Primary Study
Grafted Bible Dictionary
Definition
The Lake of Fire is the final judgment image appearing in Revelation.
It should be distinguished from Hades and Temple, prophetic hope, Yeshua's death and resurrection, apostolic mission, and future restoration.">Jerusalem.">Gehenna even though these concepts are related within broader theology of judgment.
It should be distinguished from Hades and Temple, prophetic hope, Yeshua's death and resurrection, apostolic mission, and future restoration.">Jerusalem.">Gehenna even though these concepts are related within broader theology of judgment.
Revelation
The phrase appears in:
• Revelation 19:20
• Revelation 20:10
• Revelation 20:14–15
• Revelation 21:8
• Revelation 19:20
• Revelation 20:10
• Revelation 20:14–15
• Revelation 21:8
Death and Hades
Revelation 20:14 states:
"Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire."
This demonstrates that Hades and the Lake of Fire are not identical.
"Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire."
This demonstrates that Hades and the Lake of Fire are not identical.
Second Death
Revelation explicitly identifies the Lake of Fire with:
"the second death."
This makes death imagery central to its interpretation.
"the second death."
This makes death imagery central to its interpretation.
Recipients
Revelation depicts the Lake of Fire as judgment upon:
• beast
• false prophet
• Devil
• death
• Hades
• those not found in the Book of Life
• beast
• false prophet
• Devil
• death
• Hades
• those not found in the Book of Life
Interpretive Questions
Christian traditions disagree over whether the imagery denotes:
• everlasting conscious punishment
• final destruction
• apocalyptic symbolism with another underlying reality
The textual connection to "second death" should receive serious attention in any interpretation.
• everlasting conscious punishment
• final destruction
• apocalyptic symbolism with another underlying reality
The textual connection to "second death" should receive serious attention in any interpretation.