The Bible is full of references to the ultimate destruction of the enemies of God. Many NT references which seem to support eternal torment use language from the OT that signifies total destruction. Whereas most people see eternal torment, the Bible uses them as complete annihilation. Let’s look at a few words and their scriptural passage that many use
Here are a few of the most common verses that many have derived the concept of eternal torment from:
Taking these verses alone without proper cross referencing, or ignoring the use of metaphorical language can give us the impression that eternal torment is valid. However, the Bible must be taken as a whole and all things looked at to come to a proper conclusion. When we hold these verses up to proper scrutiny, we see that it harmonizes with the rest of scripture that show that man has a mortal ‘soul’ and that it will be destroyed. The words 'eternal', 'everlasting', and 'forever' are used three ways in the Bible:
1) To apply to whom it is speaking about
2) In its results and continuity, not in its duration
3) As an unspecified length of time.
To ignore this is to put our own preconceived ideas into the text rather than understand the ancient context of which it is use is to come away with a skewed interpretation other than what is written. The mention of such phrases as "unquenchable fire", "eternal fire", "worm dieth not", "forever and ever", "smoke ascendeth up forever" are all used in the OT to signify absolute and utter destruction. The drawing of this language from the OT for use in the NT shows that it is to mean the same thing.
OT Language of Destruction
These verses from the OT are familiar with what we find in all the above verses.
The importance of this verse and what it is saying and therefore the proper context in explaining Revelation 14 cannot be missed, folks!
This was describing the destruction of Edom that occurred thousands of years ago. Its not burning today is it? Notice the language used is exactly like that in Revelation and other parts of the Bible to describe the finality of the wicked's punishment. The smoke ascending up is figurative of the totality of the destruction. It ascends up and is forever gone. The expressions "night or day" show the continuity of the punishment, not the duration. It burns continually until it is finished its work.
Eternal Fire
Look at the use of phrase “eternal fireâ€Â.
Notice that S&G are not burning now. The fire was eternal in its results, not in its duration. Even if the fire itself was eternal or everlasting, it is a stretch of logic and science to say that what is thrown in the fire is eternal as well. The wicked are mortal and do not have immortal souls, therefore they will burn for a time and then be gone. It has also been suggested that the lake of fire is symbolic of utter destruction and not a literal place. Why? Note that the beast, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. In Revelation and Daniel, the beast is a religio-political power. Death and hell are concepts. How does one throw these into a lake of fire?
Forever and ever
In the scriptures, ‘forever’ is dependent on what it is referring to. Look at this verse from 1 Samuel:
This was when Samuel was given to the high priest, Eli, to serve God. Forever is a relative term. We see this reference in the OT of servants serving their master "forever". Here it means as long as life lasts. When 'forever' speaks about God or the saved, it means eternal because they have eternal life. However, when speaking about the wicked, they are mortal because of sin. Therefore, forever is temporary because the wages of sin is death. They are not immortal, therefore cannot burn eternally.
Revelation 20:10 should read like this,
Eternal and Everlasting
In Matthew 25:46 the word used for eternal and everlasting is ‘aionos’. Some will say that because the same word is used to describe the fates of the wicked and righteous, they must both stand together as literally eternity. This belief does not take into account three things:
1) ‘aionos’ can mean ‘age lasting’, or ‘an unspecified period of time’
2) It does not say ‘everlasting punishing’ but ‘everlasting punishment’
3) The wicked do not have immortal souls or eternal life
Notice that there is a contrast here as is used continually in the scriptures to show differences. Eternal life vs everlasting punishment. The more they are opposite the better. That punishment is death and it will last forever. There is no resurrection or redemption from it.
Here we have an example of the Bible’s use of comparisons to show the complete opposites of each other. The opposite of life is death, not eternal suffering. As mentioned above, when eternal or everlasting applies to the righteous it means for eternity because they are given immortality. However, ‘aionos’ when applying to wicked shows that ‘aionos’ would be temporary.
The Worm Dieth Not and Unquenchable Fire
When the Bible uses ‘unquenchable fire’ it is to show that the fire cannot be put out and will burn as long as there is something to burn. For however long it lasts, there will be no interruption, nor any chance of quenching the fire. This does not mean that it will not go out, just that it will do its work uninterrupted as long as life lasts. See this usage in Jeremiah as well.
This occurred when Babylon sacked Jerusalem. Obviously, Jerusalem's gates still aren't burning, are they? No because unquenchable does not mean that the fires will not go out, but that they cannot be put out.
We have seen that unquenchable fire shows the continuity and finality of the punishment. Notice that these verses are used together for the same purpose. It is logical that the phrase “the worm dieth not†is also used in the same fashion. Again, notice the OT reference.
This verse explains the finality and disgustingness of death and the obliteration of God’s enemies. To apply the ‘worm dieth not’ to mean the eternal torment of an immortal soul is to ignore the metaphorical language used by the OT writers from which John the Revelator drew his imagery. Also it is to make it seem that there will actually be eternal worms feeding on the ‘soul’. The worms would have to be immortal as well. How this is possible defies any logical reasoning.
Rather, the worms are to be understood in the same concept of unquenchable fire: they will continue their work uninterrupted until the job is done. They cannot be squashed or die naturally until their work is finished. That makes this imagery support annihilation even more than eternal torment because nothing can stop the work of the fire and worm. They will completely eradicate what they are feeding on. Hence, these verses support annihilation and not eternal torment as is initially thought!
Consuming and devouring
What do these words mean? The fires at the end of time will do exactly this. What does it mean to 'be consumed'? Simply put, it means to be 'burnt up'
(See Malachi 4:1,3, and 2 Peter 3:10)
Does the bible support this view? Yes! Look at Exodus 3:2
Do you see this? Even though the bush was burning, it didn't burn up! It was not consumed! To be consumed is to be burned up! The fire that comes down from heaven 'devours/consumes' the wicked. The OPPOSITE of consuming is to burn continually.
Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth
Some say that Matthew 13:50 shows the eternal torment of the wicked. How could they be wailing and gnashing their teeth if they are destroyed? First of all, this is probably explaining the frustration and mental pain of being separated from God rather than from the actual fire. Regardless, even if it were, it still doesn’t mean that this would be eternal. There will be torment and there will be pain, but it will eventually end.
Folks, I haven't even gotten into
1) most of the annihilation texts in the scriptures
2) the word studies of the biblical usage of the word 'death', 'destroy', 'perish' and 'destruction'. Needless to say that these words when used in the final reward of the wicked do not denote 'eternal torment'.
3) the judicial, moral, cosmic or logical fallacies of the traditional view of hell and eternal torment
This is merely scriptural refutation of the traditional interpretation of the 'eternal torment' passages people use.
The truth of our loving God's character is there to see folks. Let's stop besmirching it to the world while contradictoraly calling our God a 'God of love'. The two are not compatible. Plain and simple.
Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy post. I pray that it will move your hearts and cause the scales to fall from your eyes.
Here are a few of the most common verses that many have derived the concept of eternal torment from:
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever – Revelation 20:10
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night – Revelation 14:10.11
And if thy hand offend thee, cut if off. It is better for thee to enter into like maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched – Mark 9:43, 44
Then shall He say unto them on the left hand; Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life - Matthew 25:46
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world....So shall it be at the end of this world. The angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and shall cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth - Matthew 13:40,49,50
Taking these verses alone without proper cross referencing, or ignoring the use of metaphorical language can give us the impression that eternal torment is valid. However, the Bible must be taken as a whole and all things looked at to come to a proper conclusion. When we hold these verses up to proper scrutiny, we see that it harmonizes with the rest of scripture that show that man has a mortal ‘soul’ and that it will be destroyed. The words 'eternal', 'everlasting', and 'forever' are used three ways in the Bible:
1) To apply to whom it is speaking about
2) In its results and continuity, not in its duration
3) As an unspecified length of time.
To ignore this is to put our own preconceived ideas into the text rather than understand the ancient context of which it is use is to come away with a skewed interpretation other than what is written. The mention of such phrases as "unquenchable fire", "eternal fire", "worm dieth not", "forever and ever", "smoke ascendeth up forever" are all used in the OT to signify absolute and utter destruction. The drawing of this language from the OT for use in the NT shows that it is to mean the same thing.
OT Language of Destruction
These verses from the OT are familiar with what we find in all the above verses.
And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night or day, the smoke there shall go up forever from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it forever and ever - Isaiah 34:9,10
The importance of this verse and what it is saying and therefore the proper context in explaining Revelation 14 cannot be missed, folks!
This was describing the destruction of Edom that occurred thousands of years ago. Its not burning today is it? Notice the language used is exactly like that in Revelation and other parts of the Bible to describe the finality of the wicked's punishment. The smoke ascending up is figurative of the totality of the destruction. It ascends up and is forever gone. The expressions "night or day" show the continuity of the punishment, not the duration. It burns continually until it is finished its work.
Eternal Fire
Look at the use of phrase “eternal fireâ€Â.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire - Jude 7
Notice that S&G are not burning now. The fire was eternal in its results, not in its duration. Even if the fire itself was eternal or everlasting, it is a stretch of logic and science to say that what is thrown in the fire is eternal as well. The wicked are mortal and do not have immortal souls, therefore they will burn for a time and then be gone. It has also been suggested that the lake of fire is symbolic of utter destruction and not a literal place. Why? Note that the beast, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. In Revelation and Daniel, the beast is a religio-political power. Death and hell are concepts. How does one throw these into a lake of fire?
Forever and ever
In the scriptures, ‘forever’ is dependent on what it is referring to. Look at this verse from 1 Samuel:
I will not go up until the child be weaned and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord and there abide forever...Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:22,28
This was when Samuel was given to the high priest, Eli, to serve God. Forever is a relative term. We see this reference in the OT of servants serving their master "forever". Here it means as long as life lasts. When 'forever' speaks about God or the saved, it means eternal because they have eternal life. However, when speaking about the wicked, they are mortal because of sin. Therefore, forever is temporary because the wages of sin is death. They are not immortal, therefore cannot burn eternally.
Revelation 20:10 should read like this,
They are cast into the lake of fire where they shall be tormented continually until their life ends
Eternal and Everlasting
In Matthew 25:46 the word used for eternal and everlasting is ‘aionos’. Some will say that because the same word is used to describe the fates of the wicked and righteous, they must both stand together as literally eternity. This belief does not take into account three things:
1) ‘aionos’ can mean ‘age lasting’, or ‘an unspecified period of time’
2) It does not say ‘everlasting punishing’ but ‘everlasting punishment’
3) The wicked do not have immortal souls or eternal life
Notice that there is a contrast here as is used continually in the scriptures to show differences. Eternal life vs everlasting punishment. The more they are opposite the better. That punishment is death and it will last forever. There is no resurrection or redemption from it.
The wages of sin is death...BUT the gift of God is eternal life - Romans 6:23
Here we have an example of the Bible’s use of comparisons to show the complete opposites of each other. The opposite of life is death, not eternal suffering. As mentioned above, when eternal or everlasting applies to the righteous it means for eternity because they are given immortality. However, ‘aionos’ when applying to wicked shows that ‘aionos’ would be temporary.
The Worm Dieth Not and Unquenchable Fire
When the Bible uses ‘unquenchable fire’ it is to show that the fire cannot be put out and will burn as long as there is something to burn. For however long it lasts, there will be no interruption, nor any chance of quenching the fire. This does not mean that it will not go out, just that it will do its work uninterrupted as long as life lasts. See this usage in Jeremiah as well.
But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath Day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched - Jeremiah 17:27
This occurred when Babylon sacked Jerusalem. Obviously, Jerusalem's gates still aren't burning, are they? No because unquenchable does not mean that the fires will not go out, but that they cannot be put out.
Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched – Mark 9: 44
We have seen that unquenchable fire shows the continuity and finality of the punishment. Notice that these verses are used together for the same purpose. It is logical that the phrase “the worm dieth not†is also used in the same fashion. Again, notice the OT reference.
And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me. For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched. And they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. Isaiah 66:24
This verse explains the finality and disgustingness of death and the obliteration of God’s enemies. To apply the ‘worm dieth not’ to mean the eternal torment of an immortal soul is to ignore the metaphorical language used by the OT writers from which John the Revelator drew his imagery. Also it is to make it seem that there will actually be eternal worms feeding on the ‘soul’. The worms would have to be immortal as well. How this is possible defies any logical reasoning.
Rather, the worms are to be understood in the same concept of unquenchable fire: they will continue their work uninterrupted until the job is done. They cannot be squashed or die naturally until their work is finished. That makes this imagery support annihilation even more than eternal torment because nothing can stop the work of the fire and worm. They will completely eradicate what they are feeding on. Hence, these verses support annihilation and not eternal torment as is initially thought!
Consuming and devouring
What do these words mean? The fires at the end of time will do exactly this. What does it mean to 'be consumed'? Simply put, it means to be 'burnt up'
(See Malachi 4:1,3, and 2 Peter 3:10)
Does the bible support this view? Yes! Look at Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed - Exodus 3:2
Do you see this? Even though the bush was burning, it didn't burn up! It was not consumed! To be consumed is to be burned up! The fire that comes down from heaven 'devours/consumes' the wicked. The OPPOSITE of consuming is to burn continually.
Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth
Some say that Matthew 13:50 shows the eternal torment of the wicked. How could they be wailing and gnashing their teeth if they are destroyed? First of all, this is probably explaining the frustration and mental pain of being separated from God rather than from the actual fire. Regardless, even if it were, it still doesn’t mean that this would be eternal. There will be torment and there will be pain, but it will eventually end.
Folks, I haven't even gotten into
1) most of the annihilation texts in the scriptures
2) the word studies of the biblical usage of the word 'death', 'destroy', 'perish' and 'destruction'. Needless to say that these words when used in the final reward of the wicked do not denote 'eternal torment'.
3) the judicial, moral, cosmic or logical fallacies of the traditional view of hell and eternal torment
This is merely scriptural refutation of the traditional interpretation of the 'eternal torment' passages people use.
The truth of our loving God's character is there to see folks. Let's stop besmirching it to the world while contradictoraly calling our God a 'God of love'. The two are not compatible. Plain and simple.
Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy post. I pray that it will move your hearts and cause the scales to fall from your eyes.