This expression occurs only in the book of Revelation and is clearly symbolic. The Bible gives its own explanation and definition of the symbol by stating:
“This means the second death, the lake of fire.”—Re 20:14; 21:8.
Since the lake of fire represents “the second death” and since Revelation 20:14 says that both “death and Hades” are to be cast into it, it is evident that the lake cannot represent the death man has inherited from Adam (Ro 5:12), nor does it refer to Hades (Sheol).
It must, therefore, be symbolic of another kind of death, one that is without reversal, for the record nowhere speaks of the “lake” as giving up those in it, as do Adamic death and Hades (Sheol). (Re 20:13)
Thus, those not found written in “the book of life,” unrepentant opposers of God’s sovereignty, are hurled into the lake of fire, meaning eternal destruction, or the second death.—Re 20:15.
Update:CHUCK
The athiests got it right off
most so called christians can not
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Its a spiritual death, blotted out of existence
Put simply, the 1st death is the one spoken of in the verse before that one. It refers to those who are resurrected from out of that death.
The 2nd death is one happening after the resurrection from which there is no escape. Vitally important is that not all go into that 2nd death. Many live on to live forever. That 2nd death is only for those who refuse to obey the true God in favor of Satan's final temptations.
Notice that the 1st death is thrown into the 2nd, showing the 1st death is no more.
Your confusion seems to stem from the "clearly symbolic" pretense. Take it literally and it becomes very simple. This is the final judgement. Death and Hell are cast into it. Take it at face value. Stop the deductive reasoning and then your answer is very clear. Now once your answer is clear you can then start the mental gymnastics of trying to figure out the symbolism or even if it is symbolic or an actual account of the future..
Did you want to ask a question?
If you threw something into a lake of fire, what would happen to it? Right.
I think it means that when you are thrown into the lake of fire,you cease to exist.
It's the loving gods way of showing you he wants you to suffer eternal torment.
You're expecting to make sense from the Bible? Good luck with that.