Reading "Hell A Final Word" by Edward William Fudge has answered all the questions I had about hell,
and the punishment awaiting those who are lost ( not saved by grace through faith ).
It all makes a lot more sense to me now that I understand the lost will "perish" and face "death" ( as opposed to the everlasting life believers receive ).
See John 3:16 and Romans 6:23.
The lake of fire "destroys" them and this is the second death.
Only Satan and his angels can "exist" in the lake of fire ( which was prepared for them ).
But you better let Edward Fudge explain it all to you.
I know most of you don't want to read the 500+ page book ( The Fire That Consumes ) that he wrote on the subject,
but you might be interested in the video presentation.
I found this, and a whole lot more on www.edwardfudge.com
Check it out,
It would be better if you hear it straight from him,
instead of my lame attempts to repeat it.
He spent over 30 years teaching what God had shown him,
so he is pretty good at explaining what the Bible says on the subject of hell,
and explaining where the common misconceptions originated.
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25