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MISUNDERSTOOD MYSTERIES

MADE MANIFEST (CLEAR)

by Dr. Fred Wittman

VII. THE MYSTERY OF THE LAKE OF FIRE

INTRODUCTION: What is the human’s worst option for eternity like? How can there be darkness when fire gives light? Who will spend Eternity in Hell? Where will the disobedient spend Eternity?

    In the last paper on Misunderstood Mysteries Made Manifest, the human’s best option for Eternity was considered. Naturally following that consideration would be the human’s worst option for Eternity. The Lord Jesus Christ plainly indicated as He brought His Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion in Matthew chapter seven that the ratio of those perishing in Eternity to those who find Eternal Absolute Life and spend Eternity in Heaven with Him is many to few. Many shall enter the wide gate and travel the spacious way leading away unto utter destruction, while few shall enter the narrow gate and travel the way restricted with pressure which leads to Eternal Absolute Life and enter it through and with The Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 7:13,14 APT). The many versus the few! Peter gave the significant ratio in describing the few souls, “that is , eight souls were saved . . .” in the ark (1 Pet. 3:20). It is estimated that there were about a million and a half people on the Earth at the time of the Flood. Thus the ratio of many to few is 1,500,000 to 8.

Jesus went on to say that not every one who calls Him Lord will enter the kingdom, but there will be many who will claim they prophesied and cast out demons and did many miraculous powers in His name. Jesus said, “At that time I will confess to them, ‘I never knew you, the ones working lawlessness, be disassociating away from Me!’” (Mt. 7:21-23 APT). Yes! Jesus said that “many” will end up perishing in eternal utter destruction. And He said that “many” will claim they served The Lord and even performed miracles in His Name all the time thinking they have Eternal Life when they did not. Therefore they shall end up banished from His presence in eternal utter destruction! Since all this is true, it behooves you and me carefully to examine The Scriptures and our own position and condition in the light of The Truth stated Therein.

Let us examine four particulars concerning the human’s worst option for Eternity: The Designation in Scripture, The Delineation of the Lake of Fire; The Differentiation between Hell and the Lake of Fire; and The Determination of Permanent Residents.

A. The Designation of the Human’s Worst Option for Eternity.

Altogether in both Testaments there are seven designations or means of identifying the human’s worst option for Eternity in the original languages in Scripture.

1. In The Old Testament the prophet Isaiah indicated that the worst eternal option for humans was everlasting burnings in devouring fire (Isa. 33:12,14).

“And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. . . . The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isa. 33:12,14).

Isaiah recorded The LORD’s (Jehovah’s) words to His people. He asked them to determine who would spend Eternity in devouring fire and dwell forever in everlasting burnings. The worst option for humans was a choice for all living in Old Testament times. They could choose to worship and serve The God totally committed to Him and his Law or choose other gods, which would bring upon them devouring fire and everlasting burnings. This did not mean they would be utterly consumed in the fire because the Fire of The God does not utterly consume when it utterly destroys in Eternity. Consider “the burning bush” before which Moses stood (Ex. 3:2). The fire of The God did consume the sacrifices and humans when it fell on them on Earth during time before Eternity, but Jesus indicated that in Eternity “the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mk. 9:43-48).

2. New Testament (Greek)

In the New Testament with reference to utter destruction in fire in Eternity, there are seven English terms used translated from six Greek terms.

a. Everlasting (AV) [Eternal] Fire τò πûρ τò αi’ώνιον (Mt. 18:8; 25:41); [this Greek term has been translated as everlasting twice and eternal once]:

“Now if (and it is true) your$ /hand or your$ /foot is offending[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, cut them off[out]! And cast |them| away from you$! It is intrinsically good for you$ to enter into the absolute life lame or maimed than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal /fire” (Mt. 18:8 APT).

“At that time He shall say also to the+ ones on 0left&, Journey away from Me, you& cursed+ ones, unto the eternal /fire, |namely| the one having been prepared for the devil and his /angels!” (Mt. 25:41 APT).

“Angels too, who did not keep the principality[realm or original estate] of themselves watchfully secure, but on the contrary He stands keeping |them| watchfully secure in everlasting[’aîδιος] bonds under thick darkness unto 0Great Day’s judging because they left their own[private] habitation remaining behind. As Sodom [Sohdómah] and Góhmohrrhah and the cities around them being utterly immoral and departing after other[different kind of] flesh, the similar manner to these |angels|, they are being set before |us| an example continually undergoing justice of eternal fire” (Jude 6,7 APT).

         b. The Furnace of The Fire (Mt. 13:41,42,49,50):

“The Son of /Man[Human] shall send[with commission] His /angels and they shall collect out of His Kingdom all the offences[causes of stumbling or scandals] and |all| the ones committing[doing] the lawlessness[non-observance of law]. And they shall cast them into the furnace of the fire. There shall be the loud weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. . . . In this way it will be at the consummation of the age. The angels will exit. And they will segregate[limit away] the wicked+ ones out of the 0midst of the righteous+ ones. And they will cast them into the furnace of the fire. There shall be the loud weeping and the gnashing of the teeth” (Mt. 13:41,42,49,50 APT) .

         c. The Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20; 20:10,14,15):

“And the beast was apprehended and [in company]with /him the false prophet who did the miraculous signs in the presence of him[the beast], by means of which he misled the ones |who| took the engraving of the beast and the ones repeatedly bowing in homage to the image of him. These two were cast absolutely continuously living into the Lake^ of the Fire, the^ one burning with / \ brimstone. . . . And the devil who misled them was cast into the Lake of the Fire and Brimstone, where /also\ the beast and the false prophet |are|. And they shall be tortured[grievously pained] daytime and nighttime for /ever and /evermore. . . . And the death and the hell[Háh-ihdays] were cast into the Lake of the Fire. This is the second //\ death: /the Lake of the Fire\. And if (and it is true) anyone was not found standing written in the [/large scroll or volume] /Scroll\ of The Absolute Life, he[or she] was cast into the Lake of the Fire” (Rev. 19:20; 20:10,14,15 APT).

         d. The Lake continuously burning with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8):

“But to /the cowardly ones and to faithless ones and to sinners and to abominating ones and to murderers and to sexually immoral ones and to sorcerers[dealers in black magic and drugs] and to idolaters and to all the lying ones, the part of theirs |shall be| in the lake, |namely| the^ one continuously burning with fire and brimstone, which is /the second /death” (Rev.21:8 APT).

e. Géh-ehn-nah (12x) translated Hell refers to both Hell and the Eternal Lake of Fire (Mk. 9:43-48; Mt. 10:28; 23:33; 5:22,29,30):

“And if (and it may take place) your$ /hand offend[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, cut it away[castrate]! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the absolute life maimed, than having the two hands to depart into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin], into the unquenchable /fire[Is. 66:24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished. And if (and it may take place) your$ /foot offend[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, cut it away[castrate]! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the absolute life lame, than having the two feet to be cast into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin], into the unquenchable /fire[Is. 66:24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished. And if (and it may take place) your$ /eye offend[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, pluck[cast out] it out! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the Kingdom of The God one-eyed, than having two eyes to be cast into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin] of the fire, [Is. 66:24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished” (Mk.9:43-48 APT).

“And never fear for yourselves [away]from the ones killing the body, but are not able to kill the soul! But rather fear for yourselves The+ One continually able to utterly destroy both /the soul and /the body in Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin]” (Mt. 10:28 APT).

“O serpents, O generation of vipers, how could you& successfully flee away from the judgment to the Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin]?” (Mt 10:33 APT).

“But who ever say to his /brother, Rahkáh[Aramaic term of bitter contempt: numbskull], shall be guilty in the Sanhedrin [tribunal]. Then who ever say, O moron, shall be guilty unto the Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin] of the fire. . . . Then if (and it is true) your$ /right /eye offends[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, extricate it and cast |it| away from you$! For it is expedient for you$ that one of your$ /members[parts] perish and not your$ whole /body be cast into Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin]. And if (and it is true) your$ /right /hand offends[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, cut it off and cast |it| away from you$! For it is expedient for you $ that one of your$ members[parts] perish and not your$ whole body be cast into Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin]’’ (Mt. 5:22.29,30). [For more data concerning Géh-ehn-nah consult Misunderstood Mysteries Made Manifest #3 and see the Grave Chart.]

         f. Perdition [Utter Destruction] (2 Pet. 3:7; Rev. 17:8,11):

“But now the Heavens and the Earth, by The Same Word, are being permanently treasured up, being kept watchfully secure for fire unto Day of Judging and Utter Destruction of the ungodly humans[generic]” (2 Pet. 3:7 APT).

“The beast which you$ beheld was being and it is not continually being. And it is about to ascend out of the Abyss and to slip[lead under] away unto utter destruction. And the ones residing upon the Earth, whose /names do not stand written upon the Scroll of the Absolute Life from 0foundation of 0world, shall be marveling while seeing the beast /that was being and is not continuing, /and yet it shall be present. . . . And the beast which was being and is not continuing, even he himself is the eighth and he is out of the seven. And he is slipping away unto utter destruction” (Rev. 17:8,11 APT).

B. The Description of the Human’s Worst Option for Eternity.

In order to describe the Lake of Fire, it is necessary to consider four aspects: Its Location, Its Composition, Its Population, and the Purpose for Its Existence.

1. The Location of The Lake of Fire is Outside of Earth (Mt. 8:12; Jude 13) where it continues after Earth is destroyed (Rev. 21:1,8). The Lord Jesus referred to The Lake of Fire as ‘the outer /dark.’

“But I am saying to you&, ‘‘Many will arrive from 0easts& and wests& and they will recline |to eat| [in company]with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of The Heavens. But the sons of the Kingdom will be cast out into the outer /dark. There shall be the loud weeping and the gnashing of the teeth” (Mt. 8:11,12 APT).

Weeping and gnashing of teeth is the description of the suffering which shall prevail in the Lake of Fire called the Furnace of the Fire by The Lord Jesus Christ (Mt. 13:41,42).

“The Son of /Man[Human] shall send[with commission] His /angels and they shall collect out of His Kingdom all the offences[causes of stumbling or scandals] and |all | the ones committing[doing] the lawlessness[non-observance of law]. And they shall cast them into the Furnace of the Fire. There shall be the loud weeping and the gnashing of the teeth ” (Mt. 13:41,42,50 APT).

On another occasion Jesus told of a king who prepared a marriage feast for his son. When those who received invitations refused to come, he sent his bondslaves into the several ways to invite as many as they could find,. All who came were provide wedding garments, the king saw one man without a wedding garment. When asked why he entered without a wedding garment, he did not utter a sound. The king ordered his domestic servants to “bind his hands and feet, carry him off and cast Him into the outer dark. There shall be loud weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt. 22:1-14). In still another discourse Jesus told of a useless or unprofitable servant who in Judgment was condemned to be cast out into outer dark. This time also Jesus identified the place where “there was the weeping and gnashing of the teeth” (Mt. 25:30). Later in that same chapter, Jesus told of His coming in glory with the holy angels followed by the Judgment of the Nations. To the wicked ones He said, “Journey away from Me, you& cursed+ ones, unto the eternal /fire, |namely| the~ one having been prepared for the devil and his /angels!” (Mt. 25:41 APT).

Finally John the beloved disciple wrote of a new Heaven and new Earth after time ended and eternity began.

“And I beheld 0new[kind of, in nature or quality, unused] Heaven and 0new[kind of, in nature or quality, unused] Earth. For the first Heaven and the first Earth passed away. And the sea is not continuing anymore[yet]. . . . But to /the cowardly ones and to faithless ones and to sinners and to abominating ones and to murderers and to sexually immoral ones and to sorcerers[dealers in black magic and drugs] and to idolaters and to all the lying ones, the part of theirs |shall be| in the lake, |namely| the^ one continuously burning with fire and brimstone, which is /the second /death” (Rev. 21:1,8 APT).

Therefore it is understood that The Lake of Fire is eternally located in the deep darkness of southern outer space away from the light of the new Heaven and the Holy City which is located in outer space (Rev. 21:10,11,23,2).

    2. The Composition

Scripture uses eight terms in describing the Lake of Fire. Two of these are stated in the same passage of Scripture.

“And if (and it may take place) your$ /hand offend[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, cut it away[castrate]! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the absolute life maimed, than having the two hands to depart into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin], into the unquenchable /fire [Is. 66:24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished. And if (and it may take place) your$ /foot offend [scandalize, cause to stumble] you $, cut it away [castrate]! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the absolute life lame, than having the two feet to be cast into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin], into the unquenchable /fire [Is. 66:24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished. And if (and it may take place) your$ /eye offend[[scandalize, cause to stumble] you$, pluck[cast out] it out! It is an intrinsically good thing~ for you$ to enter into the Kingdom of The God one-eyed, than having two eyes to be cast into /Géh-ehn-nah[place of fiery torment for sin] of the fire, [Is. 66: 24]where their /worm is not ending and the fire is not being extinguished” (Mk. 9:43-48APT).

         a. Unquenchable Fire - Intense Heat (Mk. 9:43,45,48 see above)

The Lord Jesus mentioned the first two terms, of the eight that are recorded in Scripture, to describe the Lake of Fire, Géh-ehn-nah (Mk. 9:43-48). He called the place Géh-ehn-nah, a place that is burning with unquenchable fire (vs.43,45 above) and said that it is never being extinguished (vs. 44,46,48 above). Where there is unquenchable fire, there is intense heat.

b. Nondestructive Fire - fire that never consumes (Mk. 9:45,46,58 see above). The worm that sizzles, turns into steam, and vanishes when thrown into the fire on Earth, is never consumed in the Lake of Fire. There the worm and all others therein never come to an end. Their life continues forever burning but never consumed in the misery and agony of intense heat. It is the same torture that unregenerated souls endure in Háhihdays or Hell, the temporary abode for departed human spirits, where the rich man went when he died (Lk. 16:20-31).

         c. Brimstone - burning sulphur (Rev. 20:10; 21:8).

Another element of the Lake of Fire is brimstone which is burning sulphur. When sulphur burns it gives off sulphur dioxide, dark black gas that burns the eyes, nostrils, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs thus causing extreme discomfort and misery.

“And the devil who misled them was cast into the Lake of the Fire and Brimstone[burning sulphur], where /also\ the beast and the false prophet |are|. And they shall be tortured[grievously pained] daytime and nighttime for /ever and /evermore. . . . But to /the cowardly\ ones and to faithless ones and to sinners and to abominating ones and to murderers and to sexually immoral ones and to sorcerers[dealers in black magic and drugs] and to idolaters and to all the lying ones, the part of theirs |shall be| in the lake, |namely| the^ one continuously burning with fire and brimstone[burning sulphur], which is /the second /death” (Rev. 20:10; 21:8 APT).

         d. Darkness (2 Pet. 2:17; Jude 13).

Another element of the Lake of Fire is darkness. One reason for darkness is absence of light. However there is an additional reason for the darkness in the Lake of Fire. That is burning brimstone giving off dark black gas.

“These are waterless well-springs, shaped clouds being propelled by a furious storm, for whom the thick darkness of the gloom for ever is being kept watchfully secure” (2 Pet. 2:17 APT).

“. . . wild sea-waves foaming up the shames of themselves; wandering stars for whom the thick darkness of the gloom stands kept watchfully secure for /ever” (Jude 13 APT).

         e. Perpetual Torment (Rev. 14:11; 20:10).

The Lake of Fire and Brimstone is a place of perpetual torment in extreme heat that has no end.

“And the smoke of their /torturing continually ascends for ever[unto ages after ages] and ever. And the ones bowing in homage to the beast and the image of him and if (and it is true) anyone takes the engraving of his /name, they are not having refreshing repose daytime nor nighttime. . . . And the devil who misled them was cast into the Lake of the Fire and Brimstone[burning sulphur], where /also the beast and the false prophet |are|. And they shall be tortured[grievously pained] daytime and nighttime for /ever and /evermore” (Rev. 14:11; 20:10 APT).

The same conditions that existed in Hell shall also exit in the Lake of Fire, since Hell and all the ones in it will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14). These conditions include thirst as well as torturing with out the possibility of refreshing repose or sleep.

         f. No Rest Nor Relief (Rev. 14:11).

Eternity in the Lake of Fire has the opposite effect as Eternity on the new Earth or new Heaven provide. Eternity for the redeemed, regenerated sons of The God provides rest but the Lake of Fire affords neither rest nor relief from intense heat, perpetual torment, incessant anguish, burning eyes and respiratory system, and persistent darkness. Just as the rich man, referred to as Dives in Latin, could experience thirst and dried tongue in Hell after death, just as those in the Lake of Fire will experience the same sensations, even as humans experience, itching, numbness, and pain in the stump of a limb that has been amputated. There is no rest nor relief for all eternity (refer to Rev. 14:11 above).

         g. Anger and The Fiery Passionate Wrath of The God (Rom. 2:5-11).

The God’s anger and His passionate wrath executed in fire is coupled together in several Scripture passages (Deut. 29:23,28; 2 Kings 22:17; 2 Chron. 34:25; Ps. 21:9; 78:49; 85:3; 90:11; Is. 13:13; Jer. 21:5; 32:37; Rom. 2:8). It is interesting to note in some of these Scriptures that the words ‘not be quenched’ or ‘fire’ are found in connection with The God’s ‘wrath.’ Some translations use ‘indignation’ for θυμόϛ which is mostly translated ‘wrath.’ Paul connects them together when referring to that Day of Anger and Revelation of The God’s Righteous Judgment (Rom. 2:5,8).

“But we are aware that the judgment of The God is according to truth against the ones practicing the such like~ things. Now you$ are reckoning this~, are you$ O human, the one judging the ones practicing the such like~ things andyet continually do |the| same~ things, that you$ yourself shall escape the judgment of The God? Or are you$ despising the$ wealth$: of His /kindness and of His forbearance and of His longsuffering, and are being ignorant that the kindliness of The God is attempting to lead you$ unto repentance? But according to your$ /hardness and unrepentant heart you$ are treasuring up for yourself anger in 0Day of Anger and Revelation of The God’s Righteous Judgment, Who shall render to each one according to his /works: on the one hand to the ones according to patient endurance under beneficially good work who are seeking glory[exaltation with majestic radiant splendor] and highly respected precious value and incorruptibility, eternal absolute life. But on the other hand to the ones out of strife and on one hand continually resisting persuasion by the truth but on the other hand being persuaded by the unrighteousness: passionate wrath and anger, tribulation, and distress upon every soul[natural life] of a human who continually performs the evil, both to 0Jew first and to 0Greek. But glory[exaltation with majestic radiant splendor] and highly respected precious value and peace to everyone who is continually working the beneficially good~, both to 0Jew first and to 0Greek. For there is not respect[De. 10:17] of persons with[alongside] The God” (Rom. 2:2-11 APT).

Thus anger and the fiery passionate wrath of The God as another element of the Lake of Fire.

         h. Degrees of Intensity (Prov. 24:12; Mt. 16:27; Rom. 2:4-6; Rev. 20:12,13).

Throughout both Old and New Testaments The God has indicated time and again that the final judgment is to each one according to his or her works. Those who respond to the Gospel and through repentance and faith and appropriate the work of Christ on our behalf by dying on the cross, shedding His precious blood, enduring the wrath of the God in darkness for sin, resurrected and ascended, and fulfilled His High priestly ministry applying His Blood on the Mercyseat in Heaven shall have their works judged, one by one, at the Bemah (judgment seat on steps) when He takes His sons (regenerated disciples) to Heaven. But those who resist The Truth of the Gospel, do not repent and do not persistently commit trust in the work of The Lord Jesus Christ, shall be judged at the Great White Throne, one by one, each one according to their works. Remember all works, no matter how good or how moral in the eyes of humans, which are done before regeneration and apart from the power, guidance, and enabling of The Holy Spirit are dead works in the eyes of The God (Eph. 2:1-4,8,9; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; 3:2,5,10; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 11:4, 13-15).

Carefully consider, At which judgment will you stand, the Bemah or the Great white throne? If not sure or just hope that it will be at the Bemah, then repent of your sins and sinful way at once and in prayer, confess you sinful condition (admit you are a lost guilty sinner) and ask The Lord Jesus Christ to come into your Heart and save you at once. [If you need assistance to appropriate The God’s wonderful salvation log on to Knowing The Savior on our website @www. happyheralds.org or .com or if already on the web click here.]

It appears that in order to judge each one according to one’s works and be just, The Righteous God surely has degrees of intensity in the Lake of Fire. If each one is judged according to one’s works and some works are more seriously damaging and others less damaging or morally good but faithless, there would not be fairness, justice, nor righteousness in such judgment. Moreover Scripture makes it very clear that the The God is just and right in all His ways (Deut. 32:4; Hosea 14:9; Rev. 15:3). But that is of little consequence when the sentence calls for enduring agony in torment forever. Note the emphasis in the following three passages of Scripture!

“. . . doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” (Prov. 24:12)

 

“For The Son of /Man[The Human] is about to come in the glory[majestic radiant splendor] of His /Father with His /angels. And at that time He shall render to each~ one according to his /practice” (Mt. 16:27 APT).

 

“And I beheld the dead ones, /the great ones and the little ones\, remaining standing in the viewpoint of /the throne\. And scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened, which is |The Book[Scroll]| of The Absolute Life. And the dead ones[genitive plural = names or things or both] were judged out of the ones standing written in the scrolls according to the works of theirs. And the sea gave the dead ones, /|namely| the ones\ in it. And the death and the hell[Háh-ihdays] gave the dead ones, /|namely| the ones\ in them. And they were judged each one according to the works of theirs” (Rev. 20:12,13 APT).

    3. The Population - the “company of occupants”

         a. The Devil and His angels

“At that time He shall say also to the+ ones on 0left&, Journey away from Me, you& cursed+ ones, unto the eternal /fire, |namely | the one having been prepared for the devil and his /angels! (Mt. 25:41 APT)

         b. The Anti-God and Antichrist

“And the beast was apprehended and [in company]with /him the false prophet who did the miraculous signs in the presence of him[the beast], by means of which he misled the ones |who| took the engraving of the beast and the ones repeatedly bowing in homage to the image of him. These two were cast absolutely continuously living into the Lake^ of the Fire, the^ one burning with / \ brimstone” (Rev. 19:20ATP).

c. All disobedient people (corrupters) (Rev. 21:8; 11:18; 22:15 cf. 2 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5,6;)

    4. The Purpose: Punishment for Evil (Is. 13:11; Mt. 25:46)

“And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isa. 13:11).

At the Judgment of the gentile nations who did not reach out to the Jews in the tribulation when The Lord Jesus Christ comes in His glory to set up His Millennial Kingdom, “At that time He shall say also to the ones on 0left&

Journey away from Me, you& cursed ones, unto the eternal /fire, |namely| the~ one having been prepared for the devil and his /angels! . . . And they themselves shall depart unto eternal excruciation. But the righteous ones unto eternal absolute life” (Mt. 25:41,46 APT).

C. The Differentiation Between The Two Terms Used to Designate the Human’s Worst Option for Eternity compared to The Abyss or Bottomless Pit also called Tάhr-tahr-ohs. Abyss, pit, deep, and bottomless pit are the various ways the Greek word ’άβυσσος is translated. In some cases it refers to the location where the fallen angels are reserved and out of which the locusts with tails like scorpions ascend at the sound of the fifth trumpet in Revelation 9 as well as the beast of Revelation 11:7 and 17:8. Scripture does not indicate that humans go there but that angels are held there. It appears that it is deeper than Hell, which place the mythology of the ancients called Tάhr-tahr-ohs where the wicked angels were securely held until judging (2 Pet 2:7 APT). The legion of demons feared to go to the abyss and pleaded with the Lord not to send them there (Lk. 8:31 APT).

The apostle Paul referred to the Abyss in reasoning the vast difference between self-righteousness obtained by adhering to the law without faith and the righteousness of The God obtained by faith. By presenting the contrast between the deepest and the highest, he forbade anyone ever saying in one’s “heart, Who shall ascend into the Heaven? (that is in order to lead Christ down),” (Rom. 10:6 APT). It is a historical fact that Christ came down to provide Salvation. In no way is anyone to think He is to come down to save us. Salvation is already an accomplished work. Then he adds to the exhortation, Never say in your heart, “Who shall descend into the abyss? (That is to bring Christ up out of dead ones” (Rom. 10:7 APT). The Roman Gentiles would think of Christ in the abyss while the Greeks would think of it as the lower parts of the Earth (Eph. 4:9) without realizing the difference between Abraham’s Bosom (the place for departed Old Testament saints) which became Paradise (the place for regenerated departed disciples). The differences are depicted in the chart below.

CHART OF THE ABYSS, HELL, AND THE LAKE OF FIRE CONTRASTED
  THE ABYSS (THE DEEP
or BOTTOMLESS PIT)
Háhihdays
HELL
THE LAKE OF FIRE
1. Existence 1st stated: (Gen. 1:2 LXX) (Job 33:18) (Rev. 19:20)
2. Duration: Not known after the Millennium
(Rev. 20:3)
Ceases to exist
(Rev. 20:14)
Endless
(Rev. 20:10)
3. Location: Deep Outer Space Heart of Earth Outside of Earth
(Rev.20:15-21:1)
4. Time of Existence: Until End of Millennium Until Judgment After Judgment
5. At the Time of the
White Throne Judgment:
No longer mentioned Cast into Lake of Fire
(Rev. 20:14)
Ongoing Forever
6. Occupants: Fallen (wicked) angels (Lk. 8:31;
2 Pet. 2:4); Apollyon and the
Locusts with stings in their
tails like Scorpions (Rev. 9:1-3);
Satan for 1000 yrs. (Rev. 20:3).
Faithless departed spirits
(Lk.16:23).
The Beast (Anti-god) and the
False Prophet (Antichrist) (Rev. 19:20);
Satan, The Beast (Rev. 11:7; 17:8);
Death and Hell (Rev. 20:10,14); All
not listed in The Book of Life (v.15).

D. The Determination

1. Every disobedient human and disobedient angel shall be confined forever in the Lake of Fire. Humans must reverse direction away (repent) from their sinful way to The God and persistently trust The Lord Jesus Christ. When angels sin they are lost forever and cannot be forgiven or restored as humans may be. But all humans are given a choice as to where to spend Eternity, Heaven or the Lake of Fire. What you choose, whether your own way or The God’s way, The Lord Jesus Christ, whether a bondslave to Sin and Satan or a bondslave to The Lord Jesus Christ will determine your destination for Eternity.

2. The Determination is based upon your choice. DO NOTHING! And you have chosen The Lake of Fire. Become a bondslave to The Lord Jesus Christ and Heaven as your destination is assured.

CONCLUSION: God’s wrath upon sin and evil and all dead works is poured out in The Eternal Lake of Fire. It burns with everlasting fire fueled by brimstone (sulphur) which gives off a dark black gas that burns the eyes, nostrils, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs. It is never quenched, never stops burning. All humans are bound for the Eternal Lake of Fire unless and until they turn to The Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. Where will you spend Eternity?

_________


     | | understood $singular &plural +masc. ^fem. ~neut. / the [ ]basic meaning


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