Lake of Fire
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In the Book of Revelation, the beast, the false prophet, the Satan, death, hades, and all those whose names aren't written in the Book of Life are thrown into the lake of fire[1]. In some interpretations, the servants of iniquity are tortured forever in the lake. In others, they are destroyed outright. As a place of fiery torment or destruction for the wicked, the lake has often been equated with hell.
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[edit] Summary
In chapter 19 ofr Revelation, Christ returns and destroys those who had accepted the mark of the beast. He captures the beast and the false prophet, and throws them into the lake of fire. He chains the devil and imprisons him in the abyss. Then the blessed righteous are raised in the first resurrection, and they reign a thousand years with Christ. After the thousand years, the adversary is released, but then he, too, is thrown in the lake, to be tormented forever with the beast and the false prophet. Next, the dead are resurrected and judged. Death, Sheol, and all persons not found in the Book of Life are also thrown into Gei' Hinnom fire.
[edit] Quotes
- "… and the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet..." who have led men astray will both be cast alive into a "Lake of Fire burning with brimstone."
- "… and the devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
- … "and death and hades were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death."
- "… and whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire."
[edit] Universalist view
The Lake of Fire might not be a physical place, but rather a symbol for God purifying humanity. In Universalism, the Lake of Fire is not a place of the dead, rather it is a place for chastening humanity. After all, the Bible says that the devil's works will be destroyed, and that hell "hades" and death will be "thrown into the lake of fire". Therefore, eternal damnation is incorrect. However, Universalism is not scriptural concept, but is an idea stolen from Zoroastrianism. See Hamistagan. Ahura Mazda will ultimately prevail, at which point the universe will undergo a cosmic renovation and time will end (cf: Zoroastrian eschatology). In the final renovation, all of creation - even the souls of the dead that were initially banished to "darkness" - will be (re)united in God.
[edit] References
- ^ Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 20:14, and 20:15
