destruction of the wicked

Destruction of the Wicked - (Hell) DW

Purpose of Study: To show that the purpose of hell is to destroy sin forever.

Center it: Jesus loves the wicked forever.

Know It Mark It: 1. Genesis 18:20-26; 18:33-19:5; 19:12-13; 19:24-28 2. Jude 1:7 3. 2 Peter 2:6-9 4. John 5:28-29 5. Job 21:30 6. Romans 6:23 7. Revelation 2:11 8. Revelation 20:6 9. Revelation 20:14 10.Revelation 21:8 11.John 3:16 12.Malachi 4:1-3 13.Revelation 20:9-10 14.Exodus 21:5-6 15.Jonah 2:6 16.Ezekiel 28:16-19 17.Revelation 20:9 18.Matthew 5:5 19.Revelation 21:1 20.2 Peter 3:9-11

In our last study we found that the Bible teaches that immortality is conditional and is only given to the righteous. So where does that leave the wicked? Are those who are lost also given immortality in a lake of fire? Is there some chasm in the middle of the earth where those who rejected the great love of God are also immortal and burning for the ceaseless ages of eternity? Once again we turn to the Word of God for the answer!

Share It: 1. Genesis 18:20-26; 18:33-19:5; 19:12-13; 19:24-28 What a story we read in these two chapters. God in essence says “probation has closed for these wicked cities,” and He would put an end to their wickedness before is spreads any more.

2. Jude 1:7 The Bible says Sodom and Gomorrah were punished with eternal fire and they are an “example” of what will happen to those who do as they had done. Sodom and Gomorrah are not burning today the fire burned them up and they are eternally destroyed.

3. 2 Peter 2:6-9 Wicked are reserved to be punished. They are then made to be an example “making them an en- sample unto those that after should live ungodly;” The Bible again says they are an example of what will happen to those who live ungodly. They are destroyed, no longer existing, gone, burned up. 4. John 5:28-29 Notice that there is a resurrection of the good and the bad. We have seen already that the righteous are raised to eternal life, but what about the wicked?

5. Job 21:30 They will be brought forth to the day of wrath. Notice it does not say they will be brought forth from wrath to the day of wrath. They were not suffering, but were dead.

6. Romans 6:23 The wages or reward for sin is death. If the wicked were living forever in the fires of hell this text would read “for the wages of sin is everlasting life in hell.” However, it says that it is only the righteous who have everlasting life.

7. Revelation 2:11 Second Death

8. Revelation 20:6 Second Death

9. Revelation 20:14 Second Death

10.Revelation 21:8 The second death means they die a second time. That is a death that there is no resurrection from. For every truth from the Word of God we find the devil promoting a counterfeit. The Bible teaches they will die, but the popular teaching is they will live forever!

11.John 3:16 Possibly the most quoted text in all the Bible. Notice what it says! If you believe then you “will not per- ish,” but will have “everlasting life.” What are the two options according to Jesus? Perishing or Ever- lasting Life. In order for the wicked to burn forever in hell they would have to have everlasting life. The Bible says that the righteous would eat from the tree of life and live forever. If the wicked too live for- ever would they need a tree of life? If you were in hell and there was a tree of life there, would you eat from it? Is God going to perform a miracle every moment of every day to keep the wicked alive in a place of eternal torment?

12.Malachi 4:1-3 They shall be made into ashes, just as Sodom and Gomorrah. It says they shall be ashes under the souls of your feet. This agrees with what happens at the end in the book of Revelation.

13.Revelation 20:9-10 What will happen to them? The fire devours them. Where are they when they are devoured? On the earth. What does this mean? Will some stay alive and burn forever? “Forever” can mean a definite period of time. αἰών aiōn ahee-ohn’

1. For ever, and unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity

2. The worlds, universe

3. Period of time, age

The question comes up at this point. Does the Bible contradict itself? We have looked at many texts that clearly state there is not everlasting life in hell, but here it seems to contradict. The wording sim- ply means they will burn until they are no more. “until the end of the age.”

14.Exodus 21:5-6 The servant could serve forever? It is understood that since he is not going to live forever that this must mean until he is dead.

15.Jonah 2:6 The word forever being used here, but are they still there? No. Just as in Revelation, “forever” meant a long time or until they were dead. If anyone deserves to burn forever it is the devil, but look what the Bible has to say will happen to him.

16.Ezekiel 28:16-19 If anyone deserves to burn forever it is satan, however this text says he will be burned up, and never be again.

17.Revelation 20:9 Put it together. The wicked are on the earth when they are burned. Remember Malachi said they shall be ashes under the souls of our feet.

18.Matthew 5:5 Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth, but the Bible says that is where hell takes place.

19.Revelation 21:1 The New Jerusalem sits down on the earth. At that time the promise is fulfilled to Abraham and all his descendants. They finally receive the promise land for all eternity! Sin is over and the faithful live for eternity!

20.2 Peter 3:9-11 God wants none to “PERISH”. That include you and me!