In part one of our study, we examined parallel prophecies concerning events which are to take place at the end of the age; that is, the age in which we currently live. We examined the prophecies of Matthew chapter 13, and of Matthew chapter 24, and also examined the parallel of these passages in the Gospel of Luke. 

We determined that these passages are parallels, one to another, because they all contain the same peculiar features; namely that they all speak of events which are to take place at the end of this age, and that they all mention the separation of the unjust from among the just which is to take place at that time. These are facts, not assumptions.  

Any solid scriptural exegesis must be built upon sound principles of interpretation.  Most new Christians are taught principles on which they should rely when studying the Bible. Among these principles are firstly, that a scripture should never be extracted from its context in order to make it say something it does not say, secondly that any true scriptural doctrine must be established by many scriptures and not a single isolated passage, and thirdly that we must pay attention to what the scriptures actually say without injecting them with our own personal biases or opinions. 

I do not believe that any sincere student of the Bible would disagree that these principles are absolutely fundamental to any serious Bible study.  However, when it comes to the doctrine of eternal torment it never ceases to amaze me how many times these rules must be broken in order to make the scriptures teach something which they simply do not say. 

The “furnace of Fire” from Matthew chapter 13 along with the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is a perfect example of one way in which all sound rules of interpretation are broken in an attempt to apply these to a doctrine where they simply do not apply.  If you ask ten evangelical Christians where “weeping and gnashing of teeth” occurs, you can be certain that all ten will tell you that it takes place in “hell”.  As we learned in part one, those who believe this are making an assumption; the Bible never says that  “weeping and gnashing of teeth” occurs in “hell”.

If anyone should doubt this, I ask that they stop reading this, immediately get a concordance, and look up all occurrences of “gnashing of teeth”.  Do not take my word, but prove to yourself that your Bible never says that those in hell weep and gnash their teeth.  If the Bible does not state this, but you continue to believe it, then you must at least be willing to admit that you are basing your belief on an assumption; that assumption being that the conditions which the Bible says bring about “weeping and gnashing of teeth” are the conditions of hell, although the Bible never states this. 

For example, you must assume that the “furnace of fire” is a reference to hell.  You must assume that “outer darkness” is a reference to hell.  You must assume that “the portion with the hypocrites” is a reference to hell.  These three conditions are the only ones which are said to bring about “weeping an gnashing of teeth”. You may believe that your assumptions are valid, but they remain assumptions nonetheless. 

The question is, are we willing to ask ourselves on what our assumptions are based?  How do we know that these phrases really refer to hell?  I know the common train of thought might be; “well what else could these possibly be referring to?”  This attitude however is really the crux of the entire problem.  Once we make an assumption that we feel is correct because a passage CANNOT mean anything else (another assumption) then we will be blinded to anything else in the Bible which would seem to shed light on the passage, even if it is sometimes obvious! 

One perfect example of this is in 1 Peter 3:19

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 1 Peter 3:18-19

Scores of Christian people assume that the “spirits in prison” here are the departed souls of men and women to whom Jesus preached between his death and resurrection.  However, this passage is light years from stating anything of the kind, and this teaching is built entirely upon assumptions.  You must assume that the “spirits in prison” are the immortal souls of men and women.  Like the “furnace of fire” the reply of many is “what else can it be referring to?” 

By making an assumption, then further assuming that this passage cannot mean anything else, we immediately become blinded to the parallel passages in 2nd Peter and Jude which tell us clearly that these “spirits in prison” are not the souls of men and women at all, but fallen angels!  That is, you not only make an assumption, but you sever the verses from their parallel corroborative passages elsewhere in scripture to maintain your assumption! 

Brothers and sisters in Jesus, as we begin this next part of our study into the true meaning and application of the phrases “weeping and gnashing of teeth”, and “furnace of fire” I PLEAD with you to not allow your assumptions to get in the way of what God may be trying to teach you from his infallible life-giving word.  These warnings are stark and sober, and they deserve our most careful attention. We cannot afford to make assumptions on a subject as important as the one at hand.
 

MATTHEW 13 - A PROPHECY
NOT A DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a number of parables, and then goes on to give further explanation of a few of them. He did not say to his disciples: "Now I want you to listen to me carefully because I am going to tell you what hell is like.  Hell is a 'furnace of fire', and Hell is a place where those tormented there will 'weep and gnash their teeth' for all eternity." However, this is exactly how these passages are used and quoted by many evangelical Christians in order to buttress the doctrine of eternal torment.

The fact is, the parables of Matthew chapter 13 are prophecies concerning the end of the age.  We know they are prophecies because Jesus himself specifically states that these are descriptions of events which are to take place at the close of THIS age.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age.

While this seems simple and obvious, it is vitally important that we always keep this fact squarely in front of us while dealing with this passage. Why?  

Because ultimately, prophecies can only apply to the class of people they were prophesied for 

While this also seems so obvious as to require no explanation, it is precisely this principle which is completely overlooked or ignored when interpreting the parables of Matthew 13. How is it that we read that these are prophesied events for the end of this age, and interpret them in such a way as to make them apply to the wicked of all ages for eternity without end? 

We are told over and over that “hell is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth”, but the passages that these phrases appear in are prophecies for a specific time, and a specific class of people. To make these passages teach more than this is to handle the word of God unwisely. 

Noah preached for 120 years that the antediluvian age would end with a flood which would destroy that wicked and ungodly generation. Ultimately the events which Noah prophesied could only come to pass upon that generation which they were prophesied for.  A person who died even one day before the heavens opened and the rain came forth did not see the flood.  The events were prophesied for those living at the time the judgments were to take place.  No one imagines that Noah's preaching of the events which were to close that age were to apply to all the wicked for all eternity. The wicked of that time perished in the flood. They are certainly not in a perpetual state of drowning, nor have any of the wicked since that generation seen the wrath of God poured out upon mankind in the form of a universal flood. 

Roughly 2000 years after the preaching of Noah, Jesus prophesied and warned mankind of the cataclysmic events which were to close this current age:

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left Matt 24:38-41

Just the same as the events which destroyed the wicked of Noah's day cannot be applied to all the wicked from all ages, neither can Jesus' words concerning the destruction of the wicked at the end of this age be applied to all the wicked from all ages.  These are prophecies for a specific time and a specific generation.

As those wicked living in the days of Noah were taken in judgment, so shall those living in the close of this age be taken in judgment.  The prophecies of events which are to close this age can only apply to those then living at the close of the current age. 

As the flood took the wicked in the days of Noah, the wicked are taken by fire at the end of the current age.

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the carcass is, thither will the vultures be gathered together. Luke 17:34-37

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:29-30

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matt 13:40-42 (Please see details and comparison charts in Part One)

The FLOOD was the cataclysmic event which destroyed the wicked generation of Noah's day, the events likened to a HARVEST are the cataclysmic judgments which will destroy the wicked generation living at the end of this age.

Friends, these are PROPHECIES for a specific time and for the wicked living during that time.  

Read that again, and understand it!

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age.

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 

If the burning of the tares takes place at the close of THIS AGE, then clearly Jesus is not describing something that goes on and on to the endless ages of eternity, but is prophesying events for a specific time and the people who will be living at that time. Had Jesus meant to teach eternal torment then he should have said "As the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be upon the wicked for the endless ages of eternity", but this isn't what he said is it? Similarly, Jesus said "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed," not, 'thus shall the fire and brimstone rain upon the wicked for all eternity'

so shall it be in the end of this age.

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed

As it was in the days of Noah that the wicked were going about their business, eating and drinking and marrying, until the flood came and took away that wicked generation, so shall Jesus' prophecies come to pass upon that wicked generation at the end of this age.  They will be going about their business as usual when the prophesied cataclysmic events come upon them as a snare and take them away just as the flood took away those of Noah's generation.

The wicked then living at the end of our current age will undergo great suffering and torment as a result of God’s wrath which will be poured out at that time. Beyond our own assumptions, we cannot make these passages teach anything more. Not one word is said about this suffering being anything but a condition which happens in this life, nothing is said about such suffering taking place anywhere but on earth, and nothing is said about such suffering continuing eternally.  

It is a mistake; a dreadful mistake and contrary to fact and reason to take these words out of the mouth of our Lord and Savior and apply them to people, conditions, and events which were not even in his mind when he spoke them! Next time someone says that those in hell weep and gnash their teeth for all eternity, please know that they are stating the theories of their own imagination, and not what the Word of God teaches! Can’t we see how blinded we have become by the traditions of men? Oh that God would open our minds and hearts to accept teaching from him as readily as we accept it from the pages of our commentaries and creeds! 

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF MATTHEW 13

In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus speaks the parable of the 'wheat and the tares'.  In the same chapter he also gives the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the sower. However, of these three, the parable of the wheat and tares seems to require our special attention. The disciples come to Jesus in Matthew 13:36 and request further information regarding the meaning of this parable:

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Matt 13:36

There was therefore something about this parable which they felt they did not understand, or needed further explanation for.  Jesus then immediately goes on to explain the meaning of the parable, and when he is done he asks his disciples: 

Have ye understood all these things?  Matt 13:51 

We should all ask ourselves the same question.  Have we really understood these things? Have we simply accepted what we have been taught? It was obviously important to the disciples that they had a clear understanding of this parable, and equally as important to Jesus that his disciples had properly understood what he had taught them.  Therefore, it is important that we also study carefully Jesus' explanation of this parable, and make sure that we properly understand its correct application as well. 

The explanation Jesus gives is in Matthew 13:37-43: 

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt 13:37-43

We note the features of this explanation: 

• The events are to take place at the end of this age... ‘so shall it be in the end of this age’ 
   

• The end of the age is likened to a harvest ... ‘the harvest is the end of the age’ 
   

• The ‘reaping’ work is to be done by angels... ‘the reapers are the angels’
    

• The reaping must begin after the establishment Jesus’ kingdom on earth... “shall gather out of HIS KINGDOM all things that offend’ 
   

• The wicked are gathered and cast into a furnace of fire... ‘and shall cast them into a furnace of fire’ 
   

• They express anguish over their sufferings...  ‘there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth’

We also determined in Part One of our study that the place where the wicked will be gathered is also described as a place of dead bodies and vultures.  (Luke 17:37)

As we have stated previously, if we can locate these same peculiar features elsewhere in other scriptures which describe the close of the age, then we will have before us the most convincing body of evidence that the phrases ‘furnace of fire’ and ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’ have been misapplied to the doctrine of eternal torment. 

In the previous study we compared Matthew 13 with Matthew 24 because both specifically claim to be descriptions of the end of the age.  As we would expect, we found that these passages were parallel. 

We now ask; where else in the scriptures might we look for information concerning the end of the age? Certainly we should expect that the book of Revelation would describe these events, being written specifically to tell us of the close of this age and the second coming of Jesus in power and great glory.

A KINGDOM WHEN?
COMPARING MATTHEW 13 AND
REVELATION 11

There is something very peculiar in the parable of the wheat and the tares which seems to have completely escaped the notice of most readers and commentators. The 'harvest' is both ‘the end of this age’ as well as the time when the wicked are gathered out of ‘his kingdom’; that is, the established kingdom of Jesus on earth. How do we know that ‘his kingdom’ must refer to the EARTHLY established kingdom?  Because we are told specifically that ‘the field is the world’!  If 'the field is the world', yet the tares to be burned are gathered out of Jesus' kingdom, then clearly the gathering of the tares must take place after the establishment of Jesus' kingdom in the earth.

These facts are significant because they locate this harvest in a very specific and precise period of time. The events which take place during this harvest (the reaping by the angels, the gathering of the wicked, the torment by fire, the wailing and gnashing of teeth) must take place  IN (that is before) the close of this age BUT AFTER the establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Again, these are facts which are derived from the text itself. 

Notice that the establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom does not then end this current age. As Jesus himself has stated, ‘the HARVEST is the end of the age’.  Since the work of the harvest is to gather OUT OF THE KINGDOM  all things that offend, then the earthly kingdom must be established prior to this time of harvest, and after that, the harvest must end THIS AGE.  These facts are absolutely vital to a proper understanding of these passages.

1)      The establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom does not close the current age.

2)      The establishment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom precedes the harvest.

3)      The purpose of the harvest is to gather the wicked out of ‘the world’... ‘the field is the world’.  

4)      The harvest is the end of this age.

The Harvest is the End of the Age

Let's look to the book of Revelation, and see if we can locate the time when Jesus’ kingdom is established.  In Revelation chapter 11 we read of this glorious event: 

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Rev 11:15-17

At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, Jesus takes his kingly power and begins to reign. The kingdoms of this world become his!  But notice what we mentioned above; the establishment of the kingdom does not immediately mark the end of the age.  Instead we see that according to Jesus' words in Matthew 13, the wicked must first be gathered out of the world in a time designated as ‘the harvest’.  Only then does this age end. Now, notice the absolutely beautiful harmony of God’s word.  What announcement is made is made along with the message proclaiming the establishment of the kingdom in Revelation 11?

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come… Rev 11:18

The establishment of the kingdom marks the time when God’s wrath is about to be poured out upon the nations of the earth.  Notice how perfectly this corresponds to Jesus’ account of the end of the age in Matthew 13.  The establishment of the kingdom immediately precedes the destruction of wicked in the 'harvest'. Notice again another scripture which sets forth this principle:: 

The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Ps 110:2

Jesus’ reign and kingdom begins in the midst of his enemies. The establishment of the kingdom does not immediately make the end of this age. It is the destruction of the wicked, or the 'harvest'  AFTER the establishment of the kingdom which will end this age. The first order of business after the establishment of the kingdom is to “gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity, and cast them into a furnace of fire”.  The whole scenario has never left this earth one time, much less painted a picture of an eternal hell.  As we have stated over and over, a prophecy can only ultimately apply to those who are living when the prophecy is fulfilled.  In this case, these prophecies can only apply to those then living AFTER the establishment of Jesus' kingdom described in Revelation 11.

According to the parable of the 'wheat and the tares', the wicked are gathered of out Jesus' kingdom and destroyed in the harvest.  Having located the establishment of this kingdom in Revelation 11, we must then look for the fulfillment of the events of the 'harvest (the reaping angels, the burning of the tares, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth) AFTER this event.  The remainder of this study will concern itself with doing just that. 

Continuing then in the book of Revelation, can we locate the 'tares' who are to suffer this furnace of fire, as well as the harvest spoken of in Matthew 13?  Yes, although once again, the passages in which we find them have been clouded by traditions.

A HIGHLY MISUNDERSTOOD PASSAGE

After the announcement of Revelation 11 we have two parenthetical chapters before the narrative continues in chapter 14.  Chapter 12 describes the satanic persecution of a great woman, and chapter 13 introduces us to a great beastly power which will reign over all mankind just prior to the close of the age.  When the narrative picks up again in Chapter 14 we read this startling announcement: 

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev 14:9-11

This passage from Revelation 14 is also one of the classic proof texts for the doctrine of eternal torment.  But again, as a careful examination will show, this passage is also a prophecy for a certain time, and a certain class of people; the same which are mentioned in Matthew 13.

First of all, WHO is in danger of undergoing the torment described in this passage?

Those worshiping the beast, or having taken his mark in their hand or forehead!  In other words, it is living men and women in the act of worshiping this beast who are in danger of suffering the torment which is described in this passage. This is a far cry from saying that the fate described in this passage applies to all wicked men and women throughout time! 

Secondly, what or who is the beast they are worshiping?  What is the mark they have taken that has sealed their punishment? Do you know?  Are you certain? I currently own six commentaries on the book of Revelation.  NONE of them agree on who or what the beast is, or what the ‘mark’ is! However, all attempt to use this passage to support the doctrine of eternal torment! 

Now, isn’t this just a bit strange?  Evangelicals and fundamentalists from every age have not been able to agree among themselves as to what this beast or it’s mark is, but according to this passage the ONLY ones in danger of undergoing the punishments here described are those worshipping the beast or taking its mark!  Now, do not get angry with me and feel that I am limiting this passage in scope to only one class of people.  I have done nothing of the kind. It is YOUR BIBLE which has limited the scope and application of this verse.  These warnings are specifically for those worshiping the beast or its image, or have taken its mark.

It is an outright fallacy to scream from our pulpits “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever!!” without saying WHO this passage is referring to, and WHAT the torment is. 

Who does the torment in this passage refer to?  Those living on the earth at that time (after the establishment of the Kingdom in Revelation 11) who are worshipping the beast and his image, or have taken his mark. 

What is the torment?  Torment by fire and brimstone in the presence of the Lamb and the presence of the holy angels. An obvious reference to Matthew 13 where the 'angels sever the unjust from among the just and cast them into a furnace of fire.'

How long does the torment last?  The passage does not specifically say. 

I can already hear the roars of protest from those who will insist that the passage says the torment will continue forever and ever.  But my friend, the passage simply does not SAY THAT.  It says ‘the smoke of their torment arises forever and ever’, but it does not say that the torment continues forever and ever. Is there a difference?  Most definitely! 

What many may not realize is that the imagery used for the destruction of the wicked in Revelation 14 is taken directly from the description of the destruction of Edom (Idumea) in Isaiah 34. Unfortunately, those who attempt to use Revelation 14 to support the doctrine of eternal torment rarely alert their audience to this fact: 

For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. Isa 34:8-10

Remember what we said earlier; one of the first principles of sound scriptural interpretation is that doctrines must be built by comparing scripture with scripture and not by forming doctrines from isolated texts.  In reality, there is very little imagery in the book of Revelation which has not been drawn from prophetic passages elsewhere in scripture.  

The Holy spirit inspired the Apostle John to pen his words using the imagery from Isaiah for a reason; so that we could compare scripture with scripture and not err in our interpretation of the text!  

Now notice carefully that the land of Edom was to be destroyed by fire and brimstone, and we read that ‘it shall not be quenched night or day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever’. Now my friends, the fact is, this language has nothing to do with hell at all, but with judgments which are clearly to take place on earth!  Consider also the following passage:

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed Luke 17:29-30

The fire and brimstone in this passage is also an earthly condition, and clearly these passages are parallel one to another. Fire and brimstone are to rain down upon the EARTH in the day the Lord is revealed from heaven.  It is the LAND that is to burn with fire and brimstone. You cannot interpret one passage in favor of an eternally burning hell when its language is clearly drawn from passages which make no mention of hell whatsoever. Let those who take these passages in their most strict literal sense at least be consistent.  If the smoke is literally to arise 'forever and ever', then it must arise from the earth; from the LAND, and not from a hell which is nowhere mentioned in this context.

There is only one truly scriptural conclusion we can come to:  That the torment by fire and brimstone mentioned in Revelation 14 is a reference to an earthly condition which can only be poured out upon living men and women!

Some might wonder then, if the smoke does not literally arise 'forever and ever', what do these words mean?  From Isaiah, simply that wrath of God poured out upon Edom would be remembered from generation to generation and that the wicked destroyed by God's wrath would forever be looked upon with contempt and indignity.  Using the same image in the Book of Revelation for the destruction of the wicked at the end of this age we read that the smoke of their torment also arises 'forever and ever'.  In the same way, the judgment of God executed upon wicked mankind at the end of this age will be a lesson about the destructiveness of sin which mankind will never forget. That wicked generation who are to be destroyed by these judgments will be looked upon with ignominy for all eternity.

We all watched in horror on September 11 as terrorists flew planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  3000 people perished in this horrendous atrocity. Even after two months the pile of rubble and debris that once was the twin towers was still smoldering.  That smoke was a constant reminder to all of what had happened on that infamous day. In the end of the age, the wrath of God poured out, and his judgment against the wickedness of mankind will be absolutely cataclysmic; beyond anything the world has ever experienced or ever will again. Those on whom the judgment of God falls will suffer horribly. But saying in symbolical language that 'the smoke of there torment ascendeth up for ever and ever' is no indication that the torment itself would continue forever ever, only that the torment these suffer will leave a lasting and permanent impression, and will serve as a constant reminder in the minds of those who witnessed these events. Scripturally speaking we simply cannot make this passage teach more.  

For those who choose to believe that Revelation 14:9-11 refers to a literal pillar of smoke which will ascend from the wicked burning in hell for all eternity I would ask; Why would God use the language and the imagery from an Old Testament passage which would lead us to draw the opposite conclusion (that the judgments would be poured out upon the earth and that the smoke would arise from the LAND)? If one passage really is speaking of an ever burning hell while another using the exact same language, and clearly its cross reference speaks of earthly judgments and is to be taken literally, then aren't we as Bible students surely hopeless to determine the true meaning of ANY passage?

Someone might ask, 'Doesn't the torment by 'fire and brimstone' logically refer to the 'lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone?' 

Once again I answer no, that the context must dictate the true meaning of the passage, and not just a simple comparison of phrases. If 'fire and brimstone' were all we needed to determine the true meaning of this passage then we might very well determine that this torment is inflicted by the horses in Revelation 9 which 'breathe fire and brimstone.' 

As we have seen, the imagery in this passage is drawn from the destruction of Edom  described in Isaiah 34. In that passage, it is the LAND that is to be burned with fire and brimstone, and therefore earthly in nature. Clearly the 'fire and brimstone' in that passage had nothing to do with anything beyond a condition in this world.

Furthermore, as we looked at earlier Luke 17:29-30 states:

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:29-30

Both Luke 17 and Isaiah 34 speak of fire and brimstone which rain upon the earth in the day the Lord is revealed from heaven.  Both passages speak of these being earthly judgments upon those living at that time. Isaiah 34 is clearly the exact cross reference to our passage in Revelation 14.  These are facts that cannot simply be brushed aside or ignored unless you have already determined that the 'fire and brimstone' MUST be a reference to an eternally burning hell.

Furthermore, the 'lake of fire' does not appear in the text until Revelation 19:20.  But at that very moment, what becomes of those who were warned of torment by 'fire and brimstone' in Revelation 14? Read it in you own Bible:

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. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev 19:20-21

The Beast and the False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire , but no one else!  The rest are simply killed.  According to popular theology, these then would not go into the lake of fire until after the 1000 year reign of Christ, and the Great White Throne Judgment. We must ask then why the warning given in Revelation 14 is separated from the punishment contextually by six chapters, and chronologically by over 1000 years.

Therefore, a 'lake burning with fire and brimstone' does not of necessity refer to torment by 'fire and brimstone' mentioned in Revelation 14:9-11. In fact, the context and the parallel passages lead us to a very different conclusion. Instead of jumping to conclusions which are based only on assumptions and traditions, we must discern the truth by a careful consideration of context, and a consistent comparison of scripture with scripture.  We will consider this 'torment by fire and brimstone' in detail a bit later on.

Again, someone might ask, 'Does not this passage say that they have no rest day or night'?  First we must comment that the passage does not say what it seems most want it to say; that they have no rest day or night forever and ever!

But beyond that my friend, WHO?  WHO has no rest day or night?  A popular online tract entitled 'The Truth About Hell' by Terry Watkins illustrates this problem.  It quotes Revelation 14:11 as follows:

"The smoke of their TORMENT ascendeth up for EVER AND EVER: and they have NO REST DAY NOR NIGHT."

Do you see the period there after the word 'night'?  That, brethren is the problem. WHO?? WHO HAS NO REST DAY OR NIGHT? All the wicked throughout the ages? Can't we see the absolute fallacy of quoting these verses out of context? 

and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev 14:11

Again, these are prophecies for a specific class of people at a specific time; those living at the end of the age who are in the act of worshiping the beast or have taken his mark. It is those who worship the beast that have no rest day or night; no one can worship the beast after they have been killed! The proclamation of this warning doesn't even go forth until after the establishment of the kingdom in Revelation 11. That is not my interpretation, that is what your Bible says! 

How you take these words and apply them to all the wicked throughout the ages for all eternity is an absolute mystery to me.  Why millions of evangelical and fundamental Christians accept such exposition of scripture without question is an even greater mystery.  As we will see, this group of people will be tormented severely, and they won't have any rest day or night as long as the prophesied torment lasts. However, it will be shown that the torment is on earth while these people are living, but it is of limited duration, and will ultimately end in the deaths of these individuals.

Revelation 14:9-11 stands as yet another example where simple rules of scriptural interpretation are discarded.  Believing that the passage must refer to an eternally burning hell it is isolated and severed from its cross references in order to hide its true meaning and uphold a much cherished belief. How many times have we as Christians been told that when we study the Bible we must take into consideration WHO a passage is speaking of.  Have those who would interpret Revelation 14:11 as a warning of hell really followed this rule? 

Does Revelation 14:9-11 ultimately stand as a proof text for the doctrine of eternal torment?  Absolutely not! It could only stand as a proof text for this doctrine if three things can be proven: 

1)    That the passage applies to all wicked men. It does not, it applies to a specific class of men; those who will be found worshiping the Beast in the day the Lord is revealed from heaven.

2)    That the passage applies to the conditions of men beyond earthly life. It never states anything of the kind.  The wrath is to be poured out upon those who are worshiping the beast or have taken its mark.  Nothing is said concerning their fate beyond death.

3) That the conditions of torment continue throughout eternity. The passage does not say that the torment goes on forever and ever. Nor does it say that these have 'no rest day or night forever and ever'.  It says the 'smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever'. Let us not make the passage say more than the text itself will allow.  Furthermore, the imagery is drawn from Luke 17 and Isaiah 34 where the 'fire and brimstone' have nothing to do with hell, but are describing earthly judgments.

For these reasons,  none of these have ever been proven from the passage, nor can they ever be.

COMPARING MATTHEW 13 AND
REVELATION 14

While Revelation 14 may not stand as a proof text for the doctrine of eternal torment, it does have considerable bearing upon our study of ‘the wheat and the tares’ and the proper application of the phrases ‘furnace of fire’ and ‘weeping gnashing of teeth’. 

We have seen how the harvest of Matthew 13 must take place at a very specific time; after the establishment of the earthly kingdom but before the end of the age which it closes.  The first order of business upon the establishment of this kingdom is to ‘gather out all things that offend and them which do iniquity and cast them into a furnace of fire.’ 

Revelation 14 is the proclamation of this very warning to those on the earth right before these events are about to occur.

If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb

We have already noted who these wicked are who are in danger of being tormented with fire and brimstone; those worshiping the beast, or having taken his mark.  Jesus’ warning in Matthew 13 corresponds exactly to the message of the angel in Revelation 14. In Matthew 13 the 'tares' are to be gathered and burned in the fire, and in Revelation 14 it is the worshipers of the beast. In other words, at the end of the age, the tares prove to be those who will worship beast or take his mark. 

Notice in Matthew 13 that Jesus sends forth the angels to gather the wicked; in Revelation 14 they are warned that they will be tormented in the presence of the lamb and the ANGELS. 

In both Matthew 13 and Revelation 14 the time period is the same; after the establishment of the earthly kingdom, but immediately preceding the harvest which will end this age. The angelic warnings against the wicked who are worshipping the beast in Revelation 14 are a simply a retelling of the events which Jesus described for us in the parable of the wheat and the tares. 

Jesus takes the kingdom in the midst of his enemies in Revelation 11. In Revelation 13 and the beginning of Revelation 14 we have described for us who these enemies are; who these tares are living at the close of the age; the beast and those who worship it.  In order to establish beyond any doubt that these ones worshiping the beast are the tares of Matthew 13, we must be able to locate the 'harvest' after these warnings. 

As we have seen, the warnings of torment against those worshiping the beast are given in Revelation 14:9-11. So, what do we find immediately following in Revelation 14:15?

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Rev 14:15

THE HARVEST!! 

Parallel Sequence of Events From Matthew 13, and Revelation 12-14

Just as our Lord and Master had told us in Matthew 13, the Kingdom would be established in the midst of it’s enemies, THEN the wicked living at that time would be taken in a great time of God’s wrath known as ‘the harvest’. The book of Revelation gives us these very events in the same order; the establishment of the kingdom (Rev 11), the warning of torment by fire against the wicked (Rev 14), and their ultimate destruction by the 'harvest' which is the end of the age (rev 14-19). God’s word is remarkably harmonious, and to this we can only say: 

 ‘O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!’
 

THE HARVEST COMMENCES

The 'harvest', which according to Jesus himself marks the end of the age, is described for us in detail in Revelation chapters 14-19.  We are first given an overview of the harvest in Revelation 14:14-20:

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev 14:14-120

The 'great winepress of God's wrath' describes these seven 'bowl judgments which are poured out upon the wicked in Revelation 15 and 16. The end result of the harvest, the blood coming out of the winepress up to the horses bridles, is a reference to the unimaginable carnage left by the battle of Armageddon brought about by the return of Jesus described in Revelation 19.

Story Flow of the 'Harvest' From Revelation 14-19

These events, which are designated as 'the harvest' mark the end of THIS AGE. As Jesus stated when explaining the symbolism of 'the wheat and the tares', 'THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE' (Matt 13:39) 

This is important for us to see. Why?  Because whatever the 'furnace of fire' is; whatever it is which brings about 'weeping and gnashing of teeth', it pertains to end of THIS AGE, and those who are living during that period.

Remember the angel's announcement in Revelation 14 that those who are worshiping the beast or have taken his mark would be tormented with fire and brimstone.  This is undoubtedly a reference to this same 'furnace of fire' mentioned in the parable of the wheat and the tares. Again, if the harvest is the end of THIS AGE, then this torment also pertains to THIS AGE.  Remember the words of Jesus.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The 'tares' are burned 'IN THE END OF THIS AGE': not before the end of the age, not after the end of the age, and not for all eternity. IN THE END OF THIS AGE. 

These are not my opinions or interpretations, they are the words of your Lord and Savior.  Whatever you may feel this 'furnace of fire' is and wherever it is you think 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' takes place, you must locate it in scripture before the close of the harvest and the end of the age in Revelation 19.  On the other hand, if the fire and the weeping and gnashing of teeth can be shown to take place exactly when Jesus stated (after the establishment of the the kingdom and in the end of the age), but not in the way you may have thought, then you have a very serious choice to make.  You can either continue to believe your theories which are based only on assumptions, or you can believe the Word of God.

SPECIFIC VS. ABSTRACT FULFILLMENT

The question we must ask is; where in the book of Revelation do ALL of these prophecies we have considered (a 'furnace of fire', 'torment by fire and brimstone in the presence of the angels', 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' 'fire and brimstone from heaven' and 'where the carcass is the vultures will be gathered') find their ultimate and SPECIFIC FULFILLMENT.

We noted in part one of this study that one of the unique features of many of the prophecies concerning the end of the age is that they all describe an event by which the wicked are 'gathered' or 'taken' from among the just. I would ask that anyone who does not understand these points please go back and read that material before continuing.  It is absolutely vital to a proper understanding of the scriptures.

We noted that Matthew 13 and Matthew 24 both claim to be describing events which will close the current age according to Jesus himself.  We looked to see if Matthew 24 described the same separation of the unjust from among the just which was described in Matthew 13:

The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just Matt 13:49

We found that there was indeed a parallel account of this event in Matthew 24 even though the passage in which it is found is often misapplied to the rapture:

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they (the wicked) were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them (the wicked) all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken (the wicked), and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken (the wicked), and the other left.  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (emphasis and words in parentheses mine) Matt 24:37-42

We then also noted the parallel of this passage in the Gospel of Luke:

I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." Luke 17:34-37

All of these passages refer to the same event; the separation of the wicked from among the just at the end of the age, not before, and not after.  They also all mention the punishment upon the wicked which is to take place in the end on the age.

In Matthew 24 it is 'shall cut him asunder (A word used for the severest form of Roman scourging), and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matt 24:51

In Matthew 13 it is 'cast them into a furnace of fire: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matt 13:50

In Luke 17:29 it is 'fire and brimstone from heaven'

In Luke 17:37  it is 'Where the carcass is the vultures will be gathered'

In Revelation 14 it is 'fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb' Rev 14:10

A fulfillment of these prophecies must contain ALL these features.  This is important because almost all of evangelical and fundamental Christianity see the fulfillment of most of these events in 'hell'. But consider for a moment how absolutely illogical such a conclusion is. If these passages are all describing events which are to take place at the end of this age, as Jesus himself stated, then their fulfillment must also be located in the events which will close this age.  If the 'furnace of fire' and the 'weeping and gnashing of teeth', are brought about by the harvest, then we must look for their fulfillment in the detailed description of the harvest in Revelation 15-19.  This seems so simple that it should require absolutely no explanation. We do not need to make assumptions such as 'those in hell weep and gnash their teeth'.  We will look for the specific fulfillment of these prophecies where we should expect them to be found; in the description of the HARVEST, and the events which are to close this age.

In Revelation 14:9-11 we found out exactly who these tares are in the end of the age; those worshiping the beast or having taken his mark. They are warned that they are about to be tormented severely.  Where do we begin to find the specific fulfillment of this warning upon this specific class of people?

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. Rev 16:1-2

Here we commence the exact fulfillment of the warnings given in Revelation 14:9-11.  It is not the torment of HELL, but the torment of the wrath of God which is being poured out in the seven bowl judgments.  The prophecy was for a specific class of people, and the fulfillment is for a specific class of people; the wicked living on the earth at the end of the age.

As touching this subject, two passages from Revelation 15 are also of the utmost importance:

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up * (see below) the wrath of God. Rev 15:1

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Rev 15:7-8

* Filled Up NT:5055 Thayer's Lexicon
teleo--

1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end; passed, finished 

2) to perform, to execute, to complete, to fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, the command, etc.)

Notice very carefully that according to Revelation 15:1 the seven bowl judgments which commence in Revelation 16 FINISH the wrath of God.

Also notice that according to Revelation 15:8 no one can enter the temple of God until these plagues are FINISHED. Now brethren this is important.  If the warning of torment to those worshiping the beast or his image described in Revelation 14:9-11 refers to the torment of these in hell for all eternity, then neither of the above statements made AFTER that announcement could be true!. If the "fire and brimstone in the presence of the lamb and the angels" refers to something that continues throughout eternity, then neither do these seven plagues which are about to be poured out FINISH the wrath of God toward them, nor could any man ever enter the temple because none can do so until these plagues are FINISHED.

This in itself stands as absolute proof that the phrase 'the smoke of their torment ascendeth forever and ever' does not, and can not refer to a pillar of smoke ascending from those suffering in hell for all eternity. If so then the wrath of God upon these people would NEVER be finished, and because of that no one could EVER enter the temple!

Now, mark the following points carefully.

• In Revelation 14:9-11 the wicked are warned that they will be tormented in the presence of the Lamb and the holy angels, and the smoke of there torment ascends forever.
   

• The seven bowl judgments are poured out upon these same wicked mentioned in Revelation 14:9-11
   

• The seven bowl judgments COMPLETE or FULFILL God's wrath against them. Rev 15:1
   

• No man can enter the temple of God until these plagues are COMPLETED Rev 15:8

The obvious, and ONLY scriptural conclusion we can reach is that the torment of Revelation 14:9-11 is not the warning of hell, but of what is about to be fulfilled specifically in these last seven plagues of God's wrath described in Revelation 16-19! The seven bowl judgments will complete and FULFILL God's wrath against the wicked living in the close of the age. Again, do not believe me brethren, believe what your own Bible is telling you.

However, the description of the harvest and the bowl judgments in Revelation 16-19 can only be a fulfillment of all these end-time prophecies and descriptions of the torment of the wicked if it contains all the features from these passages that we noted above (Matt 13,24, and Luke 17) Do the events of Revelation 16-19 specifically fulfill these prophecies? 

Absolutely!

The truth is, unless someone has been completely blinded by tradition, they will not fail to see that the warnings of Matthew 13, Matthew 24, Luke 17, and Revelation 14 are fulfilled to the last detail in Revelation 14-19.  The torment by fire does not occur in hell at all, but on this earth.  The weeping and gnashing of teeth does not take place in hell at all, but on this earth.  I would ask the reader to please examine the following parallels very carefully...

Specific Fulfillment of the Prophesied Harvest

Specific Fulfillment: Torment By Fire

Specific Fulfillment: Gathering of the Wicked For Destruction

I suppose I could write another fifty pages of commentary, but the truth is, to the unprejudiced, the above needs no explanation.  That the events of Matthew 13, Luke 17, and Revelation 14 are specifically fulfilled in the judgments of God poured out upon the earth during the harvest described in Revelation chapters 15-19, I do not feel anyone can reasonably deny.  'Hell' never entered the equation one time.  It was not mentioned in Matthew 13 because the 'furnace of fire', and the 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' NEVER referred to hell at all.  They referred to anguish of that wicked generation which will be worshiping the beast just prior to the second coming of Jesus who will be made to endure the wrath of God poured out at that time.

When we attempt to apply these passages to a doctrine such as eternal torment; a doctrine to which they do not apply, we completely obscure their specific fulfillments. The above shows exactly WHEN the wicked are separated from among the just, exactly WHERE they are gathered, exactly WHERE they are 'taken', exactly WHAT the furnace of fire is, exactly WHAT brings about weeping and gnashing of teeth, and exactly WHO these prophecies ultimately apply to. For every end-time prophecy we have in the gospels, we have a corroborative passage in the book of Revelation describing its ultimate fulfillment.

When we make a comment such as "weeping and gnashing of teeth occurs in hell", we can locate none of these parallels . Weeping and gnashing of teeth is NEVER said to take place in 'hell', neither is it said that the angels ever cast anyone into hell.  We are left only with our theories and assumptions, but no specific fulfillments, or corroborative passages of scripture.

Here before our very eyes, we see the scriptural parallels which reveal the true meaning of the phrases and passages of scripture which are so often applied to the doctrine of eternal torment.  But these specifics are discarded for blanket statements such as; 'All these passages refer to hell'. Why? Possibly because some have never taken the time to carefully study them, or maybe because sometimes we love our traditions more than the Word of God.

ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED
IN THE END OF THE AGE
ARMAGEDDON

We are left with only one remaining prophecy of these end-time events which still needs to find its fulfillment in Revelation 14-19. In part one we reasoned that if the great separation of the unjust from the among the just spoken of in Mathew chapters 13 and 24 and Luke 17 were all parallels, then this suffering must end in the deaths of these individuals.  We know this because of what Jesus said in Luke 17:34-37 

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the carcass is, thither will the vultures be gathered together. Luke 17:29-37

Notice that in Luke's account of the events which will close the age, the raining of fire and brimstone precedes the event by which the wicked are gathered to a place where vultures will feed upon their dead bodies. (Event description color keyed to passage above)

We have located the torment by fire and brimstone, not in hell, but in Revelation 16:8-9 where the Angel pours out his bowl upon the sun, power is given him to burn men with fire, and they are scorched with great heat. Again, notice that in Luke's account, the fire and brimstone precede the destruction by which the vultures feed upon the corpses of the wicked. If we have correctly understood that the 'fire and brimstone' from Luke's gospel was fulfilled in Revelation 16, then we should be able to find the 'carcasses and vultures' somewhere AFTER these also in the book of Revelation. That is, we should expect to see the events of Luke 17, fulfilled in the same order in the Book of Revelation.  
 
Is this what we find?  Yes!

As we noted earlier, the end of the harvest is described in these words:

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev 14:19-20

The blood coming out of the winepress to the horses bridles refers to the carnage which is left behind by the battle of Armageddon described in Revelation  19. Amazingly we read the following announcement just before this battle and the return of Jesus:

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 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. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev 19:17-21

Again, we see the exact fulfillment of Jesus' words from the gospel of Luke; that AFTER the torment of the wicked by fire and brimstone the vultures would come feed upon the carcasses of the wicked at the end of the age.  The HARVEST which is the end of this age is completed by this event; the destruction of the wicked at Armageddon, at which time the vultures come and feed upon their dead bodies.  

Before the battle of Armageddon, were the wicked tormented with fire and Brimstone in the presence of the lamb and the angels (Rev 14:9)?  Yes. (Luke 17, Rev 16)

Were they scourged severely (Matt 24:51)? Yes. (Rev 15-16)

Did the angels of the harvest sever the wicked from among the just and cast them into a furnace of fire (Matt 13:41-42)? Yes (Rev 14-16)

Was there wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt 13:42) Yes.
(Rev 16:9-10)

Did they have no rest day or night? (Rev 14:11) Yes. (Rev 15-19)

But ultimately, after all this, they perished at the Battle of Armageddon. All prophecies concerning the wicked at the end of this age find their specific fulfillment in the events of Revelation 14-19 ending with the Battle of Armageddon. According to Revelation 14:20 this marks the end of the harvest, and with it, the end of the age (Matt 13:39)

As we said earlier, it is a tragic fallacy to apply the phrases 'furnace of fire' and 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' to places, people and events which they simply have no reference to whatsoever.  We have seen that these were prophecies for a specific time, and a specific class of people.  We learned from the book of Revelation that they will be fulfilled upon this specific class of people at the very time Jesus himself said they would occur; after the establishment of the kingdom, just before the end of the age. Seeing their precise fulfillment, there is, nor ever was, any reason to look for their fulfillment in hell, unless we seek only to cling to traditions which have no foundation in scriptural truth.

In spite of all this proof, I am sure many will continue to quote Matthew 13:50 in order to 'prove' that 'hell is a place of 'weeping and gnashing of teeth'.  However, there remains an even stronger proof that this is a serious error.  

I have stated that the events of Matthew 13, 24, Luke 17, and Revelation 14 found their specific fulfillment in Revelation 15-19.  I noted that because all these prophecies were fulfilled upon those living on earth, that 'hell' never played any part in any of these events. 

However, 'hell' , as it is interpreted by the traditionalists, does appear in Revelation 19:20 as a 'lake of fire'.  Now, if the 'furnace of fire' from Matthew 13, or the 'torment by fire and brimstone' from Revelation 14 were a reference to this 'lake of fire' then we should expect to see that the wicked in those passages should be cast there.  In fact, if the furnace of fire in Matthew 13 is a reference to 'the lake of fire from Revelation 19, then we would read Jesus' words as such:

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into THE LAKE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth

However, there is a major problem with this.  When the reaping angels of the harvest appear in Revelation 14, they take the wicked and cast them into 'the winepress of God's wrath', part of which is torment by fire.  BUT NEVER IS IT SAID THAT THEY CAST ANYONE INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE!. In fact, when the lake of fire finally appears in Revelation 19:20, the very wicked who were taken in the harvest ARE SPECIFICALLY STATED TO HAVE NOT BEEN CAST THERE.

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. And the rest were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev 19:20-21

Now hasn't this struck anyone as being just a bit odd?  If the 'furnace of fire' in Matthew chapter 13 was really a reference to the lake of fire in Revelation, then the beast and the false prophet were the only ones who were cast there! The 'tares' didn't end up there at the end of the age, and neither did those who were worshiping the beast. We are specifically told that the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire, but the rest were simply killed! If the 'furnace of fire' from Matthew 13 was really a reference to this 'lake of fire', then at the very point where we would expect the wicked to be cast there, they are NOT, but instead are SIMPLY KILLED! How has this escaped the notice of all of those who seek to use Matthew 13 and Revelation 14 in support of the doctrine of eternal torment?

Why this contrast between the fate of the beast and the false prophet which are cast into the lake of fire, and the rest living at the end of the age which are simply killed? To keep you and I from making the mistake that millions of people have already made; assuming the furnace of fire referred to in Matthew 13 is a reference to the lake of fire in Revelation 19 and 20.

Yes, you say, but the wicked WILL EVENTUALLY be cast into the lake of fire at the end of Revelation 20.  Yes friend, but now you're 1000 years too late to have anything to do with prophecies regarding the end of THIS AGE, the furnace of fire which was to close THIS AGE, the angels of the harvest which were to cast them there at the end of THIS AGE, and the weeping and gnashing of teeth which was to to take place at the close of THIS AGE, all according to the words of your Lord and Savior.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age.

This age ends at Armageddon, and at that point we are told specifically that the wicked were simply killed, but not cast into the lake of fire in contrast to the beast and the false prophet.

As the above shows, the lake of fire is 1000 years too late to have anything to do with the harvest or the punishment of the wicked at that time.

Making the 'furnace fire' equal to the 'lake of fire also fails to take into account that the wrath of God upon those worshiping the beast was FINISHED by the seven bowl judgments (Rev 15:1), and that no one could enter the temple until they were completed (Rev 15:8).

______________________________________

My friends I plead with you to believe the Word of God, and not tradition. We learned that these passages which are so often applied to the doctrine of eternal torment are prophecies describing the wrath of God which is to be poured out upon the wicked at the end of the age.  We have seen in the Book of Revelation that these events are described in the exact sequence which they were given in the gospels. We have seen that they have their ultimate fulfillment, not in hell, but upon the wicked at the end of the age. We have the promise of God that the seven last bowl judgments upon those wicked complete his wrath toward them, and that no man can enter the temple of God until they are completed.

Where, my friend, is there room for the doctrine of eternal torment in any of this?  Have we any right to declare that weeping and gnashing of teeth must go on for eternity when God has decreed that it must come to an end?

May God help each of us to rely on Him more for our teaching, and not our creeds and traditions. May He open our eyes and help us to see how much we have been deceived and held in bondage by these false and harmful doctrines.

In part three of this three part series we will examine in further detail why the 'furnace of fire' in Matthew 13 cannot be a reference to the 'lake of fire' from Revelation 19 and 20.  We will also consider if this furnace of fire is the same thing as 'everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels' from Matthew 25.

REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF MAJOR POINTS

• Matthew 13, Matthew 24, Luke 17, and Revelation 14 are prophecies of future events.
   

• Prophecies can ultimately only apply to those living when the prophecies are fulfilled
   

• The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares is a prophecy for a very specific period of time; one which is both 'the end of this age' and a time after the establishment of the kingdom. 
   

• The time period of the cataclysmic events which are to befall the wicked in the end of the age is called 'the harvest'
   

• We can locate this same period of time specifically in Revelation chapter 11 with the establishment of the kingdom, and in Revelation 14-19 describing the events of the harvest.
   

• The establishment of the Kingdom does not immediately mark the end of our current age, we instead read that "the nations were angry and thy wrath is come". As Jesus stated, 'the harvest is the end of the age' and thus the establishment of the kingdom must precede the harvest.
   

• We read in Revelation 14 who the wicked are who alive after the establishment of the Kingdom in Revelation 11.  Those worshiping the beast, its image, or having taken its mark. These prove to be the tares of Matthew 13.
   

• The wicked mentioned above are warned in Revelation 14 that they are about to be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the lamb and the angels in direct fulfillment of Jesus' warning of a 'furnace of fire' in Matthew 13.
   

• Immediately after this announcement in Revelation 14 a 'harvest' is announced which is to destroy these wicked; again in direct fulfillment of the prophecies of Matthew 13.
   

• The angels do the reaping in Revelation 14 in direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Matthew 13.
   

• The angels cast the wicked into "the great winepress of Gods Wrath" in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that 'the angels will sever the unjust from among the just and cast them into a furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth'
    

• The commencement of the harvest and the winepress of God's wrath begins with seven bowl judgments.  These are said to fulfill God's wrath against these wicked , and that no man can enter the temple until they are finished.
    

• The bowl judgments produce severe anguish upon the wicked living just prior to the return of Jesus. One of these bowl judgments is torment by fire in direct fulfillment of Jesus' 'furnace of fire' in Matthew 13, the angel's warning of 'torment by fire and brimstone in the presence of the lamb and the holy angels' from Revelation 14, and Jesus' warning of 'fire and brimstone from heaven' in Luke 17.
   

• As a result of these plagues, the wicked blaspheme God and gnaw their tongues because of the pain. Once again in direct fulfillment of Matthew 13 and Jesus' warning of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
   

• The seven plagues are finished with the final gathering of the wicked at the battle of Armageddon and their ultimate destruction.  The birds come and feed upon their flesh in direct fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy in Luke 17.
    

• Hell is never mentioned in connection with any of the passages involved in these prophecies.
    

• All of these prophecies find their fulfillment upon the wicked living in the end of the age.