The lake of fire and the second death in the Apocalypse: endless suffering or final destruction for sinners?

Abstract

The lake of fire and the second death mentioned in the Apocalypse have traditionally been interpreted as indisputable references to the suffering, conscious and eternal punishment for sinners. Various current proposals have challenged this belief. However, these are not entirely conclusive according to the principles of sola, tota and analogia Scripturae. The article answers the classic questions. Will sinners suffer endless punishment? or Will they be eliminated forever? To answer these questions, the study explores these images in their immediate contexts and intertextual relationships with Old Testament passages referring to the punishment and destruction of the wicked. Next, the meanings of the temporary expressions used to determine their execution time are analyzed. The nature of the lake of fire is then examined in relation to the second death. Finally, the final destiny of the wicked is examined according tothe eschatology of the Old Testament. In this way, the extinction of sinners is proposed as the most coherent proposal in harmony with the final events.