SECTION V. THE “SECOND DEATH”
“Gehenna” was the name of the valley just outside
the south and east walls of Jerusalem.
The word means, “lamentation,” thought to have been derived from the
cries of little children who were burned alive in the fiery arms of the
calf-headed god, Moloch (Ezek. 23:37, 39; 2Chron. 28:3; Lev. 18:21; 20:2). It was known as the valley of the sons of
Hinnom and is often called “topheth” (2 Kings 23:10; Jer. 7:31) which means,
“place of fire.” King Joash (2Kings
23:10) abolished the practice of burning children and it was thereafter turned
into a garbage dump. Bodies of animals
and criminals were sometimes thrown there.
There is some indication that certain criminals may even have been
thrown into it alive. (Lev. 20:14; 21:9)
In time this came to symbolize the ultimate
rejection --a place where the wicked would be cast out and people could go and
see the dead bodies from one new moon to another, where their worms do not die
and the fire is not quenched (Isaiah 66:24). In the New Testament it is the
place where Satan, his angels, and men who follow them will be cast and
tormented with no rest day and night for ever and ever. This is certainly not
instant annihilation.
The Watchtower has purposely confused the matter by
calling “Hell” “a place of rest in
peace.”
-Mat. 23:15. Jesus
accused the Scribes and Pharisees of making their proselytes “more the child of Gehenna than yourselves.”
-Mat. 23:33. Jesus asked how they could, “escape the damnation of Gehenna?”
-Mat. 10:28. Jesus said, “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 [gehenna].”
-Luke 12:5. After God
has killed he “has power to cast into
Gehenna.”
Clearly, Gehenna, as used here, is beyond this life,
and a place where after death, God may cast a person. It is not a dump outside the earthly city of Jerusalem.
-Matt. 5:22. “shall
be in danger of Gehenna fire”
-James. 3:6. The
tongue, “is set on fire of Gehenna”
Note that while the imagery
for the word was derived from the place, the tongue is not set on fire by a
garbage dump outside Jerusalem. This is
a place after death into which only God has power to cast. (Luke 12:5, cf. Mat.
5:22 )
-Mat. 18:8, 9. “having two feet to be cast into the eternal
fire.... And...two eyes to be cast into
Gehenna fire.”
-Mark 9:43. “having two hands to go into Gehenna, into the
unquenchable fire”
-Mark 9:45. “having two feet to be cast into Gehenna”
-Mark 9:47. “having
two eyes to be cast into Gehenna
where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched”
-Mat. 5:30. “whole body should be cast into Gehenna”
-Mat. 5:29. “whole body should be cast into Gehenna”
Note that the above passages
show that Gehenna is worse than the torment of having an eye gouged out without
the aid of modern sedatives.
-Mat. 25:41. “Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal
[*166 aionios] fire which is
prepared for the devil and his angels.”
-Matt. 25:46. “...and these shall go away into eternal [*166
aionios] punishment: but the
righteous into eternal [*166 aionios]
life.”
-2Thes. 1:8, 9. “in flaming fire rendering vengeance
to them... who shall suffer punishment, even eternal [*166
aionios] destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of
his might...”
-Rev. 14:9-11. “If any man worships the beast...he also
shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed
in the cup of his anger; 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 goeth up for ever [#165 aion]
and ever [#165 aion]; and they have no rest day and night...”
-Rev. 19:2, 3. “…harlot...And her smoke goeth up for ever [#165
aion] and ever [#165
aion].”
Here it indicates eternal
torment (14:11) of those who make up the “harlot”, or “Babylon”--the city on
seven hills, that reigned over the kings of the earth.” This represents people. (17:9, 18).
-Rev. 19:20. “the beast and false prophet were cast alive
into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone...”
-Rev. 20:10. “And the devil...was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
are also the beast and the false prophet; and they [all of them] shall be tormented
day and night for ever [#165 aion] and ever [#165 aion].”
Note: This scripture
shows that “everlasting fire,” “everlasting punishment,” and the “place prepared for the devil
and his angels” is in “the lake of fire and brimstone.”
The “beast” (cf. Rev.
13:1-10; 17:) represented an eighth king (or “kingdom” --Dan. 7:23; 2:38-40)
--people. The “false prophet” (Rev.
13:11-18) represented a man (2Thes 2).
Here again, along with the devil for which eternal fire was originally
prepared, people are being tormented.
In fact, they are said to have been there from the beginning of the
thousand years (Rev. 20:3, 4, 7).
-Rev. 20:14-15 “And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second
death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of
life, he was cast into the lake of fire”
Death and Hades now are cast
into the lake of fire. Into this place
now go all who belong in them.
-Rev. 21:8 “But for the fearful, and unbelieving [etc.]...their part shall be in the lake that
burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.”
(Death has to do with the
body --James 2:26)
-Rev. 21:2, 10...;
22:14-15. “…new Jerusalem.... Without are
the dogs. [etc.].”
(Note: the dogs are outside, not annihilated.)
-Isaiah 66:22-24. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new
moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to
worship before me, saith Jehovah. And
they shall go forth, and look upon the dead bodies 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.”
Again, this does not present a picture of annihilation but of continuing punishment. It makes no sense to keep their worm alive and the fire burning if they no longer exist. Rather than annihilation we see their dead bodies continuing in the fire.
Also Jude 7 “Even as Sodom... set forth as an example,
suffering the punishment of eternal fire.” (cf. 2Pe. 2:6)
Annihilationist claim that “eternal fire” indicates the final
end. However, Sodom, who suffered
eternal fire, is to be raised in judgment (Mat. 10:15; 11:24; Mark 6:11; Luke
10:12).
In response, some claim this
meant only the earthly city, which will never be rebuilt. However, that would mean that any time
something was burned up and not replaced it was an eternal fire. That is certainly not born out in scripture.
It makes a lot more sense
that the fire continues forever because the wicked continue forever. If eternal fire is how God keeps the
unrighteous “under punishment unto the
day of judgment” (2Pe. 2:9), as with the angels that sinned (2Pe. 2:4; Jude
6), then the scriptural statements harmonize. Can anyone prove that the souls
of the wicked Sodomites are not now being punished?
C. OTHER PASSAGES THAT INDICATE TORMENT
-Mat. 8:29. Demons
asked of Jesus, “Did you come here to torment
us before our appointed time?”
-Mat. 18:34-35. The
unmerciful servant was “delivered to the tormentors”
until he should pay what was owing. “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also
unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not...”
OBJECTION:
Some argue that “tormentor”
just means “jailer.”
ANSWER:
Strong defines it as “#930 basanistes; from #928; a
torturer.”
The noun form of this word
is used only once but the verb form is used many times and the meaning is
clear.
-Matt 8:6. grievously
tormented.
-Matt 8:29. come
hither to torment us before our time
-Mark 5:7. torment
me not.
-Luke 8:28. torment
me not.
-2Pet 2:8. seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous
soul
-Rev 9:5.
should be tormented five months
-Rev 11:10.
prophets tormented them
-Rev 12:2. And she being with child cried,
travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
-Rev 14:10. and
he shall be tormented
-Rev 20:10.
tormented day and night
They were called “tormentors” because they tormented. If they tormented no one they would not be tormentors. This is clearly something other than peaceful oblivion.
-Heb. 10:27-31. “...judgment and fiery indignation which
shall devour the adversaries. He that
despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how
much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall be thought worthy, who hath
trodden under foot the Son of God...For we know him that hath said, Vengeance
belongeth to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his
people. It is a fearful thing to
fall into the hands of the living God.”
Note that this punishment is
described as worse than death by stoning. “Devour” may have reference
only to that which can be devoured--the body, when the earth is destroyed in
fire.
-Luke 13:24-28; Mat. 8:12
“There shall be the weeping and the
gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham...in the kingdom of God, and
yourselves cast forth without.”
-Mat. 22:13 The man
without the wedding garment was cast into the outer darkness and “there shall be the weeping and the gnashing
of teeth.”
-Mat. 25:30. The
unprofitable servant was cast out into the outer darkness and, “there shall be the weeping and the gnashing
of teeth.”
Again, these are not
annihilation.
D. OBJECTIONS CONTENDING
THAT HELL IS ANNIHILATION.
OBJECTION: The wicked are “destroyed”
-Matt. 10:28. God can destroy both body and soul in hell.
-Luke 17:27; 2Pe. 3:6. The flood came and destroyed them all.
ANSWER:
The Greek word, [#622 apollumi],
does not necessarily indicate annihilation. It is often translated, “lost”
(around 100 times in the New Testament).
Luke 15:17, 24, 32. The prodigal son was “lost”
[#622 apollumi], not annihilated.
Mat. 10:6; 15:24; Luke 15:4-6. Lost sheep likened to lost souls.
Luke 15:8-9. The lost coin likened to lost souls.
Mat. 10:39; 16:25 “he that loses his life for my sake shall find it”
It can mean that something
was marred or ruined.
Mat. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37. If wine is put into old wineskins, the bottles will be marred
or ruined [#622 apollumi] –not
annihilated.
Destroying a man by bad example (Rom. 14:15) did not annihilate him.
Those who disobeyed at the time of the flood “perished” (2Pet. 3:6) yet they are said
to be “in prison” (1Peter 3:19-20).
OBJECTION 2. The fire “consumes” and “burns up”
(Luke 3:17)
ANSWER: Lam. 2:3 says, “he hath burned up Jacob like a flaming fire,” but that did not end their existence. The fire is a figure of eternal fire
which wracks eternal destruction. Of course,
at some point the body may be consumed.
OBJECTION 3. They will be “as if they had not been” (Obediah 1:16).
ANSWER: This
is speaking of the end of “nations,” not of the eternal state of individuals.
OBJECTION 4. “For
ever” for the wicked is only an unknown time.
ANSWER: It is unknown but these are the strongest
words for eternity. Why use such strong
words if it just means “peaceful oblivion?
E.
EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE “ETERNAL” AND “EVERLASTING” NATURE OF HELL.
#166 “aionios”
¤ from #165;
TDNT - 1:208,31; adjective
¤ Authorized Version [King James] - eternal 42 times, everlasting
25 times, the world began + #5550 2
times, since the world began +
#5550 1 time, “for ever” 1 time; 71 time total.
¤ 1) without
beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
2) without beginning
3) without end, never to cease, everlasting
¤ For
Synonyms see entry 5801
Mat. 18:8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy
foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee
to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to
be cast into everlasting [#166 aionios] fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Matt. 25:
31 When the Son of man shall
come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the
throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world:. . .
41 Then shall he say also
unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting [#166 aionios] fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels:. . .
46 And these shall go away
into everlasting [#166 aionios] punishment
[#2920 krisis]: but the righteous into
life eternal.
Note: “Krisis”
is translated “torment” in
1John 4:18. Likewise, this can be
translated, “These shall go away into
everlasting torment.”
“Punishment” 2920 krisis
¤ perhaps a primitive word;
TDNT - 3:941,469; noun feminine
¤ AV - judgment 41 times, damnation
3, accusation 2, condemnation 2; 48 times total
¤ 1) a separating, sundering,
separation
1a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
3a) opinion or decision
given concerning anything
3a1) especially concerning justice and injustice,
right or wrong
3b) sentence of
condemnation, - judgment, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities
of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at
Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
#165 “aion”
¤ from
the same as 104; TDNT - 1:197,31; noun
masculine
¤ AV - ever 71 times, world 38 times, never + #3364 + #1519 +
#3588 6 times, evermore 4 times, age 2 times, eternal 2 times, misc 5
times; 128 times total.
¤ 1) for
ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity
2) the
worlds, universe
3) period
of time, age
Note: #166 is the adjective form. The adjective expresses the nature of the noun --no known end --from our perspective, without end. The noun, #165 names that period that has no end in view. There could be an end (as of the age) but, from our persepctive, there is no end.
Because such words can be used figuratively, the
Greeks had a way of indicating eternal or everlasting. They sometimes said, “eis ton....” and used
either the noun, “aion” or a compound of two forms, “Into ages of ages.” See
below.
Rev 14: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image,
and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
which is poured out undiluted 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:
11 and the smoke of their torment goeth up
for ever [165 aion] and ever [165 aion]; and they have no rest day
and night, they that worship the
beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.
Rev 14:11 For ever and ever
|
Greek |
eis |
aiwnas |
aiwnwn |
|
Translated |
unto |
ages |
of ages |
|
Strong |
1519 |
165 |
165 |
|
Parsing |
present active |
noun accusative masculine plural |
noun genative masculine plural |
Note: Here, people are tormented. It lasts day and night. It is God’s
wrath. It will be undiluted. They are tormented with fire and brimstone. The smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever.
OBJECTION:
“Only the smoke is forever.”
ANSWER: It
is smoke of torment that goes up. The picture of smoke of torment going up forever is meaningless
unless the torment continues.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast
and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night
for ever [165 aion] and ever [165 aion].
Rev 20:10 “and they shall be tormented day and night
|
Sound |
kai |
Basanistheesontai |
heemeras |
kai |
nuktos |
|
Translated |
and |
they shall be tormented |
day |
and |
night |
|
Strong |
2532 |
928 |
2250 |
2532 |
3571 |
|
Parsing |
conjunction |
Verb 3rd person plural present tense future lndicative |
noun genative feminine singular |
conj. coordinating |
noun genative feminine singular |
for ever and ever”
|
eis |
tous |
aiwnas |
twn |
aiwnwn |
|
into |
the |
ages |
of the |
ages |
|
1519 |
3588 |
165 |
3588 |
165 |
|
preposition accusative |
definite article accusative masculine plural |
noun accusative masculine plural |
definite article genative masculine plural |
noun genative masculine plural |
Note: Here it plainly says that the beast, devil
and false prophet are tormented day and
night for ever and ever. The “beast,”
in Revelation 17, is interpreted as kings.
Here, people are tormented
for ever and ever. This is the strongest expression in Greek for
eternety.
This phrase is used 19 times
in the New Testament, mostly concerning things relating to God.
Gal. 1:5. To whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
Phil. 4:20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1Tim. 1:17. Now unto the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2Tim. 4:18. And the Lord shall deliver
me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to
whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Heb. 13:21. Make you perfect in every good work to do
his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
1Pet. 4:11. If any man speak, let him speak as the
oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God
giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
be praise and dominion for ever
and ever. Amen.
Rev. 1:18. I am he
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore [165 aion], Amen; and have the keys of hell and of
death.
Rev. 4:9-10. And when those beasts give
glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The
four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship
him that liveth for ever and ever,
and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev. 5:13-14. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying,
Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb for ever
and ever. 14 And the four
beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him
that liveth for ever and ever.
Rev. 7:12. Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and
honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev. 10:6. And sware by him that
liveth for ever and ever,
who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that
there should be time no longer:
Rev. 11:15. And the seventh angel
sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign for ever and ever.
Rev. 15:7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden
vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev. 19:3. And again they said,
Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever
and ever.
Rev. 22:5. And there shall be no night
there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God
giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
To try to make these uses less than eternal flies in the face of the evidence. Even if it were to end at some point in eternity, it is clear that torment for the wicked is presented as continuing beyond any human perception. This renders any objection to the idea of suffering in hell beyond reasonable dispute.