And again I think these references to lakes of fire can be explained as metaphorical imagery that the people of the time could understand, the torture of being burned. It is not a randomly occurring singular metaphor either.
“Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
Now, I sincerely doubt such a place as hell would have a sun that it orbits around to create what we know as ‘day and night’. There would be little purpose for God to create such celestial objects in this realm, less need for anyone in hell to need a day or a night. This is poetic license.
Or the book of life. Humans read books for reference and instruction. Would God need to have books be opened to have people’s works listed? He is omniscient. This is not a literal opening of books that God will have done at the time of Judgement, but a metaphor for people’s works being of focus at that time.
Agreed that in that context “day or night” means there’s no respite. Agreed there’ll be no celestial objects in the eternal state to give light. (Rev. 21:23 and 22:5)
I don’t think the “Book of Life” is for God’s reference, but for ours. He’s omniscient and records everything, including any events we hope are hidden. This is a trial for the ultimate destination of our eternal souls and that’s His evidence.
The term/phrase is used too many times for me to not believe it’s an actual document, or will be perceived by us as an actual document.