smuggled into the Bible that never had a place there. Of the various terms, sometimes only the word “Gehenna” is referred to as the “real” hell, which is considered untenable here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Accordingly, there are words that are rendered “hell” in certain (but not all) translations. However, the lake of fire mentioned in the book of Revelation is not one of them. There is no<\/strong> connection between the statements in the Gospels (“hell”) and the lake of fire in Revelation. Nevertheless, these texts in the book of Revelation are considered by many to be “descriptions of hell.” This is a traditional linking, for which there is no justification from the Bible. Accordingly, anyone who wants to coherently refute the idea of a “hell” from the Bible must also turn to these biblical passages in order to interpret the traditional interpretation in its own context.<\/p>\n

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The lake of fire<\/h3>\n

The “lake of fire” or “lake of fire” (Gr. \u03bb\u03af\u03bc\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2<\/span>, <\/em>limenen tou puros) is mentioned as an expression only in the book of Revelation and only toward the end of the book. There are only a few scriptures: Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10-15; Rev 21:8. In total, the expression occurs six times in these chapters. In Revelation 20:10 the expression is somewhat expanded by speaking of the “lake of fire and brimstone” (Gr. \u03bb\u03af\u03bc\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03c5\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b8\u03b5\u03af\u03bf\u03c5, <\/em><\/span>see also <\/span>Rev 21:8<\/span>) is spoken of<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Sulphur is mentioned again and again in the book of Revelation in connection with judgments, including once again in the former judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:29, cf. Gen. 19). But the fact that sulfur appears again and again in descriptions of hell can be read nowhere in the Bible but only here in the book of Revelation. And just here in the Revelation a “hell” is not mentioned with any word – in any translation. None of the words translated “hell” in the New Testament are used or so translated in the book of Revelation.<\/p>\n

From this, the following differences can already be noted:<\/p>\n

“Hell<\/a>” + sulfur = no
\n“Lake of fire” + sulfur = yes<\/p>\n

This lake of fire is associated with a hell by the proponents of a hell as follows (Quote<\/a>): “All who are without Christ; all these will meet a terrible end. Everyone who is not written in the book of life will be “thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).”<\/em> This is not a rare description, but there is this view on many websites, in books, you hear it in sermons and in Bible studies. However, the fact that things are thrown together here that do not fit together in the text in this way is noticed by only a few.<\/p>\n

Nowhere in the context of these Bible passages are we talking about being with<\/em> or without<\/em> Christ. It is not about faith<\/em> “in Jesus” or “in God,” not<\/em> about “accepting Jesus,” and it is not<\/em> about the traditional image of a hell. All these assumptions are projected in there. They are inauthentic links.<\/p>\n

The lake of fire is not the traditional hell, but it is a projection screen for it.<\/strong> It seems – on the surface – to fit just so perfectly! However, it only fits if one already assumes beforehand that the traditional picture of a hell comes from the Bible and this must therefore only<\/em> be found<\/em> in the Bible. This view has nothing whatsoever to do with a healthy contemplation of the Bible. The problems with this interpretation begin as soon as you look at the text a little more closely.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”180893″]<\/p>\n

Is the lake of fire a visual language?<\/h3>\n

It is tempting to dismiss the Lake of Fire simply as “figurative language.” However, that would be similarly superficial as the view that this would be “hell”. It is not enough for a good understanding of the text to project one’s own thoughts into it.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the book of Revelation is rich in imagery, but any imagery – if it would be such here – is based on actual occurrences. For it is only from comparison with a real point of reference that the essence of a visual language<\/a> can be discerned. However, one cannot simply conclude from this that “therefore” the traditional picture of a hell may be read into it here.<\/p>\n

What it needs is nothing different than what it needs with any other text of the Bible as well: The text wants to be read in context and understood out of the basic text and context. The primary purpose of this article is to examine the connection between the traditional image of a “hell” and this term “lake of fire.” What exactly is happening to the Lake of Fire? Who gets in there, when does it happen, and how is it described? So the first concern is to just follow the text and find out what is written there, if there are connections, differences, or striking statements in the text.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”790056″]<\/p>\n

The “evil trio” ends up in the lake of fire<\/h3>\n

The first time the Lake of Fire is mentioned is in Revelation 19, where we are in the midst of the Day of the<\/strong> Lord (“the Lord’s Day,” Rev 1:10), which marks the upheaval and transition into the Messianic Kingdom. Chapters 4-19 describe this tremendous upheaval with judgments and great tribulation. In chapter 19, where the lake of fire is mentioned for the first time, we are at the end of this period of judgment, and the (rather peaceful) Messianic kingdom is set up. There will be some “adjustments” made here for the next time after the courts are finished, so to speak. There we read:<\/p>\n

“Then I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to contend with Him who sits on the horse (Rev. 19:10) and with His army. Then the wild beast<\/strong> was captured, and with him the false prophet<\/strong> who did the signs before his eyes, by which he misled those who had accepted the mark of the wild beast and worshiped his image. Alive, the two were thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”<\/strong><\/em>
\nRev 19:19-20<\/p>\n

The wild beast<\/strong> and the false prophet<\/strong> are two figurative descriptions of end-time figures who have deceived the world. They are both thrown into the lake of fire. Significant: Here it is explicitly said that they are thrown “alive” into this lake. This is at the end of the judgment period. At the same time, a messenger (angel) descends from heaven.<\/p>\n

“He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent (who is the adversary and Satan) and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, closed, and sealed, over him (so that he would no longer deceive the nations) until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time”.<\/em> (Rev 20:1-3).<\/p>\n

This is an exciting story, wherein thus 1000 years of rest from Satan is promised. A few verses further on, we then learn what happens next: “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison. Then he will go out to mislead all the nations on the four corners of the earth, the Gog and Magog, to gather them (whose number is like the sand of the sea) for battle. Then they went up to the broad plateau of the land and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.”<\/em> (Rev 20:7-9). The idea of a thousand-year kingdom comes from these verses, although nowhere does it say that the kingdom will last 1000 years.<\/a> However, two other things last for a thousand years, and one of them is that Satan is bound during such a period. We come to the second mention of the lake of fire:<\/p>\n

“Then fire came down from God out of heaven and consumed them. But the counterfeiter who<\/strong> misled them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone<\/strong>, where the wild beast<\/strong> and the false prophet<\/strong> are also. There they will be tormented day and night for the eons of eons.”<\/em>
\nRev 20:9-10<\/p>\n

So now there are three of them: Satan is thrown into the lake of fire to the wild beast and the false prophet. Of these it was first said that this happened alive<\/strong>, and these are now ” tormented<\/strong>for the eons of<\/a> the eons”. It is important to recognize this connection between alive and tormented and to correctly assign these combinations in context. We will refer to this again a little further down.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”168586″]<\/p>\n

People end up in the lake of fire<\/h3>\n

We are now at the end of the Messianic Kingdom. Once again there was a huge uproar, and this was again met with judgment, as we have just read before. So there is a judgment before<\/em> the messianic kingdom, and one at the end.<\/em> Both judgments happen on earth, and both times the root causes (wild beast, false prophet, counter-prophet or Satan) are said to be thrown into the lake of fire.<\/p>\n

Let us note the order carefully: at this point, there are no people in the lake of fire. This is just coming. A new era<\/strong> is dawning:<\/p>\n

“Then<\/strong> I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and rolls were opened. Then another roll was opened, which was the roll of life; and the dead were judged according to what was written in the rolls, according to their works.<\/em>
\nThe sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the unkept (Gr. hades) gave up the dead that were in it; and they were judged, each according to his works. Death and the unkept gave up the dead who were in it; and they were condemned, each according to his works. Death and the unkept were thrown into the lake of fire<\/strong>. This is the second death: the lake of fire<\/strong>. And if someone was not found – written in the role of life – he was thrown into the lake of fire<\/strong>.”<\/em>
\nRev 20:11-15<\/p>\n

The previous<\/em> judgments took place on earth<\/em>. Here, however, it is said that earth and heaven have fled from<\/em> the face of Him who sits on the throne. It is somewhat unclear where the court will be held. At least the writer expresses here that the past belongs to the past – including heaven and earth, presumably as a picture, for what is also connected with it.<\/p>\n

A little later, a new heaven and a new earth come into being (Rev 21:1). Peter also reports this change of heaven and earth (2Pet 3:10-13). So again here is a time of upheaval and again it is characterized by judgment<\/strong>. That the dead “stand” means that they are “risen” for judgment. This is the real final judgment, the last judgment, the liberation from everything that was unjust. Here, what was still slanted is straightened out. It has long since ceased to be a matter of God’s justice, for this was satisfied on the cross. This is about judging the works of men (Rev 20:12), that is, what one has done in life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-731465″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”187664″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”116501″]<\/p>\n

I always thought God judges according to our faith?<\/h4>\n

It is noteworthy that no godly judgment is by “faith.”<\/strong> People like to make it sound like it is your faith or mine that God will judge by, but that is not the case. An assessment of all acts<\/strong> takes place. A connection to “faith” is not mentioned here (as in other courts) with a single word. So we shouldn’t read it into it either.<\/p>\n

God judges our deeds<\/h4>\n

People are judged according to their works <\/em>. In the worst case, the result is that they are thrown into the lake of fire and die there for the second time. They are then dead again. The fire is the cause of the second death.<\/p>\n

The Lake of Fire does not describe a traditional hell<\/h4>\n

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The second death<\/h3>\n

Death is personified here. First, all the dead rise and appear before the great white throne. So then, “death” is “empty”, as is the unkept. These two will now be thrown into the lake of fire. After that follows the description:<\/p>\n

“This is the second death: the lake of fire.”<\/em>
\nRev 20:14<\/p>\n

Death is thrown personified into the lake of fire, which means: assigned to the lake of fire. There is no way back. The lake of fire becomes the second death. That’s one definition.<\/p>\n

If one of the dead is thrown into the lake of fire, then this fire is the cause of his second death. He dies again. Therefore, this is the second<\/em> death. “This is the second death: the lake of fire<\/strong>. And if anyone was not found – written in the roll of life – he was thrown into the lake of fire<\/strong>.”<\/em> (Rev 20:14-15).<\/p>\n

People like to try to make the second death something completely new, just a hell in which one lives<\/em>. However, the book of Revelation describes the lake of fire as an occasion to die<\/em> again. However, there is a special difference here:<\/p>\n