HOPE through Prophecy

Lesson 15 – Revelation’s Lake of Fire

1. What happens to the wicked at Christ’s return? Rev. 6:15-17; 2 Thes. 1:7-10.

The Bible says the wicked will be destroyed with the brightness of Christ’s coming.

2. How long is the devil bound in the “bottomless pit”? Rev. 20:2

3. What is the condition of the earth at that time? Jer. 4:23-27; Isa. 24:19-22

4. Where are God’s people at that time, and what are they doing? Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 6:2-3

The devil will be “bound” by the simple fact that there will be no one left to tempt. God’s people are in
heaven examining the judgments of God; the wicked are dead until the second resurrection, which will
not take place for one thousand years after Christ’s coming; Satan’s deceptions will be utterly powerless
at this time.

5. What happens at the end of the 1000 years? Rev. 20:5-8; Jn. 5:28-29

The resurrection of the wicked for the execution of their sentence will once again provide Satan
opportunity to practice his deceptive power. This will demonstrate to all that he does not have a shred of
remorse, and neither do the wicked who will once again side with him.

6. Where is the “lake of fire”? Rev. 20:9-10, 14; Ezek. 28:18

The Bible tells us that the lake of fire is on the earth, NOT in some dark chasm below.

7. When is the “lake of fire”? 2 Pet. 2:9; 3:5-7; Job 21:30; Mt. 13:30, 40

Jesus said that the tares, representing the wicked, would be “burned up” at the end of the age – NOT as
soon as they died. Both Peter and Job used the term “reserved” when speaking of the punishment of the
wicked, teaching that it would take place at some time in the future. Clearly the devil and his angels are
not yet burning in the fires of hell; they are still active in tempting and deceiving humanity.
 8. How long is the “lake of fire”? Mal. 4:1-3; Ps. 37:9-11, 20; Ezek. 28:18-19; Rom. 6:23; Jn.
3:16; Phil. 3:18-19; Mt. 7:13; Ob. 1:16

The Bible repeatedly and consistenly teaches annihilation – utter destruction – of the wicked. Though no
time frame is given, yet it is clear that the lake of fire does not continue burning throughout eternity. It
will “burn up” the wicked into “ashes.” This includes the devil himself. Revelation 12:12 tells us that
satan knows he has “a short time.” This does not indicate that he will be alive for eternity in hellfire.

9. What does the Bible say Sodom and Gomorrah suffered? Jude 7

10. How does Peter describe it? 2 Pet. 2:6

Jude and Peter describe the same event, with Jude saying that Sodom and Gomorrah suffered the
vengeance of “eternal fire,” while Peter makes it clear that these cities were turned “into ashes.” We know
for a fact that Sodom and Gomorrah are not still burning today.

11. What kind of fire did Jesus say would destroy the wicked? Mk. 9:43-44

12. In Isaiah, where Jesus was quoting from, what did Isaiah say that the “unquenchable
fire” was burning? Isa. 66:24

Jesus spoke of “unquenchable fire” destroying the wicked. In the book of Isaiah, where Jesus was quoting
from, Isaiah tells us that the fire was consuming “corpses.” In other words, the fire is NOT torturing
living people, but burning up dead people. The fire is unquenchable – it can’t be put out until the job is
done, and there’s nothing left to burn.

13. What kind of fire did Jeremiah say consumed Jerusalem? Jer. 17:27. Is Jerusalem still
burning today?

14. What did Isaiah say could not be found after the final destruction? Isa. 47:14

Just like the example of Sodom and Gomorrah, we know that Jerusalem is not still burning today. The
“unquenchable fire” was exactly as described in the previous questions – a fire that does not go out until
the job is done. When the lake of fire has done its job, there will not be a coal left “to warm at.”

15. What is the purpose of the “lake of fire”? 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-4

16. Who was it prepared for? Mt. 25:41

17. Does God enjoy destroying the wicked? 2 Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 18:32; Isa. 28:21

The purpose of the lake of fire is to destroy sin, with the devil and his angels. God has no pleasure in
destruction, especially of His own creatures which He has formed with His own hands. God loves the
sinner, but cannot sanction or allow the sin. For both the good of the sinner and the good of the universe,
God must destroy those who have chosen to follow their own ways, independent of the Source of life.