@FBM,
Keep in mind my friend, that I am no scholar.
"the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" is a line of scripture that is often used to support the torment theology of the Catholic church.
That said, using logic (yeah I know, it sounds silly when we use the word) look at the story of Shadrach, Meshac and Abednego, the 3 young Hebrews thrown into the fire in Babylon, you will find the story tells of a fourth member, an angel that was in there with them protecting them. Angels are not harmed by a literal flame, if they were, Id advise Atheists to have a flame thrower on hand in case Armageddon comes. You'd be safe as houses.
Rather, fire was used by Jesus to represent destruction, he often spoke of Gehenna (rendered in most modern translations as "Hell"), the fiery valley that was outside the walls of Jerusalem. If a dead person was not deemed of a proper burial, for instance a murderer, they were tossed into Gehenna and consumed by the flame. you can see how a progressive tale may arise as to the teaching of fire and brimstone.
The lake of fire and sulphur is an interesting one, The devil, death and hades, and those deemed "wicked" will all be tossed into it (Revelation 19-21). You cannot toss death into a literal place, that would require death to be a physical thing. So it makes more sense that the fire was symbolic. Fire, as Jesus had used it, represents destruction. so by preparing the eternal fire for the devil, the wicked and death, I'd hazard a guess that Gods plan is to devote them to destruction, and not torment.
It is possible that I am wrong, I most certainly have been before.
Don't be foolish...seek salvation through Christ.
