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Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire

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DEATH, HELL, AND THE LAKE OF FIRE

A. S. Copley

"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" - Rev 20:14. Some people carelessly confound these two places, as if they were the same. This statement alone proves them to be two distinct localities, though of a similar character. Other citations confirm these facts. Hell is not simply a painful state. It is a certain clearly defined locality. We will consider these two places separately, then their relation to each other. The word "hell" occurs twenty-three times in the New Testament, translated from three Greek words: "gehenna" twelve times, "hades" ten times, and "tartaroo" once (Jude 7). Jesus Christ used the word "hades" four times. It means a place that is down .. "Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell (hades)" - Mat 11:23; Lk 10:15. Its gates oppose the Church. Its inhabitants would pull saved folk into its realm, if possible; but "the gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against" the Church which Jesus builds. Unsound teaching would send weak Christians into hades, if that were possible. Hades is a place of heat and pain. "In hell (hades) he (the rich man) lift up his eyes, being in torments (pain)." He prayed when it was too late - "Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented (pained) in this flame" - Lk 16:23, 24. This is an unmistakably plain description of the state of the wicked in hell, from the beginning of time until the end of the Millennium. The rich man had no physical tongue then, neither did Lazarus have a physical finger. The guilty man's soul was suffering from a flame of regret and remorse. It was mental anguish, a burning conscience. His sight of Lazarus aggravated the pain. Observe that he did not repent. He was interested in his brethren's welfare; and their presence with him would increase his torment, because he had not witnessed to them and sought the Lord for them when he was alive on earth. But that was not the lake of fire. That was only "hades," not "ghenna." The adjective "everlasting" never occurs in connection with hades. The phrase "everlasting hell" is not Scriptural.

A DIFFERENT COMPARTMENT

"Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (hades), neither wilt Thou suffer (leave) Thine Holy One to see corruption" - Act 2:26, 27. These words are quoted almost verbatim from Psa 16:9, 10. The Greek word "hades" in the New Testament answers to the Hebrew word "sheol" in the Old Testament. It means invariably the habitation of the souls of the dead. It never means the grave, though it is thus translated in thirty-one instances. Note the differences between this person in hades and the rich man. Lazarus suffers no pain, no regret, no remorse, no despair. Instead, he is glad and rejoices, because he has ground for hope. David experienced all that, for through faith's telescope he saw that his Lord and Redeemer would go that way. However long his soul might be in "sheol" and his body in the grave (queber, Hebrew), some day he would be released from both. Jesus named that place in hades, "Abraham's bosom," which means nearness and intimate fellowship. Jesus "in the bosom of the Father" has the same meaning - Jn 1:18.

"Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed" - Lk 16:26. So sheol, or hades, comprised two distinct and separate compartments. The inhabitants could communicate, but could not change places with one another. Two citations at least in the Old Testament confirm this view. "For a fire (not a literal material fire) is kindled in Mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell (sheol)" - Deut 32:22. God's anger is not mentioned with reference to the righteous dead. "For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell (sheol)" - Psa 86:13. David knew that his soul would never be in the lowest hell. Jesus "descended first into the lower parts of the earth"; but not into the lowest parts, or lowest hades - Eph 4:9. Those "spirits in prison," to whom Jesus preached, were in upper hades - the lower parts of the earth, as compared with the grave - I Pet 3:19. "The deep," also, evidently means upper hades - Rom 10:7. The Lord Jesus named upper hades or Abraham's bosom, "Paradise"; that is, a park. He said to the dying thief, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise" - Lk 23:43. The spirits of both Jesus and the thief went down into upper hades. That is not a question, but a declaration. The phrase, "shalt be," is one word in Greek. Bear in mind, that Jesus never went by His spirit into lowest hades. He could not contradict Abraham's words, which He quoted. "They which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence" - Lk 16:26. He never crossed the great gulf into lowest hades.

We must conclude from the above Scriptures that hades is a place of conscious existence. See also Isa 14:9-11. They that deny it, explain away Lk 16:19-31, saying that it is a parable. Lazarus and Abraham are mentioned, but names are not given in parables. If that is a parable, is not Psa 16:9, 10 also a parable? Then is not Act 2:25-32 a parable? Nay. Peter declares boldly, "He (David) seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell (hades), neither His flesh did see corruption (in the grave). This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses" - Act 2:31, 32. Russellism (Jehovah Witnesses) denies Christ's resurrection. It says, "His human body may be somewhere, kept as a grand memorial, having been super- naturally removed." What blatant infidelity. It is plain where Russell went. "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." But God be praised eternally - "Now IS Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" - I Cor 15:16, 17, 20. The Truth gives us undisturbed rest, and thrills us with unspeakable joy, and fills us with an undying hope of seeing Jesus in His glorified body and of being with Him forever.

Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire continued on post #2 >
 
WHERE ARE THE DEAD TODAY?

Abraham, Lazarus, and the thief are not in hades today. Upper hades has been vacated. Lowest sheol, or hades, is still occupied by the wicked dead; and it will be so until the end of the Millennial reign of Christ. John wrote as if His reign were accomplished. He said, "But the rest of the dead (the wicked) lived not again until the thousand years were finished. And death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works" - Rev. 20:5, 13. Jesus Christ's body was in the grave three days only. His soul and spirit were in "the lower (not in the lowest) parts of the earth" for three days only - Eph. 4:9. Noah preached the Gospel for one hundred and twenty years while building the ark. Only his family believed unto salvation. When the multitudes saw that they would be drowned as he had warned, many of them repented and accepted his message and were saved from their sins; but they were not saved from drowning. Peter says that they "some- time were disobedient"; namely, before they repented - I Pet 3:20. They were in prison in upper hades. They were not in torment in a flame like the rich man. They did not ask Abraham to cool their tongues. But they were conscious, for Jesus preached unto them. What was His theme? We conjecture wisely that He announced to them that He was the Redeemer whom Noah proclaimed; and that He bore their sins on a Cross, and would presently be raised up to save all that should believe on Him. Doubtless, He promised also to take them out of that prison. Paul tells us what happened next.

"Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive (led a multitude of captives or prisoners), and gave gifts unto men." We would not understand this verse were it not for the apostle's parenthetical words. Mark God's parentheses - "Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts (Paradise, Abraham's bosom, the deep) of the earth?" - Eph 4:8-9. Peter has told us what Jesus did in that lower region. We infer reasonably that by leading a multitude of captives Jesus opened the gates of upper hades and caught away all its prisoners, from Adam and Eve until that hour, and took them to Heaven with Him. Having that vast throng with Him augmented "the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places (in the heavenlies)" - Eph. 1:19-20. There is an innumerable host of saved spirits in Heaven awaiting the resurrection of their bodies, including the antediluvian believers and the saved Israelites. The same Paul exclaimed, "I knew a man in Christ ... caught up to the third Heaven ... caught up into Paradise" - II Cor 12:2, 4. Before Jesus died, Paradise was down below. Now Paul locates it up in "the third Heaven." John also locates it on high - Rev 2:7 and Rev 22:2. Our text implies the same truth. Hell (hades) will come to an end. Meanwhile, until the Lord comes, the home of departed believers is in Heaven - the Paradise on high. The apostle says, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" - II Cor 5:8. Study the context. Also he wrote, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" - Php 1:23. Then he fills us with thrilling hope, by informing us of the resurrection and translation of the saints, in I Thessalonians Chapter Four and I Corinthians Chapter Fifteen. Jesus had said, "Occupy till I come" - Lk 19:13.

Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire continued on post #3 >
 
EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT

Our Lord counted the wickedness of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees so heinous that He pointed out their final doom first. He passed over their temporary imprisonment in hell (hades) - Mat 5:22, 29, 30. John learned the truth about the destiny of unbelievers from the Lord. The last four chapters, of the revelation made to him, furnish unanswerable proof that their punishment will have no end. The battle of Armageddon will end with the beast or anti-Christ, and the false prophet, cast alive into the lake of fire; and the remnant of the enemies of Christ slain by His mighty Word - Rev 19:19-21. Again we say that only the souls and spirits of men inhabit hell (hades), also fallen angels and demons; but men will dwell in the lake of fire in their bodies.

After one thousand years in prison in the pit of the abyss (lower hades), Satan will be hurled into the lake of fire to keep company with the beast and false prophet - "and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (into the ages of the ages)" - Rev 20:10. John says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it (dead bodies raised to life); and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them (that is, the bodies in graves and the souls in hades came forth for judgment): and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Note that there will be no more death nor hell after that, for "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" - Rev 20:12-15.

Death is separation. Men are dead in trespasses and sins, separated from God and light. The first death implied here is separation of the soul from the body, and the temporary abode is in hades. The second death is the lake of fire. Death is an enemy to Christ and His people. Hence, "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." The Christian shouts, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory?" - I Cor 15:26, 54, 55. Jesus said, "If any man eat of this Bread (Himself), he shall live for ever" - John 6:51, 58. He said to weeping Martha, "And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - Jn 11:26. "On such the second death hath no power" - Rev. 20:6. They will never be separated from God. Physical death to believers is not real death; it is a divinely protected sleep. Jesus said, "Lazarus sleepeth." "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" - I Thes 4:14. The Lord said, "Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" - Rev 21:5, 7.

Now mark the dismal eternal contrast. "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" - Rev 21:8. That state is "forever and ever," or into the ages of the ages (eis tous aionas ton aionon, Greek). Stop and think. Ask yourself these questions: What ages and how many will follow the Millennial period? How long will each one continue? Can we wonder why they are translated, "forever and ever?"

The devil is deceiving people continually and tripping them, by leading them to wrest the Scriptures from their contexts and thus giving wrong interpretations. Satan uses human reasoning’s to hurl men into gross errors. They deny and try to overthrow the final chapters of Revelation. Some teach that the wicked will be annihilated or burnt up literally. Destruction does not necessarily mean annihilation or utter extinction. The earth was destroyed by a flood, but it still exists. The final fire of Divine judgment in perdition will not be physical. Like the rich man in hell, men will suffer the pangs of remorse and regret, shut out from God's Presence with not the slightest hope of deliverance. "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, neither in this world (age), nor in that which is to come" - Mat 12:32 R. V. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever (into the ages of ages, Greek)" - Rev 14:11. Material fire would consume the bodies into ashes. The soul anguish of the rich man in hades is an earnest of the torments of the lost in the lake of fire.

Erroists make a great ado over the Hebrew word "olam" or "alam," and the Greek word "aion" and "aionios." They try to prove universal salvation by these words. It is true that "olam" and "aion" mean a space of time, a period, an age, a very long period, a period out of mind; that is, an age beyond human conception. The Greek "aionios" literally means "age-lasting," or "age-continuing." But, instead of these meanings contradicting our King James translation, they confirm it and make the facts plainer and more positive. Turn to some sample citations in your Bible and compare them with the original. The context determines the length of the period mentioned. "Have not forgiveness, neither in this age (the Church period), not in the coming one (the Millennium)" - Mat 12:32. "In the world (age) to come life everlasting (life age-lasting)" - Lk 18:30. Compare Heb 9:12. Jesus was addressing Israel. "God ... hath given us (Christians) everlasting (agelasting) consolation" - II Thes 2:16. "Unto all the generations of the age of the ages" - Eph. 3:21 R. V. These may refer to the Millennium. But Eph 2:7 reaches beyond that period - "That in the ages to come (Millennial and succeeding periods) He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

The Scriptures speak of past eternity and of future eternity. "The revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal" means the dispensations from Adam to Christ - Rom 16:25 R. V. "Before the world began (the ages of time)" - II Tim 1:9. This takes us back beyond Eph 1:4 - "Chosen us in Him before the foundation (or re-creation) of the world" - Genesis 1. Observe the phrase "life agelasting" (or eternal) in such citations as John 3:15, 16, 36 and Jn 5:24, where the age length is proven to be without end by the attendant words "should not perish." Jn 10:28 reads, "In no wise shall they perish for the age," which must be eternal. In Jn 6:40, 47, 54, 68 we have the assurance of "age-lasting life," by the fourth time utterance, "I will raise him up at the last day." Twice it is written, "He shall live for the age" (or, forever) - Jn 6:51,58. Jesus said also, "He that eateth Me (believeth), even he shall live by Me"; and "because I live, ye shall live also" - Jn 6:57 and Jn14:19. How long has He been living? How long will He live? As long as John wrote that the wicked would be punished - "unto ages of ages," and "unto the ages of the ages" - Rev 14:10-11 and Rev 20:10 R. V. Just so long we will praise Him - "To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore (unto all the ages). Amen!" - Jude 25 Revised Version.

People who are acquainted with the Bible and deny the eternal punishment of the wicked are not honest. If they mean what they say, then they are virtually saying that God and Jesus and saved folk also may have an end. If Divivne judgment of the wicked is not forever, then bliss and salvation are not forever, for the same duration terms are used of both. If Jesus Christ is the life that we receive in the new birth, and He is eternal, then every one who believes on Jesus has eternal life. On the other hand, that human logic which provides salvation for the lost by means of suffering in judgment flames must save the devil also, for he is God's creature. Men sweep away the repeated utterances of God's just wrath, saying that He is too merciful. But true believers agree with God and cry out, saying, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? For Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest" - Rev 6:17 and Rev 15:3-4.
 
People who are acquainted with the Bible and deny the eternal punishment of the wicked are not honest. If they mean what they say, then they are virtually saying that God and Jesus and saved folk also may have an end. If Divivne judgment of the wicked is not forever, then bliss and salvation are not forever, for the same duration terms are used of both. If Jesus Christ is the life that we receive in the new birth, and He is eternal, then every one who believes on Jesus has eternal life. On the other hand, that human logic which provides salvation for the lost by means of suffering in judgment flames must save the devil also, for he is God's creature. Men sweep away the repeated utterances of God's just wrath, saying that He is too merciful. But true believers agree with God and cry out, saying, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? For Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest" - Rev 6:17 and Rev 15:3-4.

Well, to be honest, it's because I studied the bible more and more that I came to the conclusion that indeed a person is destroyed in hell. I should say, a lake of fire. They become ashes and as if they never were. This is eternal punishment and everlasting fire, in which today we'd say "burnt up forever" in the English vernacular. If the person was not destroyed, then it would cease to be a second death, that is to say they have eternal life in misery. Someone who dies has no consciousness because they cease to exist. That's the intrinsic definition of death, and the bible states it over a zillion times about death, destruction and the perishing of the wicked.

The confusion can be untangled by understanding God's feast days, which were a prophetic forerunner of things to come, and the resurrections. Those who participate in the first resurrection are raised like Christ, as spirit beings who won't die the second death. The rest of the world will be raised physically after the millennium for the Great White Throne Judgment. (And yet a third for the wicked). Those who are not written in the book of Life (which means some will be) will be thrown in the lake of fire which will burn them up. Peter talks of the heavens and earth burning up. Scientifically, perhaps an impact to this earth so God can renovate it? This then becomes the lake of fire (the remaining righteous are thus transferred to glorious bodies as the church to live in the Kingdom of God in the new heaven and earth.)

On a side note, the concept of eternal agony in hell is contingent on "immortal soul" doctrine which the bible claims only God is immortal and gives immortality and eternal life. Those who are wicked and refuse God are destroyed and perish.
 
Well, to be honest, it's because I studied the bible more and more that I came to the conclusion that indeed a person is destroyed in hell. I should say, a lake of fire. They become ashes and as if they never were. This is eternal punishment and everlasting fire, in which today we'd say "burnt up forever" in the English vernacular. If the person was not destroyed, then it would cease to be a second death, that is to say they have eternal life in misery. Someone who dies has no consciousness because they cease to exist.

Please explain how a spirit can be burned up, or cease to exist.


JLB
 
Please explain how a spirit can be burned up, or cease to exist.


JLB

Read what I said carefully. I said they were raised physically. A physical person can perish in flames the same way a person who presently dies knows nothing.
 
Read what I said carefully. I said they were raised physically. A physical person can perish in flames the same way a person who presently dies knows nothing.

I agree.

We will be raised physically yet able to spiritually occupy both heaven and earth, just as Jesus does.

Physical matter won't restrict us such as doors, and physical fire won't affect us, just like Jesus.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste andspoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”

They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:24-25



From what I have read in the scriptures, spiritual fire does not consume like natural fire, otherwise God would burn us up when He indwells us.


And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2


JLB
 
EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT

Our Lord counted the wickedness of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees so heinous that He pointed out their final doom first. He passed over their temporary imprisonment in hell (hades) - Mat 5:22, 29, 30. John learned the truth about the destiny of unbelievers from the Lord. The last four chapters, of the revelation made to him, furnish unanswerable proof that their punishment will have no end. The battle of Armageddon will end with the beast or anti-Christ, and the false prophet, cast alive into the lake of fire; and the remnant of the enemies of Christ slain by His mighty Word - Rev 19:19-21. Again we say that only the souls and spirits of men inhabit hell (hades), also fallen angels and demons; but men will dwell in the lake of fire in their bodies.

After one thousand years in prison in the pit of the abyss (lower hades), Satan will be hurled into the lake of fire to keep company with the beast and false prophet - "and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (into the ages of the ages)" - Rev 20:10. John says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it (dead bodies raised to life); and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them (that is, the bodies in graves and the souls in hades came forth for judgment): and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Note that there will be no more death nor hell after that, for "death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" - Rev 20:12-15.

Death is separation. Men are dead in trespasses and sins, separated from God and light. The first death implied here is separation of the soul from the body, and the temporary abode is in hades. The second death is the lake of fire. Death is an enemy to Christ and His people. Hence, "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." The Christian shouts, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory?" - I Cor 15:26, 54, 55. Jesus said, "If any man eat of this Bread (Himself), he shall live for ever" - John 6:51, 58. He said to weeping Martha, "And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - Jn 11:26. "On such the second death hath no power" - Rev. 20:6. They will never be separated from God. Physical death to believers is not real death; it is a divinely protected sleep. Jesus said, "Lazarus sleepeth." "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" - I Thes 4:14. The Lord said, "Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" - Rev 21:5, 7.

Now mark the dismal eternal contrast. "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" - Rev 21:8. That state is "forever and ever," or into the ages of the ages (eis tous aionas ton aionon, Greek). Stop and think. Ask yourself these questions: What ages and how many will follow the Millennial period? How long will each one continue? Can we wonder why they are translated, "forever and ever?"

The devil is deceiving people continually and tripping them, by leading them to wrest the Scriptures from their contexts and thus giving wrong interpretations. Satan uses human reasoning’s to hurl men into gross errors. They deny and try to overthrow the final chapters of Revelation. Some teach that the wicked will be annihilated or burnt up literally. Destruction does not necessarily mean annihilation or utter extinction. The earth was destroyed by a flood, but it still exists. The final fire of Divine judgment in perdition will not be physical. Like the rich man in hell, men will suffer the pangs of remorse and regret, shut out from God's Presence with not the slightest hope of deliverance. "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, neither in this world (age), nor in that which is to come" - Mat 12:32 R. V. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever (into the ages of ages, Greek)" - Rev 14:11. Material fire would consume the bodies into ashes. The soul anguish of the rich man in hades is an earnest of the torments of the lost in the lake of fire.

Erroists make a great ado over the Hebrew word "olam" or "alam," and the Greek word "aion" and "aionios." They try to prove universal salvation by these words. It is true that "olam" and "aion" mean a space of time, a period, an age, a very long period, a period out of mind; that is, an age beyond human conception. The Greek "aionios" literally means "age-lasting," or "age-continuing." But, instead of these meanings contradicting our King James translation, they confirm it and make the facts plainer and more positive. Turn to some sample citations in your Bible and compare them with the original. The context determines the length of the period mentioned. "Have not forgiveness, neither in this age (the Church period), not in the coming one (the Millennium)" - Mat 12:32. "In the world (age) to come life everlasting (life age-lasting)" - Lk 18:30. Compare Heb 9:12. Jesus was addressing Israel. "God ... hath given us (Christians) everlasting (agelasting) consolation" - II Thes 2:16. "Unto all the generations of the age of the ages" - Eph. 3:21 R. V. These may refer to the Millennium. But Eph 2:7 reaches beyond that period - "That in the ages to come (Millennial and succeeding periods) He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

The Scriptures speak of past eternity and of future eternity. "The revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal" means the dispensations from Adam to Christ - Rom 16:25 R. V. "Before the world began (the ages of time)" - II Tim 1:9. This takes us back beyond Eph 1:4 - "Chosen us in Him before the foundation (or re-creation) of the world" - Genesis 1. Observe the phrase "life agelasting" (or eternal) in such citations as John 3:15, 16, 36 and Jn 5:24, where the age length is proven to be without end by the attendant words "should not perish." Jn 10:28 reads, "In no wise shall they perish for the age," which must be eternal. In Jn 6:40, 47, 54, 68 we have the assurance of "age-lasting life," by the fourth time utterance, "I will raise him up at the last day." Twice it is written, "He shall live for the age" (or, forever) - Jn 6:51,58. Jesus said also, "He that eateth Me (believeth), even he shall live by Me"; and "because I live, ye shall live also" - Jn 6:57 and Jn14:19. How long has He been living? How long will He live? As long as John wrote that the wicked would be punished - "unto ages of ages," and "unto the ages of the ages" - Rev 14:10-11 and Rev 20:10 R. V. Just so long we will praise Him - "To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore (unto all the ages). Amen!" - Jude 25 Revised Version.

People who are acquainted with the Bible and deny the eternal punishment of the wicked are not honest. If they mean what they say, then they are virtually saying that God and Jesus and saved folk also may have an end. If Divivne judgment of the wicked is not forever, then bliss and salvation are not forever, for the same duration terms are used of both. If Jesus Christ is the life that we receive in the new birth, and He is eternal, then every one who believes on Jesus has eternal life. On the other hand, that human logic which provides salvation for the lost by means of suffering in judgment flames must save the devil also, for he is God's creature. Men sweep away the repeated utterances of God's just wrath, saying that He is too merciful. But true believers agree with God and cry out, saying, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? For Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest" - Rev 6:17 and Rev 15:3-4.
Eugene,
Thank you, I'll et you already know that this is well structured ad will preach! It will clarify things for many, the ones whose ears are open.
 
I do agree that is a great article. Where was it found?

Does anyone here know in Christian studies what the study of Hell is called? There are Apologetics, Bibliology, Soteriology, and so forth.What is the title for the study of Hell? If there is one.
 
I do agree that is a great article. Where was it found?
Hi Sister Justicewolf, I’m sorry I didn’t include the URL address to the thread; reckon I’m getting old.
The following resources have been a treasure to me.

Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire (included in the Pamphlets and Articles below)
http://www.gracegod.com/pamphlet_and_articles/pamphlets/Death, Hell and the Lake of Fire.pdf

Study Books
http://www.gracegod.com/Study Books/study_books.html

Pamphlets and Articles
http://www.gracegod.com/pamphlet_and_articles/pamphlets_and_articles.html

NOTE: The Books, Pamphlets and Articles are in PDF format and can be read with the free Adobe Reader - I did not take the optional McAfee security and unchecked the offer
Blessings in Christ Jesus. :wave2
 
Well, to be honest, it's because I studied the bible more and more that I came to the conclusion that indeed a person is destroyed in hell. I should say, a lake of fire. They become ashes and as if they never were. This is eternal punishment and everlasting fire, in which today we'd say "burnt up forever" in the English vernacular. If the person was not destroyed, then it would cease to be a second death, that is to say they have eternal life in misery. Someone who dies has no consciousness because they cease to exist. That's the intrinsic definition of death, and the bible states it over a zillion times about death, destruction and the perishing of the wicked.

The confusion can be untangled by understanding God's feast days, which were a prophetic forerunner of things to come, and the resurrections. Those who participate in the first resurrection are raised like Christ, as spirit beings who won't die the second death. The rest of the world will be raised physically after the millennium for the Great White Throne Judgment. (And yet a third for the wicked). Those who are not written in the book of Life (which means some will be) will be thrown in the lake of fire which will burn them up. Peter talks of the heavens and earth burning up. Scientifically, perhaps an impact to this earth so God can renovate it? This then becomes the lake of fire (the remaining righteous are thus transferred to glorious bodies as the church to live in the Kingdom of God in the new heaven and earth.)

On a side note, the concept of eternal agony in hell is contingent on "immortal soul" doctrine which the bible claims only God is immortal and gives immortality and eternal life. Those who are wicked and refuse God are destroyed and perish.
Tim,
I hate doing this but Eugene gave scriptural address to make His and my case for Eternal Existence. The only instance I notice that he did not use is the one that a word picture must be drawn for people to understand what is being said and is being expressed and it is still rejected because of the Stiff Necks of the Church. But, such as it is, here it is: In the first two chapters we see God creating the World, the Universes ad mankind.

Now,when He creates mankind The Creator, God says, "Let us make man in Our Image!" The immediate problem is, what image? Do we look like God? Of course not, there are billions of us and most of us look nothing like the rest of us,that is not the Image of God, God is a spirit being. On the other hand, from the scriptures, Genesis 1:26, we discover Messiah/Creator saying that they (God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit determine to make man in their Image.

I confess, up front, though I am led, in this life, by the third person of the Triune God, I have never, with my natural eyes viewed an invisible Spirit. No, that is withheld until my spirit, the image of God! My spirit and the spirits of every other person on this earth is the , unlike the mis-beliefs of quite a lot of folks, is the image of God, it is Eternal, so is the spirit of every man, lost or saved.
 
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.


My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.








 
Hi Sister Justicewolf, I’m sorry I didn’t include the URL address to the thread; reckon I’m getting old.
The following resources have been a treasure to me.

Death, Hell, and the Lake of Fire (included in the Pamphlets and Articles below)
http://www.gracegod.com/pamphlet_and_articles/pamphlets/Death, Hell and the Lake of Fire.pdf

Study Books
http://www.gracegod.com/Study Books/study_books.html

Pamphlets and Articles
http://www.gracegod.com/pamphlet_and_articles/pamphlets_and_articles.html

NOTE: The Books, Pamphlets and Articles are in PDF format and can be read with the free Adobe Reader - I did not take the optional McAfee security and unchecked the offer
Blessings in Christ Jesus. :wave2
Thank you brother. I know a few of us have apparently looked for the sudy heading for Hell, but I've not yet found anything. Hell, damnation, after life suffering, no number of terms produce an actual bible studies discipline as do others. Thank you for those resources.

I want to add here that I just browsed through the Pamphlets link. That's going to be a lot of fun reading so much information. Great resource for bible study fans.
wavey.gif
Thank you for sharing those here.
 
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