The Lake Of Fire
Now, in respect to the "lake of fire" that is mentioned in Revelation,
“Unquenchable” simply refers to its nature, and not its duration,
For this "lake of fire" is only “eternal" in the sense that it results
In a permanent condition once Jesus its fiery destruction halts.
Wicked Sodom and Gomorrah once suffered from such an “eternal” fire,
And as history records for us all, that fire was soon seen to expire.
And later, throughout ancient Jerusalem, an “unquenchable” fire tore,
But as is so clearly seen today, that fire isn't raging anymore.
You see, metaphoric symbolism is part and parcel of this scene,
Which is why such figurative expressions are so very often seen.
Such expressions help to paint a picture that we all need to bear in mind,
Lest it be, that within this terrible End-time fire, we ourselves soon find.
“Forever” is another word that also seems to cause much confusion,
Though a thorough investigation leads to the very same conclusion.
You see, "forever" is simply just implying that Christ’s fire will not end,
Until it has ceased consuming all those ones that Jesus could not defend.
Once the unsaved are consumed by this fire, there will be nothing left to burn,
For all that is left is simply their ashes, we via God's Holy Word learn.
Hence why we are clearly told that the unsaved will not live forever more,
For those who live eternally are only the ones who have kept God’s Law.
Yes, we should always take the greatest of care when interpreting God’s Word,
Lest we wrongly state as truth something that our Saviour would never want heard.
Sometimes something is worded in a way that one can easily misread,
Therefore, wisdom and caution are required, lest we tragically mislead.
Tell me, would our Saviour who died for sinners let them burn eternally,
Simply because that free choice that He gave them, saw them shun His warning plea?
Would Christ who loves the sinner (not the sin), make a sinner forever pay,
Simply because for their three score years and ten, they chose to go their own way?
Ask yourself, would you smack your child for a whole month just because they had sworn,
Or ground your teenager for a few years who a favourite book had torn?
Should a magistrate imprison someone for a span of twenty three years,
Who wrongly and foolishly goes and steals a plastic shopping bag of pears?
No, of course not, and neither would our Saviour act in such an unjust way,
For what a terrible lack of judgment such cruel behaviour would display.
Our omniscient Lord knows very well that all punishment must be fair,
Lest those punished (or those who are observing), no longer respect but fear.
Yes, the devil loves to portray Jesus in the very worst way he can,
And this great evil has never ceased since the time that Satan first began.
Satan so wants our Lord seen as a monster who unjustly inflicts pain,
Rather than the God of love that He is (and whose cross bears a bloody stain).
However, I know that my Saviour's a God who wrong wouldn't think to do,
A God who even loves His enemies (and wants us to also love ours too).
And I also know that Christ my Saviour daily lived the things that He preached,
For He knows that such an example is the best way that people are reached.
No, never will I believe that my Saviour who willingly died for me
Would ever allow someone to suffer so, all throughout eternity.
No, it's so crystal clear to me, that this fire only lasts a little while,
For burning somebody forever, just isn’t my loving Saviour's style.
By Lance Landall
