The Lake Of Fire

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

One of the most difficult subjects we ever discuss is that of eternal punishment.  Our text is straightforward.  Having described the Great White Throne, John explains what occurs there, ‘and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things were written in the books.  The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.’  This is a sober scene.  It includes all who have ever lived.  It is entirely consistent with Christ’s description of it in Matthew 25, where He speaks of dividing the sheep from the goats.  His description of the end result is also the same.  There is a place of eternal punishment.  John describes it as the lake of fire.  Elsewhere, Christ describes it as the place ‘where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched.’  The previous verse to our text declares ‘this is the second death.’  If the Scripture speaks of it, and Christ ratifies it, then we have every reason to believe the truth of it.  Christ has lived, died, risen, ascended, intercedes and shall return to deliver us from this eternal punishment.  He has come that we might have life and not experience this second death.  Our appeal to you is that you embrace Christ as the gospel freely offers Him.  We desire that you not wait another day, hour, or minute without knowing Him Whom to know aright is life eternal.

Our Glorious, Living Christ,
we rejoice that You have done what is necessary to keep us
from this lake of fire.
We praise You, that You will not cast out
any who come to You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning