Butch5
I've shown that aionios doesn't mean eternal or forever.
It can refer to an age that ends, but the phrase "ages of ages" in Revelation 11:15 says Christ's Kingdom is "forever". Therefore, it means "forever" in Revelation 20:10 also.
καὶ βασανισθήσονται ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. (Rev. 20:10 BYZ)
and they shall be tormented, day and night, unto the ages of ages. (Rev. 20:10 ROT)
Ἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ κόσμου, τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν, καὶ τοῦ χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ βασιλεύσει εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. (Rev. 11:15 BYZ)
The kingdom of the world, hath become [the kingdom] of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign unto the ages of ages. (Rev. 11:15 ROT)
Confirming "forever" is meant, "day and night" means "unceasing" requiring the torment be "forever" or it would "cease."
Butch5
Not to mention that Revelation is a book of symbolism. Any passage you post from Revelation would need to be established as literal and figurative.
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev. 20:10 NKJ)
The "lake of fire" is figurative for the "second death" (Rev. 20:14),which means it is the "death from which no resurrection occurs in scripture."
Therefore, anything (Death, Hades) or anyone cast into the "Lake of Fire" will never return.
The Devil, Beast and False Prophet are literal persons, therefore their suffering the "second death" literally means they will never return. They remain conscious of their surroundings because scripture testifies their "torment" is "unceasing", "day and night forever and ever".
The symbolism of being cast into a "Lake of Fire" refers to a torment that is like being submerged in fire.
Butch5
Then the passage you quote from Mark is speaking of dead bodies burning, not living people. You read into the text what isn't there.
If Gehenna were a place of annihilation, then drowning in the sea would NOT be better.
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. (Mk. 9:42 NKJ)
Butch5
The passage says the fire is not quenched. It doesn't say it won't go out.
Nothing quenches Gehenna fire, even time won't put it out.
Butch5
What in the world the worm has to do with whether or not the people are eternal is beyond me.
These resurrected bodies of the wicked once conveyed sinful pleasure to wicked souls. Now they convey the torment of being "eaten alive" by undying worms and "burning in unquenchable fire".
Butch5
Even if the fire didn't go out, it doesn't necessitate that people burn forever. a fire burns up its fuel. The fuel doesn't just burn forever.
Just as a stone can burn forever in fire, so also can the wicked burn forever:
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 "There is no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked. (Isa. 57:20-21 NKJ)
Therefore, your teaching Satan, the False Prophet and the Beast will have eternal peace, is wrong according to the scriptures.
It is written, those who walk in light of their own making, will lie down in torment:
Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled-- This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment. (Isa. 50:11 NKJ)
