The Lake of Fire

Firewalking has been practiced in many different cultures for thousands of years. The act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers has been considered a rite of passage that tests a person’s strength and courage—and even one’s faith.

Satan has deceived humanity for thousands of years, but there is a fire he cannot walk through at the end of the thousand years. While God’s people will be safe inside New Jerusalem, the “lake of fire” will consume sin and sinners outside the city. The flames will purify the world (Malachi 4:1).

Some believe sinners will burn eternally in the fires based on this passage and others. But the Bible teaches that “the wicked shall be no more” (Psalm 37:10). Jesus taught us to “fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell[fire]” (Matthew 10:28, emphasis added). Peter compares the end of the ungodly with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were turned “into ashes” (2 Peter 2:6). Ezekiel clearly states that the devil will become ashes and exist no longer (Ezekiel 28:18, 19).

One of the most important principles for the right interpretation of a passage is utilizing textual context. When forming an opinion on any doctrine, such as hellfire, it is important to comb through all the scriptures that speak on the subject (Isaiah 28:10) to help us discern more clearly the truth of such difficult individual texts. We should never make a doctrine out of a single verse.

From the beginning, God said, “In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Satan has been lying that unrepentant sinners already have eternal life, but no matter how often he repeats the lie, “You shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), God’s words are sure: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:23).

Now, the devil is thrown into the lake of fire, which is “the second death” (Revelation 20:14).

Dear Jesus, I choose to hear and obey Your words. I believe in You and receive Your gift of everlasting life.

For Further Study: Psalm 37:38; Isaiah 5:24; Jeremiah 17:27

Key Bible Texts

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. (Revelation 20:10 KJV)