[nonsporting]

I completely disagree with you there. If it was so straightforward and obvious, there would not be so much discussion and debate on this topic.

Folks are always wanting to bring their preconceptions and misconceptions to the table, rather than letting the text speak for itself.

The Bible doesn't say that those (whose name were not in the book of life) were annihilated either. You are just assuming (adding) that. I, on the other hand, am using the first example as a model for what happens with the second. And since no additional language exists to distinguish it from the former (i.e. "they were annihilated", "they ceased for all time", "they were blotted out from existence", etc.), I take the conservative tac. So, I am not adding anything. Annihilation, on the other hand, is a gross addition, since it has no supporting language.

(btw is it "Revelation", no 's').

[ScubieNuc]

Folks are always wanting to bring their preconceptions and misconceptions to the table...

True. Including yourself.

...rather than letting the text speak for itself.

A couple of points...The text you bring up only mentions the Devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet in torment forever and ever. So that text, by itself, says only that.

When we as Christians need further understanding we compare one text with other texts in the Bible. So, in that sense, we don't always let "texts speak for themselves".

The third part of your statement that is wrong is that the Holy Ghost speaks for Biblical text. If it was as simple as just reading what the text appears to say, then the natural man could understand the Word of God. (1 Cor. 2:14)

(btw is it "Revelation", no 's').

Ok. I'll try to keep that in mind, but that seems like a pretty trival point (like complaining about speelling). 8^(

[RobRoy]

I’m with you. I take the meaning of the word death from the english dictionary (the language in which all my bibles are translated) and then apply that wherever I see the word “death”.

I never used to do that. It was always confusing, but now it is crystal clear.