ANNIHILATION
Does the Bible Teach the Idea of Annihilation of the Wicked?
The doctrine of "annihilation" is the idea that eventually, after a sufficient period of punishment, the souls of the wicked will go out of existence. This dogma is without biblical support.
The punishment of those who die estranged from God is described as: "fire unquenchable" (Mt. 3:12). Final punishment is a state where "their worm dies not," and the "fire is not quenched" (Mk. 9:48). The wrath of God "abides" (present tense -- keeps on abiding) of the lost person (Jn. 3:36).
Various figures are employed in connection with the words "forever" or "everlasting" (e.g., chains, contempt, destruction, torment; see Dan. 12:2; Mt. 18:8; 25:41, 46; 2 Thes. 1:9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 14:11; 19:3; 20:10). It is not the mere effect of punishment that is eternal, but the actual punishment itself (Mt. 25:46).
The punishment of those who die estranged from God is described as: "fire unquenchable" (Mt. 3:12). Final punishment is a state where "their worm dies not," and the "fire is not quenched" (Mk. 9:48). The wrath of God "abides" (present tense -- keeps on abiding) of the lost person (Jn. 3:36).
Various figures are employed in connection with the words "forever" or "everlasting" (e.g., chains, contempt, destruction, torment; see Dan. 12:2; Mt. 18:8; 25:41, 46; 2 Thes. 1:9; Jude 6-7; Rev. 14:11; 19:3; 20:10). It is not the mere effect of punishment that is eternal, but the actual punishment itself (Mt. 25:46).
Related Articles
The Resurrection of the Wicked
The Bible teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected from the dead. Such being the case, what will be the difference in the composition of these respective bodies?
Why Would a Loving God Send Us to Hell?Is the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell consistent with the idea of a good and loving God?
The Doctrine of Eternal PunishmentThe truth regarding eternal punishment.
The Use of “Hell” in the New TestamentThere is a great deal of confusion among religious folks regarding this word due to the fact that the English form “hell” actually represents three different terms in the Greek New Testament.
What About Daniel’s Prophecy of the General Resurrection?Did the prophet Daniel foretell the general resurrection of the dead at the end of time (12:2), or was this a mere figure of speech pertaining to some local event?
Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
