Replies

Death is a state of existence involving separation.

I should amplify what I meant a bit. I was taught in my AG church that eternal damnation was eternal “separation from God” as an explanation for how it could “feel like” torture for all eternity. Problem is, apart from God, nothing exists.

And this gets into the crux of the whole thing: Arguing this is like arguing the description of the color “red” in a world of black and white gray-scale. I don’t believe “eternity” means time never ending. I believe it may be “something like that” but more of a place than a way of measuring time.

I believe the bible, on the surface, appears contradictory regarding the afterlife. Why use the plain word “death” if it is not what you mean? The meaning of the word is crystal clear in all conversations based in English EXCEPT when we start discussing the afterlife described in the Bible. I think it is because plain english is being used by God (or whatever language your particular bible is written in) to “explain the sound of a fiddle to a man born deaf.”

This means that ANY explanation beyond the actual words is up for interpretation, and why I don’t believe in the turn-or-burn doctrine because it does not fit the personality of the God of the bible. Yes, he is just, but he lets the punishment fit the crime. Eternal torture does not fit ANY crime committed by a man, unless that man’s crime was to prevent the salvation of another man. I don’t think that is even possible, though. And since the punishment is quite literally far beyond the comprehension of any human being, I question any support for such an action by a just and loving God.

If the bible was crystal clear on it, that would be different. But it would not use the word “death” to describe it. Rather, it would say something like “eternal life of torture”. But it clearly teaches that it is the opposite of the plain phrase “eternal life”.

But opinions clearly vary.

Of course, the same reasoning is why the human race was created. It will show the eternal damnation of Satan and the fallen angels is just and righteous.

If not, then neither shall Satan or the fallen angels be cast into the Lake of Fire, but will dwell with man forever more.

I testify His judgment is just, righteous, and the Lake of Fire is indeed very eternal.