Dear Midnight Call,

I have always been of the opinion that “earth” will become the lake of fire. We know “the earth abideth forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4), and the earth “should not be removed forever” (Psalm 104:5). So the earth must be eternal. In 2 Peter 3:10-12, we see the wood, hay, and stubble of earth being burned up, but the elements melting (just as in the Christian life). The wood, hay and stubble are burned, but the gold, silver and precious stones (elements) come through the fire. All else will be destroyed because it has been touched by sin. Now if the earth “abideth forever,” then the melted elements must combine with the magma and the earth becomes the lake of fire. Then the devil, the false prophet, death and hell are cast into the lake forever. A new heaven and new earth that has never been touched by sin, will be the eternal home of those saved by the blood of our Lord Christ.

The earth can abide forever. The pure in heart will live in a new heaven or earth that has never been touched by sin. There will be a separation (great gulf) between the two, and so goes eternity. Or am I reading too much into these verses?

-G. Young, PA

Answer: Thank you for the additional thoughts on the matter of the location of “hell.” 

Scholars differ about the future of the earth, whether renovated, renewed, restored, or totally replaced. Reading the first verse of Revelation 21, we are confronted with something unearthly, “a new heaven and a new earth.” The first earth has passed away. Peter confirms, “we…look for …a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” My understanding is that this new earth is like a born again person whose old “tabernacle” perishes at death. Also, it says “there was no more sea.” That means no biosphere—the old will cease to exist.

As to the physical location of the lake of fire, I have no answer and think yours is as good as mine.