Everlasting Fire

Follow the Bible’s teaching on this important subject:

What kind of fire will be used to destroy the wicked?

“Unquenchable fire.” —Matthew 3:12
“Fire that never shall be quenched.” —Mark 9:43-48

“Fire unquenchable.” —Luke 3:17
“Everlasting fire.” —Matthew 25:41

What is the source of this never-ending fire?

“Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.” —Genesis 19:24.

“From God out of heaven.” —Revelation 20:9.

What do we know about the nature of the eternal God?

“Our God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:29.

“His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth before him.” —Daniel 7:9,10.

“And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire.” —Exodus 24:17.

What ingredient accompanies the fire which is continually in the presence of God?

“And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace. . . . ” —Exodus 19:18.

“There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.” —2 Samuel 22:9.

“I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple . . . and the house was filled with smoke.” —Isaiah 6:1-4.

“And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power.” —Revelation 15:8.

What happens to the wicked in the divine presence?

“And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” —Exodus 33:20.

“He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” —Revelation 14:10.

What is the effect of the fire upon the wicked?

“And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” —Leviticus 10:2.

“And there came out a fire from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men.” —Numbers 16:35.

Only what kind of people can survive in the midst of God’s everlasting fire?

“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; . . .” —Isaiah 33:14, 15.

Will the righteous be able to dwell in the actual presence of God?

“He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” —Revelation 21:3.

“Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.” —Ezekiel 28:14.

So the righteous will dwell and prosper in the very fire that consumes the wicked?

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” —Malachi 4:1-3.

How has this contrasting effect been illustrated in the Bible?

“The flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” —Daniel 3:22, 25.

When the Lord appears, from what will the wicked seek to hide?

“Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” —Revelation 6:16.

What is the important question?

“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” —Revelation 6:17.

What is the answer?

“These are they which . . . have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” —Revelation 7:14-16.

Conclusion:

The everlasting fire of which the Bible speaks is the eternal fire of the presence of God. In it sinners cannot exist. Only those who have been cleansed from all unrighteousness will dwell in the presence of the holy God forever.