# Dr. Michael S. Heiser on the Lake of Fire  ## The Lake of Fire and the Book of Enoch - The concept of the [[Lake of fire | Lake of Fire]] is discussed in relation to its origins, specifically in [[Matthew 25]]:41, which mentions the Eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=11s). - This concept is also mentioned in Revelation 20:10, where the devil is thrown into the Lake of Fire and Sulfur, and in Revelation 20:14, where death and [[Hades]] are thrown into the Lake of Fire, referred to as the second death [(00:00:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=46s). - The idea of the Lake of Fire being prepared for the devil and his angels originates from [[Book of Enoch | the Book of Enoch]], which has deep precedent in [[Jews | Jewish]] thought during the first century [(00:01:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=100s). - [[New Testament | The New Testament]] writers, including Matthew, were familiar with the content of the Book of Enoch, which informs their writing, as seen in the concept of the Lake of Fire [(00:03:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=182s). - The Book of Enoch is not canonical, but its content is useful in understanding the origins of certain New Testament concepts, such as the Lake of Fire [(00:02:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=147s). - The concept of the Lake of Fire is closely tied to the figure of the devil, who is associated with Satan and the serpent in Revelation 12 [(00:03:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=232s). - The idea of the [[Lake of fire | Lake of Fire]] is not articulated in the New Testament without the influence of the Book of Enoch, making it a significant example of the Book's impact on New Testament thought [(00:03:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=212s). - The terms "serpent", "devil", and "Satan" are aligned with each other, as seen in Revelation 12, and are connected to the rebellion in Genesis 3, where the serpent is cast down to the ground or the earth [(00:04:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=250s). - In [[Isaiah 14]], the Divine Rebel is punished and brought down to [[Sheol]], which is not a good place, and is described as the underworld, where other bad entities, including the disembodied spirits of the [[Rephaite | Rephaim]], reside [(00:04:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=270s). - The Rephaim are linked to the [[Nephilim]], as seen in [[Book of Deuteronomy | Deuteronomy]] 2 and 3, and Numbers 13:32 and 33, and are described as the enemies of the [[Israelites]] [(00:06:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=372s). - [[Old Testament | The Old Testament]] does not provide a fiery description of the underworld, but [[Book of Enoch | the Book of Enoch]] combines the fiery description with the devil and his angels, providing a clear path that can be traced back through the content of the Book of Enoch [(00:06:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=416s). - The Book of Enoch is the source of the description of the fiery place of judgment and eternal fire, as seen in Revelation 20 and [[Matthew 25]], and will be the focus of further discussion [(00:07:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=434s). ## The Watchers and their Punishment - The story of [[The Watchers (film) | the Watchers]] in the Book of Enoch, specifically 1 Enoch 10, will be examined in relation to the rebellion of the [[Watcher (angel) | Watchers]] and the transgression of the Watchers who cohabited with human women [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=491s). - The story of the Watchers from [[Genesis 1:4 | Genesis 6:1-4]] is referenced, where the leader of the Watchers, [[Azazel]], initiated a horrible transgression, and the Lord instructed Raphael to bind Azazel hand and foot and throw him into the darkness [(00:08:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=538s). - Azazel was buried in the desert of [[Dudael]], with rugged and sharp rocks thrown on top of him, and his face was covered so that he may not see light, as part of the punishment for corrupting the Earth [(00:09:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=566s). - The punishment of Azazel is also part of the remedy for correcting and healing the Earth, and he will proclaim life for the Earth on the great day of judgment [(00:09:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=584s). - The Lord instructed Gabriel to proceed against the bastards and reprobates, the children of adultery, and destroy them, and expel the children of the Watchers from among the people [(00:10:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=637s). - The children of the Watchers will be destroyed in a fight, and they will not live an eternal life as they had hoped, but will die together with the women they fornicated with [(00:11:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=669s). - The Lord instructed Michael to make known to [[Samyaza | Shemyaza]] and the others who fornicated with women that they will be bound underneath the rocks of the ground for 70 generations until the day of their judgment [(00:11:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=666s). - [[The Watchers (film) | The Watchers]] will be led to the bottom of the fire and in torment in the prison where they will be locked up forever, and those who collaborated with them will be bound together with them until the end of all generations [(00:11:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=697s). - The souls of pleasure and the children of the [[Watcher (angel) | Watchers]] will be destroyed for they have done injustice to man [(00:11:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=715s). - The section in 1 Enoch 10, verses 1-15, contains references to the Watchers, their crime, and their leader [[Azazel]], and describes the pit as fiery, with language similar to that found in [[New Testament]] passages [(00:12:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=722s). ## The Nature and Origins of the Lake of Fire - The concept of the [[Lake of fire | Lake of Fire]] is described in terms of both eternal torment and a place where beings are done away with, indicating a possible duality in its nature [(00:12:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=754s). - The Lake of Fire is described as a fiery existence that was created for [[The Watchers (film) | the Watchers]], a group of beings, due to their actions [(00:13:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=784s). - Other texts describe the Lake of Fire as part of or adjacent to the larger underworld, where the serpent, the original rebel, resides [(00:13:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=808s). ## Spatial Language and the Afterlife - The terms "hell," "Abyss," and "[[Hades]]" are sometimes used interchangeably, but may also refer to distinct places or subdivisions within the underworld [(00:13:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=825s). - The language used to describe the afterlife is often spatial, with concepts like heaven and hell being used to convey the idea of a place or existence [(00:14:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=861s). - However, there is no literal latitude and longitude for heaven or hell, and the use of spatial language is a necessary tool for describing the afterlife due to human embodiment [(00:14:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=867s). - In [[Old Testament | the Old Testament]], the concept of cosmic geography is used to describe the presence of [[Yahweh]] on Earth, with the idea that where [[God]] is present is the "good place" and everything outside is hostile [(00:15:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=904s). - The idea of the afterlife is linked to the presence of God, with eternal life being described as being with the Lord and in the presence of God [(00:15:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=953s). - The opposite of eternal life is eternal death or annihilation, which is the fate of those who are not with the Lord [(00:16:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=993s). - The concept of being absent from the Lord's presence in an afterlife sense means not having life and being non-existent in relationship to the life that God has, which is tied to the events in [[Genesis 1:4 | Genesis 6]] and [[Book of Enoch | the book of Enoch]] [(00:16:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=995s). ## Enoch's Cosmic Journey and the Prison of Angels - In the book of Enoch, specifically in chapter 21, Enoch describes a cosmic journey where he sees a chaotic and terrible place with seven stars of heaven bound together, burning with fire, and asks for what sin they are bound [(00:17:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1028s). - The stars of heaven are described as divine or angelic beings, similar to the sons of [[God]] in [[Job 38]], and are bound in this terrible place for transgressing the commandments of the Lord [(00:17:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1069s). - The angel Orel explains to Enoch that these stars of heaven are bound until the completion of 10 myriads of years, according to the number of their sins [(00:18:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1117s). - Enoch then proceeds to another place, which is even more terrible, and sees a great fire burning and flaming, with a cleavage that extends to the last sea, pouring out great pillars of fire [(00:18:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1130s). - The angel Orel explains to Enoch that this place is the prison house of the angels, where they are detained forever, or until the age [(00:19:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1173s). - This passage is similar to [[2 Peter 2]]:4 and Jude 6, which refer to the prison of the angels, and it is likely that these [[New Testament]] writers were informed by [[Book of Enoch | the book of Enoch]] when writing their passages [(00:20:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1220s). ## The Influence of Enoch on New Testament Concepts - The passage 2 Peter 2:4 mentions that [[God]] did not spare the angels when they sinned, but instead cast them into [[Tartarus]], a place of gloomy darkness, to be kept until the judgment [(00:20:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1242s). - The concept of a fiery, destructive place for the wicked does not originate from [[Old Testament | the Old Testament]], but rather from the book of Enoch, which informs the New Testament's depiction of hell [(00:21:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1293s). - The language of being bound or imprisoned in torment, as seen in the New Testament, also comes from the book of Enoch [(00:21:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1296s). - [[Book of Revelation | The book of Revelation]] and [[Matthew 25]] reference a hellfire prepared for the devil and angels, which is rooted in the story of [[The Watchers (film) | the Watchers]] in [[Book of Enoch | the book of Enoch]] [(00:21:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1311s). - The [[Watcher (angel) | Watchers]], also known as the fallen angels, were cast into a special compartment of hell, a place worse than the normal underworld, due to their actions in [[Genesis 1:4 | Genesis 6:1-4]] [(00:22:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1379s). - The book of 1 Enoch describes a fiery, chaotic place where the Seven Stars of Heaven are bound together, and an even worse place with great pillars of fire [(00:23:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1395s). ## Descriptions of the Afterlife in 2 Enoch - The book of 2 Enoch describes a frightful place with various forms of torture and torment, including cruel darkness, lightless gloom, and a black fire that blazes perpetually [(00:24:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1447s). - This place in 2 Enoch also features a river of fire and freezing ice, which dries up when it comes into contact with the fire [(00:24:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1468s). - A place of detention is described as a very cruel place with dark and merciless angels carrying instruments of atrocities, torturing without pity, as seen in Second Enoch, verse four [(00:24:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1485s). - This place has been prepared for those who do not glorify [[God]], practice sins against nature, and engage in various evil acts such as witchcraft, enchantments, divinations, trafficking with demons, stealing, lying, insulting, coveting, fornication, and murder [(00:24:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1496s). - The record of one's sin stands as the basis for being in this place, unless it has been covered by the gospel, resulting in being divorced and estranged from God [(00:25:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1532s). - Second Enoch, verse six, lists those who do not acknowledge their creator, bow down to idols, and construct images, as being in this place, which serves as an eternal reward [(00:25:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1547s). - The list of sins includes elements taught by [[The Watchers (film) | the Watchers]] to people, according to the book of First Enoch, and those who trafficked in these things, corrupted by them, and practiced them will be in this place [(00:26:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1592s). - The condemnation is not only based on the Watchers' sins but also on the people who were corrupted by them and practiced these things, linking humanity's iniquity back to the [[Watcher (angel) | Watchers]] [(00:27:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1627s). - The solution for humanity's sins is the gospel and the cross in [[New Testament | the New Testament]], and some pseudepigraphy, including [[Christianity | Christian]] elements, links the iniquity of humanity back to the Watchers [(00:27:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1641s). - The people who engage in these evil acts and those who brought these things to Earth and spread them among men will deserve the same destiny [(00:27:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1675s). ## The Afterlife and the Sins of Humanity - The afterlife idea is presented through three passages, describing a place that is bad, the realm of the dead, where the dead go, and a mountain of the dead where the dead gather [(00:28:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1684s). - The concept of Hellfire being created for the devil and his angels, as well as unredeemed humans, is rooted in divine rebellion and has clear antecedence in literature such as [[Book of Enoch | the Book of Enoch]] [(00:28:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1711s). - The Book of Enoch informs [[New Testament | the New Testament]] writers, specifically when it comes to the doctrine of Hellfire and the godless afterlife, and has clear precedence in [[Old Testament | the Old Testament]] [(00:29:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1772s). - The material in the Book of Enoch takes from the Old Testament, including divine rebellions in Genesis 3 and [[Genesis 1:4 | Genesis 6:1-4]], and the reference to the [[Rephaite | Rephaim]] being in [[Sheol]] [(00:29:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1795s). - New Testament writers are familiar with the Old Testament and the Book of Enoch, which helps them in certain passages such as [[2 Peter 2]]:4 and Jude 6, where they reference the angels that sinned [(00:30:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1815s). - The only candidate for angelic sin in the [[Bible]] is Genesis 6:1-4, and not a rebellion prior to creation, which is a concept that comes from Paradise Lost [(00:30:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1832s). - The concept of the awful afterlife place comes from the material in the Book of Enoch and Genesis 6:1-4, and it would be beneficial to be familiar with this material to understand the thinking behind it [(00:30:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1853s). - The writers of 2 Peter and Jude compare false teachers to the angels that sinned because they corrupted humanity through their teaching, and the destiny of these false teachers is described in terms of [[The Watchers (film) | the Watchers]] [(00:31:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1873s). - The comparison between false teachers and the [[Watcher (angel) | Watchers]] is effective rhetoric, portraying these teachers as corrupting and misleading people, and warning against aligning oneself with them [(00:31:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1916s). ## The Book of Enoch and New Testament Understanding - The Book of First Enoch is used as an example to explore related material and inform thinking on certain passages, helping to better understand the writers' intentions behind using specific analogies and imagery [(00:32:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJI4-EB_0no&t=1946s).