The Immortal Agony: Why Revelation 20:10 Challenges Annihilationism
The nature of hell and the finality of divine judgment are among the most weightily debated topics in Christian theology. While the doctrine of Annihilationism (or Conditional Immortality) has gained traction—persuading figures like Kirk Cameron to move away from traditional views—the text of Revelation 20:10 remains the most formidable obstacle to that position. For proponents of Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT), this verse is not merely a description of judgment, but a definitive refutation of the idea that the soul simply ceases to exist. The Problem of Conscious Continuity The primary pillar of Annihilationism is the belief that the "Second Death" involves the literal destruction of the soul. They often point to words like "perish" or "consume" to suggest that the Lake of Fire is an incinerator where the wicked are extinguished. However, Revelation 20:10 provides a specific, descriptive window into the mechanics of the Lake of Fire that cont...