Goat’s Destruction
So what does it mean to be cast into the Lake of Fire?
In Revelation 20:14, hell is the Greek word hades {hah’-dace} (G0086). This word is not a fiery place of torment as so many envision. The meaning of hades {hah’-dace} (G0086) can easily be understood by comparing scripture with scripture. In this instance comparing Acts 2:27 to Psalm 16:10. Based on these verses, hades {hah’-dace} (G0086) is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word sh^eol {sheh-ole’} (H7585).
Acts 2:27
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Hell is the Greek word hades {hah’-dace} (G0086). It is defined as a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth. There is no place in the depths of the earth where people dwell. It was the Greek’s limited understanding that caused them to believe that there was an actual physical place. Acts 2:27 is a quote of Psalm 16:10.
10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Hell is the Hebrew word sh^eol {sheh-ole’} (H7585). The Hebrew defines this as the resting place of the soul. It is a place where both the unrighteous and righteous go, who are not yet born from above.
The writers of the New Testament used the Greek word hades {hah’-dace} (G0086) in Acts 2:27, because it corresponded to the Hebrew word sh^eol {sheh-ole’} (H7585). They did not use some other Greek word that would correspond to a different concept. Hades {hah’-dace} (G0086) and sh^eol {sheh-ole’} (H7585) do not mean exactly the same thing. However, it is the closest in concept to Sheol. Neither word refers to a place that causes burning torment and unimaginable pain in a conscious state. On the basis of this, the meaning of the Lake of Fire can start to be understood, 1 Corinthians 15:26.
26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Revelation 20:14 states that death is cast into the Lake of Fire.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
If death, the last enemy, is destroyed at the end of time, and death is thrown into the Lake of Fire; then the Lake of Fire leads to destruction or is destruction itself.
Hell is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire just as death is thrown. If death will be destroyed then it would make sense that hell would be destroyed. As such, hell will no longer exist. The question is, can we be assured of this? Because if this is true, it will be a relief for many, nonbeliever and believer alike.
Many times in the Book of Revelation symbols and meanings are confirmed, Revelation 21:3-4.
3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
There shall be no more death, because it was destroyed in the Lake of Fire in Revelation 20:14. This why hell or hades, sheol is destroyed. It will no longer be needed. Eternal punishment for the nonbeliever is destruction, this is completely in line with John 3:16.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The goats will be destroyed at the end of millennium. No individual will suffer untold pain for eternity. As such, the believer can be assured of the overall love and compassion of God. Either one has life eternal or they will cease to exist in the future.
The parable of the sheep and goats rather than describe the separation of believers and nonbelievers. It describes how God ensures all will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel in the future to come during the Restitution Of All Things. (Refer to Restitution of All Things (EJ) for further details.)
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