annihilation errors
Problems with annihilation view is it is not biblical.
Advocates of Annihilation think/claim "the effects of the punishment is eternal, not the punishment itself. That the effects of the unquenchable fire is not that the fire goes on forever; just that it is unquenchable until it does it's work."
But... If theyre in sin, it will be that way in eternity too: 1. its continual gnashing towards God, hate and anger, so their sin continues inexhaustibly even there. Also remember, 2. there was only hope for salvation while alive. Scripture is clear. Flee to Christ while alive before you die, or its eternal Hell to pay. 3. The human soul is eternal.
If Annihilation was true why did God create Sheol or Gehenna, and why are their spirits in Sheol (Hades) there now? I think the warning of eternal punishment is to take away (and make real) that the consequences are so bad that to consider any way out (before death) besides saving faith in Jesus is a bad decision. Belief in (and worst, faith in) annihilationism could be a response of a sinner "not" wanting to change (or take responsibility of their sinful actions) because [of a false mindset that] it won't matter anyway.
When Jesus said to His disciples that, "It would be better for (Judas) the man who is betraying Him, to not have been born" (I'm paraphrasing). It wouldn't make any sense for it to be better for Judas to have not been born while also eventually not existing. It only makes sense that Jesus is saying not existing is better than eternity in Hell which Judas will experience. Jesus only thinks about eternity when speaking about the afterlife. And that's because we live forever after we die. The soul is eternal.
Wouldn't it follow too that if a Christian who comes to faith in Jesus Christ and therefore has eternal life in heaven, those who reject that sacrifice and gift have exustence of an eternal death apart from God prepared for the "devil and his angels" in hell? Apart from good and blessing existence, thus only facing His wrath for eternity?
You will live eternally with God, or away from him. There isn't a chance where you will cease to exist, cuz then God wouldn't be truly just in the punishment of sin.
Mark 9:43-44
43] And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for vou to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, and where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
Revelation 20:14-15
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 21:6-8
Then He said to me, "They are done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Destruction and death doesnt mean non existence, it means existing in a unsaved/ non redeemable state for eternity.
Notice also, in Matthew 25:46 it compares eternal punishment and eternal life. If eternal punishment has an end (which would be annihilation) then you have to believe eternal life would have an end. Annihilation is a false teaching. Cults like JW were literally created because of false teachings like this, cuz the founder didn't like the idea of Hell.
All false religions want to reduce the punishment of rejection of Christ and SIN.
Looking at a few verses before we dive into the topic more clearly...
Genesis 3:22 "Then Yahweh God said, "Behold the man has become like one of Us to know good and evil: and now. lest he send forth his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever. Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden a, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken." If they eat the tree of life after they ate the knowlegde of good and evil tree, they'd be like living decaying zombies rotting in the human flesh. Death is a grace as it moves us into new bodies, eternal ones. Death doesnt mean non existance. Death just moves our soul to another location. There is no hope for those in Hell and thats why it is called the 2nd death, theres no hope of escaping it - eternally. No hope of salvation to free them from there.
They have a permanent spiritual death; relationship severed by God. Only experiencing His Wrath (eternally).
Sin is that serious. Their sin against an infinite eternal God will be met with eternal punishment. That punishment fits the crime. Theres no hope (not even for those to be saved and live in bliss) if they die in their sins. That eternal existence is simply lived out in punishment of God's wrath on them which never extinguishes, and they exist in torment under a just wrath.
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10:28
"The thing to be feared is not the first but the second death, not the parting of the soul from the body but the separation of the entire man from God. This is death indeed. This death kills all peace, joy, happiness, hope. When God is gone, all is gone. Such a death is far worse than ceasing to be : it is existence without the life which makes existence worth the having
--Spurgeon, "No Fear of Death, Faith's Checkbook".
Annihilationism def presents a false understanding of God, and can lead to heresy if not is heresy. Theres so many problems w this annihilation view including how it damages the (or presents a false) Gospel.
Adam was in human form, had a soul in that body what died was his spiritual life connection to God and later would also be death from that body, and upon death [as NT reveals] there will be a time in end times where everyone recieves a new eternal body; those who die in Christ recieve a non sin stained one, and those who died in their sins get an eternal one fit for their existing in eternal death - stuck as they are. Not non existence, but not having that right fellowship with God by Christ our restorer & Savior. True life true living is blessed for the believer in eternity, but only living a wrath filled punishment existence in Hell Lake forever. It isnt actual fire, nor a way to destroy a soul, its symbolicly ilustrative of the type of existence theyll live.
In Luke 16: 23 Jesus tells if the rich man begs Lazarus for a drink of water for he is in torment. Jesus gave specific names thus it is not a "story", but a true account from Hell. What we learn further in NT is that Hell resides *within* the lake of fire, which is the eternal holding cell where punishment is carried out.
It is like life in prison (illustration from life on earth here) because the crimes are so high, against God himself. And RC Sproul hit on this topic well when he responded "What's wrong with you people?!" A: ignorance of God and the seriousness of sin, but also idolatry from mans wrong mindset.
Revelation 20:14-15 states, "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This passage underscores the finality and severity of the judgment awaiting those who die in their sins.
The “second death” simply indicates where those who are complete separation from God "exist". There unsaved are seperated from God; [theres no chance no hope of being reconciled to God after death], so they exist eternally in the place of unending punishment. This shows God's perfect, good justness; it fits the crime. Those who were saved in Christ before death from current human existence, have restored fellowship with God through Jesus our Savior, who redeemed (bought us back) from our hellbound destiny [as sinners], thus we have a restored fellowship with God and it is eternal. The unsaved... never will.
Hell is not only a place of physical/mental torment but also of permanent spiritual separation from God. This separation is the ultimate consequence of sin, as described in 2 Thessalonians 1:9 : "They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might." The absence of God's presence is a central aspect of the suffering experienced in their eternal hell. We must properly teach these truths. And teach the true attributes, character & nature of God, along with how truly heinous sin is.
Jesus in Matt 25: 46 was very clear. " And these will go away into eternal punishment". Are you going to say He is a liar, or will you believe what God, even as Christ in the flesh, has revealed in Scripture, on this matter?
He clearly states in that section: the unsaved go to eternal punishment and the saved to eternal life. Both exist eternally.
Mercy and blessing along with a particular love and grace only are given to the Redeemed (now & in eternity). The unsaved get (like crumbs) of God's common grace to all while here, but will not recieve any grace, mercy, special love nor blessings in eternity, only wrath and just punishment. People need a firm grasp on this truth. There wont be any mercy, grace nor hope of even going out of existence in eternity, .... it is a real, serious, and sobering truth. Again it shows again the serious importance of fleeing to Christ for salvation now, as tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Mercy is only found in Christ, God's true specisl grace is only found in Christ. It is not offered nor given to unsaved folk in any measure not now not in eternity. There is no mercy killing to extinguish their soul. Thats absurd. And goes again to show people need to understand who God is, study His attributes, to grasp this well.
And understand "time" no longer exists, we moved into "eternity" so there is no possible time frame for any eternal suffering to end whereby ones soul would be extinguished. It's just a faulty man thinking, and doesnt align with biblical truth.
Folk in pre education times only understood what they saw in black and white text, if they were even literate to a 4th grade level, could easily misunderstand Scripture and thus cults and false teachings were born; the illiterate embraced whatever someone said as both were lead by their darkened or deceptive hearts not by the Holy Spirit or real truths hidden in the Word which they weren't educated enough to grasp, and fell into heresy and taught such falsehoods generation after generation either by a "belief" or baked it into a cult or sect that came out of it, or adopted it. Dont be led astray by false teaching.
Folk need to be under solid well educated biblical pastors shepherding them in truth, and need to study Scripture yourself too so you arent duped by subtle doctrines of demons put forty by every tom, dick and harry out there. This means limit who you listen to, and vett them and their beliefs (well) first, and only if in line wuth biblically accurate theology. Your Bible focused church shepherds keep you within Biblical orthodoxy, and you need to be able to discern truth from lies and subtle deception that creeps in. Let those shepherds at your church disciple and guide you, not others online. And if your pastor goes wonky, remove him or move to a biblical church. Folk going their own way, or picking and choosing what they prefer, incl not fleeing in their local church def leads to embracing deception and are blown around by every wind of whatever sounds good. Thats a deception of the human heart, do not follow your heart.
Lets look at this topic deeper...
1. Biblical Christianity view on eternal punishment
• In biblical Christianity, hell is eternal conscious punishment (ETC) for the wicked. It is not a temporary fire or momentary punishment, nor a punishment whose effects alone last.
• Key texts include:
• Matthew 25:46 — “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” The Greek word for eternal (aionios) is applied symmetrically to both life and punishment.
• Revelation 14:11 — “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night.” The imagery implies ongoing, conscious experience.
• From this perspective, God’s justice and holiness require proportionate punishment, and because sin is rebellion against an infinitely holy God, the punishment is eternal in nature.
2. The “effects are eternal, not the punishment itself” idea
• This is a common argument among annihilationists or conditional immortality proponents:
• They claim the fire is “unquenchable” only in that it accomplishes its purpose fully — destruction of the wicked.
• Once the fire has “finished its work,” the wicked cease to exist. The “eternal” aspect is only the consequence (non-existence), not ongoing conscious punishment.
Some even alluded to a parent analogy but it is a false correlation. God is our Creator and Judge, & not a Father to all.
They say "God is just not wicked we wouldn't punish our kids forever for what they did then y would God the punishment for sin is death not eternal punishment".
But the truth is, those not adopted as God's children [through God converting them in Jesus] will recieve eternal punishment, they are children of the Devil. They are not God's children. God must by nature punish sin, and it is eternal!!
Biblical Christianity critique:
• The Bible frequently describes conscious, ongoing suffering — gnashing of teeth, unending torment, shame, and regret — as part of God’s judgment (e.g., Luke 16:23-24, Revelation 14:11).
• Saying the “fire only destroys” reduces hell to annihilation, ignoring the explicit descriptions of experiential torment.
• Yes their punishment is based on level of degrees of sin, illustrated by in world prison sentences, but God's wrath is eternal, so too their punishment. Life sentences are still for life. Eternal ones are eternal.
• Eternal punishment in biblical Christianity is not just about consequences, but also about experience and justice. It never ends.
3. Their sin continues inexhaustibly.
• Biblical Christianity notes that the wicked in hell continue in their hatred, rebellion, and gnashing toward God.
• Even apart from annihilation, their sin itself is never corrected or purified — it continues inexhaustibly, which aligns with eternal conscious punishment.
• This sharply contrasts with annihilationist views, where sin “ends” once the person is destroyed.
The Bible reveals Hell is eternal, conscious punishment; ongoing experience separation from all that is good besides God’s wrath, and is based on what they did in this life but is also a perpetual continual rebellion; eternal in both effect and experience. Unending.
From the standpoint of biblical Christianity, anyones shift toward annihilationism shows they dont understand God, sin or Scripture. Such departure from Scripture, removes the ongoing, conscious aspect of hell and reduces it to finite destruction. As well as teaches a diff God and alters Scripture and truth.
A key theological point and critiques of annihilationism (conditional immortality), is how it also and views Jesus sacrifice. It alters truth.
1. The seriousness of sin and the value of Christ’s sacrifice
• In biblical Christianity, sin against an infinitely holy God is infinite in its seriousness.
• Christ’s death on the cross is the infinite atonement — sufficient to pay for the sins of the world and to satisfy God’s justice.
• Eternal conscious punishment reflects the infinite consequences of sin: the punishment corresponds to the magnitude of the offense against God’s holiness.
2. Why annihilationism cheapens & greatly diminishes God/Jesus' sacrificial work.
• If the wicked are simply destroyed rather than eternally punished, the full weight of sin against God is never fully experienced or reflected.
• From this perspective, the “cost” of Jesus’ sacrifice is reduced: He died to save people from eternal punishment, but if eternal punishment is replaced by finite destruction, the magnitude of the problem Christ solves seems smaller.
• The eternal conscious punishment of the wicked underscores the infinite seriousness of sin and the infinite value of Christ’s sacrifice.
3. The theological implication
• Annihilationism false teaching that “punishment whose effects are eternal” greatly diminishes the significance of the cross, because it treats sin as ultimately finite in consequence rather than infinite in offense against God.
• Biblical Christianity maintains that Christ’s sacrifice is infinitely costly because it saves from eternal consequences, not just temporary destruction.
From a biblically truthful perspective, moving to annihilationism reduces the ultimate seriousness of sin and the eternal consequences Christ bore in our place.
Such a view reveals those folk dont understand man (the soul) is eternal, the seriousness of sin, ...nor God’s justice, wrath, and holiness in connection with Christ’s sacrifice.
Look how God’s justice, wrath, holiness, and Christ’s sacrifice all connect in biblical Christianity, and why moving to a [heretical] annihilationism belief changes the picture, [ it alters the true reality]...
1. God’s justice and wrath
Biblical Christianity emphasizes that God is infinitely just and holy. Sin is ultimately rebellion against an infinite God, so its consequences are infinite.
Hell as eternal conscious punishment reflects this: God’s wrath against sin is fully expressed, and the wicked experience the moral weight of their rebellion.
If hell were merely destruction (annihilationism), then God’s justice is incomplete, because sin’s infinite offense doesn’t receive infinite consequences in experience.
2. God’s holiness
God’s holiness is absolute; He cannot simply overlook sin or treat it lightly.
Eternal conscious punishment highlights the seriousness of violating God’s holiness, reinforcing that sin is never trivial.
Annihilationism, by contrast, could be seen as downplaying the infinite seriousness of sin — destruction is finite, so it may not fully communicate God’s holiness in judgment.
3. Christ’s sacrifice
Jesus’ death on the cross is a response to both God’s justice and God’s love:
Justice: Christ pays the penalty that sinners deserve (eternal punishment).
Love: Christ offers salvation to all who believe, rescuing them from eternal separation and torment.
If the penalty for sin is finite destruction, then the “rescue mission” is less dramatic. The cross appears less costly, …because the stakes were not eternal but only temporal. The gravity of sin and the enormity of God’s justice are less vividly displayed if the punishment ends in mere annihilation. In other words, Christ’s sacrifice is infinitely meaningful precisely because it saves sinners from eternal consequences, not just a temporary cessation of existence.
• Biblical Christianity emphasizes that the cross demonstrates both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s mercy. Eternal punishment shows the full weight of sin, and Christ’s death shows the infinite cost God bore to redeem sinners.
• If hell were only finite destruction, the moral and cosmic significance of Christ’s atonement is diminished — it no longer rescues from eternal wrath, but only from final obliteration.
4. Moral and spiritual implications
• Belief in eternal conscious punishment heightens awareness of sin and the need for salvation.
• It underscores the urgency of evangelism and the seriousness of rejecting God.
• It deepens appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice, because believers are saved from something infinitely terrible, not merely something finite.
Summary
From a biblical Christian perspective:
• Sin is infinite in seriousness because it is against an infinitely holy God.
• Hell is eternal and conscious, reflecting God’s justice and holiness.
• Christ’s sacrifice is infinitely costly because it saves sinners from eternal punishment.
• Annihilationism or “finite destruction” reduces the perceived seriousness of sin and diminishes the glory and magnitude of Christ’s atonement.
Theological Implications of Annihilationism
Annihilationism, the belief that the souls of the wicked will ultimately be destroyed rather than suffering eternally in hell, this raises significant theological questions within Biblical Christianity. While many argue that it might not directly impact salvation, it can deeply affect our understanding of God and the Gospel.
Lessening the Nature of God
The concept of eternal punishment in hell reflects God’s holy justice. When annihilationism is embraced, it can lead to:
- Diminished Divine Justice: If hell is not eternal, it suggests that God’s justice is limited. Eternal punishment serves as a demonstration of His holiness and righteousness against sin. Without eternal consequences, the seriousness of sin and its effects become muted.
- Redefining God’s Holiness: God's holiness necessitates judgment against sin. If ultimate punishment isn’t eternal, it poses questions about the gravity of sin against an infinitely holy God. This could lead to an understanding of God that is more accommodating and less sovereign, undermining His justice.
Implications for the Gospel
The Gospel is fundamentally about redemption from sin and its consequences, including hell. If annihilationism is true, it may:
- Undermine the Urgency of Salvation: The doctrine of eternal punishment serves as a catalyst for evangelism. If hell is viewed merely as a temporary state, the urgency to share the Gospel diminishes. Believers may become less motivated to share their faith, believing that all will eventually face less severe consequences.
- Affect the Understanding of Grace: Grace finds its full significance in light of eternal judgment. If eternal hell is not a reality, then the depth of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross could be seen as less impactful. The grace offered through Jesus becomes a mere means to avoid a temporary experience rather than being a savior from eternal separation from God.
Eternal Punishment and Hope
Belief in eternal punishment emphasizes the weight of God’s love and mercy:
- The Cost of Salvation: Understanding that Jesus saves us not just from sin but from eternal punishment highlights the gravity of His sacrifice. It reveals the lengths to which God would go to restore humanity and shows the serious nature of sin that necessitated such a sacrifice.
Hope of Eternal Life: An eternal hell contrasts with the hope of eternal life in Christ. The promise of everlasting life underscores the assurance believers have in Christ, reinforcing the beauty of the Gospel message.
Believing in eternal punishment shapes a comprehensive view of God's character and the gravity of Christ's sacrifice. While annihilationism may not be classified as a salvation issue, it does carry profound implications for the nature of God, the Gospel, and the believer’s motivation to share their faith.
Theres utter misunderstanding by new, weak & non Bible studying folk of what "words" *mean* in Scripture. Especially (in this case) on: life, eternal life, death, second death, redeemed believers cant die again [theyve left the sin stained body], the unsaved dead [in eternal body fit for Hell] are alive - just not living blessed; all human souls are eternal.
Born again, eternal life, all these words need to be understood rightly, not pick and choose for our preference.
Eternal life means you are with God forever living out your purpose to fellowship, enjoy worship and glorify Him. Eternal death is where the soul goes for an eternity that faces God's wrath, is in torment (both in lamentinc lostness, & angry at God) they dont care about their sins now nor will they in eternity Theyre gnashing hateful teeth towards God still lost in their sins, and still sinning by it. It is eternal and inescapable. Theyre permanently in their sin nature & in a body fit for that existence. Believers will never deal with death again for we are in our righteous glorified new body that will never be stained by sin. Thus no need to die again. Our sin has been taken care of.
Folk not understanding these points & doctrines clearly, leads to embracing subtle doctrines of demons that decieve & lead astray. Pastors need to clearly deal with these topics & in depth.
Understand it better:
1. The importance of rightly understanding biblical terms
Many doctrines hinge on precise definitions in Scripture. Misunderstanding them opens the door to subtle deceptions or personal reinterpretations that stray from biblical truth. Key terms include:
• Life / Eternal Life: Union with God, living forever in fellowship, worship, and glorifying Him. Not just unending existence, but purposeful, blessed existence.
• Death / Second Death: Death is separation from God; the second death is eternal conscious punishment for the unrepentant in their sin. It is permanent, conscious, and inescapable.
• Believers can’t die again: Christians in glorified bodies are perfected, righteous, and incapable of sin; death is defeated, and there is no future judgment for them.
• The dead are alive: All human souls are eternal; the wicked are alive in their sin and in torment even after death.
• Born again: Spiritual rebirth into eternal life, fellowship with God, and a restored relationship with Him.
Understanding these terms in context and relationship to each other prevents selective readings that fit personal preference rather than Scripture.
2. Eternal life vs. eternal death
• Eternal life: Full, unbroken fellowship with God, experiencing purpose, joy, worship, and glorification forever. It is active and purposeful, not merely existence.
• Eternal death: Conscious, eternal separation from God, experiencing His wrath, lament, and torment. The wicked remain in sin because their nature is unrepentant, fully aware yet resistant to God’s will, gnashing teeth, in rage and hatred.
Key point: This is not metaphorical — Scripture portrays eternal death as real, experiential, and ongoing.
3. The permanence of believers and the destiny of the wicked
• Believers are resurrected into glorified, righteous bodies. They will never die again, never sin again, and will enjoy eternal communion with God.
• The wicked, however, remain permanently in their sinful nature, fully capable of sin, and in bodies suited for that eternal punishment. Their torment is both physical and spiritual, eternal, and inescapable.
4. The danger of misunderstanding
• When these doctrines are not clearly taught, it opens the door to subtle false teachings — for example, conditional immortality, annihilationism, or universalism — which may seem compassionate but undermine God’s holiness, justice, and the seriousness of sin.
• Pastors and teachers have a responsibility to address these in depth, explaining the weight of sin, the reality of judgment, and the full glory of Christ’s salvation.
✅ Summary
• Words matter: eternal life, death, second death, and resurrection are not interchangeable, and their precise biblical meaning must guide doctrine.
• Eternal life = purposeful union with God forever. Eternal death = conscious, inescapable punishment for sin.
• Misunderstanding or “picking and choosing” doctrines can mislead believers, weaken the gospel, and diminish the glory of Christ’s sacrifice.
💥Do not fall for the false teaching if Annihilationism. Do not stray from biblical truth.
Remember, God declared in Isaiah 55:8-9:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
And in Psalm 50:21 God again reveals fallen mans folly, & failing in logic and truth, "you thought I was just like you, I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes."
God isnt like fallen man who has a limited understanding, who leads life by faulty emotions and faulty understandings.
Don't let people decieve you. Don't let your heart decieve you.
Related
Deeper dive into the topic
*A study on the attributes of God.
This gives us a full true picture of who God is, and the lense by which we are to see [by the Word of God, in truth, and in all matters in life and Faith]. This also has book resources.
Footnotes(1)
Point 1
Destruction at 25:30. Words have meanings, things are not just black and white in English translations. America's Pastor and Bible teacher Dr. John MacArthur explained this in a sermon. He went through several many verses. You can see that clip above [at thevalvefan1775 on vt called John MacArthur explained Annihilation-ism]. Not sure which sermon it came from (yet), so I can only point you to this clip. He dives into the word and meaning of that word in Scripture.
Point 2
Around the 36 mark there was confusion but guest was right. Scripture talks about not remembering.
Revelation 21:4
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Isaiah 65:17
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."
It is a grace to us, but in our perfect eternal body in perfect righteousness, once in eternity [new heavens and a new earth], we wont cry over those judged and under punishment/wrath. We wont even see them... we are busy living our blessed eternal life with Jesus.
Some parts of Scripture jump around a bit, so not every section is on one topic. The verse this teacher brought up [noting "new Heaven and new Earth"] looks like its during Jesus return, prior to eternity, when rebels were taken out. The bodies of the rebellious dead (whom Jesus and Angles destroyed) will be strewn everywhere and then a fact is stated. Then those who are dead... Is. 66:24B "their worm will not die [who they are they wont die], and their fire [torment/punishment] will not be quenched [is eternal]" theyre an abhorance.
The verse here is Isaiah looking ahead.
https://www.compellingtruth.org/second-death.html to the eternal [2nd death] that awaits the unsaved.
Ir reveals the judgment of God against His enemies is depicted as never-ending torment. https://www.compellingtruth.org/worm-will-not-die.html
Isaiah 66:3E-24
From 3E onwards tells of the coming of the Lord to kill and bring judgment to the rebels who love sin, and then tells of blessings to the believers in Christ.
3E. As they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul takes pleasure in their detestable things,
4
So I will choose their punishments
And will bring on them what they dread,
Because I called, but no one answered;
I spoke, but they did not listen.
And they did what was evil in My eyes
And chose that in which I did not take pleasure.”
5
Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at His word:
“Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name’s sake,
Have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your gladness.’
But they will be put to shame.
6
A voice of rumbling from the city, a voice from the temple,
The voice of Yahweh who is paying recompense to His enemies.
14. But He will be indignant toward His enemies.
15
For behold, Yahweh will come in fire
And His chariots like the whirlwind,
To return His anger with wrath,
And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16
For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire
And by His sword on all flesh,
And those slain by Yahweh will be many.
It then seems to discuss the 1000 year reign.
19. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20 Then they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as a grain offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says Yahweh, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of Yahweh.21 I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says Yahweh.
22
“For just as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I make *will endure before Me*,” declares Yahweh,
“So your seed and your name will endure.
23
And it shall be from new moon to new moon
And from sabbath to sabbath,
All mankind will come to worship before Me,” says Yahweh.
24
“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 object of contempt to all mankind.”
He includes a note here. It will be a blessed time, “where righteousness dwells.” Those in MK will live long and their offspring too.
22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I make will endure before Me,” declares Yahweh,
“So your seed and your name will endure.
After this 1000 year millennial kingdom, after the final rebellion, after the final judgment of Satan, and after the great white throne judgment [where the unsaved sent to their eternal place], we then go to the Bema Seat and then with Jesus...enter into the sin free place in eternity.
But to the teacher [channel guy] point, some [they martyred in Tribulation era] (per Rev 6:9-10) (do not see it but) they just will cry out for justice. Judgment will come. Jesus will return with them, with us, with the Angels, and He will deal with the rebels. Cleansing the Earth, and ushering in a physical 1000 year reign here. Then the end, all things wrap up for this sin stained, corrupted Earth & life here.
=======
Heaven will offer eternal joy for the believer, this lake of fire will offer eternal torment for the unsaved.
In the lake of fire, the flames are not quenched (Isaiah 66:24)
The prophet Daniel speaks of “everlasting contempt” for the unrighteous (Daniel 12:1-3).
Matthew 25:46 where Jesus Himself taught, "And these [the unrighteous] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life"
Luke 16:19-31 also answers the question of what happens to the unbeliever after death between now and the final lake of fire described in Revelation 20. There we find that a certain rich man had died as an unbeliever and was "in torment" (Luke 16:23). Jesus made it clear that the afterlife offers two options and that both heaven and hell are eternal.
Only two alternatives exist upon death—eternity with God in glory or an eternity of suffering and separation from Him.
Revelation 20:12-15: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 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." Those whose names were "not found in the book of life" (those who did not believe in and belong to Christ) will experience eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
This is their place of eternal existence. There is no escape. They didnt have Christ as Savior, they were not in the Lamb's book of Life.
Those redeemed are in Heaven, [until the Day of Reward [Bema Seat] who will go into the New Earth] will glorify God, and those in eternal Hell (which was moved into an eternal place called the Lake of Fire) will likewise reveal His glory by his Justness and goodness in meeting out His wrath against sin. Sin is an assault on the perfect infinite God, and demands an infinite punishment. Time no longer exists, so it never ends, neither does the sinners continual sin committed in their eternal state [in hatred towards God]. These go into an eternal existence in a body fit foreternal punishment.
These sobering truths should cause us believers to seriously and lovingly proclaim the Gospel to all we know and meet. The end is near.
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