Who is Tormented

It is a common belief among believers that non-believers will eventually go to a fiery place to be tormented for eternity.  That is actually not stated in the Bible.  The Bible does, however, state the following:

Revelation 19:20

²⁰And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 20:10

¹⁰And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:15

¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

These verse state that the beast, the false prophet, the devil and all those not found in the book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  However, only in Revelation 20:10 does it state that anyone is tormented day and night forever.  Only the Devil and possibly the beast and false prophet are tormented.  Remember that the Lake of Fire represents destruction, refer to Destruction in the Lake of Fire.  How is it then that something could be destroyed, yet be tormented day and night forever?

Tormented is the Greek word basanizo {bas-an-id’-zo}.  Basanizo has a meaning that is foreign to most.  It actually means touchstone.  The Greek dictionary defines basanizo as:

to test (metals) by the touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the colour of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal or even to question by applying torture.

Now God is God and God can do whatever He wants.  However, the more I study the Bible the more I realize how logical and consistent God is.

The Greek word basanizo originally meant touchstone.  Torment is a bad translation.  Touchstone is similar to what one would do to determine if gold is either real or fool’s gold.  If the gold leaves a scratch across a touchstone then it is real gold.  Fool’s gold would not leave a mark.

This is what the First Century writers meant in the Bible.  Basanizo which is translated tormented had nothing to do with inflicting pain, or experiencing grief.  In relation to Satan, touchstone refers to the way it will be applied to Satan, Isaiah 14:13-14.

¹³For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

From the Garden of Eden onward, it was Satan’s challenge to God that he could be like God.  The purpose of the cross was not just to redeem mankind, it was to answer Satan’s challenge.  Though Adam sinned and succumbed to Satan’s advances, Satan’s claim was that God could not put a man on the earth that Satan could not corrupt.

Though Satan said I will be like God, the touchstone of the Lake of Fire will stand as proof that Satan is nothing like God.  This is why it is stated that Satan will be tormented in the Lake of Fire.  We who live into eternity will know that there is one God and there is none like Him.  We will remember the consequences of evil when it is chosen instead of God.

Satan’s two buddies, the Beast and the False prophet represent governmental systems and false religions.  We will know that going into eternity only God’s government and religion is the way to salvation.  God’s ways are the only way to peace on earth

Next Jeremiah 3 Times

Back to Hell is Destroyed (LF)

Return to Lake of Fire

Return to Sheol, Hell, Heaven and the Lake of Fire