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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Revelation 20:10 details the definitive and eternal judgment of the primary architects of evil and deception: the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. This verse marks a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy, concluding the long spiritual battle and affirming God's ultimate victory and justice.

Context

This verse follows a sequence of crucial events in Revelation's eschatological narrative. The "beast" and the "false prophet" were already cast into the lake of fire at the return of Christ, as described in Revelation 19:20. This verse explicitly states they "are" there, indicating their ongoing torment. The "devil," or Satan, had been bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3), then released for a brief period to deceive the nations one last time (Revelation 20:7-9), leading to a final rebellion that is swiftly crushed by God. Immediately after this verse, the scene shifts to the Great White Throne Judgment, where all the dead are judged according to their deeds.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Ultimate Judgment: This verse underscores God's absolute righteousness in dealing with evil. Every entity that rebelled against Him and led humanity astray receives a just and final recompense. It is the culmination of the promise given in Genesis 3:15, where the serpent's head would be crushed.
  • The Definitive Defeat of Evil: The casting of the devil into the lake of fire signifies the complete and irreversible overthrow of the ultimate adversary of God and humanity. There will be no more deception, no more temptation, and no more spiritual warfare from these sources.
  • Eternal Consequence: The phrase "tormented day and night for ever and ever" emphasizes the unending nature of the punishment. It is not annihilation, but perpetual suffering, highlighting the gravity of their rebellion against an eternal God.
  • God's Sovereignty: Despite the long history of evil and suffering, this verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate control over all creation and destiny. His plan unfolds perfectly, leading to the eradication of all opposition.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lake of fire and brimstone" (Greek: limnē tou pyros kai theiou) is a recurring motif in Revelation, symbolizing intense, purifying, and destructive judgment. The mention of "brimstone" (sulfur) evokes the imagery of divine judgment seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24), signifying a complete and fiery consumption. The term "tormented" (Greek: basanisthesontai) denotes anguish and suffering. The phrase "for ever and ever" (Greek: eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn, literally "unto the ages of the ages") is the strongest possible expression of eternity in Greek, leaving no room for a temporary or finite punishment for these entities.

Practical Application

For believers, Revelation 20:10 offers profound comfort and assurance. It guarantees that evil will not have the last word and that all suffering and injustice caused by spiritual adversaries will ultimately be resolved by God's perfect justice. This truth provides hope in the face of present struggles and reminds us that our ultimate victory is secure in Christ, who has already triumphed over sin and death (Colossians 2:15). For those who have not yet committed their lives to Christ, this verse serves as a solemn warning about the eternal consequences of rejecting God's grace and aligning with forces of darkness. It underscores the importance of choosing righteousness and seeking salvation through Jesus Christ, the only one who can deliver us from the wrath to come (John 3:16).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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