9. Which people will be cast into the lake of fire? Revelation 20:10; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 21:8.
NOTE: ‘Men may succeed in concealing their transgression from their fellow men, but they will no less surely reap the result, in suffering, disease, imbecility, or death. And beyond this life stands the tribunal of the judgement, with its award of eternal penalties. “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” but with Satan and evil angels shall have their part in that “lake of fire” which “is the second death.” Galatians 5:21; Revelation 20:14.’ Patriarchs & Prophets, page 461.
Compiler’s note: It seems appropriate that the beast and the false prophet, who allied themselves with the devil in his great work of deception (See Revelation 13 & Revelation 16:13-14) will share his fate in the lake of fire.
10. What words of Jesus suggest that God will vary the punishment of the wicked according to the extent of their guilt? Luke 12:47-48.
NOTE: ‘We have been given great light in regard to God’s law. This law is the standard of character. To it man is now required to conform, and by it he will be judged in the last great day. In that day men will be dealt with according to the light they have received. He who knew his Lord’s will, and did it not, will be beaten with many stripes; he who knew it not, yet committed things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. The number of talents expected will determine the returns expected. The sinner’s guilt will be measured by the opportunities and privileges which he failed to improve. He will not be punished merely for his own rejection of the offer of salvation. He will be called to account for the influence he has exerted in encouraging others in sin. He was given abilities to use for the Lord. He was given opportunity to co-operate with his Redeemer. Had he been true and faithful to Him who gave His life for him, he would not only have won eternal life for himself, but would have drawn others in to the kingdom.’ Gospel Herald, January 1, 1901.
‘The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. Proverbs 11:31. They “shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished “according to their deeds.” The sins of the righteous having been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch, Satan the root, his followers the branches. The full penalty of the law has been visited; the demands of justice have been met; and heaven and earth, beholding, declare the righteousness of Jehovah.’ Great Controversy, page 673.
11. What will be finally destroyed in the lake of fire? Revelation 20:14. Consider Revelation 21:4.
NOTE: ‘When the thousand years close, “death, the last enemy” will be destroyed. For death and hell are then “cast into the lake of fire,” which is “the second death.”’ Uriah Smith: Review & Herald, April 10, 1856.
‘Continuing his discussion of divine punishment, Bourn succinctly states “that there are passages in the New Testament which imply that the sentence of eternal death shall be executed upon criminals with circumstances of ignominy, horrors, and pain, proportionate to their guilt, I readily allow and affirm: yet am not of opinion, that the figures of being cast into unquenchable fire, and the like, are intended to convey to us any idea of torment, but solely that of total destruction, or annihilation, or ceasing to exist. And the passage in the book of Revelation, where it is said, that death and hell (i.e., Hades) shall be cast into the lake of fire, seems to me decisive in this point, For certainly the meaning there is, not that death and Hades shall be tormented (which is ridiculous) but that they shall be abolished.”’ L. E. Froom: Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, volume 2, page 237.
Compiler’s note: “Hell” in this verse translates the Greek word “hades”, which means the grave.