Is annihilationism biblical?

[Andy C]

Annihilationism is the belief that unbelievers will not experience an eternity of suffering in hell, but will instead be “extinguished” after death. For many, annihilationism is an attractive belief because of the awfulness of the idea of people spending eternity in hell. While there are some passages that seem to argue for annihilationism, a comprehensive look at what the Bible says about the destiny of the wicked reveals the fact that punishment in hell is eternal. A belief in annihilationism results from a misunderstanding of one or more of the following doctrines: 1) the consequences of sin, 2) the justice of God, 3) the nature of hell.

In relation to the nature of hell, annihilationists misunderstand the meaning of the lake of fire. Obviously, if a human being were cast into a lake of burning lava, he/she would be almost instantly consumed. However, the lake of fire is both a physical and spiritual realm. It is not simply a human body being cast into the lake of fire; it is a human’s body, soul, and spirit. A spiritual nature cannot be consumed by physical fire. It seems that the unsaved are resurrected with a body prepared for eternity just as the saved are (Revelation 20:13; Acts 24:15). These bodies are prepared for an eternal fate.

Eternity is another aspect which annihilationists fail to fully comprehend. Annihilationists are correct that the Greek word aionion, which is usually translated “eternal,” does not by definition mean “eternal.” It specifically refers to an “age” or “eon,” a specific period of time. However, it is clear that in the New Testament, aionion is sometimes used to refer to an eternal length of time. Revelation 20:10 speaks of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet being cast into the lake of fire and being tormented “day and night forever and ever.” It is clear that these three are not “extinguished” by being cast into the lake of fire. Why would the fate of the unsaved be any different (Revelation 20:14-15)?

One evidence for the eternality of hell is Matthew 25:46, “Then they [the unsaved] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” In this verse, the same Greek word is used to refer to the destiny of the wicked and the righteous. If the wicked are only tormented for an “age,” then the righteous will only experience life in heaven for an “age.” If believers will be in heaven forever, unbelievers will be in hell forever.

Is annihilationism biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is annihilationism biblical? Is it heresy to believe the annihilation of the wicked after death? Is the suffering in Hell eternal, or only the flames?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Baby Yoda]

If the wicked are only tormented for an “age,” then the righteous will only experience life in heaven for an “age.” If believers will be in heaven forever, unbelievers will be in hell forever.

oh what a good point.

 

[LightOfMyLife]

Always stay true to Gods word. Do not add or take away from it.

 

[Anastacia]

This was a good point in the article: "Hell is perhaps a primary reason why God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins. Being “extinguished” after death is no fate to dread, but an eternity in hell most definitely is."

I cannot begin to even understand the concept of eternity, much less an eternity of separation from Him.
Sure, I'd like to believe in annihilationism because that's much easier to stomach. But I think a person would have to do imagination gymnastics to read into Scripture that we simply cease to exist and/or hell is temporary.

I don't understand why He made us to exist forever, but that was His perogative. Even thinking about hell is almost too sad to contemplate. I'm so thankful He conquered death and just keep praying for family and friends who still havent come to Him.

 

[Matthew6:33]

I think many of the Jews believe in annihilationism rather than hell.

 

[Goodboy]

So this death that the lake of fire represents is eternal death, this death will last for eternity.

So does it really matter if some call it Hell or the Lake of Fire?
The point of this thread is that where ever we end up it will last forever, which you seem to agree with.

 

[BB1956]

I believe it really matters if some call it Hell(Sheol; Hades) and others call it the Lake of Fire, because the scriptures themselves show they're not the same. The scriptures don't teach that Hell(Sheol; Hades) will exist for eternity, the scriptures teach that the Lake of Fire which the scriptures clearly teach is the second death, will continue for eternity. So its eternal death for the unrighteous/unfaithful that I believe will last for eternity.

 

[Matthew6:33]

This is my understanding according to what I remember from scripture...

Abraham's bosom (where the righteous went after death) doesn't exist anymore after the cross.

LOF does not exist YET (this will be after the judgement and will be eternal).

Hell/Sheol/Hades exist currently and that is where the unrighteous go after death until judgement (after this, it won't exist).

Satan and some demons still currently roam the Earth.

There is a place called Tartarus I believe that Satan/demons will be held for the Millenial Kingdom 1000 years. This place exists currently and only the demons/fallen angels that commingled with man before the flood inhabit it now.

It's complicated... lol

 

[Kaatje]

The different terms used in the Bible for heaven and hell—sheol, hades, gehenna, the lake of fire, paradise, and Abraham’s bosom—are the subject of much debate and can be confusing.

The word paradise is used as a synonym for heaven (2 Corinthians 12:3–4; Revelation 2:7). When Jesus was dying on the cross and one of the thieves being crucified with Him asked Him for mercy, Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus knew that His death was imminent and that He would soon be in heaven with His Father. In His words of comfort to the penitent thief, Jesus used paradise as a synonym for heaven, and the word has come to be associated with any place of ideal loveliness and delight.

Abraham’s bosom is referred to only once in the Bible—in the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19–31). Abraham’s lap was used in the Talmud as a synonym for heaven (Seder Nashim, Kiddushin 72b). The image in the story is of Lazarus reclining at a table leaning on Abraham’s breast—as John leaned on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper—at the heavenly banquet. The point of the story is that wicked men will see the righteous in a happy state, while they themselves are in torment, and that a “great gulf” that can never be spanned exists between them (Luke 16:26). Abraham’s bosom is obviously a place of peace, rest, and joy—in other words, paradise.

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent to sheol is hades, which is also a general reference to “the place of the dead.” Sheol/hades is divided into a place of blessing (where Lazarus was in Luke 16) and a place of torment (where the rich man was in Luke 16). Sheol also seems to be a temporary place where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection. The souls of the righteous, at death, go directly into the presence of God—the part of sheol called “heaven,” “paradise,” or “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23).

The Greek word gehenna is used in the New Testament for “hell” (see Matthew 5:29; 23:33). The word is derived from the Hebrew word ge-hinnom, which designated a valley south of Jerusalem—a repulsive place where trash and refuse were burned. Jesus referenced Gehenna as a symbol of the place of judgment after death.

The lake of fire, mentioned only in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41). It is described as a place of burning sulfur, and those in it experience eternal, unspeakable agony of an unrelenting nature (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:45-46). Those who have rejected Christ and are in the temporary abode of the dead in hades/sheol have the lake of fire as their final destination.

But those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life should have no fear of this terrible fate. By faith in Christ and His blood shed on the cross for our sins, we are destined to live eternally in the presence of God.

What is the difference between Sheol, Hades, Hell, the lake of fire, Paradise, and Abraham’s bosom? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between Sheol, Hades, Hell, the lake of fire, Paradise, and Abraham’s bosom? What are all the different realms of the dead?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[AnyMinute]

Most people understand that in the beginning scripture was written in Hebrew, and Aramaic. Sheol was the Hebrew word used that represented the common grave of mankind, which when a righteous or unrighteous human being died went to this placed called Sheol, where everyone slept in death waiting for a resurrection, back to life. So there is going to be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous, from Sheol. There was no consciousness there, no one could feel happiness or misery there because the righteous and unrighteous sleep in death, waiting to be resurrected back to life.

The words of Jesus given in Luke 16:19-31 would seem to disagree with this statement. I don't believe this is a parable as some do but regardless, the message is clear. There was/is consciousness, memory, use of their faculties, and even worse, a realization of their eternal separation from God and the consequences of denying the only method of salvation.

But just as Sheol and Hades represented a place where both the righteous and unrighteous went to when a human being died and slept in death, waiting for a resurrection, back to life, Hell also represents a place where both the, righteous and unrighteous go to when they die and wait for a resurrection back to life.

The righteous and unrighteous were always separated after physical death, Lazarus with Abraham in his bosom Luke16:23 and the rich man in a place of torment separated by a gulf. This was also pre-cross. Since the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, the righteous immediately enter into the presence of Jesus upon physical death.

 

[Andy C]

Since the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, the righteous immediately enter into the presence of Jesus upon physical death.

Amen to this, and thank you Jesus.

 

[LightOfMyLife]

Amen to this, and thank you Jesus.

The moment we die our Spirit goes in the presence of the Lord, and at the we get our glorified bodies.

 

[Andy C]

The moment we die our Spirit goes in the presence of the Lord, and at the we get our glorified bodies.

Yes, Spiritual body if we die now, Glorified body at the rapture. The early Christians have been living in their Spiritual body for almost 2000 years, time for a change….

 

[AnyMinute]

HI BB1956- I'm not entirely sure how to post links here yet but I'll try this one.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Luke-16-19-31-parable.html

I did acknowledge that some believe the story of the rich man and Lazarus to be a parable, though many don't.
Parable or not, I agree with you that Jesus was teaching and those passages along with many other scriptures clearly teach a conscious awareness at all times after physical death for both the righteous and unrighteous alike. No soul sleep, no annihilationism.

Clearly your view on this topic is being challenged here so I won't belabor that point. I am curious though what you do believe Jesus was teaching, you only seemed to express what scholars say He wasn't teaching.
I mean no disrespect, I'm just interested in your thoughts.

 

[mattfivefour]

It is acknowledged to be a parable by scholars.

By SOME scholars. And not the majority of Bible-believing scholars.

But honestly this entire discussion inevitably and invariably devolves into an argument about the meanings of words. Not only does it therefore become unprofitable, but in my opinion overly-complicated. It also involves bringing our own ideas about the meaning of words to the task and consequently ignores or at least confuses the actual meaning of Scripture. I believe the Word of God is specific enough about key scriptures that we can begin any examination of a vital doctrine at a specific place, and that all subsequent discussions or ideas must be interpreted in light of that initial teaching.

In the case of the eternal fate of believers and unbelievers, I think the clearest explanation can be found in Matthew 25:46. In a literal translation from the koiné Greek, it quotes Jesus Himself as saying, "And these will go away into punishment eternal, but the righteous into life eternal." The very same word is used for both "eternals"; so the only thing that differs between the unrighteous and the righteous is the place in which they wind up: the duration of their fate is the same.

If the punishment of the unrighteous comes to an end, then so does the reward of the righteous. And, for that matter, so does the glory of God, for the word translated "eternal" (αἰώνιος) is the same when used to describe all three things. In fact, it is the very same word used to describe the eternal God.

Now I know there are some people who love to argue a Greek they do not fully understand to say that αἰώνιος actually means the end of the age, but they are wrong. Even in secular and judicial writings and decrees, αἰώνιος is always used with the sense of the Latin perpetuum which means constant, uninterrupted, permanent.

So, respectfully, people can argue about the meanings of words, attempting to support their own views that they bring to Scripture rather than allowing Scripture to explain itself. Initially in my early Scripture studies decades ago I, too, was temporarily swayed by the idea of the judgment of the damned having an end. After all, I reckoned, wouldn't that be merciful? And God is, surely, merciful. But that was bringing my own ideas to Scripture, and a deeper study of the subject led me to change my mind. Exegesis must always trump eisegesis. We must allow the Bible to lead us, not us to lead the Bible. On the subject of the meaning of eternal, the Bible is clear, from the very mouth of God Himself: He is eternal, His glory is eternal, His kingdom is eternal, the life of the righteous in Christ is eternal, and the punishment of those who reject Christ is eternal.

 

[Andy C]

Exegesis must always trump eisegesis. We must allow the Bible to lead us, not us to lead the Bible. On the subject of the meaning of eternal, the Bible is clear, from the very mouth of God Himself: He is eternal, His glory is eternal, His kingdom is eternal, the life of the righteous in Christ is eternal, and therefore the punishment of those who reject Christ is eternal.

Excellent!

 

[Anastacia]

"...to be cast into hell where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:43-48

I've practically lost track of all the different contentions here, like rewards are eternal, but punishment is not, that hell/hades/sheol is not the lake of fire, what constitutes punishment, that the soul is or is not separate from the physical body.

This is interesting but getting pretty complicated to pick a part what seemed clear cut to me. But, I thought I'd add the verse in Mark 9 to demonstrate how Jesus describes eternal punishment.

 

[AnyMinute]

"...to be cast into hell where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:43-48

I've practically lost track of all the different contentions here, like rewards are eternal, but punishment is not, that hell/hades/sheol is not the lake of fire, what constitutes punishment, that the soul is or is not separate from the physical body.

This is interesting but getting pretty complicated to pick a part what seemed clear cut to me. But, I thought I'd add the verse in Mark 9 to demonstrate how Jesus describes eternal punishment.

Yes I understand why you may be getting confused. BB1956 is applying a faulty interpretation of some passages (in my opinion) and trying to use that to build a doctrine from a faulty premise.

I'm sure you've heard this before but try and remember the common sense Golden Rule of Interpretation.

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” –Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965)


When we allow an unwarranted allegorical or symbolic interpretation to muddy the clear meaning of scripture(s) we can go into all kinds of heresies and false doctrine.
I think most if not all of us have had to try and unlearn some of the tortured interpretations out there that we may have been taught at one time or another.

 

[mattfivefour]

Anastacia said,

"...to be cast into hell where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:47, 48

I've practically lost track of all the different contentions here, like rewards are eternal, but punishment is not, that hell/hades/shell is not the lake of fire, what constitutes punishment, that the soul is or is not separate from the physical body.

This is interesting but getting pretty complicated to pick a part what seemed clear cut to me. But, I thought I'd add the verse in Mark 9 to demonstrate how Jesus describes eternal punishment.

[/QUOTE

First let me say this, no one who believes in fiery torment plucks his eyes out when his eyes look with covetousness, yet that is exactly what such a person should do if he/she takes this scripture literally and wants to avoid eternal roasting in fire. If the undying worms and the unquenchable fire are literal dangers to be avoided then the saving remedy must be literally applied. But no sane believer in eternal torment chops off a hand or a foot or plucks out an eye because those members are involved in his/her sinning. The language is symbolical, including the part about the worms and fire.

If we compare Jesus’ words with the final verse at Isaiah 66:24. It seems apparent to me that Jesus was alluding to the text in Isaiah chapter 66 verse 24. The prophet there apparently refers to going out “of Jerusalem to the surrounding Hinnom Valley (Gehenna), where human sacrifice was once practiced (Jeremiah 7:31) and which eventually became the city’s refuse heap.” The symbolism at Isaiah 66:24 clearly is not that of people being tortured; it speaks of carcasses. What it refers to as not dying is worms—not live humans or immortal souls. What, then, is the import of Jesus’ words?

In a comment on Mark 9:48 in the Catholic work El evangelio de Marcos. Análisis lingüístico y comentario exegético, Volume II: "the phrase is taken from Isaiah (66,24). There the prophet shows the two ways corpses were usually destroyed: putrefaction and incineration . . . The juxtaposition in the text of maggots and fire reinforces the idea of destruction. . . . Both destructive forces are described as permanent (‘is not quenched, does not die’): there is simply no way to escape them. In this image, the only survivors are the maggot and the fire—not man—and they both annihilate anything that falls within their power. Hence, this is not a description of everlasting torment, but one of total destruction which, as it prevents resurrection from occurring, is tantamount to final death. [Fire] is, then, a symbol of annihilation.”

You have a fascinating view of death ... both the first and the second. But, respectfully, none of it is drawn from Scripture but from a) your own ideas and b) a " linguistic analysis" of Mark from a scripturally corrupt source. But let's avoid chasing down endless rabbit holes by arguing about the meanings of this word or that word. I could present an entire scriptural study on this subject here, but at this moment I am in far too much pain to undertake that task, just as I am two other subjects which I have been asked to explain on this forum.

So, instead, starting from your earlier reply to me where you said we agree that rewards and punishments are eternal, but disagree with me on where and how the punishment of the wicked occurs, let's cut to the final thought in your response above-- your view that the Lake of Fire "which is the second death" refers to annihilation, and therefore sinners who are cast into the Lake of Fire are annihilated by it, ceasing to exist.

Let me ask you one question. If sinners are in fact annihilated by the Lake of Fire (because that is what you say it means), then why when Satan is cast into that same Lake of Fire where he joins the Beast and the False Prophet are they not annihilated by it? Rather, Scripture (Revelation 20:10) says that they are all "tormented there day and night forever and ever (βασανισθήσονται ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων)." Why are the three mentioned above tortured forever by the Lake of Fire but everyone else is annihilated by it?

I await your reply.

 

[Goodboy]

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” –Dr. David L. Cooper (1886-1965)

This statement cannot be said loud enough!!! I have stated something similar which is Never allow what is implied to override that which is clearly stated!!!