by Judgerussellford 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:10 NASB2020
But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8
Hi GB,
You just quoted the only reference in the entire Bible that juxtaposes eternal and torment. However, note that this verse is found in a highly symbolic book and in a highly symbolic passage that does not mention a single human being.
I believe we must separate image from reality when trying to base doctrines on Revelation.
For example although Revelation pictures both Jesus and Death as riders on horseback who set out to conquer, one might legitimately ask if it's possible that there could, in fact, be no "horses" or actual "riding" involved.
- Is the beast of Revelation 20:10 - literal or symbolic?
- How many heads do literal beasts (or persons) have?
- Is this symbolic beast literally "cast" or thrown anywhere?
- Is death literally cast or thrown anywhere?
- Is the symbolic beast figuratively cast into a literal lake?
- Is death cast into a literal lake?
- What does the figurative lake of fire stand for? (14)
- Is the symbolic beast literally tormented in the figurative lake?
- The beast isn't literal; the casting isn't literal; and the lake is not literal; how can we be sure that the torment is literal?
Death/destruction is the punishment for sin in scripture, not eternal existence in mental agony.
Hi Vanderhoven,
"Death/destruction is the punishment for sin in scripture, not eternal existence in mental agony"- I agree. The revelation is highly symbolic. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23 NASB2020
I was just quoting bible verses where it shows that unlike humans Satan and his fallen angels will not be given a second change.
Chance
