Revelation 20:10 - and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20 describes the final defeat of Satan and his followers at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. After being released from his prison, Satan deceives the nations and gathers a vast army to attack God's people in Jerusalem. However, the battle is over before it even begins, as fire comes down from heaven and devours the enemy forces. Satan, the beast, and the false prophet are then cast into the lake of fire, where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. This passage makes it clear that the punishment of hell is eternal - there is no end to the suffering for those who reject God. Even after a thousand years, Satan and his minions do not repent or change their ways. The presence of the beast and false prophet in the lake of fire after all that time also shows that this judgment is final and irreversible. Hell is a real place, described as a lake of burning sulfur, where the wicked will consciously endure God's wrath for all eternity. This stark reality should sober us and cause us to consider our eternal destiny carefully.

The Bible's teaching on hell is one of the most difficult and disturbing doctrines for many people to accept. Our natural human inclination is to minimize or explain away the severity and eternality of hell. Surely, we think, a loving God would not condemn people to conscious torment forever and ever? Yet passages like Revelation 20:10 state this truth with unmistakable clarity. Hell is real, hell is eternal, and hell is the deserved fate of all who reject God's offer of salvation in Christ. Why is hell necessary and just? Because God is infinitely holy and righteous, and all sin is an infinite offense against Him. Our sins are not mere mistakes or lapses in judgment - they are cosmic treason against our Creator. The only way to satisfy God's justice is through an infinite payment, which is exactly what Jesus Christ provided on the cross for all who would repent and believe. But for those who spurn Christ, they must bear the infinite weight of their own sins forever. A holy God cannot simply overlook or minimize sin. This passage also reminds us of the deceptive power of Satan. Even after being imprisoned for a thousand years, he is able to muster a massive rebellion against God when released. His sole aim is to "deceive the nations" and lead people into destruction. We must be on guard against his lies and hold fast to the truth of God's Word. Ultimately, the reality of hell should drive us to the cross. It should make us cling to Christ all the more as our only hope and refuge. And it should compel us to share the gospel with urgency, knowing the eternal stakes. May we never become complacent or cavalier about the doctrine of hell. May it instead fill us with a holy fear of God and a deep gratitude for His saving grace in Jesus. Hell is what we all deserve - but in Christ, we can have eternal life instead. What amazing love!

Father, we tremble at the thought of hell and the eternal punishment that awaits those who reject You. We know that Your judgment is righteous and Your ways are just. But we also know that You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Your desire is for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Thank You for providing the way of salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ. Thank You that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Thank You that in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. We cling to Christ as our only hope and refuge from the wrath to come. Lord, give us a holy fear and reverence for You. Keep us from becoming complacent or indifferent towards sin. Fill us with a deep love for the lost and a passion to proclaim the gospel. Use us as Your instruments to snatch people from the fire and lead them to eternal life. May the reality of hell cause us to walk closely with You and to live each day in light of eternity. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.