But 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. (Revelation 21:8)
Including those who preach false doctrines. See on Ex. 20:16; see PP 309.
Idolaters.
A reference to heathen peoples, as well as to Christians who practice heathenish rites. Compare on 1 Cor. 5:10; 6:9; 10:7.
Sorcerers.
Gr. pharmakoi, “practicers of magical arts.” Basically, the root refers to magic, enchantment, sorcery, and to the use of drugs to produce a stupefied condition. A modern counterpart of the ancient practice of sorcery is spiritism.
These include the persecutors and murderers of God’s faithful children throughout history.
Abominable.
Gr. bdelussō, “to make foul,”“to turn away in disgust from,”“to detest,” related to the verb bdeō, “to stink.” The noun bdelugma occurs in Luke 16:15; Rev. 17:4, 5; 21:27.
Unbelieving.
That is, those who lack faith, in the sense of not remaining faithful. They do not trust God to the end; they prove to be untrustworthy.
Fearful.
Gr. deiloi, “cowardly,”“fearful.” The word is always used in the evil sense of cowardice, or unwarranted timidity. Compare its use in Matt. 8:26; Mark 4:40; the related verb in John 14:27; and the related abstract noun in 2 Tim. 1:7. In each instance cowardice is the basic meaning. Owing to cowardice, moral faintheartedness, many fail to overcome in the Christian warfare; they give up in the time of trial. Compare Matt. 24:13.