The next text cited as a proof of eternal torment is Matt 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.”

This is from The Parable of the Sheep and Goats and describes the fate of the disapproved ones at the end of the millennial age.

Is there anything in this scripture to indicate that those in the fire are preserved alive? Have you ever heard of a preserving fire? Of course you haven’t. Fire always destroys and consumes. Fire is a symbol of destruction; everlasting fire is a symbol of everlasting destruction, the second death, from which there is no resurrection.

Notice that in this case it is fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels. We know exactly what is going to happen to the devil: “That through death, he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death; that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14)

This confirms that fire means destroyed, destruction. This explanation also applies to Rev 20:10: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone … and shall be tormented day and night, for ever, and ever.”

Brimstone or sulfur is one of the most destructive elements known. When paired with fire it symbolizes utter destruction. The torment “for ever and ever” means this punishment, the punishment of destruction, is everlasting, i.e. permanent.

Now we consider the next text:

“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offends thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than, having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye offends thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”(Matt 18:8, 9)

These are the words of Jesus. Did Jesus advocate self-mutilation? Obviously not he healed men, he restored their hands and feet and eyes. We must conclude that symbolic terms are being used here. The scripture simply and powerfully teaches that it is better for a Christian to cut off and eliminate from his life things as dear to him as a hand, foot, or an eye if such things would prevent him from making his calling and election sure. Such eradication would be better than to fail of his calling and lose his eternal existence in the second death (hell fire, the lake of fire).

As we have previously seen, everlasting fire means everlasting destruction. “Thus saith the Lord!” Thus we have determined what the Lord really says. The correct interpretations fully satisfy us. They completely square with the ransom, they are all in full accordance with the divine plan, and they all comport with God’s character of justice, wisdom, love and power.”