Finally, we must consider “the lake of fire.” Not because this term is also translated as “hell,” but because it is interpreted to mean hell. This is due to the association with fire, but also with “the dead who are thrown into the lake of fire.” The expression “the lake of fire” appears five times in the Bible, all of which are in Revelation (19:20; 20:10, 142, and 15).
THE lake THE fire
Literally, it means “the lake of the fire.” The translation as “pool” in Dutch translations is a curious rendering, because it refers to the same word as, for example, the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1; 8:22). The rendering “pool” can mislead the reader, because we might not think of a literal lake, even though the same word is used.
known location
It also says “the lake of the fire,” which suggests it must be a known lake, where a known fire burns or has burned. Only one location qualifies for this: the Dead Sea, where it once rained fire and brimstone (Gen. 19:24). Fire and brimstone are also mentioned in connection with the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10). A logical conclusion is that the Dead Sea will again function as a lake of fire and brimstone in the future and will play a role in God’s judgments.
what is it?
If we want to know exactly what the lake of fire is, we need to look at the Scriptures where the term appears and see what they say about it. The description is rather simple, but with regard to our topic, it’s good to note in advance that none of these verses mention people suffering in the lake of fire.
battle
The first time the term appears is in Revelation 19:20. From the context, and from other Scriptures, it appears to refer to a major battle taking place near Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
Revelation 19
20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, with which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. And the two were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
living
These end-time figures are further described in Revelation 13. It is noteworthy that these spirit beings are said to be thrown alive into the lake of fire. When people are later referred to as being thrown into the lake of fire, this addition is missing. In fact, for them, the lake of fire is the second death, as we will see.
Revelation 20
10 And the Devil (> Greek: diabolos), who leads them astray, was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night the eons of the eons
tormented
Satan, who will first be bound for a thousand years, will then be released for a short time to deceive the nations (Rev. 20:7-8). Afterward, he will be thrown into the lake of fire. The beast and the false prophet are already there, as we saw in Revelation 19:20. For these spiritual beings, the lake of fire will be a torment. Whether that is physical or mental is not specified. But to think of spiritual beings as physical torment is illogical. Satan means adversary, and he will no longer be able to offer resistance. Devil means “through thrower,” and he cannot perform that function either. He will have to endure it with gnashing of teeth.
When people are later spoken of as being thrown into the lake of fire, the addition about torment is missing. More on that in a future blog post.