Revelation 21:8
What does Revelation 21:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:8 means
A solemn contrast follows. Those marked by cowardice, unbelief, abomination, murder, sexual immorality, sorcery, idolatry, and lying will not share the inheritance. Their portion is the lake that burns with fire and brimstone—the second death. The list highlights both inward rejection of God and outward sins flowing from it. This is not aimed at repentant sinners but at those whose settled identity remains opposed to God’s truth and holiness. The warning underscores God’s justice and the real exclusion of evil from the coming world. The new Jerusalem’s purity requires the final removal of unrepentant wickedness.
Revelation 21:8 in context
Revelation 21 — A New Heaven and a New Earth
John's final vision. The first heaven and earth pass away, and the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God himself dwells with his people; he wipes away every tear; there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are passed away. The light of the city is the glory of God; its lamp is the Lamb. The story that began in the garden of Genesis ends in the city of Revelation, and the gates are never shut.
- New creation
- God dwelling with man
- End of death and sorrow
- Eternal worship
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But those who are full of fear and without faith, the unclean and takers of life, those who do the sins of the flesh, and those who make use of evil powers or who give worship to images, and all those who are false, will have their part in the sea of ever-burning fire which is the second death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and to fearful, and unstedfast, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all the liars, their part <FI>is<Fi> in the lake that is burning with fire and brimstone, which is a second death.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, they shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But to the fearful and unbelieving, [and sinners], and those who make themselves abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [is] in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
Context
This verse balances the promise of verse 7 by defining the destiny of those who do not overcome. It explains, before the city’s beauty is described, why nothing unclean will enter it. The mention of the “second death” connects back to the previous chapter’s judgment and forward to the chapter’s closing gatekeeping statements. After setting these two paths, the narrative shifts as an angelic guide invites John to behold the bride—the city itself—in detail.
v.7He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
v.8This passage
v.9And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 51:12
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass;
- Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the sojourner from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
- Revelation 22:15
Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
- Isaiah 9:15
The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
- Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:8
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:8 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:8 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:8 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:8 teaches us about eternal worship
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