Not many will agree with the following comments, but it is hard to escape the facts, when careful study of Revelation is made. The popular and common "concept" of "Hell" is that of the RCC (Roman Catholic Church) and some Protestant Religions. See: http://www.revelationsmessage.co.uk/hell.htm
In the opinion of the writers, after careful study, and not forgetting the “opinion” of most people on this controversial subject, will vary with the following; it seems clear that Chapter 14 of Revelation is mixed together with Chapter 20, but is in fact one following the other in description, 1000 years apart.
When taking Chp.14 v 9 to 11, the "tortured" ones, are "the beast" and "those that receive his mark of his name", and who “worshipped him or his image"! We know from other parts of Scripture that the "beast" is the highest representative of Satan on earth, and that his rise to power is partly during the remaining 7 years of the 490 year prophecy to Daniel, and that those 7 years and the events of Revelation are primarily (but not exclusively) Jewish.
Verse 10 of Chp. 14 is where most people are sickened on a cursory reading; and where not sufficient care or study is undertaken, so as to try to see the real meanings.
"The Wrath of God" is here realizing His anger against Satan’s servants, in the form of “the beast” and his minions, which have been in train since Eden, and perhaps before! The untold misery perpetrated / caused by Satan and his demons and his people, are here being expanded and shown to be punished, and rightly so, not forgetting that all is being witnessed by heavenly creation!
However; this specific event in Rev. 14:10-11, is due to the suffering that the “beast” will inflict, together with those receiving his “mark”, on the nation and people of Israel, during the period of “Jacob’s Trouble”, which is for 3½ years, to the end of the “seven year period”. Remembering that their punishment is during the “Millennial”, and that Satan is “bound in the bottomless pit” during this period (Rev. 20:2-3), and he is to be released “for a little period” at the latter part of Millennial (Rev. 20:7-9); He, as the Origin of Evil and Sin and sinning, ( Did God create Evil: ) must await his own punishment, which is in abeyance, and is described below.
What is not generally known, is that the phrase in v 11 "Strongs Greek 165).for ever and ever" translates correctly to "unto Age of Ages" which has a specific meaning in the Jewish context "of a limited time period of a Messianic Period"! (
What this says is that this specific "punishment" is during the Messianic Period; and not as commonly stated "for ever and ever".
What then of Chapter 20? In the opinion of the writers, this is much later, approx. 1000 years later. The events are those of the Great White Throne Judgment of v11 to 15.
There are multiple mistranslations of v14, and it should read: "And death and the grave (translated hell) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire".
The translation of AD 1611, stating that "hell" had been destroyed, causes much confusion, but the correction "grave" clarifies.
The end bit is usually left off, but is in the Manuscripts; and changes the meaning!
Jesus referred to the second death, as the one to be feared, not the first, (Matt. 10:28).
The "Lake of Fire" in Chp. 20, is in the writers opinion, the same place as Chp. 14; as confirmed by v 10 of Chp. 20, and for in his case eternal punishment with the “beast” and those that received his mark. where Satan joins his servants,
There is here in the Text, the certainty that the “punishment” of Satan, the beast, demons and people who worship and serve Satan, are punished for ever. This would imply that the “Millennial Period Punishment” was a precursor to the “eternal punishment” of Rev. 20:10.
As the prime movers of “evil”, Satan and his servants are from Scripture to have eternal punishment. Those subject to examination from the “books” of Rev. 20:12, may have other destinations, especially considering that only those of Rev. 20:15 are cast into the “Lake of Fire”. As Almighty God knows the hearts of people, it is certain that His decisions on people at the Great White Throne Judgment are totally righteous.
It is certain that Satan and his, are to suffer eternally. Whether others that are “cast into the Lake of Fire” die, or suffer is not clear, but as only Satan and his are mentioned, it is possible that death is the outcome for them; especially as Jesus called this place “the second death”!
Many people are under the impression that “innocent babies, and others mentally or emotionally incapable” are subject to destruction. That is not the case, as those people are under special care and protection in the eternal sense, in the opinion of the writers. That applies to all who die before the age of responsibility, or emotional/ mental incapacity, including all terminated pregnancies.
All of this is just before Almighty God Creates a “new heaven and earth”, and “new Jerusalem” of Rev. Chp. 21.
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