The wicked will not burn throughout eternity. The fire will reduce them to ashes, resulting in eternal separation from God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), not eternal life in hell-fire.

At the end of the 1,000 years, every sinner, inspired by the devil, makes one last determined effort to defeat God and capture the New Jerusalem (Revelation 20:7-10). It’s then that God rains fire down from the skies and eliminates Satan, sin, and those who persist in holding on to their sins.

“Fire came down from heaven and DEVOURED them.”
—Revelation 20:9.

The point is utter, complete destruction. According to Jesus, this fire is “unquenchable” (Matthew 3:12). No fire brigade will be able to put it out until it has done its work of complete destruction.

God promises that, out of this cleansing fire, a purified new earth will emerge as the home of the saved:

“The past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. ‘Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. . . . I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.’”
—Isaiah 65:16-19.

What a day that will be! Every cause for heartache will have vanished. God will erase the wounds of sin from every heart and “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Our happiness will be complete, and Jesus’ heart can again expand with joy over His people.