SPECIAL TOPIC: LAKE OF FIRE

SPECIAL TOPIC: LAKE OF FIRE (from Rev. 19:20)

The phrase "lake of fire is unique to the book of the Revelation, but is a synonym for the term Gehenna (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?), which Jesus used often to denote Hell (i.e., a place of separation and torment).

The specific OT allusion may be to Isa. 30:23-33 and Dan. 7:11. There are so many prophetic passages that connect judgment with fire or burning (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE). This theme of an eternal fire is developed in apocalyptic Judaism (cf. Enoch 27:1ff; 54:1ff; 56:3ff; 90:26; IV Ezra 7:36; Apoc. of Baruch 59:10; 85:13 [list taken from George E. Ladd, Revelation, p. 258]).

This phrase is used in Revelation in 20:10,14; 21:8. It was a place prepared for Satan and his angels (cf. Matt. 25:41), but humans who rebel against God will also find this as their ultimate dwelling place. It is the final dwelling place of Satan and his. It is the natural result of rebellion against God and His purpose in creation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). It is a permanent form of the abyss (cf. Matt. 25:46; Rev. 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3). It must be emphasized that judgment and punishment were never God's will for His human creation. Human sin grieves the Creator (cf. Gen. 6:6; Ps. 14:1-3; Rom. 3:10-18). Hell is an open, bleeding sore in the heart of God that will never be fully healed!

The book of Revelation, again and again, tries to get fallen humans to come to God through Christ (cf. Rev. 9:20,21; 14:6-7; 16:9; 22:17), but they would not. Therefore, God will isolate the wicked incalcirant (cf. Gen. 6:12,13) into a separate place and then continue with His original purpose for creation (i.e., a place of fellowship between God and His highest creation, made in His image—mankind). This is not the world God intended it to be, but it will be!

See a good brief discussion in Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, pp. 1242-1247.