What does Revelation 20:14 mean?

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 20:14

Explanation

Revelation 20:14 states, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” This verse appears in a passage describing the judgment after the millennial reign of Christ. In Biblical eschatology, the lake of fire is often understood as the final destination for Satan, his demons, and the unredeemed dead. Death and hell (also translated as Hades or the grave) being cast into the lake of fire signify the ultimate eradication of sin and death from the new creation that God will establish. The term “second death” refers to a final and eternal state of separation from God, distinct from the physical passing known as the first death.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. Revelation was penned during a time of intense persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, likely around 95 A.D. The apocalyptic literature was a genre familiar to Jewish and early Christian audiences, often using symbolic and vivid imagery to convey hope and judgment. The concept of a final judgment and the definitive end of evil would have been comforting to those facing oppression and martyrdom.

Theological Insights

Theological interpretations of this verse range across different traditions. Some understand it literally, predicting a future event where death and Hades will be destroyed. Others take a more allegorical approach, viewing this as symbolic of the triumph over evil and mortality through Christ’s redemptive work. In Roman Catholic theology, it is often seen as the last judgment where souls are eternally judged. In contrast, many Protestant interpretations stress the personal accountability and individual salvation or condemnation at the end of times.

Practical Applications

For contemporary believers, Revelation 20:14 serves as a reminder of the transitory nature of both life and death. It encourages individuals to live with the perspective that earthly existence is not all there is and to prioritize spiritual rebirth and preparation for eternity. It also offers a sense of justice and hope, that ultimately, good will prevail over evil, and that God’s plan for creation will culminate in the restoration and renewal of all things.

Cross-References

• Revelation 20:10: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
• Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
• Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:26: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, θάνατος (thanatos) means “death”, and ᾅδης (Hades) is often translated as “hell”, though it more accurately means “the realm of the dead”. The phrase “lake of fire” translates to λίμνην τοῦ πυρός (limnên tou pyros), with λίμνην meaning “lake” and πυρός meaning “of fire”. The Greek word for “cast” is ἐβλήθησαν (eblēthēsan), indicating a forceful action. This vocabulary underscores the permanence and absoluteness of this event.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Death and the afterlife are common themes across many ancient mythologies and religions. In ancient Egypt, the concept of a final judgement in the afterlife where the heart of the deceased was weighed against a feather is an example of moral reckoning. Greek mythology featured Tartarus, a deep abyss used as a dungeon for punishment, somewhat analogous to the Biblical hell or lake of fire. Similarly, many Eastern religions contemplate cycles of rebirth and ultimate liberation as key concepts.

Scientific Perspectives

The imagery of the lake of fire is symbolic rather than a physical location that can be examined scientifically. Modern science deals with the material world and does not provide insight into metaphysical realities like heaven, hell, or afterlife consequences. However, the concept of the second death in Revelation 20:14 raises questions about the nature of consciousness, identity, and the possibility (or impossibility) of an existence beyond the physical, which are areas of speculative interest rather than empirical science.

Commentaries

Many Biblical scholars and theologians have commented on Revelation 20:14. Some affirm that this verse reflects the ultimate defeat of all evil forces, echoing the triumphalist tone of Revelation. Others, like N.T. Wright, approach the Book of Revelation through a historical and metaphorical lens, emphasizing the first-century context and the symbolic communication of hope to persecuted Christians rather than predicting specific future events. Dispensationalist theologians interpret this verse as part of a chronological prophecy of end-time events, with a premillennialist view seeing the lake of fire as an actual location for the eternal punishment of the wicked.