THE LAKE OF FIRE

Written in 2009

by Tony Alamo

aka Bernie Hoffman

May GOD the FATHER, who gave HIS SON, through whose first coming we were given salvation by faith in the WORD, JESUS, and through whose second coming we will be brought to glory (if we continue to the end [Mark 13:13]1), and who gave us HIS HOLY SPIRIT, “show you things to come” (John 16:13).

Things in these last days are moving fast! We see the sheep of the LORD taking sides with HIM, and we see the goats aligning themselves together with the enemies of the LORD. Everything is falling in line for the purging, the cleansing, of creation. Because of Adam’s sin in the garden, a curse was placed upon man and the earth by GOD. As HE said: “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:17-18).

It thus becomes necessary to remove the last vestige of this curse from the earth before the manifestation of the heavenly, eternal kingdom. This event was described by the Apostle Peter: “But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:10-13).

The prophecy of the passing of the present earth is anticipated in a number of scriptures such as: Matthew 24:35, Hebrews 1:10-12, and Revelation 20:11.

The destiny of the lost is a place in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 15, 21:8). The Lake of Fire is described as “everlasting fire” (Matthew 18:8, 25:41), and as “unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43-44, 46, 48), emphasizing the eternal character of this retribution of the lost, in an attempt to describe, in a comprehensive statement, the most solemn doctrine of the Bible.

The term “retribution” is chosen in place of the more familiar word “punishment,” since the word “punishment” implies mere discipline and amendment, which is wholly absent from the body of truth that discloses the final, divine dealing with all those who are eternally lost. It is recognized that in its earlier, broader meaning, the word “retribute” was used for any reward, whether good or evil. The word is used of the doctrine of Hell only in reference to the eternal perdition of the lost.

Concerning the retribution of the lost, it is important to observe that the Lake of Fire is a place—not a mere state of mind—even though a state is involved. As Heaven is a place and not just a mere state of mind, in like manner, those reprobated go to a place. This truth is indicated by the words “Hades” (Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15, 16:23; Revelation 1:18, 20:13-14), “Gehenna” (Matthew 5:22, 29-30, 10:28; James 3:6), and a “place of torment” (Luke 16:28). That it is a condition of unspeakable misery is indicated by the terms used to describe the sufferings which are there: “everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41), “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44), “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8), “bottomless pit” (Revelation 9:2), “outer darkness…[a place of] weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12), “fire unquenchable” (Luke 3:17), “a furnace of fire” (Matthew 13:42), “blackness of darkness” (Jude 1:13), and “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night” (Revelation 14:11).

These are not figures of speech. I saw these things in visions. Nearly every one of these expressions was spoken by CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF, who disclosed almost all the revelations of this place. No human scribe could ever be trusted to speak forth all the terrible truth of this place of hellish torment.

There are four different words used in the Bible which describe the place of the dead until the time of resurrection. In no place do these words describe the eternal state, but rather the temporary place in which the dead await resurrection. The first one is “Sheol,” which is mentioned sixty-five times in the Old Testament. It is translated “Hell” thirty-one times (Deuteronomy 32:22, Psalms 9:17, 18:5; Isaiah 14:9), “grave” thirty-one times (1 Samuel 2:6, Job 7:9, 14:13), and “pit,” three times (Numbers 16:30, 33; Job 17:16). These are the Old Testament words for the abode of the dead. It is presented as not merely a state of existence, but as a place of conscious existence (1 Samuel 28:11-15, Isaiah 14:9). GOD is sovereign over it (Deuteronomy 32:22, Job 26:6).

The Lake of Fire is liquid. The temperature, I’ve read, regarding the sun and the center of stars, is scientifically assessed at being between 25 and 30 million degrees Fahrenheit. Many terrible things can happen eternally to a soul that can’t pass out or die. This is the phenomenon of what I believe Hell is like, in part. It doesn’t do any good to yell for help or beg for mercy in a place as hot as that, or even half as hot as that.

A temperature of 30 million degrees could definitely explode atoms. At such high temperatures, all material, I’m told, would be in the form of gas—fumes. The pressure is so great, I’m told, that gasses become compressed to the consistency of a liquid, although they may respond still to a consistency of gas. And gradually, it would have to expand to normal proportions. That is, it would have to get to be more than 5,000 times its present size. Here is the difficulty: Such expansion would cause enormous heat, which would absolutely keep the star compressed, so that, as far as astronomers and physicists know, the star can never cool off and can never burn out. It is set for eternity.

In summary, GOD’s WORD, the Bible, is scientifically accurate! You will find first an eternal fire which cannot burn out, being of a liquid consistency. It is secondarily a lake of fire. In the third place, it cannot be quenched, for anything such as water, would immediately be stripped of its electrons and be packed in with everything else.

Astronomers are still studying this phenomenon. It is only too evident that the Lake of Fire has already been prepared (Matthew 25:41). I believe the Lake of Fire is in the core of the earth,2 but there are many lakes of fire in the heavens. Unbelievers, the unsaved souls, are indestructible—even in the midst of the torments in the Lake of Fire.3

For those of us who are saved, “to be absent from the body [is] to be present with the LORD” (2 Corinthians 5:8). The new Heaven and the new earth is also a wonderful reality. GOD created Heaven and the earth, the first ones, and it is no big deal for HIM to create a new Heaven and a new earth to replace this one that we are currently living on. This HE will do very soon (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1). By a definite act of creation, GOD will call into reality a new Heaven and a new earth. As GOD created the present heavens and earth to be the place of HIS theocratic display, so also GOD will create the new Heaven and earth to be the place of the theocratic kingdom of GOD.

GOD made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.4 HE also made a covenant with Israel, a covenant with David, and a covenant with all believers.5 We are all guaranteed the land, a national existence, a kingdom, a King.6 We, the saints, are kings and priests, sons of GOD, by adoption (Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5).7 We will receive perpetual spiritual blessings.8 Therefore, there must be an eternal earth in which these blessings can, and will, be fulfilled. By a translation out of the old earth, Israel (spiritual Israel) will be brought into the new earth there to enjoy forever all that GOD has promised to them (those of us who are the saints).9 Then it shall be fulfilled: “And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD” (Revelation 21:3).

The creation of the new heavens and the new earth is the final preparation, the preparatory act anticipating the eternal kingdom of GOD (Revelation 21:1-7). It is now true that GOD has a kingdom “wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). I’m going to be there. Don’t ever give up; it’s soon! To be saved, say this prayer to GOD now:

Prayer

My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11

After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13

CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).

The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.

If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).

English Alamo Literature

Please contact us for more information or for literature on other topics which may be of interest.

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide
P. O. Box 2948
Hollywood, CA 90078

Twenty-four hour prayer and information line: (661) 252-5686

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide provides a place to live with all the things necessary for life to all those
in our United States locations who truly want to serve the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Services held in New York City every Tuesday at 8 P.M. and at other locations nightly. Please call for more information: (908) 937-5723.

MEALS SERVED AFTER EACH SERVICE

Ask for Pastor Alamo’s book, The Messiah, showing Christ from the Old Testament revealed in over three hundred thirty-three prophecies.

Become a laborer in the harvest of souls by becoming a distributor of Pastor Alamo’s literature. All of our literature and audio messages are free of charge, including shipping.

THIS LITERATURE CARRIES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12).
DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE

Those of you who are in other countries, we encourage you to translate this literature into your native language.
If you do reprint, please include this copyright and registration:

footnotes:

1. Matt. 10:22, 24:13, Acts 14:22, Rom. 11:22, Col. 1:22-23, 1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 2:1-3, 3:13-17, 4:5, James 5:10-11, 1 John 2:24-25, Rev. 3:1-5, 11-12, 21 return

2. Deut. 32:19-22, Job 11:7-8, Psa. 63:9, 86:13, Prov. 9:18, 15:24, Isa. 5:14, 14:9, 15, Ezek. 31:16-17, Amos 9:2, Matt. 11:23, Luke 10:15, 16:23, Eph. 4:9, 2 Pet. 2:4 return

3. Matt. 25:41, Mark 9:43-48, 2 Thes. 1:7-9, Rev. 19:20, 20:10, 14-15 return

4. Gen. 17:1-13, 19-21, 26:1-5, 24, 28:10-16, Ex. 2:24-25, 2 Kings 13:23 return

5. Ex. 31:13-18, 34:10-27, Deut. 29:1-15, 2 Chron. 13:5, 21:7, Jer. 33:19-22, Heb. 8:6-12, 10:15-31 return

6. Matt. 19:27-29, 25:34, Rom. 8:14-17, James 2:5, Rev. 3:12, 21, 5:10, 21:2-7, 22:5 return

7. 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6, 20:6 return

8. Isa. 64:4, 1 Cor. 2:9, Eph. 1:3-6, 3:14-21, 1 Pet. 1:3-9, Rev. 22:1-5 return

9. Dan. 7:21-22, 12:1-3, 2 Pet. 3:12-13, Rev. 7:13-17, 21:1-7, 22:1-5 return

Prayer footnotes:

1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return

2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return

3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return

4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return

5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return

6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return

7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return

8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return

9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return

10. Heb. 11:6 return

11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return

12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return

13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return

14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return