Psalm 37:20 says, “But the wicked shall perish and the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Malachi 4:3 says that in the end the ashes of the wicked will be under the feet of the righteous. Their fleshly bodies will be turned to ashes. The final fate of the wicked will be to be completely burned up in the lake of fire at the end of the ages. Clearly, if this change does not take place, a human will perish or cease to exist. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” ( 1 Corinthians 15:53-54). Paul went on to explain: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. The lifespan of someone who inherits the Kingdom of God is unlimited. The lifespan of a human being is limited. We are subject to aging, disease and injury. The Kingdom of God is spiritual, permanent, whereas human beings are temporary. The apostle Paul was inspired to explain that it is impossible for physical human beings to live on into the Kingdom of God: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does corruption inherit incorruption” ( 1 Corinthians 15:50). Unless supernaturally changed, the human body is “corruptible,” according to 1 Corinthians 15. The Bible plainly teaches that being made of flesh and blood means that humans are mortal, made of decomposing substance. This passage does not say these individuals are being tormented forever in an ever-burning hell. For example, the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah is called “the vengeance of eternal fire” ( Jude 1:7), but that fire is no longer burning. It is best interpreted as meaning that the fire will continue burning as long as the conditions are in place. The Greek word translated “forever” means a space of time or an age ( New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance). Revelation 14:11 does not say they burn for all eternity it says the smoke of their torment ascends “forever.” Smoke keeps going up as long as a fire is burning. When Jesus returns, the beast and false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire ( Revelation 19:19-20). The apostle Paul was inspired to explain that it is impossible for physical human beings to live on into the Kingdom of God: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:50). This event will occur in the presence of the Lamb, which means it will happen at the second coming of Christ. Verses 9 and 10 describe the time when God pours out His punishment upon those who worship the “beast” (the leader of the resurrected Roman Empire) and his image (symbolizing both a religious figure and the religious organization he leads). Those who worship the “beast” will be punished They will either have to seek God’s mercy or be distressed by sulfurous fumes (“the smoke of their torment”) until they perish. They are alive and are part of this evil system called “Babylon.” They receive this terrible punishment from Almighty God and will have “no rest day or night” as they fall under God’s wrath. These are not people who have died and been sent to eternal suffering. (To learn about the two beasts prophesied in Revelation, see “ Who Is the Beast?” “ 666: The Number of the Beast,” “ Mark of the Beast” and “ What Is Babylon?”) Notice that Revelation 14:8 gives the time setting of this passage, showing it concerns the impending end-time fall of “Babylon.” Verses 9 and 10 state, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark … he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone … in the presence of the Lamb” (that is, at Christ’s second coming). A scripture should be viewed in its immediate context, as well as the broader context of what the rest of the Bible says on the same topic. What kind of punishment does God have planned for them? Consider the context of hell in the BibleĪ basic rule of Bible study is to allow the Bible to interpret itself. Yet the Bible does speak of punishment for those who refuse to repent of their sins. Is our merciful God truly going to torment people forever because they refuse to submit to His instructions? That does not seem like the merciful God of the Bible.
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