Misconception
#1
When a
person dies they are immediately judged and go to either Heaven or Hell.
Misconception
#2
After death,
people either go to Heaven and become angels, or go to Hell and become
imprisoned
in torment where Satan is in charge.
Misconception
#3
Heaven is
“up” above the clouds, Hell is "down" in a pit of fire and smoke.
Misconception #4
We exist in
either Heaven or Hell for eternity (time with no end).
Misconception
#5
Human souls
are immortal; we exist forever either in Heaven or in Hell.
Misconception
#6
Jesus and
the thief on the cross went immediately to Heaven after their deaths.
Misconception
#7
Hell is a
place of eternal unending punishment and torment in fire.
As a college student at
a Christian University pursuing degrees in both Christian Education and Bible,
I made a decision early on that guides me still today. You see, I chose to attend a
non-denominational university instead of the other Baptist affiliated
universities in the region. My reasoning
was that I wanted to expose myself to other theological schools of thought, and
that would challenge my own personal beliefs to the point where they became
stronger, or they were broken down and replaced with the truth. But, what was the plumb line of truth, the
standard that all other beliefs, dogmas, thoughts, and ideas could be judged
against? The Bible alone, with the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, was the only source of inerrant and inspired truth
that could be used. I decided to compare
and test every guiding principle by God’s Word, and only keep and defend that
which met this standard. As a result,
some things that I personally believed were tested and failed. I found that many denominations have let
“traditions of men” (“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the
tradition of men...invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have
handed down." Mark 7:8,13) replace or supersede the truth of the
Holy Scriptures and God’s Word.
Misconception #1:
We’re all familiar with
the image of the recently deceased standing before St. Peter at the Pearly
Gates while he reviews the list of good and bad deeds done in life. How much of this is accurate, if any? In order to address this misconception
completely, we need to clarify the use of the word "person." Human beings consist of three aspects which
combine to create what we know as a human being: body, soul, and spirit. In this aspect, we once again are made in the
image of God who Himself is a triune being, the Trinity, consisting of Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Genesis 2:7
states "Then the LORD God
formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life
into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” So man is physical (body) from the dust, and
spirit (breath of life) from God ("Who gave Him authority over the earth? Who put Him in charge of the entire world? If He put His mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath He gave, every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust." Job 34:13-15) Many
times in the Bible, it is stated that when a person dies their spirit returns
to God. Jesus on the cross even stated "Father into your hands I
commit my spirit" Lk. 23:46.
Some say that spirit and soul are basically the same thing. However, the Bible seems to indicate in
several places that these two are separate and distinct (“For the word of
God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as
far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to
judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12). In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul addresses all
three separate components of a person: “May
the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and
body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So upon death, the body
returns to the dust ("and the dust returns to the earth as it once
was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Eccl 12:7). The spirit returns to God who gave it. But what of the soul? Based on some verses in the New Testament, we
can
conclude that the soul when absent from the body is with the Lord (“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart
and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh
is more necessary for your sake.” Philippians 1:23–24 “We are
confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with
the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8).
There is not a judgment
of the soul immediately after death. The
souls of those who are saved go to heaven.
The souls of those in rebellion with God go to a place of holding called
Sheol/Hades (see Misconception #3 for a discussion on what
"Hell" actually refers to).
Revelation 20:12-15 says "Then I saw a great white throne and
one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was
found for them. I also saw the dead, the
great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another
book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according
to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in
it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged
according to their works. Death and
Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of
fire. And anyone whose name was
not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." This is the Great White Throne of Judgment
where judgment occurs for the unsaved.
The Lamb's Book of Life is consulted, and the book listing a person's
deeds and works is read. This is the
point where those who are unsaved are judged and thrown into the lake of
fire. There is no judgment similar to
this for the elect/saved of Christ (“There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1). After the rapture of the church, believers
will be judged at the Bema Seat of Christ.
This judgment is one of actions and stewardship of the things Christ
left in our charge. It is a review of
how well we ran the race before us, but the blood of Christ has already paid
our debt for sin (“We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s
field, God’s building. According to the
grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation,
but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. For
no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus
Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will
make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what
kind of work each has done. If what
someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. If someone’s work is
burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through
fire.” I Cor. 3:9-15 ) See also
the Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25:14), Unworthy Servants (Lk. 17:7), and
Vineyard (Mt. 20:1).
Misconception #2:
After death, those who
go to Heaven do not become angels. We do
not earn our wings (sorry Clarence), we are not given harps and halos. Angels are God's created beings just as human
beings are. Each are unique and have
their roles to fulfill. We who go to
Heaven are described as having glorified bodies, much like that of Jesus after
His death and resurrection .
Hell is a
place of torment, but it is not Satan's kingdom or domain. He is not in charge of Hell, or the people in
Hell. The Lake of Fire is a place
prepared for Satan and his fallen angels (“Then He will say to those on
His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared
for the devil and his angels.’” Mt.
25:41). Satan, his demons, Death and
Hades, the Antichrist and False Prophet, and all those unsaved will be cast
into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20). It is a
place of final punishment, created by God, for those who choose to reject Him
and live in disobedience and sin.
Misconception #3:
Heaven is many times
referred to as being "up," as in, above the clouds. However, we
know that there is not technically an "up" in this universe.
Also, Heaven is not within this created realm, but exists outside of the
confines of time, space, and matter as we humans know it. In the Old
Testament, the Hebrew word Shamayim is translated as "heaven."
In the New Testament, the Greek word Ouranos
is used to refer to "heaven."
In the case of both words, they can refer to three different variations
of meanings for "heaven."
The first is the sky above the earth, the atmosphere (Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” Genesis 1:14). The second refers to the space above the atmosphere, outer space, where the sun, moon, and stars are (Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years" Genesis 1:20). And thirdly, it can refer to the place where God resides (But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am." Genesis 22:11).
Paul mentions a "third heaven" in his second letter to the Corinthians ( I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Cor. 12:2). So, while the Bible does not mention a first or second heaven anywhere else, it appears that the "third heaven" Paul refers to is the Heaven where God resides.
Heaven
is, according to the Bible, eventually going to replace this current
Earth. After the Millennial kingdom and the Great White Throne of
Judgment, Revelation describes "a new heaven and a new earth" (Then I saw a new heaven and
a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the
sea no longer existed.” Rev. 21:1). The old earth and heavens will be destroyed by
fire the Bible says (“...the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept
until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7).
The final eternal dwelling place of those who are saved is in the new heaven
and earth, within the Holy City Jerusalem (“He then carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and
showed me the holy city, Jerusalem
It is important to also
define "Hell" and what we mean when we use that word. Most Bible translations inappropriately use
just one word ("Hell") when translating several different words
actually written in the original manuscripts.
In reality, the actual words used refer to different places. First let's clear up what Hell is not. Hell is not "Sheol/Hades." The bible refers to a place called
"Abraham's Bosom" or "Paradise" where the dead were held
(for more on Abraham's Bosom/Paradise, see Misconception #6). "Sheol" is this holding place of
the unrighteous dead in the Old Testament.
“Hades” is its New Testament equivalent. The Bible speaks very little about the state
of those who are in Sheol/Hades. It is
described as a dark place, and a place of sorrow. We also know that it is a temporary place
where a soul is imprisoned until judgment.
It is not the final Hell that we typically think of.
Hell is also not
"Tartarus" the place where Peter states that the fallen Angels are (“For
if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell
(Tartarus) and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.” 2
Peter 2:4). Tartarus is a dark pit
reserved for fallen angels until judgment (Jude 6). After judgment, they are then cast into the
Lake of Fire. Tartarus is also known as
the "pit" and the "abyss." (“Then I saw an angel
coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the Abyss and a great
chain. and threw him [Satan] into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him,
so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were
ended.” Revelation 20:1-3).
“Gehenna” is not Hell
either, although it is used symbolically to describe Hell. The word "Gehenna" is used 12 times
in the New Testament (11 times alone by Jesus), and each reference is to Hell
but in a symbolic manner. Gehenna means
"valley of Hinnon" and is an actual place just outside the gates of
Jerusalem. In Old Testament times
Gehenna was a place where children were sacrificed to a false god. During New Testament times, it was the city
dump. Gehenna was a place of trash,
smoke, stench, death, worms, and fires that burned continually as new trash fed
the fire. Jesus used Gehenna as a
visual example as to what Hell was similar to (“If your hand causes you
to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than,
having your two hands, to go into Gehenna into the unquenchable fire.” Mark 9:43).
Gehenna illustrates Hell in that it is a place of death and destruction,
where smoke ascends and fire burns continually, and it is located outside of
the gates of Jerusalem, just as those who are unrepentant are outside the gates
of the Holy City new Jerusalem.
Hell, as we typically
refer to it, is the "Lake of Fire" as mentioned in Revelation (“And
the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire
and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will
be tormented day and night forever and ever. . . . Then Death and
Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death,
the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book
of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:10, 14-15).
The Lake of Fire is the eternal place of punishment, the second death,
for those who are in sin. It is not
"down" inside the earth and is not a "pit", but is a place
of fire and smoke.
Misconception #4:
The misconception here is with the word
“eternity" (or “everlasting”). Most people understand “eternity” to mean time unending, one day
following another, without an end. The
actual Greek word translated as eternity is aionios. Vine's
Expository Dictionary clarifies that "the predominant meaning of aionios
as used in the New Testament is to describe the nature of those things related
to God and His Kingdom." Paul, gives us a
clear example of what "eternal" actually refers to, by contrasting it
to the word "temporary" (“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but
on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal. 2 Cor.
4:18). If something is said to be
"eternal" or "everlasting" it is not so much a period of
time as it is something that is permanent, or related to the kingdom of God.
Time was created for our existence here on
earth. When God's plan is completed,
there will be no more need for time.
Time therefore does not apply to anything outside of the realm of
earth's existence. Revelation chapters
21 and 22 paint a picture of life after "time." The new heaven
and the new earth will be present, and all will be made new. There is no mention of the sun, moon, or
stars...only God. He will provide light, and there will be no more
night. Time will cease and be no
longer. The things which create time
(rotation of the earth and revolution around the sun) will be no more.
The mechanism by which we measure time (periods of light and dark/day and
night) will cease and there will be no more night. Eternity therefore does not denote an amount
of time...it is not time unending because time will no longer exist.
As an example, Jude uses the word
"eternal" to describe both the bonds of demons in the pit, and the
fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
Now we know from Revelation 9 that the demons are released from the pit
during that time, so eternal bonds cannot mean bonds forever restraining
them. Likewise, the fire that destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah is not still burning today.
Instead the bonds and the fire are both "eternal" in the sense that they are both of
God, they are of their nature related to God and His purposes (“And angels
who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has
kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,
just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same
way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are
exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:6-7).
Misconception #5:
The idea of human beings
having an eternal or immortal soul is not supported in the Bible, but rather is
a belief of many civilizations and false religions. The Egyptians, Greeks, Buddhism, Hinduism,
Islam, and Zoroastrianism all taught the soul was immortal and continued on
after this life was over. To clarify,
the Bible does teach that man was created to be immortal and exist in the
Garden of Eden forever. However, sin
changed that, and with it brought death (“Therefore, just as through one
man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to
all men, because all sinned.” Rom. 5:12). This death as a result of sin was not an
immediate physical death, but rather an immediate spiritual death (“But
you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the
day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” Gen.
2:17). This is why salvation is referred
to as "the gift of eternal life," it is a gift of something we do not
already possess. The bible states that
only God is immortal (He (God) is the blessed and only Sovereign, the
King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal
.” 1 Timothy 6:15-16; “He will
repay each one according to his works:
eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory,
honor, and immortality; but wrath and anger to those who are
self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness.” Rom 2:6-7; "For this
perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on
immortality."1 Cor 15:53).
Misconception #6:
The Bible only gives hints
as to where people (rather, their souls, as we have already established that
our physical bodies return to the dust and our spirit returns to God) went
during Old Testament times when they died.
Those in Old Testament times may have been aware of a coming Messiah and
lived in faithful obedience to the Law and all of God's commands, but, as we
know, the Law alone was not sufficient.
Christ fulfilled the Law, and in doing so made a way for all of us to be
able to once again come into the presence of God. So, it is necessary I believe for EVERY
person to make a choice about Jesus and his redemptive work...to accept it or
reject it. The Bible teaches that a
person must accept Jesus and his sacrificial death for their sins in order to
obtain eternal life (“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but
whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
John 3:36; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16; “Now this is eternal
life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have
sent.” John 17:3; “But for that very reason I was shown
mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his
immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive
eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16).
The Bible references a
holding place known as “Sheol” in the Old Testament, or in the New Testament it is known as “Hades.” Sheol (Hades) is the place where the souls of all those who died were held during Old Testament
times. The story of Lazarus and the Rich
Man alludes to this imagery (however, it should be noted that this is a parable
which Jesus told, and may have been based partly on Jewish folklore and stories). The Bible does seem to indicate that Jesus
went to this place after his death on the cross, and proclaimed what He had
accomplished to the imprisoned. “He answered them, “An evil and adulterous
generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of
the prophet Jonah. “For as Jonah was in
the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will
be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. Matt. 12:39-40; “This is the fate of
those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their
sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their
shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms
will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem
me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to himself. Psalms 49:13-15; “I will ransom them
from the power of Sheol. I will redeem
them from death. Death, where are your
barbs? Sheol, where is your sting?” Hosea 13:14; “The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1; “As for you, because of the blood of your covenant, I will
release your prisoners from the waterless cistern. Zech. 9:11; “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is
coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,
and those who hear will live.” John 5:25; “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been
proclaimed to every creature under heaven...” Colossians 1:21-22; “For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the
captives captive; he gave gifts to people.
But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the
lower parts of the earth? The one who
descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all
things.” Eph. 4:8-10; “For Christ also suffered for sins once for
all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was
put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, in which he also went
and made proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were
disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was
being prepared. In it a few - that is, eight people- were saved through water.”
I Peter 3:18-20.)
So, what happens now, after the Old Testament period, when a person dies you may be asking. Nothing really changes for the unsaved, those who choose to reject Jesus Christ. They still go to Sheol to await judgement and punishment (see Misconception #1). Paul addresses the followers of Christ in his letter to the church at Thessalonica ("We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." I Thess. 4:13-18) Paul reassures the Thessalonian Christians that just as Jesus died and rose again, so would they. Those that had already "fallen asleep" (died), Jesus will bring (their soul) with him at the rapture. Paul goes on further to explain that those still alive at the time of the Lord's coming (the rapture) will have no advantage over them that have fallen asleep. He says the "dead in Christ" (the bodies of the righteous dead) will rise first, and at the Archangel's shout will be reunited with their body. Then, those alive at His return will be "caught up" (raptured) to meet Him in the clouds. Both groups, the righteous who died prior to the rapture, and those righteous alive at the rapture, will rise to meet the Lord in the air and will be in their glorified bodies as Christ was after His resurrection. Note that Paul says "and so we will always be with the Lord." This seems to imply that those believers who died prior to the rapture, their souls were not already with the Lord. Where were they you ask if they did not go to heaven and be with the Lord there? I would say we need to think in terms outside of our dimension of existence. Time does not apply outside our earthly existence. I believe that when a Christ Follower dies, their soul exits this realm of existence, and immediately enters eternity, the realm of God's existence. They exit at whatever point in time they died and enter eternity at the point of rapture, their soul immediately with Jesus in the air as he returns to reunite them with their body. If you are unsure of this, I would encourage you to search the Bible, and find passages which confirm that there are indeed souls of fellow believers who have already passed that are in Heaven with the Lord right now...I found none.
Misconception #7:
Misconception #7:
Several years ago, I
became aware of a film called “Hell and Mr. Fudge.” The film presents the case that torment in
Hell eternally is non-biblical, and that the true biblical position is
Annihilationism. Annihilationism is the
belief that only the souls of those who are saved continue on (Conditional
Immortality) and the souls of the unsaved are destroyed in Hell and cease to
exist. This is not what I had been
taught in Sunday School and heard preached from the pulpit all my life. I began a study to disprove Annihilationism,
and like you perhaps, doubted it could be proven biblically. I have now spent the last 5 years off and on
reading and studying as much as I can on this subject. I have
read the entire bible through specifically with an eye towards all verses that
speak about Heaven, Hell, and Eternal Life.
I have reviewed the original Greek and Hebrew meanings of several key
words. I have read articles and books
from some of the best writers and thinkers on the subject. Going into this study, I believed the
mainstream Protestant view on Hell, just as most of you most likely currently
believe: Hell is eternal torment in
actual fire. This view is known as
Traditionalism. As a result of my
studies and research, and a very careful and prayerful reading of the Bible, I
changed my belief to that which the Bible supports: Hell is a place where those who reject God's
gift of grace are punished and then consumed by eternal fire. They experience the second death, and cease
to exist. I understand that you may be
resistant to this idea, I know I was initially.
However, I encourage you to take the time to read the Bible verses
listed below which support this truth. I
found in my research that the majority of the verses in the Bible which
discuss Heaven, Hell, and Eternal Life clearly state that those sent to Hell
perish, die, or face destruction. I would encourage you to read the numerous Bible verses provided below that support my view of annihilation, and that you would search the scriptures to find verses which support the view that there is an eternal punishment in Hell. During my study, I was only able to locate a few verses in support of eternal punishment, and I discuss those more fully below. Pray about it, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as you study and read
the scriptures, and be like the Bereans, examine the scriptures to see if what
I say is true or not (Acts 17:11).
This has already turned
into a long article (thanks for reading this far), but this subject is
important. I will attempt to provide
evidence for Annihilationism by looking at it theologically, prophetically,
symbolically, legally, morally, and biblically.
Theologically:
- Sin results in death, both physically and spiritually. Accepting Jesus and His redemptive act of sacrifice on the cross results in eternal life. The opposite of eternal life is not eternal torment, but rather eternal death. We have already read several verses which state this, but here it is summed up nicely by John in the most familiar verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. This verse is seen on banners at sporting events, quoted by young children as the first verse they memorize, and even printed on the bottom of cups at In-N-Out Burgers. Let's look at a couple of words that are important to clarify. First, "perish", which is the Greek word apollymi, and means to "destroy fully." There are words in Greek for never-ending torment, but that is not what is used here. Another important word to clarify is "eternal life," or in the Greek aiōnios zōē. We have already discussed the term “eternal” and how it refers to things pertaining to God’s kingdom. The opposite of eternal life is eternal death.
Prophetically:
- Adam and Eve - Adam and Eve’s disobedience resulted in sin entering the world, and with it death. There was physical death which came many years later for them both, but spiritual death which was immediate. God pronounced judgement on the serpent and Adam and Eve, and foretold that one day the seed of Eve would bruise the head of the serpent. It is through Eve’s seed (Jesus) that we all obtain eternal life and are reconciled back to God again. For those who reject Jesus, the result is the “second death” which is final (“For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:19-21).
- The Messianic Psalms - These Psalms contain prophetic wording concerning the fate of the wicked: “You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.” Ps. 2:7; “The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.” Ps. 110:5-6.
- Old Testament prophets - Various Old Testament age Prophets described the ultimate fate of evildoers: “Then they will go forth and look on the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be quenched; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.” Isaiah 66:24; “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 4:1; “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (John the Baptist) Mt. 3:12.
Symbolically:
Throughout the Bible we are given symbols and types of those who are disobedient and reject God and His Son Jesus and who are then killed.
Throughout the Bible we are given symbols and types of those who are disobedient and reject God and His Son Jesus and who are then killed.
- Noah - Noah in obedience built an ark in order to be preserved from the coming destruction. Those who rejected Noah’s preaching perished and died outside the safety of the ark.
- Lot - Lot and his family found favor with God and were spared the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone (“...if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter” 2 Pet.2:6).
- Moses - During the wandering in the wilderness, several different times the Israelites disobeyed God and stood against Moses’ authority. While Moses was receiving the ten commandments from God, the people were creating and worshipping an idol in the form of a golden calf. Moses and the Levites kill those who refused to repent. After the report of giants in the promised land, the Israelites lack of faith in God results in the entire generation being denied entry into the promised land until each one dies, including Moses himself. Korah and his followers questioned the authority of Moses and the priests. Holy fire from God consumed Korah and 150 of his men immediately, and the ground opened up and swallowed all of their families causing them to perish. The children of Israel complained to God and he sent fiery serpents among them. When bitten, the person would die. However, God provided a means by which they could be saved from death by simply looking at an image of the serpent on a pole. Aaron’s 2 sons disobeyed God’s rules for worship in the Tabernacle. As a result, both were consumed by fire from the Lord’s presence.
Legally:
- The Bible is clear that there is a consequence for sin and disobedience. Several verses declare that the Almighty God will judge everyone, and that the penalty for sin is death. The Greek word for death is thanatos and it means simply "death" in its most common meaning. The only acceptable remedy for the transgression of sin is the covering sacrificial blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23; “...But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…” I John 2:1). Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He took the punishment for everyone’s sins on Himself. The legal punishment for those who reject that sacrifice is death, not eternal punishment in Hell fire. The punishment of eternally being tortured in fire, neverending pain that you cannot imagine, is not commensurate with the offense.
Morally:
- God is a righteous God, and He is also a loving God. We cannot understand His ways, as they are not our ways. It is completely understandable to state that there must be a consequence for sin. Death is that appropriate punishment. I do not believe that the God who I worship would sentence someone to unimaginable pain, fiery torment, forever and ever without any ceasing, with no relief. The everlasting torment of Hell is for punishment’s sake itself; there is no restoration or rehabilitation, no chance for repentance, no attempt at salvaging the soul. Just an eternity of horrific pain and torment. This does not fit with the God I know. The God I know destroyed all of mankind but saved Noah, his family, and all the animals from the flood. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but still bargained with Abraham to save Lot and his family. He allowed the Jews to be conquered and taken into captivity time after time for their idol worship and disobedience, however each time He also restored them back to their land. God overlooked the sins and flaws of a man named David, but was still described as “a man after God’s own heart.” The God that sent His only Son so that He and I could once again be in fellowship together and I could be reconciled back to Him. The God which knew, loved, and chose me before the world began. This God I know, and the one which would torture a person in Hell forever with no reprieve or redemption, do not seem compatible.
Biblically:
The Bible is my ultimate authority, as Martin Luther stated - Sola Scriptura. If a position or belief cannot be biblically supported, I will no longer champion that belief. As I said, after reading through the entire Bible, I cannot any longer support the Traditional stance on Hell being eternal torment. I must support the Annihilation view that the body and soul of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire and destroyed and consumed. They will die and cease to exist. They will experience the second death.”
The Bible is my ultimate authority, as Martin Luther stated - Sola Scriptura. If a position or belief cannot be biblically supported, I will no longer champion that belief. As I said, after reading through the entire Bible, I cannot any longer support the Traditional stance on Hell being eternal torment. I must support the Annihilation view that the body and soul of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire and destroyed and consumed. They will die and cease to exist. They will experience the second death.”
- Parables - Many of the Parables Jesus told dealt with the Kingdom of God, and several of those contained imagery of the fate of those who were not included in the Kingdom of God.
- The wedding feast - “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mt. 22:1-14
- The good fish and bad fish - “So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mt. 13:47-50
- The wheat and the tares - “Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.’’” Mt. 13:24-30
- Sheep and the goats “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Mt. 25:31-46
- The vine and the branches - “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” Jn. 15:1-6
- Imprecatory Psalms - These are Psalms that invoke curses or judgement on the wicked, and those who are enemies of God.
- When my enemies retreat, they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld my just cause; You are seated on Your throne as a righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations: You have destroyed the wicked; You have erased their name forever and ever. The enemy has come to eternal ruin; You have uprooted the cities, and the very memory of them has perished. 9:3-6
- A little while, and the wicked person will be no more; though you look for him, he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity. The wicked person schemes against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him. The Lord laughs at him because He sees that his day is coming. 37:10-13
- But the wicked will perish; the Lord’s enemies, like the glory of the pastures, will fade away—they will fade away like smoke. Those who are blessed by Him will inherit the land, but those cursed by Him will be destroyed. 37:20,22
- For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon His faithful ones. They are kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked will be destroyed. 37:28
- Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land. You will watch when the wicked are destroyed. I have seen a wicked, violent man well-rooted like a flourishing native tree. Then I passed by and noticed he was gone; I searched for him, but he could not be found. Watch the blameless and observe the upright, for the man of peace will have a future. But transgressors will all be eliminated; the future of the wicked will be destroyed. 37:34-38
- God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate Him flee from His presence. As smoke is blown away, so You blow them away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God. But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. 68:1-3
- Though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be eternally destroyed. But You, Lord, are exalted forever. For indeed, Lord, Your enemies indeed, Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. 92:7-9
- May sinners vanish from the earth and wicked people be no more. 104:35
- You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross; 119:119
- The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 145:20
Let's quickly examine some of the most popular verses which are used to support the Traditional view, and I will attempt to explain why they may not actually support the idea of unending torment in fire when examined more closely:
"The smoke of their
torment goes up forever and ever..."
And another, a third
angel, followed them and spoke with a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast
and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,he will also
drink the wine of God’s wrath, which is poured full strength into the cup of
his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the holy
angels and in the sight of the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment will go
up forever and ever." There is no rest day or night for those who
worship the beast and its image, or anyone who receives the mark of its name. Revelation 14:9-11
This verse is used to
illustrate that the smoke from the torment of those in Hell rises forever and
ever. The phrase used in Revelation refers back to the book of Isaiah, where the destruction of Edom is being promised. ("Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch,
her soil into sulfur; her land will become burning pitch. It will never go out—day or night. Its smoke will go up forever. It will be desolate, from generation to generation; no one will pass through it forever and ever." Is. 34:9-10). The phrases "smoke will go up forever" and "no one will pass through it forever and ever" are a type of hyperbole meant to demonstrate just how great God's retribution on Edom will be. The smoke will not (and did not) go up from the destroyed Edom forever. People did not avoid passing through Edom forever and ever. The phrases are meant simply to convey the utter desolation and retribution God will deliver on Edom.
her soil into sulfur; her land will become burning pitch. It will never go out—day or night. Its smoke will go up forever. It will be desolate, from generation to generation; no one will pass through it forever and ever." Is. 34:9-10). The phrases "smoke will go up forever" and "no one will pass through it forever and ever" are a type of hyperbole meant to demonstrate just how great God's retribution on Edom will be. The smoke will not (and did not) go up from the destroyed Edom forever. People did not avoid passing through Edom forever and ever. The phrases are meant simply to convey the utter desolation and retribution God will deliver on Edom.
Similarly in Genesis, there is the account of
Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction (“Early in the morning Abraham went to
the place where he had stood before the LORD.
He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain,
and he saw that smoke was going up from the land like the smoke of a furnace.” Genesis 19:27-29). Those in Sodom and
Gomorrah that would not listen to the warnings were destroyed for their evil
acts. The smoke from that destruction
continued to billow up as Abraham looked on, however, that did not mean that the
destruction was still ongoing, as the unrepentant were already destroyed in
judgement. The same can be applied to
the Revelation verses...the unrepentant have already been destroyed but the
smoke of their destruction continues to go up.
Eternal Fire,
Punishment, Destruction, ...
Several bible verses use
the term “eternal” when describing fire, punishment, and destruction (“Just
as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in
sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by
undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 7; “Then He will say to those
on his left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared
for the devil and his angels. . . . And
these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into
eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46; "...when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting
vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction,
away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,..."
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
As we discussed
previously, “eternal” refers more to something being permanent, or of the
kingdom of God, than denoting a period of time.
Therefore, it is not fire, punishment, or destruction that lasts forever
without end. More correctly, it is fire,
punishment, or destruction that is permanent.
They pertain more to God’s kingdom than this earthly one. Eternal fire relates more to the type of
fire than its duration. Eternal
punishment is not punishment that lasts forever, but rather is permanent in
nature. And eternal destruction is not
on ongoing destruction, but a destruction which is permanent and final in
nature.
"Where their worm
does not die and fire is not quenched..."
"And if your eye
causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of
God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their
worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:42-48 Mark is quoting Jesus who Himself is quoting
the from the book of Isaiah where God describes the fate of those that rebel
against Him ("And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of
the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire
shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
Isaiah 66:22-24. Where “worm” is used in
the Bible, it nearly always describes worms interaction with DEAD bodies, or a
worm's ability to destroy a living plant.
It is the worm that is said not to die.
The unquenchable fire describes the character of the fire, it is a fire
which cannot be put out. This however
does not imply that those cast into the fire continue eternally to suffer in
the fire.
“They will be
tormented day and night forever and ever”
“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the
lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they
will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Rev. 20:10 Here the words mean
pretty simply what they mean: the “lake
of fire and sulfur” is Hell, “tormented” means pain and torment, and “forever
and ever” means just that. The thing to
take into consideration is who are being thrown in the lake of fire and
sulfur: the devil, the beast, and the
false prophet. While I will not argue
against what this verses says is the fate of those three, I will argue that it
does not include the unsaved anywhere.
Therefore you cannot apply this description of punishment to those who
are also cast into the Lake of Fire along with the three mentioned in this
verse. We also know that the Lake of
Fire was not prepared by God for unrepentant mankind, but rather for the devil
and his demons (“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from
Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for
the devil and his angels” Mt. 25:41).
Finally, below you will find a list of verses that support the Annihilation
view. It is not an exhaustive list, but
it is very lengthy. I would challenge
you to do your own study and examine these verses yourself. When read plainly, do they indicate eternal torment or finality and an end to existence? When all the arguments presented are taken into account, does the overall position of God's Word seem to indicate eternal torment or consuming fire? Again, we cannot go by the “traditions of
men” on what we believe, we must rely on the Word of God alone and what it
says.
Bible verses that
support the Annihilation of those in Hell:
His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly
clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will
burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Mt. 3:12
Enter through the narrow
gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and
there are many who go through it. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire. Mt. 7:13,19
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill
the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mt. 10:28
Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned
in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and
they will gather from His kingdom everything that causes sin and those guilty
of lawlessness. They will throw them into the blazing furnace where
there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mt. 13:40-42
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world
and forfeits his soul? Mt. 16:26
His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly
clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn
up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Lk. 3:17
...but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish...
but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Lk. 13:3-5
But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to
reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence. Lk. 19:27
For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life. Jn. 3:16
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word,
and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come
into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Jn. 5:24
This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so
that one may eat of it and not die.
Jn. 6:50
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word
he will never see death. Jn.
8:51
I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish...
John 10:28
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the
life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and
everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Jn.
11:25-26
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as
a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and
they are burned. Jn. 15:6
While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your
name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished
but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be
fulfilled. Jn. 17:12
And it will be that every soul that does not heed
that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. Acts 3:23
Therefore take heed, so
that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: ‘Behold,
you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work
in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should
describe it to you.’ Acts 13:40-41
For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish
without the Law... Rom. 2:12
so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would
reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Romans 5:21
For the wages of sin is death, but the free
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23
for if you are living according to the flesh,
you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death
the deeds of the body, you will live.
Rom. 8:13
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath
and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of
wrath prepared for destruction?
Rom. 9:22
For the word of the
cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being
saved it is the power of God. I Cor.
1:18
For we are a fragrance
of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life
to life. 2 Cor. 2:15-16
For many walk, of whom I
often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the
cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite,
and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Phil. 3:18-19
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of
the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of
judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Hebrews 10:26-27
But we are not of those
who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving
of the soul. Heb. 10:39
...for our God is a consuming
fire. Heb. 12:29
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy... James 4:12
Let him know that
whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death. James 5:20
and if He condemned the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes,
having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives
thereafter 2 Pet. 2:6
...when the Lord Jesus
will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing
out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay
the penalty of eternal destruction... 2 Thess. 1:7-9
But by His word the
present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of
judgment and destruction of ungodly men...The Lord is not slow about His
promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any
to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a
thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be
destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned
up. Since all these things are to
be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy
conduct and godliness 2 Pet. 3:7-11
We know that we have
passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does
not love abides in death. 1 Jn.3:14
just as Sodom and
Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these
indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as
an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7
He who has an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be
hurt by the second death. Revelation 2:11
Blessed and holy is the
one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has
no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign
with him for a thousand years. Rev. 20:6
Then death and Hades
were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of
fire. Rev. 20:14
But as for the cowardly,
the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that
burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
For the Lord knows the
way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalms 1:6
You have rebuked the
nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for
ever and ever. Psalms 9:5
But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish
- like smoke they vanish away.
Psalms 37:20
For the Lord loves the
just and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the
wicked will perish. Psalms 37:28
Behold, these are the
wicked...Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their
end. Surely You set them in slippery
places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden
terrors! With Your counsel You will
guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed
all those who are unfaithful to You.
Psalms 73:12-27
That when the wicked
sprouted up like grass And all who did iniquity flourished, It was only that
they might be destroyed forevermore. For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish; Psalms 92:7-9
For, behold, Your enemies will perish; Psalms 92:7-9
Fire goes before Him and
burns up His adversaries round about.
Psalms 97:3
Let sinners be consumed
from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Psalms 104:35
He who is steadfast in
righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his
own death. Prov. 11:19
There is a way which
seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Prov. 16:25
For there will be no
future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Prov.
24:20
But transgressors and
sinners will be crushed together, And those who forsake the Lord will come
to an end. Is. 1:28
The strong man will
become tinder, his work also a spark.
Thus they shall both burn together and there will be none to
quench them. Is. 1:31
Behold, all souls are
mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the
soul who sins shall die. Ezekiel 18:4
The person who sins will die. A son will not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt, nor will a father suffer the punishment for the son’s guilt; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. But if the wicked person turns from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. All his offenses which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, rather than that he would turn from his ways and live?But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, commits injustice and does according to all the abominations that the wicked person does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die. Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, commits injustice and dies because of it, for his injustice which he has committed he dies. But when a wicked person turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life. Since he understood and turned away from all his offenses which he had committed, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. Ezekiel 18:20-28
“For I have no pleasure
in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD.
“Therefore, repent and live.”
Ezekiel 18:32
I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened. Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire... I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:...26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Daniel 7:7-27
I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened. Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire... I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:...26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Daniel 7:7-27
For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the
arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set
them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither
root nor branch. Malachi 4:1
And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under
the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi
4:3
For the Lord will not reject us forever.
Even if He causes suffering,
He will show compassion
according to His abundant, faithful love.
33 For He does not enjoy bringing affliction
or suffering on mankind. Lamentations 3:31-33
For the Lord will not reject us forever.
Even if He causes suffering,
He will show compassion
according to His abundant, faithful love.
33 For He does not enjoy bringing affliction
or suffering on mankind. Lamentations 3:31-33
