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Title: The “Lake of Fire” and Its Purpose
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Published: Feb 3, 2009
Author: Various -- Bible
Post Date: 2009-02-03 11:16:59 by richard9151
Keywords: None
Views: 281
Comments: 21
The “Lake of Fire” and Its Purpose WHAT is the “lake of fire”? We find this expression used in the Bible only in the book of Revelation, and there its mention is confined to the small area of chapters 19 to 21. A possible allusion to it is also found at Matthew 25:41. Who or what goes into the “lake of fire”? Among the things mentioned are the “wild beast” and the “false prophet.” Death and Hades are put into this “lake.” We also read that the Devil (and along with him his associate demons) is hurled into the “lake” after his final attack on God’s sovereignty.—Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14. A SYMBOL In examining these texts we readily see that the “lake of fire” is not a literal pool of flame. The “wild beast” is symbolic, as earlier shown in Revelation chapter 13, the “image” of it being described in chapter 17, where we are told that the seven heads of the “beast” represent seven ‘mountainlike’ kingdoms. These are understood by Bible commentators to be the seven world powers of Bible history. The five that had “fallen” were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The one that “was” at the time the apostle John wrote was Rome. The seventh has proved, from historical events, to be the Anglo-American World Power.—Rev. 17:9, 10; compare Daniel chapter 8. Similarly the “false prophet” is not a person, but is a system or an organization. A “prophet” claims to have inspired information for the direction of others. A “false prophet” would mislead others, to turn them away from God and toward false worship. What does this “false prophet” do to accomplish such purpose? He is shown in another guise in Revelation 13:11-17 as a two-horned “wild beast.” As such he is depicted as performing in front of the seven-headed “wild beast” the signs with which he misleads “those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image.”—Rev. 19:20. Since the “wild beast” and the “false prophet” are symbolic, the “lake of fire” is necessarily symbolic. Further supporting this conclusion is the fact that the abstract thing, “death,” is also hurled into the “lake of fire.” Death cannot be literally burned. Moreover, the demons are thrown into the “lake.” These are angels, spirit persons. Being spirit, they cannot be hurt by literal fire, which is a physical product of chemical combustion. In fact, we read often of spirit persons manifesting themselves to humans in a flame.—Ex. 3:1-5; Acts 7:30; Judg. 13:20; Ps. 104:4; Dan. 7:9, 10. Of what, then, is the “lake of fire” a symbol? The Bible says that it is, or that it means or symbolizes, the “second death.” (Rev. 20:14) This cannot mean that everything that goes into it dies a second time, for “death and Hades” have not died or gone out of existence in the past. The expression “second death” distinguishes this death, which is permanent and everlasting and from which there is no resurrection, from the death brought upon the human race by Adam. Adamic death is one “kind” of death, a death that all men inherit through no personal fault of their own. The “second death” is another “kind” of death. Individuals that go into the “second death” merit it because of their own deliberate choice of sin and enmity toward God. This is evident by the action of those the Bible speaks of as being sentenced to the “second death.” Further evidence or testimony as to what the “lake of fire” represents and who finally receive the judgment of this death is found in Revelation 21:7, 8. After describing the good effects that the New Jerusalem will bring about in the earth, the prophecy quotes the words of God, saying: “Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death.” All persons who choose such a way of life and spurn God’s provision of Christ’s atonement sacrifice for recovering from such a degraded condition will thus be obliterated forever from existence. So God’s fiery judgment comes upon all those who are his avowed enemies. Of those of the “Gog and Magog” crowd who follow the Devil in his renewed attack on God’s sovereignty at the end of the thousand years, we read: “Fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.” They go into the “second death.” The “lake of fire” likewise burns up all humans who do not obey the “things written in the scrolls” of instruction during Christ’s thousand-year rule. None of these finally find their names written in the “book of life.” (Rev. 20:9, 12, 15) The same punishment of “second death” is executed upon Satan and his demons, who are hurled into the “lake of fire.” All are everlastingly dead. There is not a spark of life in the “second death,” which is the everlasting punishment for those who willfully disobey God. There was not a bit of life in the first kind of death, that which came to Adam’s offspring by his first sin. That first kind of death would have been permanent had it not been for the love and undeserved kindness of Jehovah God in providing Christ’s sacrifice. The “second death” is permanent, for there is no atonement sacrifice for those going into it. The apostle Paul wrote: “If we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition.”—Heb. 10:26, 27. NO CONSCIOUS TORMENT Those in the “lake of fire” do not have life. Their names are not written in any “book of life.” And life is life, whether spent in pleasure or in suffering pain. Accordingly, there is no consciousness or feeling of pain or suffering in the “lake of fire,” because there is no life there at all. Why, then, does the Bible speak of the Devil, the “wild beast” and the “false prophet” as being “tormented day and night forever and ever” in this “lake”?—Rev. 20:10. It is because they are under the torment of restraint. When Jesus was on earth, the demons entreated him not to order them to go away into the “abyss.” (Luke 8:31) In a parallel account of the same incident, the demons asked Jesus: “Did you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” (Matt. 8:29) This being put into the “abyss” will be a “torment” because it will be a restraint. Satan and his demons are, therefore, to suffer the “torment” of restraint by being hurled into the “abyss” just prior to the thousand-year reign of Christ. They will be restrained from all activity during that thousand years. Then they will be loosed after the thousand years end. (Rev. 20:7; compare Revelation 11:7; 17:8.) After the final attack on God’s sovereignty, the Devil and his demons are hurled into the “lake of fire,” where they suffer the “torment” of everlasting restraint, without letup, in the “second death.” They are completely annihilated, never to appear again. Moreover, all that they accomplished, all their works, will be erased from the universe.—1 John 3:8. The truth that this being put into the “lake of fire” does not mean conscious pain of torment is shown in that the “wild beast” and the “false prophet,” both symbolic of systems or organizations, are spoken of as being “tormented day and night.” But systems or organizations cannot suffer pain. The “lake of fire” annihilates, destroys them. They are restrained from operating, forever. Never will such wicked organizations rise up to dominate or disturb mankind. Also, death and Hades, mankind’s common grave, are done away with in the “lake of fire,” in that Adamic death will have been completely wiped out and Hades will have been emptied and will receive no more such dead. (Rev. 20:14) Certainly these two inanimate things can feel or experience no conscious suffering, but they can be restrained, put out of the way, forever. ITS PURPOSE The “lake of fire,” which means, or symbolizes, the “second death,” also ‘burns with sulphur.’ (Rev. 21:8) Sulphur ignites at a low temperature and burns quickly, thus tending to consume things that would not otherwise burn so readily. Sulphur was anciently used in fumigation. Thus the “lake that burns with fire and sulphur” would well represent a complete, everlasting destruction universally of everything and everyone that has “contaminated” it, carrying on filthy practices, challenging God’s sovereignty and bringing reproach upon his name. The “lake of fire” or “second death,” though always possible for God to use on the willfully disobedient, will not hold any threat to those who have been proved everlastingly loyal through the test of Satan’s loosing after the end of the thousand years of Christ’s reign. The faithful survivors of that test will have God’s guarantee of protection and the sustaining of their lives forever.—Rom. 8:21. Thus the “lake of fire” is an important factor in God’s purposes. It is not something contrary to the personality of Jehovah God, who never conceived nor would ever countenance the eternal conscious torment of anyone. (Jer. 19:5; 32:35) It is in harmony with his personality of justice and loving-kindness, however, for God to clear out wicked troublemakers forever. For it is essential that justice be carried out in the universe for the sake of peace and order in behalf of those who want to do what is right.—Ps. 145:20. Jehovah is not a ruler who is going to let crime and criminals continue to run rampant, taking away all peace and joy of living from law-abiding people. Neither is God harsh, so that there is no help for those who want to change their ways. (1 Tim. 2:3, 4) He allows full and fair opportunity for all. Those who go into the “lake of fire,” which is the “second death,” actually choose everlasting death rather than life, of their own free will and accord, because they selfishly violate the laws of the Universal Sovereign. He rightly requires respect and exclusive devotion. This cleaning out of such hardened rebels is the only way the universe can have peace. May all who want life learn about Jehovah’s ways so as to have their names written in the “book of life” for everlasting happiness.
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#1. To: richard9151 (#0)
Let's try this, since we both (all of us) have a tendency to ignore certain important points in articles and narrow down the topic to 1 or 2 points. Pick a section with one point, and we'll go thru the whole thing point by point. We can't do the entire article at once, it would be unmanageable. Fair enough?
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files Fair enough? Fair enough. A SYMBOL In examining these texts we readily see that the “lake of fire” is not a literal pool of flame. The “wild beast” is symbolic, as earlier shown in Revelation chapter 13, the “image” of it being described in chapter 17, where we are told that the seven heads of the “beast” represent seven ‘mountainlike’ kingdoms. These are understood by Bible commentators to be the seven world powers of Bible history. The five that had “fallen” were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The one that “was” at the time the apostle John wrote was Rome. The seventh has proved, from historical events, to be the Anglo-American World Power.—Rev. 17:9, 10; compare Daniel chapter 8. Since Old Friend just hammered you on symbolism, this would be a good place to start, I think.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
We? Sounds like brainwashing technique. Where do "we" see this?
Another mistake. The false prophet is probably the Pope or someone like that. But you make a strong case for him being a Jehovas Witness.
False, man-made religion
4um Traitor Perhaps you should understand how the Witnesses produce articles. First, someone who is authorized submits an aritcle. Then, it is reviewed by about 20 different editors. (Please do not hammer me on the authorized part; it works.) IF, it is found to be neccessary for the world wide work, it is then submitted for publishing at some future date. BUT, then the real work begins. More than 20 different editors are tasked with reveiwing the material for any errors or mistatements and for absolute accuracy (as to facts known at that time). This includes spelling and puncation, as well as material facts such as numbers and locations etc. When they say we, they mean we; there is never a single author for anything published by the Witnesses.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
You should actually read all of the material before you start to comment. I have always understood that the false prophet was not an actual person, and that understanding came long before I met the Witnesses. Another thought you should consider, since YOU mentioned the Pope; hellfire is a concept that came into Christianity from the Roman church.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
Actually it came from the Bible. You know Gods word. The catholics don't get everything wrong. On some issues they are correct.
Ray Wylie Hubbard has some definite views on the purpose of the firey lake: "Now the murderers and the rapists they go in this firey lake "Everybody is down here" I said "who's up in Heaven with God and the Son?" _________________________________________________________________________ Actually, when you change the Bible, that is what you get; religion. When you follow the Bible, you get The Way, or, the way of life preached and taught by Jesus Christ. See Acts 9:2 and Acts 9:9 and Acts 22:4 and Acts 24:14. The word Christianity did not come into use until introduced by the Roman church. The early Christians called it The Way; they had no idea of using some other term for it. I will also mention, that the only people I have ever met in my life who live as closely as possible to what the Bible teaches are the people I now number myself with. The Jehovah's Witnesses. The best people, as a group, that I have ever met. That was a very strong witness to me when I was making my decision.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
Exactly !
4um Traitor So when the JW took out hell they created their own custom religion. I get it. Why don't you?
In examining these texts we readily see that the “lake of fire” is not a literal pool of flame. The “wild beast” is symbolic, as earlier shown in Revelation chapter 13, the “image” of it being described in chapter 17, where we are told that the seven heads of the “beast” represent seven ‘mountainlike’ kingdoms. These are understood by Bible commentators to be the seven world powers of Bible history. The five that had “fallen” were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The one that “was” at the time the apostle John wrote was Rome. The seventh has proved, from historical events, to be the Anglo-American World Power.—Rev. 17:9, 10; compare Daniel chapter 8. I agree with that. I personally agree to everything up to and including this: The “Lake of Fire” and Its Purpose WHAT is the “lake of fire”? We find this expression used in the Bible only in the book of Revelation, and there its mention is confined to the small area of chapters 19 to 21. A possible allusion to it is also found at Matthew 25:41. Who or what goes into the “lake of fire”? Among the things mentioned are the “wild beast” and the “false prophet.” Death and Hades are put into this “lake.” We also read that the Devil (and along with him his associate demons) is hurled into the “lake” after his final attack on God’s sovereignty.—Rev. 19:20; 20:10, 14. A SYMBOL In examining these texts we readily see that the “lake of fire” is not a literal pool of flame. The “wild beast” is symbolic, as earlier shown in Revelation chapter 13, the “image” of it being described in chapter 17, where we are told that the seven heads of the “beast” represent seven ‘mountainlike’ kingdoms. These are understood by Bible commentators to be the seven world powers of Bible history. The five that had “fallen” were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. The one that “was” at the time the apostle John wrote was Rome. The seventh has proved, from historical events, to be the Anglo-American World Power.—Rev. 17:9, 10; compare Daniel chapter 8. Similarly the “false prophet” is not a person, but is a system or an organization. A “prophet” claims to have inspired information for the direction of others. A “false prophet” would mislead others, to turn them away from God and toward false worship. What does this “false prophet” do to accomplish such purpose? He is shown in another guise in Revelation 13:11-17 as a two-horned “wild beast.” As such he is depicted as performing in front of the seven-headed “wild beast” the signs with which he misleads “those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image.”—Rev. 19:20. Since the “wild beast” and the “false prophet” are symbolic, the “lake of fire” is necessarily symbolic. Further supporting this conclusion is the fact that the abstract thing, “death,” is also hurled into the “lake of fire.” Death cannot be literally burned. Moreover, the demons are thrown into the “lake.” These are angels, spirit persons. Being spirit, they cannot be hurt by literal fire, which is a physical product of chemical combustion. In fact, we read often of spirit persons manifesting themselves to humans in a flame.—Ex. 3:1-5; Acts 7:30; Judg. 13:20; Ps. 104:4; Dan. 7:9, 10. Of what, then, is the “lake of fire” a symbol? The Bible says that it is, or that it means or symbolizes, the “second death.” (Rev. 20:14) What comes after that I disagree with
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files That I disagree with. Prove that it is permanent and everlasting.
Click for Privacy and Preparedness files Oh, that's easy. It's just another Jewish lie to scare gullible goyim into kneeling before the altar of evil and allowing themselves to be lied to, ripped off and screwed over their entire lives. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all go back to the same foetid origin, the babbling of a pitiful desert schizophrenic named Abraham, and everything that has come forth from that rotten font of vileness has done nothing but spread confusion and evil and despair ever since. The more I hear about this despicable horse manure the more I am learning to deeply despise it. So keep it up, Deacon. You're getting me good and pissed off. Pray to your fake "god" that I never meet you in person, dipwad.
#2. To: PSUSA, Old Friend (#1)
Pick a section with one point, and we'll go thru the whole thing point by point. We can't do the entire article at once, it would be unmanageable.
#3. To: richard9151 (#0)
In examining these texts we readily see that the “lake of fire” is not a literal pool of flame.
#4. To: richard9151 (#0)
Similarly the “false prophet” is not a person,
#5. To: Old Friend (#4)
But you make a strong case for him being a Jehovas Witness.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#6. To: Old Friend (#3)
Where do "we" see this?
#7. To: Old Friend (#4)
Another mistake.
#8. To: richard9151 (#7)
YOU mentioned the Pope; hellfire is a concept that came into Christianity from the Roman church.
#9. To: richard9151 (#0)
As well as most of the politician and the cops on the take
And all the mothers that wait to get to KMart to spank their kids
Instead of showing what to do what's right, they just hit 'em for what they did
And all the daddy's who run off and abandon their daughters and sons
Oh anybody that hurts a child is gonna burn until it's done"
"Oh some saints and mystics and students of metaphysics 101
People who care and share and love and try to do what's right
Beautiful old souls who read a little stories to their babies every night
What you wont find up in Heaven are Christian Coalition Right Wing Conservatives
Country program directors and Nashville record executives"
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#10. To: Rotara (#5)
False, man-made religion
#11. To: richard9151 (#10)
Actually, when you change the Bible, that is what you get; religion.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
#12. To: richard9151 (#10)
Actually, when you change the Bible, that is what you get; religion.
#13. To: richard9151 (#2)
A SYMBOL
#14. To: richard9151 (#0)
This cannot mean that everything that goes into it dies a second time, for “death and Hades” have not died or gone out of existence in the past. The expression “second death” distinguishes this death, which is permanent and everlasting and from which there is no resurrection, from the death brought upon the human race by Adam.
#15. To: richard9151 (#0)
(Edited)
The “Lake of Fire” and Its Purpose
 | Gold and silver are REAL money, paper is but a promise. |
#16. To: Elliott Jackalope (#15)
The entire purpose of your being seems to be to reject Christ. That is pretty much all you talk about. It is sad. Because he will reject you if you don't change paths.
#17. To: Old Friend (#8)
Actually, it absolutely did not. Instead, it came with how certain words were translated from the original. I have posted all of the info before to you, but will do so again; Definition: The word “hell” is found in many Bible translations. In the same verses other translations read “the grave,” “the world of the dead,” and so forth. Other Bibles simply transliterate the original-language words that are sometimes rendered “hell”; that is, they express them with the letters of our alphabet but leave the words untranslated. What are those words? The Hebrew she’ohl82; and its Greek equivalent hai82;des, which refer, not to an individual burial place, but to the common grave of dead mankind; also the Greek ge82;en·na, which is used as a symbol of eternal destruction. However, both in Christendom and in many non-Christian religions it is taught that hell is a place inhabited by demons and where the wicked, after death, are punished (and some believe that this is with torment). Were I you, I would pay close attention to what I bolded, because that tells you that this is a belief that is common to the vast majority of mankind. If you are familiar at all with the Bible, I should not have to post to you the info about the narrow path to salvation, which so few find. It is also, along with an immortal soul, a concept that came directly from Babylon (meaning confusion).
Actually it came from the Bible.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
#18. To: PSUSA (#13)
I personally agree to everything up to and including this: Hey!! Yippee!! We is making progress!!
I agree with that.
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
#19. To: PSUSA (#14)
I may be confused now. Are you saying that Satan will last forever? That death and hades will still be around? Are you also claiming that no matter if people accept the rule of Jehovah God, they will still be allowed to live on the earth? That forgivness is forced on them, as well as obdeiance? Please clarify this for me.
permanent and everlasting
Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;.
#20. To: richard9151 (#19)
Please be careful on how you use the word "forever" or "for ever". Used in the Bible these words do not mean "eternal" as we use that word today. This is a key scripture. Romans 8 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. It was God that created us subject to vanity. He is responsible. Adam and Eve did not live in a perfect world, they were not created perfect, and if any of us lived back then, we'd have sinned too. No one should blame Adam or Eve. God knows evil (Gen 3:22). God created evil (Isaiah 45:7). God created all, and that includes Satan. And it was GOOD. If we are being created in Gods' image then we need to know good and evil too. Death and Hades will be destroyed in the lake of fire. We agree on that. But why will it be destroyed? Because there will be no more sin to bring back death and the grave. The wages of sin is death. No sin, no death. It's all going to be done away with. Gehenna fire burns all the trash (sin) until, like the real Gehenna valley, there is no more fire. That includes Satan. Isaiah 26:9 for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. No one will get away with anything.
I may be confused now. Are you saying that Satan will last forever? That death and hades will still be around?
Are you also claiming that no matter if people accept the rule of Jehovah God, they will still be allowed to live on the earth? That forgivness is forced on them, as well as obdeiance? Please clarify this for me.
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#21. To: richard9151 (#18)
Yeah, well, dont look for me at a Kingdom Hall any time soon... :) I will have nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with any organized church. Period.
Hey!! Yippee!! We is making progress!!
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