Revelation 20:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the devil {G1228} that deceived {G4105} them {G846} was cast {G906} into {G1519} the lake {G3041} of fire {G4442} and {G2532} brimstone {G2303}, where {G3699} the beast {G2342} and {G2532} the false prophet {G5578} are, and {G2532} shall be tormented {G928} day {G2250} and {G2532} night {G3571} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Adversary who had deceived them was hurled 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.

Berean Standard Bible

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

American Standard Version

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 20:10 delivers a climactic pronouncement of eternal judgment upon the primary architects of spiritual rebellion and deception: the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. This verse marks the definitive end of their malevolent influence, signifying God's ultimate triumph over all evil and the establishment of His perfect justice, consigning these adversaries to perpetual torment in the lake of fire and brimstone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a pivotal juncture in Revelation's eschatological narrative, immediately following the final, divinely crushed rebellion incited by Satan after his millennium-long binding and brief release (cf. [Revelation 20:7-9](/revelation/20-7-9 "Satan's Final Rebellion")). The beast and the false prophet had already been cast into the lake of fire at the second coming of Christ, as detailed in [Revelation 19:20](/revelation/19-20 "The Beast and False Prophet Judged"). Revelation 20:10 therefore completes the judgment of this unholy trinity, confirming their shared, eternal destiny. This definitive act sets the stage for the [Great White Throne Judgment](/revelation/20-11-15 "The Great White Throne Judgment") that immediately follows, where all humanity, living and dead, will face God's righteous assessment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "fire and brimstone" (sulfur) would have resonated deeply with John's original audience, evoking powerful Old Testament precedents of divine judgment, most notably the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 19:24](/genesis/19-24 "Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed by Fire and Brimstone")). This imagery conveyed not merely destruction, but a complete, purifying, and irreversible consumption, emphasizing the severity and finality of God's wrath against sin and rebellion. The concept of "torment day and night for ever and ever" speaks to a Jewish understanding of eternal consequence, contrasting with pagan notions of cyclical time or annihilation. The "devil," "beast," and "false prophet" represent the ultimate spiritual, political, and religious opposition to God, figures that would be readily understood by early Christians facing Roman persecution and various forms of spiritual deception.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 20:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. It underscores **Divine Justice and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute righteousness in meting out final recompense to those who persistently rebel against Him and deceive humanity. It signifies the **Definitive Defeat of Evil**, marking the irreversible overthrow of Satan and his earthly agents, ensuring that their influence of deception and opposition will cease forever. Furthermore, the phrase "for ever and ever" highlights the **Eternal Consequence** of rejecting God, emphasizing that this is not annihilation but perpetual, conscious suffering, a truth echoed in other New Testament passages concerning eternal punishment (e.g., [Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Eternal Punishment and Eternal Life")). Finally, the verse reaffirms **God's Sovereignty**, asserting His ultimate control over all creation and destiny, ensuring that His redemptive plan culminates in the eradication of all opposition and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From _diaballō_, meaning "to traducer"; specifically, Satan. It denotes a false accuser or slanderer, highlighting his primary role as an adversary who maligns God and humanity and seeks to sow discord and deception. His casting into the lake of fire marks the cessation of his accusatory and deceptive work.
* **lake (Greek, _límnē'_):** Probably from _limēn_ (harbor), suggesting a body of water near a shore. In Revelation, this term is consistently used to refer to the "lake of fire," a symbolic and literal place of ultimate, inescapable, and eternal judgment, distinct from Hades or Sheol, which are temporary holding places.
* **ever (Greek, _aiṓn'_):** Properly, "an age"; by extension, "perpetuity" or "eternity." When repeated as "for ever and ever" (Greek, _eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn_), literally "unto the ages of the ages," it forms the strongest possible Greek idiom for unending duration. This emphatic phrase leaves no room for a temporary or finite punishment for these entities, underscoring the absolute and perpetual nature of their torment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the devil that deceived them":** This clause identifies the primary antagonist, Satan, by his characteristic activity: deception. Throughout biblical history, from the Garden of Eden ([Genesis 3:1-6](/genesis/3-1-6 "The Deception in the Garden")) to his final rebellion in Revelation 20, his modus operandi has been to mislead and ensnare humanity. This phrase establishes the just cause for his ultimate judgment.
* **"was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone":** This signifies the definitive and irreversible judgment of the devil. The "lake of fire and brimstone" is the ultimate destination of eternal punishment, a place of complete separation from God and intense suffering. The imagery of brimstone (sulfur) intensifies the sense of divine wrath and purification, reminiscent of ancient judgments.
* **"where the beast and the false prophet [are]":** This parenthetical phrase confirms the shared and ongoing destiny of the unholy trinity. The beast (representing oppressive political power) and the false prophet (representing deceptive religious authority) were already condemned to this same fate at Christ's return ([Revelation 19:20](/revelation/19-20 "The Beast and False Prophet Judged")). Their presence there emphasizes the unity of their rebellion and the universality of their condemnation.
* **"and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever":** This final clause describes the nature and duration of the punishment. "Tormented" (Greek, _basanízō_) implies conscious, acute suffering and anguish. The phrase "day and night" emphasizes the ceaseless, relentless nature of this torment, while "for ever and ever" (the strongest Greek expression for eternity) unequivocally declares its unending, perpetual duration. This is not annihilation, but eternal, conscious suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 20:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is central, with "the devil," "the beast," and "the false prophet" representing the ultimate spiritual, political, and religious forces of evil aligned against God. The "lake of fire and brimstone" is a powerful symbol of ultimate, eternal, and inescapable divine judgment, drawing on Old Testament imagery of fiery destruction. The phrase "day and night" acts as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting parts represent the whole, emphasizing the continuous, unceasing nature of the torment. This is further intensified by the **Hyperbole** of "for ever and ever," which, while literally meaning "to the ages of ages," functions to convey the absolute and unending duration of the punishment in the strongest possible terms, leaving no ambiguity about its eternal nature. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its judgment, linking the devil's fate directly to that of the beast and the false prophet, underscoring their shared culpability and destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 20:10 is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of divine judgment and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It affirms God's perfect justice, demonstrating that every act of rebellion and deception against His holy character will be met with a just and eternal recompense. This verse provides a definitive answer to the problem of evil, assuring believers that the spiritual warfare and suffering experienced in this age will culminate in the complete and irreversible defeat of all cosmic adversaries. It underscores the gravity of sin and the eternal consequences of rejecting God's grace, while simultaneously offering immense comfort and hope to those who align themselves with Christ, knowing that their ultimate security rests in the victorious Lamb.

* [Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "The Eternal Fire Prepared for the Devil and His Angels")
* [Jude 1:6](/jude/1-6 "Angels Kept in Eternal Chains for Judgment")
* [Revelation 14:11](/revelation/14-11 "The Smoke of Their Torment Ascends Forever and Ever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 20:10 offers profound comfort and a sobering warning. For the believer, it is a powerful assurance that evil does not win. The long history of Satan's deception, the oppressive power of the beast, and the seductive lies of the false prophet will all be brought to a definitive and eternal end by the sovereign hand of God. This truth provides immense hope and strength in the face of present spiritual battles, persecution, and the pervasive presence of evil in the world. We are reminded that our ultimate victory is secure in Christ, who has already triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse serves as a solemn and urgent warning. It reveals the terrifying reality of eternal separation from God and conscious torment for those who align themselves with rebellion and reject God's gracious offer of salvation. It compels us to consider our eternal destiny and to embrace the only path to deliverance found in Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of the devil's eternal judgment impact your perspective on spiritual warfare in your own life?**
* **What comfort do you draw from the knowledge that all forms of evil and deception will ultimately be defeated by God?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**

### FAQ
**What is the "lake of fire and brimstone"?**

Answer: The "lake of fire and brimstone" (Greek: _limnē tou pyros kai theiou_) is a recurring and highly symbolic motif in the book of Revelation, representing the ultimate, eternal place of divine judgment and punishment. It is distinct from Hades or Sheol, which are often understood as temporary holding places for the dead. The imagery of fire and brimstone (sulfur) evokes intense, purifying, and destructive judgment, reminiscent of God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah ([Genesis 19:24](/genesis/19-24 "Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed by Fire and Brimstone")). It signifies a complete and irreversible consumption and torment for those cast into it, particularly the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and ultimately, all who are not found in the Book of Life ([Revelation 20:15](/revelation/20-15 "Anyone Not Found in the Book of Life Cast into the Lake of Fire")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 20:10, while depicting the final judgment of evil, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The ultimate defeat of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet is not merely a cosmic event but the culmination of Christ's redemptive mission. From the protoevangelium in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium") foretelling the crushing of the serpent's head, to His victory on the cross where He disarmed principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")), Jesus has been actively dismantling the kingdom of darkness. His resurrection ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "God Raised Jesus from the Dead")) and ascension ([Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Christ Led Captivity Captive")) established His supreme authority over all creation, including the devil himself. The casting of Satan into the lake of fire is the final, public manifestation of the victory Christ secured through His sacrifice and resurrection. It assures believers that the Lamb who was slain ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain")) is indeed the sovereign Lord who will bring all things under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "Christ Must Reign Until He Has Put All His Enemies Under His Feet")), culminating in an eternal kingdom where evil is utterly vanquished and God reigns supreme.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 19:20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 20:2

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Revelation 20:3

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Matthew 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Revelation 20:14

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.