Divine Judgment: Literal Fire, Everlasting Destruction

That is a very thoughtful question concerning the nature and duration of divine judgment, and I can certainly clarify the truth on this important subject for you 😌.

The wicked will indeed be destroyed by literal flames of fire from God, but they are not preserved in these flames for eternally varying lengths of time; rather, they are consumed entirely, resulting in their everlasting destruction.

The Nature of the Final Fire 🔥

The Scriptures clearly show that the final punishment of the wicked involves literal fire, which emanates from the presence and glory of God 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

• Divine Vengeance: The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and obey not the gospel 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8SITI January 15, 1885, page 38.16. This fire is often described as the fury and rebuke of the Lord, coming with His chariots like a whirlwind Isaiah 66:15.

• The Consuming Element: The final day is described as a great day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men 2 Peter 3:7. The earth and the works therein shall be burned up, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, demonstrating the physical reality of this conflagration 2 Peter 3:10-12ARSH July 18, 1865, page 50.8+1. This fire is the same agency that purifies the earth, cleansing it from all sin and corruptionExV 32.5+4.

• The Lake of Fire: The final destruction occurs when fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours the wicked hosts gathered around the Holy City Revelation 20:9. This is the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is defined unequivocally as the second death Revelation 21:8+1ARSH July 18, 1865, page 50.8+2.

Duration and Degree of Punishment

While the punishment of the wicked is unquestionably real and severe, the biblical threat is one of everlasting destruction, not eternal torment 2 Thessalonians 1:9ARSH January 20, 1859, page 67.3. The theory of eternal torment is a harmful heresy adopted from paganism that has been incorporated into the popular faithGC88 58.2+2.

• Destruction, Not Preservation: The wicked are likened to material that is easily and utterly destroyed, such as chaff and stubble Malachi 4:1. They are to be burned up by fire that leaves them "neither root nor branch" Malachi 4:1ARSH August 22, 1854, page 11.21+1. When chaff is cast into fire, it is burned up; it does not continue to burn eternallyATO 57.1.

• Punished According to Deeds: The judgment ensures that all are punished according to their deeds Revelation 20:123BC 1142.8+1. This indicates that while the degree and length of suffering experienced by each person will be dreadful and prolonged in accordance with their individual sins, the process culminates in their final extinctionTMR 126.2+1.

• Becoming Ashes: The length of the punishment continues until the wicked are completely consumed. The Lord of hosts declares, "ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this" Malachi 4:3SITI January 8, 1885, page 22.26+2. When the wicked are reduced to ashes, the fire ceases because there is no more combustible material to feed uponSITI March 16, 1888, page 171.2.

• Everlasting Result: When the Lord says that the wicked depart into everlasting fire Matthew 25:41 and go away into everlasting punishment Matthew 25:46 this term refers to the consequence—the destruction is perpetual, allowing for no future escape or resurrectionARSH January 20, 1859, page 67.3+1. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah suffered the vengeance of "eternal fire" but were turned into ashes, the result of the fire is permanent destruction, though the fire itself is not endlessly burning its victims Jude 1:7+1MOI 89.2+1.