What is the one reason people end up in the lake of fire?
The sole reason individuals end up in the lake of fire is unbelief. Though the determination of punishment is according to works, the cause of their being there is one word: unbelief. It is not ultimately the degree of sin but the refusal to believe God's Word.
Les teaches that unbelief is the one reason every individual who ends up in the lake of fire will be there. He explains that the determination of their punishment will be according to the works they have done, but the cause of their being there is one word: unbelief. He illustrates this from Israel's failure at Canaan: God told them to go in and take the land, but they did not because of unbelief. Their request to send spies first was the first step of unbelief; God condescended, though it was never His first instruction. Les also applies it to the nation turning its back on this Word, asking why, and answering, unbelief.