How long will the devil, beast and false prophet mentioned in Revelation 20 be tormented?
The devil was cast into the lake of fire along with the beast and false prophet and they will be tormented forever and ever. Does this mean tormented for eternity?
Revelation 20:10
NKJV - 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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Tim Maas
Supporter
The Greek wording used in the verse cited in the question is (in English characters) "eis ton aionon", which literally means "to the ever", indicating a future period with no conclusion. The closest renderings of its sense in English would thus indeed be (as suggested in the question) "forever and ever" or "for eternity".
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
"Forever and ever" (Greek, εἰς τούς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων) is a combination of the double plural seems to be peculiar to the N. T.)): (Romans 16:27 L T); Galatians 1:5; (Philippians 4:20); 1 Timothy 1:17; (2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Peter 4:11); Revelation 1:6, 18; 4:9; 5:13; 7:12; 10:6; 11:15; 15:7; 19:3; 20:10; 22:5. It means forever because you must compare it with the cross-reference which the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) lists, Matthew 25:41 which says, "Then he [God] will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
Aurel Gheorghe
Supporter
Forever in Revelation 20:10 taken within its Scriptural context does not mean eternity. God’s word was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek not in English. Although most of the English translations are accurate and reliable, in a few instances it has been difficult for translators to find English expressions to convey the exact meaning of the original text, just as some English expressions are hard to translate in other languages. For example, one might say “my hands are tied” - most likely means that "circumstance prevent me, " although someone not familiar with the expression might think something else. When faced with difficult expressions, best approach is to seek the meaning of terms as they are used by the Scriptures themselves. The ‘forever and ever” it’s Jewish expression that means a space of time or an uninterrupted period. In several other places the Bible uses “forever” a definite period rather than eternity. And here are just a few examples: A servant will serve his master forever (Ex 21:1-6) David was made king forever (1 Chron 28:4; 29:27, 28) David was king for only 40 years Samuel served the Lord forever (1 Samuel 1:22) Samuel served only as long as he lived Jonah was in the belly of the fish forever (Jonah 2:6) Jonah was detained for only 3 days and nights Naaman’s leprosy will cling to Gehazi forever (2 Kings 5:27) – Gehazi had leprosy as long as he lived Sodom and Gomorrah "serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7). Sodom is not burning today although was punished with eternal fire. The judgment on Edom (Isa 34:9, 10) - the prophecy, just like the one in Revelation 20:10, tell that Edom will burn "night and day it shall not be quenched; its smoke shall go up forever" – however, Edom (modern Jordan) is on fire today. The devil and his followers will burn in fire as long as God will allow it - for some the punishment will last longer than the other (Luke 12:47, 48).
Rotimi EWEDEMI
Supporter
In my opinion, the key to understanding what the term “forever” lies in understanding of what the term “torment" signifies. Bible scholars have understood that the term ”torment “ means to keep someone in jail, in the care of jailers who are referred to as “tormentors”. So, Satan being tormented forever means to be kept in jail, so to say, forever; or to be kept in a state that Satan will not be able to carry out deception any more. Now, taking into consideration God’s words in Genesis 3:15, the fate that awaits the Serpent, which means the devil or Satan, is destruction. The scriptures teach that the Serpent’s head will be crushed by the Seed of the Woman. This means that Satan will eventually be taken out of existence. If the above is accepted, then Satan will be jailed in death for ever, or he will be tormented for ever...never to be released from death or jail. We recall that God promises everlasting life for the righteous. The unrighteous will perish, that is, not see everlasting life. The contrast to everlasting life, to my mind, is everlasting death. Satan is the chief, so to say, of unrighteousness. Therefore, what must await that Spirit creature is everlasting death.
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