Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of Matt. 25:41? Is it talking about fallen angels and hell-fire?

Matt. 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

The devil in the New Testament is the personification of the temptation to do evil which resides within mankind. Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.

If we resist, the temptation to do evil will leave us. James 4:7

The devil’s angels are those who give in to their evil desires. The everlasting fire represents complete destruction. In Revelation it is represented by a lake of fire. We know that this fire is not a literal fire because of what is said to be put into it – i.e’ the beast; false prophet; death and the grave. The devil and his angels are likewise not literal entities – they represent the wicked who will be destroyed. Revelation 19:20; 20:10,14,15

This takes place at the end of the millennial reign of Christ after the final judgment. All who live on will possess the divine nature and be equal unto the angels. Death will be no more and there will be no further need of graves - hence they are cast into the lake of fire.

Though personified, man’s problem is not external to him. If we think that evil comes from a fallen angel then we fail to grasp the root of the problem. We need to look inward, not outward.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn