Devine Scripture

Revelation 20:15

What does Revelation 20:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 20:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 20:15 means

The sober conclusion: anyone not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. The criterion is clear and personal. The book of life signifies God’s saving claim upon a person; to be absent from it is to remain under guilt and to share the fate of the devil and his allies. This underscores the necessity of belonging to God, not merely avoiding certain deeds. The finality is unmistakable—the judgment is not temporary correction but ultimate separation. Yet the chapter has already held out hope: those united to Christ are safe from the second death. Life or death hinges on this divine enrollment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if anyone's name was not in the book of life, he went down into the sea of fire.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if any one was not found written in the scroll of the life, he was cast to the lake of the fire.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the pool of fire.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

Context

Having shown the throne, the records, the universal resurrection, and the defeat of death itself, the chapter ends by stating the individual outcome for the unredeemed. This verse personalizes the scene: beyond cosmic struggles and systemic evils lies each person’s standing in relation to life. It closes the chapter’s arc, paving the way for the new creation in the next chapter by removing all that defiles and confirming that only those belonging to life enter the age to come.

v.14And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, eventhe lake of fire.

v.15This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Hebrews 2:3

    how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

  • 1 John 5:11

    And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:

  • Matthew 13:50

    and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • Acts 4:12

    And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 20:15.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary