The term “eternal fire” in Scripture refers primarily to the judgment prepared for the devil and his angels. It is a symbol of irreversible destruction, divine wrath, and final justice.
Jesus first uses the phrase in Matthew 25:41:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
This verse makes it clear that eternal fire was not designed for mankind, but for angelic beings who rebelled against God. It represents a place of divine punishment outside of God’s presence.
Jude 1:7 also uses the phrase to describe the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah:
“As Sodom and Gomorrah… are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
This shows that eternal fire results in complete and lasting judgment. The fire is eternal in its consequence, not in its conscious torment for human souls. The cities are not still burning, but the judgment that fell on them was final and cannot be reversed.
The fate of the devil, beast, and false prophet is different. Revelation 20:10 says:
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
This ongoing torment applies only to these three entities. Unbelievers, in contrast, experience the second death (Revelation 20:14–15), which is the destruction of both body and soul (Matthew 10:28).
“Eternal fire,” then, should be understood as God’s unending judgment and the final result of His holiness confronting unrepentant rebellion. For most, it means utter destruction. For Satan and his agents, it means ongoing punishment.
It is a solemn warning, but also a call to receive the mercy of Christ, who saves from the wrath to come.
