SECTION V. THE “SECOND DEATH”
“Gehenna” was the name of a valley just outside the south and east walls of Jerusalem where little children 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; Mark 9:47-48).
In the New Testament it is the place of eternal [aionaios] fire where Satan, his angels, and men who follow them will be cast and tormented with no rest day and night for ever and ever (Matt 25:41, 46).
The Watchtower has confused the matter by calling Hell “a place of rest in hope.”
-Let God Be True (Green book), p.88, (Title of chapter VIII)
Twelve scriptures of Gehenna, (#1067) translated "hell" in the King James version
Matt. 5:22. “shall be in danger of Gehenna fire”
Matt. 5:29. “whole body should be cast into Gehenna”
Matt. 5:30. “whole body should be cast into Gehenna”
Matt. 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].”
Matt. 18:8, 9. “having two feet to be cast into everlasting [aioonios] fire.... And...two eyes to be cast into Gehenna fire.”
Note: The above scripture clearly establishes that "aioonios fire" is "Gehenna fire"
Matt. 23:15. Jesus accused the Scribes and Pharisees of making their proselytes “more the child of Gehenna than yourselves.”
Matt. 23:33. Jesus asked how they could, “escape the damnation [krisis] of Gehenna?”
Mark 9:43. “having two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
Mark 9:45. “having two feet to be cast into Gehenna 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:47. “having two eyes to be cast into Gehenna 48 where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched”
(Note: The above passages show that Gehenna is worse than the torment of having an eye gouged out without the aid of modern sedatives.)
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.
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. Matt. 5:22 )
Matt. 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 [#2851 kolasis]: but the righteous into eternal [#166 aionios] life.”
This indicates the time of "eternal" punishment is the same as "eternal" life. They are the place of the "lake of fire" where the devil and his followers are cast at the end of the earth (Rev. 20:10)
Note: in 1John 4:18 “kolosis” is translated “torment”. Therefore, this passage can also be translated, “These shall go away into everlasting torment.”
2Thes. 1:8, 9. “in flaming fire rendering vengeance to them... who shall suffer punishment [#1349 dike], even eternal [#166 aionios] destruction [#3639 hoiethros] 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 [Mat. 25:41],” “everlasting punishment" [Matt. 25:46], and the “place prepared for the devil and his angels” [Matt. 18:8-9], is in “the lake of fire and brimstone,” where they will be tormented for ever and ever.
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”
This indicates that this follows the resurrection.
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" does not mean there is no conscious existence. See the study of "Death2 examined." The "second death" is clearly spoken of as a place of "torment" (Rev. 20:10, 15; 14:9-11)
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)
Annihilationists claim that “eternal fire” indicates the final end. However, Sodom, who suffered eternal fire, is to be raised in judgment (Matt. 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 borne 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?
III. PASSAGES THAT INDICATE THE NATURE OF TORMENT
Matt. 8:29. Demons asked of Jesus, “Did you come here to torment us before our appointed time?”
Matt. 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; Matt. 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.”
Matt. 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.”
Matt. 25:30. The unprofitable servant was cast out into the outer darkness and, “there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”
Matt. 13: 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
IV. 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.
Matt. 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.
Matt. 10:39; 16:25 “he that loses his life for my sake shall find it”
It can mean that something was marred or ruined.
Matt. 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.
Rom. 14:15 Destroying a man by bad example did not annihilate him.
1Peter
3:19-20 Those who disobeyed at the
time of the flood “perished” (2Pet. 3:6) yet they are said to be
“in prison.”
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.
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?
V. 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
Matt. 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 [#2851 ko,losij]: but the righteous into life eternal.
Note: “kolosis” is translated “torment” in 1John 4:18. Likewise, this could be translated, “These shall go away into everlasting torment.”
#2851 ko,lasij kolasis {kol'-as-is}
Meaning: 1) correction, punishment, penalty
Origin: from 2849; TDNT - 3:816,451; n f
Usage: AV - punishment 1, torment 1; 2
Misc: For Synonyms see entry 5859
#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 perspective, 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 genitive 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 genitive feminine singular |
conj. coordinating |
noun genitive 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 genitive masculine plural |
noun genitive 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. This indicates the time of torment in hell is the same.
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.
Note: See also