Lake of Fire

The “lake of fire” conjures up in some the traditional view of an everlasting place of burning where the wicked are tortured forever. Others may think of running to the mountains while the earth is flooded with lava. One thing is for certain: Blazing fires sweep across the land leaving behind ashes in their wake, devouring whatever they can jump on for fuel.

The careful Bible student will notice, however, that fire appears on both sides of the millennium, and it affects different things at different times. Here, at the coming of Christ before the millennium, the elements melt with fervent heat and molten fire devours—2 Peter 3:10 says, “burn up”—the beast and the false prophet. These are the two major kingdoms revealed in Revelation 13.

That said, neither Satan, his angels, nor the wicked are devoured by the lake of fire at this time. (See Revelation 19:21; 20:1, 13–15.) The kingdom of the beast and its image cease to exist; they are annihilated. This takes place at the coming of Christ, when “the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). But the personal judgment of individuals, when everyone is rewarded according to their works, is reserved for after the millennium.

When the whole world is rallied against the followers of Christ, when the Oppressor has worldwide control through a universal government, it would be easy to think that there is no hope for the follower of Christ. Discouragement and even despair might creep in and seek to overwhelm us, but we should never give in to despondency. We have hope in a mighty Conqueror who hears our cries and is ready to come at the perfect moment to deliver us from the hands of the enemy.

Dear God, help me to trust in Your judgment and rest in Your goodness.

For Further Study: Exodus 14:7; 2 Timothy 4:1

Key Bible Texts

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20 KJV)