Bible Question:
Ok...I got you now. I like the idea of knowing that God, knowing that we will reject Him and cause Him pain, still loves us enough to give us a second chance. Which brings to mind another question concerning the "lake of fire". Will those who will spend eternity in the lake of fire be tormented eternally or will this judgement result in a "second death"? I am a little confused on this point. |
Bible Answer: The lake of fire IS the second death. Most scholars agree that the soul is eternal and that, therefore, everyone who is cast there suffers there eternally, just as the saints live eternally in heaven. Most of us have some discomfort with this, but discomfort is not good reason to disagree with what respected authorities are convinced that the Bible teaches. Revelations 14:11 clearly indicates that the smoke from the burning of those who worship the beast will go up forever; therefore, these people, at the very least, will be there forever. Satan will also be there, but he will also be suffering -- not ruling. There are some passages that seem to indicate the possibility of people's souls being "destroyed" in hell (Mt 10:28; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 Thes 1:9; Heb 10:39), but they are not clear or consistent enough to build a definite doctrine. (For example, note in Rev 17:8-11 that the beast is also "marked for destruction" -- while those who worship him will burn forever (Rev 14:11); it is not entirely clear that "destruction" means the end of existence (rather than simply removal from God). Luke 12:47-48 appears to indicate that there are potentially varying amounts of punishment meted out by God. See also John 19:11 and Matthew 23:14 (also in Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47). While there MAY be varying lengths of time spent in suffering, with the devil and his angels (along with those who actually worship him and his) being the only ones who remain there eternally, there is very little upon which to build this theory (theory, not doctrine). It would be helpful to consider (and get further input from those who can discuss the topic much more knowledgeably than I can) the foundations for the doctrine of the eternal nature of the soul, and whether that could be affected by the fall. I will pose this as a question soon. |