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DO
THE DEAD DIE? PART 2.
When Satan first said to Eve in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die," Genesis 3:4, it was the first sermon ever preached on the immortality of the soul. God had told Adam and Eve that if they were disobedient they would die. The only one who promised them life after disobedience was Satan. The divine sentence, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," Ezekiel 18:4, is made to mean: the soul that sinneth shall not surely die, but live forever in eternal torment and everlasting punishment. But God has said "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:19. Has God created a creature that even He Himself cannot destroy?? If so, what did Christ mean when He said, "....fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell?" Matthew 10:28. Notice Jesus said destroy not punish. Satan, having made many accept the idea of natural immortality, led them on to conclude that the sinner would live on in eternal misery. Now the prince of darkness, working through his agents, represents God as a revengeful tyrant, declaring that He plunges into hell all those who do not please Him, and causes them ever to feel his wrath; and while they suffer unutterable anguish and writhe in the eternal flames, their 'loving' Creator looks down upon them with satisfaction. Thus the archfiend clothes with his own attributes the Creator and benefactor of mankind. Cruelty is satanic. God is love; and all that He created was pure, holy, and lovely, until sin was brought in by the first great rebel. Satan and his workers represent God as even worse than themselves, in order to justify their own malignity and rebellion. Satan endeavours to shift his own cruelty of Character upon our heavenly Father, that he may cause himself to appear as the one greatly wronged by his expulsion from heaven because he would not submit to so unjust a governor. He presents before the world the liberty which they may enjoy under his mild sway, in contrast with the bondage imposed by the stern decrees of Jehovah. Thus he succeeds in luring souls away from their allegiance to God. How repugnant to every emotion of love and mercy, and even to our sense of justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in and eternally burning hell; that for the sins of a brief earthly life they are going to suffer torture as long as God shall live. Yet this doctrine has been widely taught and is still believed by many of the creeds of Christendom today. That there is punishment for the wicked, the Bible is only too clear on. Yet it is not a punishment that is received as soon as one dies. Neither evil angels nor wicked men are now receiving final punishment for their transgressions. Such punishments are still future. In the days when Jesus was on Earth, the devils asked Him, "Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" Matthew 8:39. Evil angels are "reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4, or, "unto the judgment of the great day." Jude 6. Concerning the wicked we read that God reserves "the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:9. What then constitutes the punishment of the wicked? The only safe and reliable source of information on this question is, of course, the Word of God. Unless our ideas are based upon the authoritative Word of God, they should carry no weight with anyone. We shall therefore note some of the expressions used by the LORD in this connection. We read that as the final penalty for their transgressions and their rejection of the Son of God that:- 1. THE WICKED WILL DIE — On more than one occasion we are told that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4. But some may say, "that is the Old Testament." True, but "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine...." 2 Timothy 3:16. And the fact is, the same truth is also taught in the New Testament, for we read, "the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. And in this verse a unique contrast is drawn, life is promised to the righteous; death to the unrighteous. Over and over again death is emphasised as the punishment of the wicked. Sinners are declared "worthy of death" Romans 1:32; the end of sin is death, Romans 6:21; and "sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15. In ancient days God in His love and mercy pleaded with Israel through His servants the prophets, time after time His appeal was "Why will ye die, O house of Israel?.... I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth." Ezekiel 18:31, 32. Now if you go to be with God when you die, why doesn't God find any pleasure in death?? I thought He loved us? Doesn't He want us in heaven with Him? Obviously, death is not a transfer from earth to heaven, otherwise God would be happy about it. 2. THE WICKED WILL BE "CUT OFF" — This thought is emphasised repeatedly, especially in the Old Testament. The Psalmist, looking forward to the time when sin would be abolished declares, "evildoers shall be cut off." Psalms 37:9. And again, "the wicked are cut off." verse 34. The words "cut off" are, in the main, rendered from the Hebrew word 'KARATH.' This is a strong word, and is several times translated "destroy" as in Ezekiel 28:16. 3. THE WICKED WILL PERISH — This expression is repeatedly used in relation to the destruction of the wicked hosts. the word "perish" is translated from the Hebrew word 'ABAD,' and means, "to be cut off" or "to be cut down." It will be observed in the following texts: "the wicked shall perish." Psalms 37:20; "the wicked perish at the presence of God." Psalms 68:2. Another significant expression occurs in Psalms 37:10, "the wicked shall not be." This is paralleled in the New Testament by our LORD's statement that "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish." John 3:16. 4. THE WICKED WILL BE BURNED UP — This is also a strong expression, and is used on many occasions. In Malachi 4:1 it speaks of the day when the wicked shall be burned up. Matthew writes of their being bound "in bundles to burn them." Matthew 13:30, and also mentions that "the tares are gathered and burned." verse 40. Peter declares that "the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. We read of the final destruction of the unrighteous as being in "the lake of fire." Revelation 21:8, and this John calls "the second death." Same verse. While the expression "the first death" does not appear in Scripture, the term "second death" does. [Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8], but, to have a "second death," a "first death" is necessary. This second death is associated with the final punishment of the wicked, and in reality indicates a death from which there is no resurrection. The first death is obviously the death resulting from Adam's sin, and from this first death, or sleep, there is to be a resurrection for all mankind. This applies to all, for Acts 24:15 tells us there will be a "resurrection of the dead both of the just and the unjust." 5. THE WICKED SHALL BE DESTROYED — The thought occurs in a number of places. "All the wicked will be destroyed." Psalms 145:20. Evil angels once declared to Jesus, "Art thou come to destroy us?" Mark 1:24. Again, the wicked will be "Punished with everlasting destruction." 2 Thessalonians 1:9. And even the devil himself, the one who introduced iniquity into this fair world, will be destroyed. Hebrews 2:14. In fact, in very strong words God pronounces His sentence upon Satan, when in Ezekiel 28:18, 19, He declares: ".... I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth..... and never shalt thou be anymore." Some of the strongest words, it seems, have been used by the sacred writers to emphasise the fate of the wicked. They will not only "burn," Greek, 'kaio' { Revelation 19:20; 21:8}, but they will be "burned up," Greek, 'apollumi,' {Matthew 21:41; Mark 1:24}, but be "utterly destroyed," Greek, 'exolothreuo,' {Acts 3:23. [R.S.V.] }. They shall not only be "consumed," Hebrew, 'TAMAM,' {Psalms 104:35}, or "consume away," Hebrew, 'KALAH,' {Psalms 37:20}, but be "utterly consumed," Hebrew, 'APOLLUM' {Psalms 73:19}.
Not only in language plain and clear does the LORD reveal to man the fate of the ungodly, but He has sought to bring this truth home to us in familiar illustrations, figures of speech, and various similes, observe:- 1. THE WICKED ARE LIKENED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS — The Psalmist likens the wicked to something he saw repeatedly in the temple of ancient days: "The enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs." Psalms 37:20. Furthermore, the ungodly are likened to: "the chaff which the wind driveth away." Psalms 1:4. Isaiah says that "the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble." Isaiah 40:24. And Malachi also declared that in that day, "the wicked shall be stubble." Malachi 4:1. 2. OVERTHROW OF SODOM & GOMORRAH IS TYPE OF DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED — The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the days of old, is graphically described in the Bible. We read that they were overthrown, ( Deuteronomy 29:23, Isaiah 13:19), and that the cities were destroyed, (Genesis 19:29). The destruction was complete, for we read that the fire "destroyed them all." Luke 17:29. The punishment metered out to Sodom and Gomorrah was not of long duration, for we read that they were, "overthrown in a moment." Lamentations 4:6. Furthermore, another writer tells us how utterly they were overthrown:- they were turned "into ashes" 2 Peter 2:6. And Peter further declares that this experience was "an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." Jude added a unique expression, which indicates that the destruction was not only complete, but that it was "the vengeance of eternal fire" Jude 7. This statement cannot mean a fire that is eternally burning, for today these two cities are no longer burning, but, rather, that this fire was eternal in its results. And this must be true of the wicked also, for Malachi tells us that on the same day that God destroys the wicked, that the righteous "shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the souls of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." Malachi 4:3. Is this possible in an eternally burning hell?
EVERLASTING
ETERNAL FOREVER AND EVER
Well, then, what of the terms "everlasting" and "eternal?" These words are only found in the New Testament in connection with the fate of the wicked, in the following texts:- "Depart... ye cursed, into everlasting fire." Matthew 25:41. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment." Matthew 25:46. "Punished with everlasting destruction." 2 Thessalonians 1:9. "In danger of eternal damnation." Mark 3:29. "Suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7. In each instance, whether translated "everlasting" or "eternal," the words are translated from the Greek word 'aionios.' For example, in Matthew 25:46, the "everlasting" {aionios} punishment is contrasted with "eternal" {aionios} life in the same verse. In view of this fact, it might be observed that if the "eternal life," referred to is forever and forever, will not the "everlasting punishment" be for the same duration, insomuch as precisely same Greek word is used in both instances? Decidedly so!! The eternal life will continue throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity; and the punishment will also be eternal; not eternal duration of conscious suffering however, but punishment that is complete and final. The end of those who thus suffer is the second death. This death will be eternal, from which there will not, and cannot be any resurrection. That this is so, can be seen in the use of the word "eternal" in other relationships. We read of "eternal redemption" Hebrews 9:12, and of "eternal judgment" Hebrews 6:2. Surely this does not mean redemption going on and on through all eternity, or an unending work of judgment. NO!! The work of redemption is complete and eternal in its results. The same will be true of the judgment. The same principle applies concerning "eternal damnation," "eternal fire," and "eternal punishment." What then of the expressions "forever" and "forever and ever?" These expressions are found many times in Holy Scripture. In the Old Testament they are in the main from the Hebrew word 'OLAM,' which is translated quite often by the word "everlasting." It does have several other renderings however, such as "ancient time," "old time," "beginning of the world" et cetera,......... Another expression in the Hebrew is 'NETSACH' { "Forever"}, and 'LENETSACH NETSACHIM,' { "forever and ever"}. 'NETSACH' is variously rendered as "always," "constantly," "ever," "evermore," and "perpetually." In the New Testament the words "forever" et cetera, came from the Greek words 'cis tous aionas ton aionion,' which is literally, "to the ages of the ages," and is uniformly rendered "forever and ever." It must be recognized that these words are used with limitations, and the only way to understand them is in the light of their context. If they are applied to God, as they are on so many occasions, the meaning is obvious, but if to man, then they can only apply as long as he lives. In other words, the term must be understood according to the object to which it is applied. These limitations can be seen in the following texts: The Passover was to be observed "forever" Exodus 12:17. The slave was to serve his master "forever" Exodus 21:6. the child Samuel is to abide in the tabernacle "forever" 1 Samuel 1:22. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish "forever." Jonah 2:6. And the leprosy was to cleave to Gehazi "forever.' 2 Kings 5:27. We find that the same limitations apply in the New Testament also, to the Greek words 'aion' and 'aionios' - Philemon was counselled to serve Onesimus "forever' Philemon 15. The book of Revelation declares, concerning Babylon, that, "her smoke rose up forever and ever." 19:3, that the wicked "shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." 20:10, and that, "the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever." 14:11. Now these are strong expressions, and can be rightly understood only in the light of Bible usage. A good illustration of this appears in Isaiah 34:8-10:- "For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. 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 nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever." This had a local application in days of long ago; and undoubtedly it will have a second application in the great conflagration in the last days. But think of its application in the days of Israel. What a picture of absolute destruction — brimstone and burning pitch, burning so fiercely it could not be quenched! The smoke ascended, and the record is that it ascended "forever." But note that this unquenchable fire ended in waste and desolation. Who would contend that fire is still burning today??? What we have here is a picture of absolute and complete destruction. So shall it be in the day of the executive judgment, when the wicked are destroyed. "They shall be destroyed forever' Psalms 92:7. The wicked host will not be "burning" forever, but shall be "burned up" forever:- "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." Malachi 4:1, 3. Therefore, I reject the doctrine of an eternally burning hell for the following reasons:- 1. Because everlasting life is a gift from God {Romans 6:23}. The wicked will not possess this — they "shall not see life" John 3:36; "no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him' 1 John 3:15. They would still be living, even if in eternal torment. 2. Because the thought of eternal torment would perpetrate and immortalize sin, suffering, and woe, and therefore contradict, I believe, divine revelation, which tells us that one day these things shall be no more: {Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 21:4}.
3.
Because such a teaching would detract from the attribute of love as seen
in the character of God, and shows our heavenly Father with an attitude of wrath
which is never appeased. "God
is love." * 4. Because it seems to me to provide a plague spot in the universe of God throughout eternity, and would seem to indicate that it is impossible for even God Himself to ever abolish it, (sin, suffering, torment, hell). And even if God could, He's not going to. 5. Because it is a contradiction to the justice of God. Cain killed one person, his brother, and yet (supposedly) has been in hell suffering for thousands of years. Hitler, on the other hand has had millions put to death, yet (supposedly) has only been in hell for the last 40 years. And this is justice?? 6.
Because it has a reversal of roles — it shows Satan using fire to
punish for eternity lost sinners when in reality God is going to use fire to
destroy Satan for eternity. Ezekiel
28:18, 19. 7. Because the Scriptures teach that the atoning work of Christ is to "put away sin" Hebrews 9:26. — first from the individual, and then ultimately from the universe. The full fruition of Christ's sacrificial, atoning work will be seen not only in redeemed people but in a restored heaven and earth. {Ephesians 1:14}. * An important note on number three. A large class to whom the doctrine of eternal torment is revolting, are driven to an opposite error. They see that the Bible teaches of God as a being full of love and compassion, and they cannot believe that He will consign His creatures to the fires of an eternally burning hell. But holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they see no alternative but to conclude that all will finally be saved. Many regard the threatenings of the Bible as designed merely to frighten men into obedience, and not to be literally fulfilled. Thus the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the requirements of God, and yet expect to be finally received into His favour. Such a doctrine, presuming upon God's mercy, but ignoring His justice, pleases the carnal heart and encourages the wicked in their iniquity. If it were true that the souls of all men passed directly to heaven at the hour of death, then we might covet death rather than life. Many have been led by this belief to put an end to their existence. When overwhelmed with trouble, perplexity, and disappointment, it seems as easy thing to break the brittle thread of life and soar away into the bliss of the eternal world.
God has given in His Word decisive evidence that He will punish the
transgressors of His law. Those who
flatter themselves that "God is love, He is too merciful to execute justice
upon the sinner," have only to look to the cross of Calvary.
The death of the spotless Son of God testifies that "the wages of
sin is death" Romans 6:23. and that every violation of God's law must
receive its just retribution, for, "sin is the transgression of the
law" 1 John 3:4. Christ the
sinless became sin for man, { 2 Corinthians 5:21}. He bore the guilt of transgression, and His Father's face
being hidden, until His heart was broken, and His life crushed out.
All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed.
In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin.
And every soul that refuses to become a partaker of the atonement
provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the guilt and punishment for
his transgression. |
