Information Related to "Does the Bible Speak of Hellfire That Lasts Forever?"
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Two verses that many assume prove the wicked are to be eternally tortured in hellfire are Matthew 25:41 and 25:46. But do they? Let's take a closer look.
First, notice the setting to which they refer-when Jesus "comes in His glory" (verses 31-32). We are told that He separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep represent the righteous (verses 34-40). At His return He sets the sheep at His right hand. The goats in this instance represent sinners. They are appointed to assemble on Jesus' left hand. He then consigns the goats to "the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
The word everlasting is translated from the Greek word aionios. The key to understanding this verse is knowing what will occur everlastingly. Does it refer to a fire that tortures without end, or does it have another meaning?
In Matthew 25:46 Jesus spoke in a single sentence of everlasting (aionios) punishment and of life eternal (aionios). Since the righteous will be given eternal, or everlasting, life, many theologians believe the punishing of the wicked must last as long as the life given to the righteous. But this cannot be reconciled with the statement that those cast into the lake of fire perish-they are killed. As explained elsewhere, they suffer death-the second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8).
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Sidebar to The Resurrection: God's Answer to Life After Death
Table of Contents that includes "Does the Bible Speak of Hellfire That Lasts Forever?"
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