Hell and the lake of fire are not the same; hell is the temporary place of the lost dead, while the lake of fire is the final, eternal destination after the great white throne judgment.
Les Feldick explains that hell is where lost people go today, awaiting resurrection and judgment. At the great white throne, the dead are judged out of the books, and then death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death — eternal separation from God. The Antichrist and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire directly at Christ's return, but all other lost people go there only after the great white throne.
Revelation 20:13-15 — This is the key passage showing hell delivering up its dead for judgment and then hell itself being cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 19:20 — This shows the beast and false prophet being cast alive into the lake of fire, establishing it as a distinct place from hell.
The Bible describes hell as a place that gives up its dead. In Revelation 20:13, "the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." After that judgment, Revelation 20:14 states, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Then verse 15 adds, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Earlier, Revelation 19:20 records that the beast and false prophet "were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Revelation 20:10 also says the devil "was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone." These passages show the lake of fire as the final place of punishment, while hell is the temporary holding place for the dead before judgment.
Les Feldick is emphatic that hell and the lake of fire are not the same place. He says there is "all the difference in the world." Hell is where lost people go today, and it is located in the center of the earth. Because the earth will one day be blown away, hell must be emptied. The dead in hell will be resurrected bodily and stand before Christ at the great white throne. For each one, the books of their works will be opened, and the book of life will show that their name is not there. After the verdict, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, which Les identifies as the second death — an eternal separation from God. The lake of fire is a distinct place, far worse than hell, and its location is not revealed; it could be far out in space. Les also points out an exception: the Antichrist and false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire at Christ's return, before the great white throne, making them the first occupants of the eternal doom of the wicked.
Les Feldick teaches that hell is located in the center of the earth. Because the present earth will be blown away, even the inhabitants of hell have to be removed. They are taken out and resurrected bodily so they can come before the great white throne.
No. Les Feldick explains that these two men are cast alive into the lake of fire at Christ's return. They are the first ones to inhabit the eternal doom of the wicked, without benefit of the great white throne judgment. All other lost people go to hell and wait for that judgment.
Les teaches that death is separation. Physical death is a separation of the spirit from the body; spiritual death is separation from God for all eternity. The lake of fire is the second death because it is exactly that — eternal separation from God.
Judgment at the Great White Throne
At the great white throne, the dead are judged out of the books, and the book of life confirms their names are absent.
Hell and the Lake of Fire Are Not the Same
Les introduces the question and states plainly that hell will one day go into the lake of fire — they are not one and the same.
Hell Is in the Center of the Earth
Les locates hell in the center of the earth and explains that because earth will be destroyed, hell must be emptied; the dead stand bodily before the great white throne and are then sent to the lake of fire.
Spiritual Death Is Separation from God
Les defines the second death as separation from God for eternity, and confirms hell will end up in the lake of fire — two distinct differences.
The Resurrection of the Lost
Les reminds us that the lost are resurrected out of hell and brought before the great white throne before going to the lake of fire.
The Beast and False Prophet Go Directly to the Lake of Fire
These two are cast alive into the lake of fire, not into hell, and they are the only ones there at that point.
First Occupants of the Lake of Fire
The Antichrist and false prophet are the first to enter the lake of fire, without benefit of the great white throne judgment.
Death and Hell Cast Into the Lake of Fire
After the millennium, the rest of the dead are raised, and death and hell are cast into the lake of fire — the second death.
Revelation 19:20: And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
This verse shows the beast and false prophet entering the lake of fire directly, demonstrating that the lake of fire is already in existence before the great white throne.
Revelation 20:10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Satan is cast into the same lake of fire, confirming it as the eternal place of punishment.
Revelation 20:12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
The great white throne judgment involves all the dead being judged according to their works.
Revelation 20:13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Hell delivers up its dead for judgment, proving it is not the final destination.
Revelation 20:14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Hell itself is cast into the lake of fire, showing the lake of fire is something greater and final.
Revelation 20:15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The final sentence for the lost is the lake of fire, not hell.
No. Les Feldick teaches they are two distinct places. Hell is the temporary abode of the lost dead, while the lake of fire is the final place of eternal punishment. Hell will one day be cast into the lake of fire.
The Antichrist and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire at Christ's return. They are the first occupants of the lake of fire and do not go through the great white throne judgment.
They are resurrected bodily and stand before Christ. The books are opened, and they are judged. When their names are not found in the book of life, they are cast into the lake of fire.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens After Hell? The Great White Throne Explained