Jesus said Eternal Damnation. Mark 3:29

[Ceallaigh]

SABER TRUTH TIGER
I remember when I was an annihilationist studying under the leadership of Herbert W. Armstrong he told us that the correct word in the greek was in the past tense. He claimed it should be rendered "where the beast and false prophet WERE". Years later, I did my own research (literally) and discovered he had lied to us. That is why I am no longer an annihilationist although there remain verses in the Bible that I still interpret as though I am still an anihilationist.

Interesting. I didn't know, or I forgot, that Armstrong taught anihilationism. Lots of parallels between Armstrongism and SDA.

 

[Cockcrow]

Annilation isn't temporary. It's eternal. It's an everlasting punishment from which no reprieve is possible.

Annihilation is a temporary punishment. you just burn up once. that's not everlasting.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Annihilation is a temporary punishment. you just burn up once. that's not everlasting.

So imagine if Sodom being destroyed by fire did not happen yet, and you read this verse.

”Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7).

You could conclude that the fire that was going to hit Sodom would be an eternal non-stop fire that would keep going in Sodom forever.

However, is Sodom on fire today?

Surely not.

In other words, it is a matter of perspective.

Annihilation in the Lake of Fire is temporary from the wicked’s perspective. In fact, the wicked will not really matter anymore in the scope of eternity when they are gone. Those who continue on for all eternity like God and His faithful saints will see the wicked’s punishment as everlasting or eternal because they realize that the wicked are not going to be resurrected or come back. The wicked’s eternal punishment or damnation is being reduced to ashes. God could bring them back, but He will not. Their state of having been annihilated or destroyed will have everlasting or eternal consequences from the perspective of God and His people. So such verses on eternal punishment are not speaking from the perspective of the wicked.

It’s everlasting destruction as Paul calls it (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Obviously if you were to take the extreme wooden literalism approach here on 2 Thessalonians 1:9, it would not work.
I can destroy a piece of paper by burning it in the fire.
But in ECT: It would not make any sense to say that the wicked will face destruction for eternity.
Do they perish into ashes, and then keep coming back just to do it all over again?
That makes no sense.
Do you believe Jesus meant that we should rip out our eyes and chop off our hands to prevent looking upon a woman in lust in Matthew 5:28-30? I would say… “no.” Because we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We would not go around chopping off the hands of our neighbors if we suspect they have trouble with lust. That would not be loving because you could kill them. Not only that, but it would break the law of the land, as well.

Anyway, getting back on topic: Why do you think it is called the “Second Death”?
It’s because it is related to the first death.
In other words, one has to allegorize the Second Death in order to make it fit ECT.
In ECT, it’s no longer a sequel to the first death, which is the body perishing.

Also, the last enemy to be destroyed is death according to the apostle Paul. This also suggests that there are other enemies of God that will be destroyed, too (See: 1 Corinthians 15:26).

Then there is Isaiah 66:24 talks about how the saints will look upon the carcases (the wicked). Carcasses are not alive but they are dead empty lifeless husks.

In addition, Revelation 21:4 says,
”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

So there will be no more sorrow, pain, or crying anymore. How can one not have pain or sorrow over the cries of ex loved ones who were unbelievers? How can you take comfort knowing they are suffering for all eternity in flames? Would that not be painful to know that? Sure it would. So obviously they are not going to be alive being tortured forever. That would monstrous. They would be destroyed like God did to all his enemies in the Bible.

Side Note 1:

Keep in mind again that I do believe in a literal hell.
However, hell is a temporary place of punishment until the Judgment takes place.

Side Note 2:

For readers who are new to this topic here, “ECT” means “Eternal Conscious Torment.”

 

[Cockcrow]

So imagine if Sodom being destroyed by fire did not happen yet, and you read this verse.

”Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7).

You could conclude that the fire that was going to hit Sodom would be an eternal non-stop fire that would keep going in Sodom forever.

However, is Sodom on fire today?

Surely not.

In other words, it is a matter of perspective.

Annihilation in the Lake of Fire is temporary from the wicked’s perspective. In fact, the wicked will not really matter anymore in the scope of eternity when they are gone. Those who continue on for all eternity like God and His faithful saints will see the wicked’s punishment as everlasting or eternal because they realize that the wicked are not going to be resurrected or come back. The wicked’s eternal punishment or damnation is being reduced to ashes. God could bring them back, but He will not. Their state of having been annihilated or destroyed will have everlasting or eternal consequences from the perspective of God and His people. So such verses on eternal punishment are not speaking from the perspective of the wicked.

It’s everlasting destruction as Paul calls it (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Obviously if you were to take the extreme wooden literalism approach here on 2 Thessalonians 1:9, it would not work.
I can destroy a piece of paper by burning it in the fire.
But in ECT: It would not make any sense to say that the wicked will face destruction for eternity.
Do they perish into ashes, and then keep coming back just to do it all over again?
That makes no sense.
Do you believe Jesus meant that we should rip out our eyes and chop off our hands to prevent looking upon a woman in lust in Matthew 5:28-30? I would say… “no.” Because we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We would not go around chopping off the hands of our neighbors if we suspect they have trouble with lust. That would not be loving because you could kill them. Not only that, but it would break the law of the land, as well.

Anyway, getting back on topic: Why do you think it is called the “Second Death”?
It’s because it is related to the first death.
In other words, one has to allegorize the Second Death in order to make it fit ECT.
In ECT, it’s no longer a sequel to the first death, which is the body perishing.

Also, the last enemy to be destroyed is death according to the apostle Paul. This also suggests that there are other enemies of God that will be destroyed, too (See: 1 Corinthians 15:26).

Then there is Isaiah 66:24 talks about how the saints will look upon the carcases (the wicked). Carcasses are not alive but they are dead empty lifeless husks.

In addition, Revelation 21:4 says,
”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

So there will be no more sorrow, pain, or crying anymore. How can one not have pain or sorrow over the cries of ex loved ones who were unbelievers? How can you take comfort knowing they are suffering for all eternity in flames? Would that not be painful to know that? Sure it would. So obviously they are not going to be alive being tortured forever. That would monstrous. They would be destroyed like God did to all his enemies in the Bible.

Side Note 1:

Keep in mind again that I do believe in a literal hell.
However, hell is a temporary place of punishment until the Judgment takes place.

Side Note 2:

For readers who are new to this topic here, “ECT” means “Eternal Conscious Torment.”

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Tormented day and night for ever and ever. No annihaltion. and it isn't just the false prophet and the beast who are tormented day and night for ever, not it says 5 verses later "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

 

[Der Alte]

So imagine if Sodom being destroyed by fire did not happen yet, and you read this verse.
”Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7).
You could conclude that the fire that was going to hit Sodom would be an eternal non-stop fire that would keep going in Sodom forever.
However, is Sodom on fire today?
Surely not.

Jude does NOT say that Sodom would be subject to the eternal fire eternally. It only says the fire is eternal.

...
The wicked’s eternal punishment or damnation is being reduced to ashes. God could bring them back, but He will not. Their state of having been annihilated or destroyed will have everlasting or eternal consequences from the perspective of God and His people. So such verses on eternal punishment are not speaking from the perspective of the wicked.

Have you read Revelation 21:4, 8 Rev 22:11, 22:15?

Revelation 21:4​

(4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.​

Revelation 21:8​

(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.​

Revelation 22:11​

(11) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.​

Revelation 22:15​

(15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.​

Anyway, getting back on topic: Why do you think it is called the “Second Death”?
It’s because it is related to the first death.
In other words, one has to allegorize the Second Death in order to make it fit ECT.
In ECT, it’s no longer a sequel to the first death, which is the body perishing.

Although the lake of fire is called the second death 2 times. Not one vs says anything/anyone is thrown into the LOF then it/they die. See Revelation 21:4, 21:8 Rev 22:11, 22:15?

Then there is Isaiah 66:24 talks about how the saints will look upon the carcases (the wicked). Carcasses are not alive but they are dead empty lifeless husks.

That only refers to what happens in this life. There will be no dead bodies in heaven for the saints to look upon.

In addition, Revelation 21:4 says,
”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

See above.

So there will be no more sorrow, pain, or crying anymore. How can one not have pain or sorrow over the cries of ex loved ones who were unbelievers? How can you take comfort knowing they are suffering for all eternity in flames? Would that not be painful to know that? Sure it would. So obviously they are not going to be alive being tortured forever. That would monstrous. They would be destroyed like God did to all his enemies in the Bible.

Did Abraham have pain and sorrow for the rich man?

Side Note 1:
Keep in mind again that I do believe in a literal hell.
However, hell is a temporary place of punishment until the Judgment takes place.

Scripture?

 

[Der Alte]

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Tormented day and night for ever and ever. No annihaltion. and it isn't just the false prophet and the beast who are tormented day and night for ever, not it says 5 verses later "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Revelation 21:4
(4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.​

4 vss. later 8 groups of the unrighteous are thrown into the lake of fire. Since there is no more death after vs. 4 the 8 groups do not die.

Revelation 21:8
(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.​

The last chapter in the Bible, no more salvation, no more death.

Revelation 22:11
(11) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.​

Where are these unjust and filthy?

Revelation 22:15
(15) For without [outside the new Jerusalem] are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.​

Six more vss. the end.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Tormented day and night for ever and ever. No annihaltion. and it isn't just the false prophet and the beast who are tormented day and night for ever, not it says 5 verses later "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

I have already explained this at CF before. You can check out my reply to what you brought up here.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Tormented day and night for ever and ever. No annihaltion. and it isn't just the false prophet and the beast who are tormented day and night for ever, not it says 5 verses later "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Also, ….

“Forever” (and Some of Its Related Synonyms) Does Not Always Mean “For All Eternity”:

In fact, I believe why most hold to Eternal Torment is because they do not understand that the word "forever" (and some of its related synonyms) does not always mean "for all eternity" in the Bible. Sure, sometimes the word “forever” can mean “for all eternity,” but not always. Why do I say that?​

​

Well, I heard a pastor once say that the best way to interpret the Bible is to let the Bible do the interpreting for you.​

​

In other words, the word "forever" (and its related words) does not always mean ”for all eternity” in the Bible. “Forever” can be talking about "forever" here on this Earth (as long as someone lives) or in having a sense of "completeness" or "totality" for a specific temporal thing). For what do you make of the following verses below that say that "forever" (or it's related words) does not mean “for all eternity?”​

​

• In Genesis 13:15 the land of Canaan is given to the descendants of Israel “forever.” However, the Earth (Where Canaan resides) will pass away (Matthew 24:35) (Revelation 21:1).​

​

• Isaiah 34:9-10 mentions a city in the region of Idumea (of the people of Edom) and how its burning pitch will not be quenched night or day, and the smoke of that city will go up forever. However, again, the Earth (Where Idumea resides) will pass away (Matthew 24:35) (Revelation 21:1). Note: Please pay special attention to this passage. It also mentions “night, “day” and “for ever and ever” just like Revelation 20:10.​

​

• The Israelites and their sons were to keep the Passover “forever” (Exodus 12:24).​

The Passover is a part of the laws of Moses. But Christians today are not under the Laws of Moses (Romans 6:14) (Acts 13:39) (Acts 15:1-24).​

​

• Exodus 27:21 says Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning as a statute (law) forever unto their generations (descendants). Exodus 28:43 says that Aaron and his sons must wear certain pieces of clothing when they enter the Tabernacle. This was to be a statute (law) unto Aaron and his sons forever. The Aaronic Priesthood was to be an "everlasting" priesthood (Exodus 40:15). However, the Aaronic priesthood was temporary, and it was replaced by the priesthood order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:11-19).​

​

• Israel's "affliction is incurable" (Jeremiah 30:12) until -- the Lord "will restore health" and heal her wounds (Jeremiah 30:17).​

​

• Habakkuk tells us of mountains that were "everlasting" until -- they “were scattered” (Habakkuk 3:6).​

​

• God was to dwell in Solomon's Temple "forever" (1 Kings 8:12-13, 1 Kings 8:27), until -- the Temple was destroyed (2 Kings 25:8-17).​

​

• The children of Israel were to "observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant" (Exodus 31:16)-until -- Paul states there remains "another day" of rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:8-9) and they are not to let others judge them if they don’t keep the Sabbath days (Colossians 2:14-17).​

​

• The fire for Israel's burnt offering (animal sacrifice) is never to be put out (Leviticus 6:12-13), and yet -- Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, and sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12).​

​

• Jonah describes how the earth with her bars was about him forever when he was in the fish (Jonah 2:6), until--the Lord delivers him from the large fish's belly on the third day (Jonah 1:17).​

​

• The forts and towers shall be for dens (animal habitations) for ever, until -- the Spirit is poured out (Isaiah 32:13-16).​

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• The King James Bible, as well as many other translations, tells us that a bond slave was to serve his master "forever" (Exodus 21:6). This obviously would be only until his death.​

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• Numbers 15:15 says that the animal sacrifices will be forever, but we clearly know this is not the case because Jesus has become our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) (1 Peter 1:19).​

​

• In Philemon 1:15: Paul mentioned to Philemon how Onesimus may have departed so that Philemon may receive him back forever. Obviously if this were to have happened, Onesimus is not an immortal man still living upon the Earth with his master (Philemon) today. If Onesimus returned, he would have returned back to his master forever within the context of their temporary lives upon the Earth.​

​

So the word "forever" as used in the Bible is true. It does mean "forever" but it is talking in "forever" under the context of within either a temporary Covenant, or here upon this Earth (which is temporal), or within the Lake of Fire (Which is also a temporary place). For example: A husband can say to his wife that he will be with her forever. But of course, this talking in context of "forever" as being here upon this Earth. In many cases, words such as "everlasting" or "forever" can be in context to a particular thing that is temporal within the Bible.


Source used:
(Please take note that I do not agree with everything these Christian authors believe, say, or do).
(I also adjusted some of his points on his list, as well).
Apttpteach

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Revelation 20:10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Tormented day and night for ever and ever. No annihaltion. and it isn't just the false prophet and the beast who are tormented day and night for ever, not it says 5 verses later "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

In addition, if you ever studied how the KJV had archaic words in it, you would know that some words are not like our Modern words. Take for example the English word “conversation” in the KJV. It means “behavior” or “conduct” in some cases. 1 Peter 1:15 is one such example. It says ”conversation” and yet in other translations it says conduct.

1 Peter 1:15 - A Call to Holiness

But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,

biblehub.com

It’s not that the KJV is wrong, it is just an out of date saying for conduct. This is the same thing when it comes to the word “forever.” But most Modern bibles did not catch this, and update its meaning. There are a few that do, but not all of them. But the idea here is to look at the whole counsel of God’s Word and not just to latch on to a tradition or teaching that was taught to us in church repeatedly.

 

[Cockcrow]

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

[Cockcrow]

John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Once again Jesus uses the word damnation. Damnation means eternal conscious torment. not annihilation.

 

[JulieB67]

So there will be no more sorrow, pain, or crying anymore. How can one not have pain or sorrow over the cries of ex loved ones who were unbelievers? How can you take comfort knowing they are suffering for all eternity in flames? Would that not be painful to know that? Sure it would. So obviously they are not going to be alive being tortured forever. That would monstrous. They would be destroyed like God did to all his enemies in the Bible.

Side Note 1:

Keep in mind again that I do believe in a literal hell.
However, hell is a temporary place of punishment until the Judgment takes place.

Exactly right!

There is a hell right now but that's not the same thing as the Lake of Fire on Judgement Day. Once all of that is finished, the former things will be no more and everything is new. People can't accept that for some reason. Even if that's exactly what Revelation states. And they don't understand that later on in Revelation Christ is just reiterating what "will happen" at Judgement Day. Those who overcome will receive eternal life and those who don't will have their part in the Lake of Fire -which is the second death. They seem to believe that things are still happening after Christ states "it is done" Context is so important and when we take the bible as a whole and apply the context, of course eternal damnation is eternal destruction, it is the second death. A fire turns everything to ash and that's what will happen. There's no coming back from that.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Exactly right!

There is a hell right now but that's not the same thing as the Lake of Fire on Judgement Day. Once all of that is finished, the former things will be no more and everything is new. People can't accept that for some reason. Even if that's exactly what Revelation states. And they don't understand that later on in Revelation Christ is just reiterating what "will happen" at Judgement Day. Those who overcome will receive eternal life and those who don't will have their part in the Lake of Fire -which is the second death. They seem to believe that things are still happening after Christ states "it is done" Context is so important and when we take the bible as a whole and apply the context, of course eternal damnation is eternal destruction, it is the second death. A fire turns everything to ash and that's what will happen. There's no coming back from that.

I whole heartedly agree. People cannot see it because they either think the majority of Bible believing churches cannot be wrong on such a major doctrine, or they look at like 3-5 verses taken out of context to the rest of this topic. Others may be afraid this is too close to the JW belief, or something. But guilt by association is not always true. Sometimes a blind squirrel can find a nut. It never occurred to them to check the Scriptures in that there is great significance in the verses that makes a great case for the truth in that God will destroy the wicked.

May God bless you greatly this coming new year.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Explaining Revelation 20:10:​

​

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10).​

​

First, the devil, the beast and the false prophet are demons. So even if one wanted to make this verse about eternal torment for faithless sinful mankind, the context in view here is in reference to demons and not wicked or faithless human beings.​

​

Second, some suggest that the beast and the false prophet have been hanging down in the Lake of Fire for about 1,000 years before Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (Suggesting that one remains alive while in the Lake of Fire for a very long time). While I do not discount the possibility that the beast and the false prophet may be alive down within the Lake of Fire, there is also the possibility that they are simply corpses by the time Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire, as well. How so? Well, Scripture can refer to the dead or the deceased with the word “are.” Isaiah says,​

​

“They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.” (Isaiah 26:14).​

​

Also, while God certainly may have many reasons to send Satan into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years before releasing him one last time at the end of the Millennium, why didn’t God just cast Satan into the Lake of Fire for 1,000 years along with the beast and the false prophet instead? Could it be that such a place is indeed a place of eventual destruction or annihilation? Fires in our real world teach us that they consume things.​

​

But what about the part in Revelation 20:10 that says,​

​

“the devil… shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever”​

​

While I believe the KJV is the perfect Word of God for our day, and I prefer to simply look up words in older English dictionaries, I believe sometimes the original languages can on rare occasions give us a deeper and or expanded meaning.​

​

The word “ever” repeated twice within Revelation 20:10 (in the KJV) is taken from the Greek word “aiōn.” According to Strong’s, this word is defined as a period or age (Which from our perspective can seem like an eternity).​

​

In other words, Revelation 20:10 is saying that the devil, the beast, and the false prophet will be tormented day and night for... "ages, and ages."; Here are a few translations that express something similar:​

​

"for the eons of the eons." ~ Concordant Literal New Testament​

"for the ages of the ages." ~ Darby Bible Translation.​

"for the aeons of the aeons." ~ The New Covenant by Dr. J.W. Hanson​

​

In other words, Revelation 20:10 could be potentially saying that the devil, the beast, and the false prophet may be tormented day and night for the purpose of the Ages and Ages (or the Ages of Ages). Meaning the Ages and Ages that are past! They are being punished day and night for the evil that they committed during the past Ages and Ages here on this Earth. Fair justice. For the word "for" can also be defined as "because" (i.e. the purpose of) within the English language.​

​

Revelation 20:10 Darby​

​

"And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where [are] both the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for [the purpose of] the ages of ages."​

​

For the devil, the beast, and the false prophet are all demons who have tormented mankind for ages and ages. So they will be cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone and will be tormented day and night and not for all eternity.​

​

So the "ages and ages" could be talking about "past ages" and not "future ages."​

​

This is further supported by the fact that Paul says the last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26), which suggests that there were other enemies of God that the Lord destroyed before this last enemy. This then ties in nicely with Revelation 21:4 saying, "the former things have passed away." These former things that have passed away are: tears, sorrow, crying, death, and pain. For the first heaven and first earth will pass away and a new heaven and a new earth will take its place (Revelation 21:1). For Jesus says, "I make all things new." (Revelation 21:5).​

​

Now, does this mean I do not believe the English words “for ever, and ever” in my King James Bible? Perish the thought. Most certainly not! I believe the Word of God.​

​

I believe the devil will be tormented day and night for ever, and ever, but this is only within the context for as long as the Lake of Fire exists and it is only in context to how long the devil will exist as a conscious active being. Remember Philemon 1:15? Did Onesimus return to his master Philemon for all eternity or forever? Is Onesimus and Philemon still alive today? No, of course not. Onesimus returned forever to Philemon in context to while they were both alive on the Earth alone.​

​

Furthermore, if we were to look again at Revelation 14:11 it says the smoke of their torment ascends for ever, and ever. Smoke of torment ascending for ever and ever” is a metaphorical phrase from Isaiah 34:10 that says,​

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“It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.” (Isaiah 34:10).​

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Notice the words "night nor day shall not be quenched” in the verse.​

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Surely the smoke of the city of Edom will not go up for all eternity because Jesus says Heaven and Earth will pass away (Matthew 24:35) and Revelation 21:1 says, “the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” You cannot have eternal cities burning forever on a planet that passes away. It doesn’t make any sense. So this lets us know that the words "for ever and ever" and “night and day” is in reference to the language for destruction. This is how I believe that we are to interpret Scripture. We interpret Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:10) (Acts of the Apostles 17:10-11). If we are to be consistent with how biblical language is used. When in reference to punishment, the words “for ever and ever" is in reference to destruction from Isaiah 34:10. That is how these words are described and setting the tone of how we should understand these phrases or words. Yes, Scripture says in Revelation how God lives for ever and ever, but this is not in context to punishment but to God. Take for example the word "know" in the Bible. It can mean "having knowledge" like in Genesis 3:5. But used in another context, it can refer to physical intimacy like in Genesis 19:5. The dictionary has several definitions for the word "ever." Besides the word "ever" meaning eternal, it also defines the word "ever" in this way, as well.​

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Ever: ​

(adverb):​

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To a great extent or degree.​

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Dictionary Source:​

Ever dictionary definition | ever defined​

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So while this may not be 100% biblical fact, it may possibly mean in Revelation 20:10 as saying,​

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“...shall be tormented day and night for ever [a great extent] and ever [degree].”​

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Also, the beast and the false prophets are demons in Revelation 20:10, and not wicked men. The false prophet in Revelation 16:13-14 is implied to be the one who is the second beast who rose up out of the earth (Revelation 13:11-15). So even if one wanted to take the words for ever and ever literally in Revelation 20:10, it is referring to demons and not wicked humans.​

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1 Corinthians 15:26 says,​

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”​

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If we believe the last enemy to be destroyed is death, this strongly implies that there are other previous enemies of God who will also be destroyed, as well.​

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This is EXACTLY what we see described of the devil in Ezekiel 28.​

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.” (Ezekiel 28:16).​

 

[Bible Highlighter]

John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Once again Jesus uses the word damnation. Damnation means eternal conscious torment. not annihilation.

We cannot just redefine words in what they mean. We actually need the Bible to tell us what a word means. If this is not possible, we try to let other verses help us out to bring us to the right conclusion. For example: Some people just mindlessly say, “Repent means a change of mind.” Where did they hear that from? Change their mind about switching from Pepsi to Coca Cola? So such a definition is not sufficient. Others will say sin is missing the mark. Really? Are we truly comparing the messing up in a sport to what put Jesus on the cross? Sin causes great suffering and pain and leads to death. Surely it is not like messing up in archery. Not even close. So people will just repeat things mindlessly without really looking to the Bible. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. If one cannot demonstrate things by the Bible, they are biblically bankrupt.