When we read the following verses a clear distinction is seen that 'hell' and 'lake of fire' are not one and the same but are different.  Let us read the verses for our meditation.

II Peter 2:4 "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Revelation 1:18 "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 6:8 "And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 20:13 "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

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

HELL AND LAKE OF FIRE

All those who sin and do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord, and personal Savior, will be cast in to hell to be reserved for judgment on the final day of judgment and then they will be cast in to the "lake of fire", which is their reward for committing sins. This may sound harsh and rude, but it is the truth.  God did not spare even the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered into the chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.  Some Christians misinterpret this verse (2 Peter 2:4) and relate to say that the angels married 'daughters of men' by citing Genesis 6th chapter 1-4, but actually, there is no mention that these angels are the ones who are 'sons of God' as they interpret.  Jude 1:6 also does not specifically say that these angels are the 'sons of God". (That is a different topic altogether, which is interpreted in two different ways and I am not for argument over that topic).  As for now, let us see the difference between hell and lake of fire.

The sinners are not straight going to lake of fire but are reserved in hell for judgment.  On the final judgment day, which is also called, "Great White Throne Judgment" the unsaved ones are risen and face judgment. Revelation 20:11 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." When Jesus Christ comes for the second time, to receive his children, the trump is sounded and those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and are in grave are risen first and the living saved children are caught up in to the mid air, where Lord Jesus Christ and his bride, (Church consisting of saved ones) stay in the mid air for seven years, during which time, saved Christians are rewarded for their works on this earth prior to having been caught up in to the mid air.  After seven years of stay of Lord Jesus Christ in the mid air, along with his Church, also called, the bride, consisting of all those who have accepted Him as Lord and personal Savior, Lord Jesus Christ and his children will make advent on this earth to reign for thousand years on the left behind.  This is the second coming of Lord Jesus Christ on to the earth.

The people, who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior will be delivered up to face the final judgment.  No unsaved one can escape this judgment.  They can not hide in the sea, nor can they hide behind any mountain.  Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."  Every one, who has not accepted Jesus Christ will face this judgment  When the 'book of life' is opened, the unsaved ones, dead and in grave will rise and face the judgment and they will be cast in to the 'lake of fire', in to outer darkness, where they will remain for ever, gnashing teeth, craving for death, but do not get one.  Their end in lake of fire is called, 'the second death'. Revelation 20:14 "And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Let us, Christians, saved in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, rejoice in the Lord, because we will rise up when trump blows as described, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:".  Please note "The 'trump' is different from the 'trumpet' "  The 'trump' is the sound produced by the 'trumpet.'  1 Corinthians 15:52  "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."  1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 talks about the 'trump' but not about the 'trumpet' The trumpets are described in Revelation 8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets." and in Revelation 8:6 "And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."

Dear Friend,
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" John 14:6

1) Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, He is the light of the World, and that no one can come to the "Father" except through Him.
(2) Salvation belongs to Lord Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of Calvary. He died, rose from the dead, ascended in to heaven and seated on the right hand of the Majesty.
(3)God exists in "Trinity", the "FATHER", the "SON", and the "HOLY SPIRIT". Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and very God Himself.
(4) Salvation is solely by the grace of God,
(5) Salvation is solely through faith alone, and not of works, and it can not be earned through a price,
(6) Salvation is in Lord Jesus Christ alone,
(7) Salvation is based on Scriptures alone,
(8) Salvation once received will never be lost,
(9) All the glory is to God alone.
(10)Secure for yourself a place in heaven by confessing your sins to Lord Jesus Christ.

Copyright © 1997-2006 Leslie M. John
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