Hello Sandy,
Brimstone tells us much about the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8
…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.
Brimstone = Sulfur
Strong’s number G2303 & G2306
Greek: theion & theiōdēs
From “Lake of Fire� part 6 by L. Ray Smith:
This word theion #2303 comes from the Greek word theios #2304, of which we read the following:
Theios means :
(1) DIVINE, and is used
(1a) of THE POWER OF GOD (2 Pet. 1:3), and
(1b) of HIS [GOD’S] NATURE, (2 Pet. 1:4), both of which proceed FROM HIMSELF.
(2) In Acts 17:29 it is used as a noun with the definite article, to denote THE GODHEAD, THE DEITY, THE ONE TRUE GOD."
Thayer Definition:
1) brimstone
1a) divine incense,
because burning brimstone was regarded as having power to purify, and to ward off disease
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/sulfurSulfur: is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is an abundant, tasteless, odorless, multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid.
In nature, it can be found as the pure element or as sulfide and sulfate minerals.
It is an essential element for life and is found in several amino acids. Its commercial uses are primarily in fertilizers but it is also widely used in gunpowder, matches, insecticides and fungicides.
Brimstone/Sulfer is used with fire to purify.
Mal 3:2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?
for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And
he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
1Pe 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Co 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's workof what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I hope this gives you some peace in knowing that our loving Father has no intentions of burning his children in physical fire for all eternity. Brimstone just gives us a better understanding of the purpose of the fire. Thank God we know who the fire is.
Deuteronomy 4:24
For
the LORD thy God is a consuming fire…
Hebrews 12:29
For
our God is a consuming fire.
Deedle