"The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet are [or were cast, as many
acknowledge this should be rendered]. And they will be tormented day and
night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
Does this verse say that these two end-time individuals, the Beast and
False Prophet, will be tormented for eternity?
The Beast and False Prophet are human beings. While still alive, they
will be cast into the lake of fire. "Then the beast was captured, and with
him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived
those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image.
These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation 19:20).
We see from Malachi 4:1-3 and Mark 9:47-48 that any human being thrown
into the lake of fire will be destroyed. He will perish. But he
will not be tormented for eternity.
Revelation 20:10 is speaking of Satan the devil being cast into the lake
of fire at the end of Christ's 1,000-year reign. Reference to the Beast
and False Prophet being cast in is only parenthetical here-as they
will have died when that happened 1,000 years earlier. They will not still
be burning there. Thus being tormented "forever and ever" applies principally
to Satan-and presumably to his demonic cohorts as well (compare Matthew 25:41).
