Lake of Fire

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

(Revelation 14:9-11)

One final aspect regarding the design of the New Jerusalem that we need to discuss is the lake of fire and brimstone. As we have seen in an earlier section, all of God’s enemies will be cast into the lake of fire on the final Day of Judgment. That lake will not simply disappear, never to be seen again. On the contrary, the lake of fire will remain for all eternity, located just outside the city walls. In the above passage of Scripture, the angel informs us that those who are cast into the lake will be tormented in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb, forever and ever. This passage also informs us that the smoke of that furnace will ascend forever and ever. In other words, throughout the city of the New Jerusalem, the saints will be able to see the smoke of the lake of fire as it burns outside the city walls for all eternity.

Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

(Revelation 22:14-15)

The above passage of Scripture confirms the location of the lake of fire, for it states that outside the city are dogs, sorcerers, the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Those guilty of the lifestyles mentioned would have been cast into the lake of fire, thus confirming that the lake of fire will be located outside the city walls.

And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the Lord. "And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

(Isaiah 66:23-24)

In the above passage of Scripture quoted from the prophet Isaiah, God is even more specific about the location of the lake of fire in the age to come. In this passage, God tells us that when people come to worship before His throne, they will afterward go forth to look upon the enemies of God and view their torment. Clearly, the lake of fire will be located just outside the city walls.

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. "Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?'

(Isaiah 14:12-17)

Just as the saints will be able to look upon the torment of the unbelievers in the lake of fire and brimstone, so too will they look upon the torment of the archenemy of the church, the devil. The above passage of Scripture tells us of the saints gazing upon Satan and considering the fate of the one who opposed God on the earth. Thus, it is clear that the lake of fire will be placed in close proximity to the New Jerusalem.

But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision. I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defence. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies. Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, And bring them down, O Lord our shield.

(Psalms 59:8-11)

Why will God place the lake of fire in such close proximity to the saints dwelling in the heavenly city of Jerusalem? The above passage of Scripture provides some insight into one of the reasons. In this passage, our Lord Jesus asks the Father not to completely destroy His enemies. The reason He asks this of our heavenly Father is that He does not want His saints to forget the outcome of those who choose to rebel against God.

Michael E.B. Maher

The End of the Age

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