Biblical explanation
One of the strongest texts is , which describes the devil being tormented “day and night for ever and ever.” This statement specifically concerns the devil and appears in the symbolic context of Revelation. When the Bible describes the fate of ordinary sinners, it repeatedly uses the language of death and destruction. Jesus says God can “destroy both soul and body in hell” (). Paul describes the fate of those who reject God as “everlasting destruction” (). calls the lake of fire “the second death,” and repeats this identification. The Bible therefore does teach eternal punishment in the sense of irreversible, everlasting consequences. But it also teaches that the wicked ultimately perish rather than possessing natural immortality. The contrast throughout Scripture is between eternal life and death, not between two forms of eternal life. states that those who believe receive everlasting life, while those who do not believe “should not perish.” There are difficult passages involving eternal fire and everlasting punishment. They should not be ignored. At the same time, those passages must be interpreted alongside the Bible's explicit statements about destruction, death, and the ultimate destruction of death itself.
In brief
The final fire is the second death: the complete and irreversible destruction of sin and unrepentant sinners, not eternal conscious torment. This preserves both God's justice and His character of love, and it leaves the universe truly free from pain, rebellion, and death.
Bible references
Go deeper into this topic What Really Happens After Death? Start the studyThis answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.