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What is "Everlasting Punishment"?
By Mahlon Wickey, May 2020
The King James Bible is the most popular and the most read Bible in the history of our Christian culture, and this is how and where our Christian doctrines generally came from. The term "everlasting punishment" is found only ONCE in the entire KJ Bible; which means that it could be a highly "suspicious" term. Our churches taught us in order to escape this most "cruel and unusual" punishment we must be TRUE Christians, and we should also "seek God". We were under the impression that to "seek God" was to go to church EVERY Sunday and carefully listen to our pastor. We were NOT aware that to "seek God" was to search and study the original Holy Scriptures for spiritual TRUTH that defines the PLAN of salvation. But we were taught that the PLAN of salvation was being SAVED from "going to hell", but ONLY for TRUE Christians. Yes, our Christian culture taught us that ALL of sinful mankind is destined to "go to hell", and to AVOID this most FEARED place of "punishment" we MUST be TRUE Christians.
We were under the impression that un-believers are somehow EVIL, simply because it is EVIL to NOT BELIEVE the gospel message, therefore UN-believers will face "everlasting punishment". It is very unfortunate and very SAD that the King James translators used "everlasting punishment" instead of using the CORRECT words. The INSPIRED Greek meanings of these two words ("everlasting" and "punishment") do NOT MEAN what we were taught that they meant, as we shall see in this article.
It is obvious that UN-believers are simply IGNORANT and do NOT "get it" about the POWER of SIN that demanded the brutal death of Jesus Christ, and this is WHY UN-believers are NOT inspired by the gospel message! But it is incredible that this type of ignorance is still considered as EVIL. The FAITH to believe in the gospel is a precious GIFT (Eph 2:8) that CANNOT be "chosen" or "earned" simply because it is a GIFT!
There could be millions of "unknown" TRUE believers that are inspired by this precious GIFT of faith to truly believe in the spiritual TRUTH of the gospel message. They are "unknown" because they NEVER "go to church" and might NOT believe in the Christian doctrines, but it is incredible that many churches would STILL consider them as EVIL and "willful" UN-believers!
As we all know, translated words are CHANGED words from the original INSPIRED words of the Holy Scriptures. The translated words; "everlasting punishment" are of course changed words, and "everlasting fire" and "hell fire" are also changed words….
Matthew 18:8-9 (KJV) Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. (9) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Matt 5:22 and Mark 9:47 (KJV) also mentions "hell fire", but this "hell" is NOT the "unseen" Hades/hell (G86). "Hell fire" is the G1067 "hell" that Strong’s Concordance defines as…. Valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment. James Strong mentioned "everlasting punishment" simply because he believed in this Christian doctrine! "Hell fire" could simply be called "gehenna fire" where LITERAL fires burned up garbage cast into this valley of Jerusalem known as "gehenna". Mark 9:44-48 (KJV) says that the "gehenna hell fire" (G1067) is "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched". "Their worm" is also mentioned in Isaiah 66:24, and the carcasses were of MEN….
Isaiah 66:24 (KJV) And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
"Their worm" (H8438 and G4663) were simply maggots that fed on dead rotten FLESH, and of course we know that maggots just recycle into common "flies", and in that sense "their worm" did NOT DIE, as Christ explained. But our Christian culture gives unsuspecting church-goers the impression that these "undying worms" means that UN-believers will NOT DIE simply because "THEIR" worm does NOT DIE! This would mean that UN-believers would have to be ALIVE since they are to experience the PAIN of "everlasting punishment" by suffering "endless" TORMENT in "hell fire". This is absolute spiritual INSANITY! Carefully read the link, "Gehenna" on my website.
Christ used "gehenna" and "their worm" simply as SYMBOLS! "Gehenna" was where LITERAL fires were burning garbage and they were NOT quenched, and LITERAL worms were feeding on dead rotten flesh, and these literal symbols were divinely designed to show a spiritual TRUTH! There is a spiritual "gehenna hell fire" that will "burn up" the spiritual "garbage" of the carnal mind, and the spiritual TRUTH of Isaiah 66:24 points to the SPIRITUAL "worms" that will feed on the DEAD useless sinful FLESH of the MEN that transgressed against God!
So WHAT is this spiritual "gehenna hell fire"? God HIMSELF is (yes, IS) a "consuming fire" (Heb 12:29), and "consume" (G2654) means to consume "utterly", or consume could also mean to devour. Yes, God HIMSELF will devour utterly (totally) all the spiritual "garbage" of the carnal mind into HIMSELF, and this "fire" will ALSO "TRY" (test) every man’s WORK….
1Corinthians 3:13-15 (KJV) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
EVERY man’s work will be made manifest to be declared by this spiritual FIRE in the "day" (of judgment). If ANY man’s work "abide" he will be rewarded, but if ANY man’s work will be "burned" he himself shall be SAVED; "yet so as by FIRE"! Our Christian culture taught us that 1Cor 3:13-15 was written ONLY for TRUE Christians. But the incredible irony and dilemma for our Christian churches is that they BELIEVE that no man (yes, NO MAN) will escape this judgment by FIRE! But God himself is (yes, IS) this spiritual FIRE that will DECLARE and TRY (test) "of what sort of work it is" of EVERY man and ANY man; referring to "ALL" men that will be TRIED by this spiritual FIRE so that "ALL" men can be SAVED; "yet so as by FIRE"!
Most of today’s pastors will "uncover" and honestly TEACH the Hebrew and Greek meanings of certain translated words in our beloved KJ Bibles, but when it comes to the word "everlasting" then these pastors will mysteriously REFUSE to honestly TEACH the inspired Greek meaning of the word "everlasting". So WHY do most of today’s pastors choose this very obvious double standard?
We shall see WHY the inspired Greek meanings of the words; "everlasting", "eternal", and also "punishment" are totally IGNORED and never TAUGHT by most of today’s pastors! The words, "everlasting" and "eternal" are both G166 (taken from G165), and are found 71 times in the KJ New Testament. The word "punishment" is G2851, and the meaning will be shown later. Again; WHY do most of today’s pastors REFUSE to honestly TEACH the Greek meanings (G166 and G165) that are easily found in Strong’s Concordance?
These pastors proudly proclaim that they are simply teaching what their beloved KJ Bibles teach, and yes, our beloved KJ Bibles do indeed mention the terms "everlasting punishment", "everlasting destruction", "everlasting fire", and also "eternal fire". But these pastors mysteriously NEVER teach that just maybe these KJ translated words do NOT MATCH the original INSPIRED Greek meanings! Yes, there is the possibility that these KJ translated words were deliberately designed to cause FEAR in the hearts of unsuspecting church-goers!
But "everlasting" and "eternal" would of course ALSO mean "forever", but the word "forever" is mysteriously NOT found in our beloved KJ Bibles! Yes, you heard me right! This is indeed a major biblical FACT! So WHY are the words, "everlasting" and "eternal" found many times in our beloved KJ Bibles, but the word "forever" is mysteriously NEVER found? If (yes, IF) certain pastors are aware of this major biblical FACT, then WHY do these pastors totally ignore and NEVER address or explain this major biblical FACT? That is a very good question!
You see, the "mystery" of this major biblical FACT can be easily solved if (yes, IF) we do a very simple search and study; which will indeed explain WHY most of today’s pastors REFUSE to honestly TEACH the Greek meanings (G166 and G165) of the words "everlasting" and "eternal"! Our beloved KJ Bibles (and other Bibles) always use TWO words for the word "forever"; which are the words, "for" and "ever" INSTEAD of simply using the ONE word, "forever". There is a very important theological reason for this! The exact term "for ever" is found 51 times in the KJ New Testament and has TWO Greek meanings. The word "for" (G1519) means "to" and "into", and also translated as "till" and "until", and "ever" (G165) properly means "age".
G165 is linked to G5550; which means a "space of time" (yes, TIME)! The un-created realm of "eternity" CANNOT theologically FIT with the CREATED realm of TIME! "Eternity" had NO beginning and has NO ending simply because God ALSO had NO beginning and has NO ending, but TIME was CREATED and then divinely DIVIDED into eons, eras, and AGES that DO have a beginning and DO have an ending!
We simply CANNOT explain a spiritual realm that had NO beginning and has NO ending! But we CAN explain "for ever" as a "space of TIME" during an AGE that continues "to", "into", or "until" the next AGE! IF pastors KNOW about these two Greek meanings that DEFINE "for ever" it would be a SHAME (and a SHAM) for these pastors to NOT teach this spiritual TRUTH! Carefully read the link, "Eternal" on my website.
Now we shall see the INSPIRED Greek meanings (G166 and G165) of the two highly "suspicious" KJ translated words; which are "everlasting" and "eternal". G166 (aiōnios) simply means "perpetual" (continual), but it was taken from G165 (aion) that properly means "age". G166 was also used for past or future time (yes, TIME), therefore G166 and G165 would simply mean a perpetual (continual) "space of TIME" during an AGE. This means that "perpetual" HAS to have a starting point in TIME that is past and "continues" on into a future TIME. So please understand; the UN-created God and the un-created realm of "eternity" BOTH had no (yes, NO) starting point in TIME. But the CREATED realm of TIME indeed HAD have a starting point, therefore the "time" of eons, eras, and AGES of course CANNOT theologically FIT with the UN-created realm of "eternity"!
I am sure that there are pastors today that are aware that "eternal" is from G165 that properly means AGE, but then they "conveniently" explain that "eternal" is simply an eternal "AGE". These pastors mysteriously will NOT confess that "eternity" had NO beginning and has NO ending, which would simply mean that "eternal" CANNOT be interpreted as an eternal "AGE"! You see, if (yes, IF) these pastors would be HONEST with the word "eternal" then their teaching on "everlasting punishment" would also be an HONEST teaching.
So let’s be HONEST with the KJ highly "suspicious" term "everlasting punishment" mentioned in Matthew 25:46, but Jesus Christ DID NOT mention this exact term, but the KJ translators DID indeed translate it that way….
Matthew 25:46 (KJV) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Most of today’s pastors explain that "everlasting punishment" HAS to TRULY mean "everlasting", simply because "everlasting" and "eternal" would have the SAME duration, so therefore "life eternal" would be the SAME as "life everlasting". These pastors simply do NOT know how RIGHT they are! It is very TRUE that "everlasting" has the SAME meaning as "eternal" (G166 and G165), and the following translations indeed have the CORRECT wording of Matthew 25:46…
Matthew 25:46 (CLV) And these shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just into life eonian."
Matthew 25:46 (Rotherham) And, these, shall go away, into, age-abiding, correction, but, the righteous, into, age-abiding, life.
Matthew 25:46 (YLT) And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.'
Matthew 25:46 (WNT) "And these shall go away into the Punishment of the Ages, but the righteous into the Life of the Ages."
These translations do indeed MATCH the Greek meanings of the words, "everlasting" and "eternal". So INSTEAD of "everlasting punishment" it is chastening eonian, age-abiding correction, punishment age-during, and Punishment of the Ages, and INSTEAD of "life ETERNAL" it is life eonian, age-abiding life, life age-during, and Life of the Ages. Of course, "life eternal" has to FIRST be lived during and through the AGES; which is WHY this "life" (the LIFE of Christ IN US) cannot YET be TRULY called "life eternal"! This is WHY pastors are indeed RIGHT to say that "everlasting punishment" LASTS as long as "life eternal", and it is called "everlasting life" 10 times in the KJ New Testament.
The CLV and Rotherham use the CORRECT terms, "chastening" and "correction" to describe "punishment". This is very important! The Greek word for "punishment" is G2851, and means "penal infliction" and was also translated as "TORMENT". But G2851 was taken from G2849, and G2849 is defined as…. (dwarf); properly to curtail, that is, (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction). Please remember this term; "reserve for infliction".
But what does the term "dwarf" have to do with "punishment"? We know that "dwarf" would refer to something "short". An internet search defines "curtail" as to "cut back", to "cut SHORT", to "reduce", or to "shorten". These meanings are linked to "PRUNE" (as we shall see); which is also linked to "chastise", as G2849 clearly explains.
It is indeed very obvious that the terms; "dwarf", "curtail", and "chastise" most certainly are not (yes, NOT) describing so-called "everlasting punishment"! The TIME to "dwarf", "curtail", and to "chastise" is AGE-abiding and AGE-during (NOT so-called "everlasting"); which is the TIME of "penal infliction", and the term "penal" simply means LEGAL infliction. The TIME of "curtail", and a "cutting SHORT" (dwarf), is also when Jesus Christ "purgeth" branches that are "IN ME" (IN CHRIST)….
John 15:2 (KJV) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
The word "purgeth" (G2508) simply means to "cleanse" or to "PRUNE". Jesus Christ will cleanse by "pruning" (cut to shorten) or to "dwarf" certain "branches" so that they "bring forth MORE fruit". Every branch that "beareth NOT fruit" are STILL "IN ME" (IN CHRIST), but when Jesus Christ "taketh away" these non-bearing "branches" means that they are NO LONGER a "branch" of the TRUE VINE; which IS Jesus Christ….
John 15:5 (KJV) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that The abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The "branches" would be TRUE believers since they are spiritually FED by the "nutrients" of the TRUE VINE, but some are NOT bearing "fruit" and are "taken away" of the TRUE VINE, and tragically they would NO LONGER be "IN CHRIST"! But since they are TRUE believers they will STILL be SAVED!
But what happens to them when they are "taken away" (cut off) from the TRUE VINE, and NO longer "abideth" IN CHRIST? It could be that they will have their "portion" WITH the UN-believers, as Christ explained by a parable in Luke 12:46. But parables point to spiritual TRUTHS! Yes, it is very likely that these TRUE believers WITH the UN-believers will be resurrected with the "unjust" (Acts 24:15). Notice what Daniel says….
Daniel 12:2 (KJV) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
"Everlasting" is the Hebrew word H5769, and is found 438 (yes, 438) times in the KJ Old Testament, and was translated as "perpetual" 22 times; which is the SAME meaning as the Greek word G166. H5769 will be discussed later. Yes, this is REAL shame and contempt that could be CAUSED by TRUE believers that deeply REGRET for NOT bringing forth "fruit" for Christ! Carefully read the CORRECT wording of Daniel 12:2….
Daniel 12:2 (YLT) And the multitude of those sleeping in the dust of the ground do awake, some to life age-during, and some to reproaches--to abhorrence age-during.
These "reproaches to abhorrence" is ONLY "AGE-during" (or during an AGE); they are NOT so-called "everlasting"! These hurtful feelings could ONLY be experienced by a PHYSICAL resurrection! It could be that TRUE believers NOW KNOW that they "blew it" to be "firstfruits" for the FIRST resurrection! They will all "awake" to live physical lives AGAIN to die AGAIN (second death), but BEFORE they die AGAIN they could face the penal (LEGAL) infliction that could be severe chastisement to CORRECT them (in Godly LOVE); which will end (yes, END) their REGRET and hurtful feelings of shame and contempt!
These TRUE believers that are "taken away" (cut off) from the TRUE VINE might have to SUFFER this penal (LEGAL) infliction so that a merciful God will get the desired RESULTS (maybe quickly) because it is HIS desire and WILL to SAVE them! Of course, salvation is promised for TRUE believers! But TRUE believers that DID NOT bring forth "fruit" for Christ can be a FEARFUL thing for them to "fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31) since this type of chastisement can be a very PAINFUL and a most unpleasant LEGAL infliction!
IF "everlasting punishment" would TRULY be "everlasting" then this type of chastisement of LEGAL infliction would have NO beginning and would have NO ending! This is absolute spiritual INSANITY! This would mean that "endless" chastisement or "everlasting punishment" would serve NO divine PURPOSE!
If you recall, G2849 is defined as to reserve (yes, reserve) for infliction. Notice this revealing scripture….
Mark 9:49 (KJV) For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
As we know, "reserve" means to "retain for a FUTURE use", and we ALSO know that the mineral properties of SALT is to "season" and to "preserve". Every one "salted with fire" means they will be "seasoned" and "preserved", and we shall see the FUTURE divine purpose for every one (ALL mankind) to be "seasoned" and "preserved" (salted) by the "gehenna hell fire".
I want to now show the INSPIRED Greek meanings of the term, "for ever AND ever"; which is found 21 times in the KJ New Testament, and has three inspired Greek meanings; which are G1519, G165, and another G165. As was previously explained, the term "for" is G1519; which means "to", "into", or "until", and the term "ever" (G165) is repeated TWICE. Of course, the KJ translators had to MATCH the repeated use of G165, but mysteriously they did NOT use the simple term "age" twice, but instead used the misleading term "ever" twice. Here is ONE example (among others) of the term, "for ever AND ever"….
Revelation 14:11 (KJV) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Notice that those in TORMENT "have no rest day nor night", but the created realm of TIME known as "day and night" could not (yes, NOT) theologically FIT with the un-created realm of "eternity"; which the KJ translators used "for ever AND ever". Are we to assume that there are TWO "eternities" or that ONE "eternity" is followed and another "eternity"? This is yet another KJ example of absolute spiritual insanity!
Here are three CORRECT translations of Revelation 14:11….
Revelation 14:11 (YLT) and the smoke of their torment doth go up to ages of ages; and they have no rest day and night, who are bowing before the beast and his image, also if any doth receive the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:11 (Rotherham) And, the smoke of their torment, unto ages of ages, ascendeth; And they have no rest day or night, who do homage unto the beast and his image, or if anyone receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:11 (WNT) And the smoke of their torment goes up until the Ages of the Ages; and the worshipers of the Wild Beast and his statue have no rest day or night, nor has any one who receives the mark of his name.
Please notice that the terms, "to", "unto", and "until" (G1519) are used INSTEAD of the term, "for". The smoke of their torment goes up "until" the Ages of the Ages (WNT); which means that this torment is before (yes, BEFORE) the FUTURE Ages of the Ages. Those that have "no rest" day or night are those that worship (OBEY) the "beast" and his "image" (likeness), and they indeed can have sleepless NIGHTS of stress and TORMENT! This deceived evil world/AGE is the AGE of "UN-REST", UN-certainty, confusion, fear, and TORMENT; which again, is BEFORE the FUTURE Ages of the Ages!
This present evil world/AGE is RULED by the "beast" and his "image" (the "likeness" of the carnal mind). Of course, it can be said that the carnal mind RULES all governments of this present evil world/AGE! So if (yes, IF) we are RULED by our own carnal mind (the "image" of the "beast") we can also have NO REST "day or night" with sleepless NIGHTS of stress and TORMENT! Again, this TORMENT is ONLY "to", "unto", or "until" the Ages of the Ages!
Notice the term, "heavens of heavens"….
Psalms 68:33 (KJV) To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
Psalms 148:4 (KJV) Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
In 2Cor 12:2 the apostle Paul spoke of the "third" heaven; meaning that there are THREE heavens. The term, "heavens of heavens" means that TWO heavens would be "superior" to the other heaven, and likewise "Ages of the Ages" are at least TWO ages that are "superior" to the other AGES.
The FIRST heaven is the AIR, and Gen 1:8 says that the SECOND heaven is called the Firmament. Gen 1:14-17 says that the greater LIGHT (sun), and the lesser LIGHT (moon), and the twinkling little LIGHTS (stars) were all set "IN" the firmament (H7549), or "IN" the expanse (atmosphere) of the SECOND heaven. The visible BLUE SKY high above us "reveals" the "heavenly" BLUE waters that are IN the THIRD heaven; which is ABOVE the other heavens (Psalms 148:12). The THIRD heaven is also the dwelling place of God, God’s THRONE, and the UN-created realm of eternity. It is NOT the unexplainable "endless" so-called "outer space", as we were all "skillfully" made to BELIEVE by our "beast" INSPIRED so-called science of astrology!
Notice the term, "the brightness of the firmament"….
Daniel 12:3 KJV And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
The sun, moon, and stars are "LIGHTS" that make up the "brightness of the firmament"! A part of this "brightness" are the STARS that witness to us (on clear nights) of the WISE that turn many to righteousness "for ever AND ever" (H5769 and H5703). H5769 means a concealed point of TIME that will vanish, and H5703 means perpetuity; which is the SAME as G166 (perpetual, or continual). The term, "for ever AND ever" is a concealed point of TIME in "perpetuity" (H5703) that will "continue" until it vanishes, but TIME does NOT vanish into "eternity"! TIME can only vanish into another point of TIME, and God has "scheduled" for these TWO vanishing points of TIME to be the FUTURE glorious Ages of the Ages.
This is when the WISE (firstfruits in the FIRST resurrection) will teach righteousness during the FUTURE glorious Ages of the Ages. But the righteous (the WISE) will also SHINE as the SUN, as Christ explained in Matt 13:43. The very BRIGHT "LIGHT" of the sun is also the "brightness of the firmament"! The SUN as a very BRIGHT "LIGHT" reminds us daily of the TRUE "LIGHT" (Christ) that "lighteth" EVERY man (John 1:9).
There are at least TWO glorious AGES when ALL mankind will be resurrected to live physical lives AGAIN, and will DIE AGAIN (second death), but not BEFORE they are chastised, corrected, and taught the right ways of God by the WISE so that they can be SAVED! Yes, God "will have" (a very strong term) ALL men to be SAVED, and God ALSO "will have" ALL men to come unto the knowledge of the spiritual TRUTH of the gospel….
1Timothy 2:4 (KJV) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Our Christian culture for hundreds of years has taught us that "everlasting punishment" would be the most dreaded and FEARED "lake of fire" spoken of several times in the book of Revelation, as we know. But just what is the divine PURPOSE of this most dreaded and FEARED "lake of fire"?
First of all, the term "lake" (G3041) is defined as.... Probably from G3040 (through the idea of the nearness of shore); a pond (large or small): - lake. G3040 is defined as…. Apparently a primary word; a harbor: - haven. G3040 is compared to G2568; which means good harbors or fairhaven (a bay of Crete) spoken of in Acts 27:7-8. The term "haven" (G3040) is found twice in Acts 27:12, and as we know, "haven" can be defined as a place of safety or refuge.
The major point is this; "haven", "good harbors", and "fairhaven" are LINKED to the term "LAKE". So therefore we can safely assume that the "lake of fire" is a HAVEN of safety or refuge, a place of GOOD harbors and a FAIR haven! What! Are you kidding me?! This is most certainly not (yes, NOT) what our Christian culture has taught us about the most dreaded and FEARED "lake of fire"!
The "lake of fire" would be the spiritual "gehenna hell fire" that will "burn up" totally the spiritual "garbage" of the "beast" nature of ALL mankind, and spiritual "worms" will feed on the DEAD useless WORKS of the sinful FLESH of ALL mankind.
Carefully read WHAT Revelation 21:8 says and doesn’t say….
Revelation 21:8 (KJV) 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.
These are the EVIL deeds of the "beast" nature of ALL mankind, but notice that the "fearful" (G1169); which has the meaning of being TIMID is (yes, IS) included with all these EVIL deeds! Being TIMID is a human weakness that is NOT EVIL, but it must be chastised and corrected in the "lake of fire". These EVIL deeds would include ALL rapists that will rape, but ALSO torture and murder helpless little girls! These are very SICK "beast" inspired EVIL men! These EVILS would include the "beast" inspired EVIL dictators that murdered at times millions of their OWN people! There are other EVILS of "beast" inspired humans that will all have "their part" in the "lake that burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev 21:8). But what is the divine purpose of ADDING "brimstone" to the "lake of fire"?
Brimstone (G2303) means…. Probably neuter of G2304 (in its original sense of flashing); sulphur, and G2304 is "theios" that means godlike or divine. So what is the godlike or divine PURPOSE of "flashing" sulphur? I searched the internet and found these USES of sulphur…. VITAL element for all forms of life, used as PURIFYING incense, it is called "Mother of all Medicine", used to help purify and disinfect homes, and also used to "accelerate" the healing of wounds. WOW! These are very REVEALING uses, and this could be WHY "brimstone" was ADDED to the "lake of fire"; the HAVEN of SAFETY or refuge!
As we know, sulphur is also used in gun powder, matches, and fireworks that will "flash" instantly. This means that sulphur (brimstone) will "flash" instantly (to accelerate) the HEALING of all spiritual wounds by the "Mother of all Medicine" including healing the INSANITY of spiritual deceptions to purify ALL mankind! Everything that is EVIL inspired by the "beast" HAS to be HEALED, purified, and corrected so that ALL mankind can be SAVED! This is the divine purpose of the "lake of fire"!
Yes, ALL mankind has the carnal nature of a "beast" that MUST be HEALED by the INSTANT flashing ("acceleration") of sulphur (brimstone) ADDED to the "lake of fire". The carnal nature of a "beast" is in ALL OF US, and it is called the number of the "wild beast"; which is (yes, IS) the number of mankind….
Revelation 13:18 (CLV) Here is wisdom. Let him who has a mind calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is the number of mankind, and its number is six hundred sixty-six.
It is NOT the number of "A" (certain) man that will be the future political WORLD RULER that is also known as the "man of sin". This is what we were all taught for hundreds of years by our Christian culture about this mysterious "man of sin". Open up your beloved KJ Bibles and carefully read 2Thessalonians 2:1-12; which talks about the SYMBOLIC "man of sin".
Sinful "MAN" is (yes, IS) the "MAN" of SIN in ALL OF US, but this sinful "MAN" is sitting IN the temple of God, but we (yes, WE) are the temple of God (1Cor 3:16-17 and 2Cor 6:16). The POWER of SIN is IN OUR HEARTS; which is the symbolic "man of sin" that will destroyed by the "coming" of Jesus Christ IN OUR HEARTS! Carefully read the link, "Coming" on my website.
If you recall, Revelation 21:8 says that the "lake that burneth with fire and brimstone IS the "second death". This means that AFTER the "beast" nature of ALL mankind is destroyed by this consuming "devouring" fire (lake of fire); which again, IS God HIMSELF, then those in the "lake of fire" will DIE AGAIN; which is their "second death" and then "awake" to their SALVATION. Here is another spiritual TRUTH about the "second death"….
Revelation 20:6 (KJV) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The "second death" has NO POWER over those that have a part in the glorious FIRST resurrection! Please understand; ALL the WARNINGS in the New Testament were to make sure and to spiritually PREPARE the TRUE believers for the glorious FIRST resurrection! This spiritual TRUTH is also in Revelation 2:11….
(KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
It is ONLY those that truly "overcome" that will NOT be HURT of the "second death"; which means that the mental PAIN and HURT of "falling into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31) CAN BE AVOIDED! But only IF we STAY on the spiritual "journey" to overcome (defeat) all the deceptions of this evil world/AGE! Carefully read the link, "Overcome" on my website.
Here is yet another spiritual TRUTH about the second death....
Revelation 20:14 (KJV) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
The state of death ITSELF, and the UNSEEN (NOT perceived) state of "Hades/hell" (G86) will be cast into the "lake of fire" to be consumed (devoured) into God HIMSELF! The major point is that the second death is (yes, IS) the DEATH of DEATH!
There are many spiritual enemies (evil SPIRITS) that INSPIRE the hearts of ALL mankind that will be destroyed (burned up) by the "lake of fire", and DEATH itself (BOTH physical and spiritual death) is the LAST enemy that shall be destroyed….
1Corinthians 15:26 (KJV) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The state of death ITSELF will be destroyed for ALL mankind by God HIMSELF, and what is LEFT after death is destroyed would be the LIFE of God HIMSELF that is given as a precious GIFT to ALL mankind, and can NOW correctly be called "life eternal"!
Finally I want to ask; what TYPE of "fruit" is it that TRUE believers DO NOT "produce" for Jesus Christ. Sure, TRUE believers will help others in need by acts of kindness that DO NOT go "unnoticed", and these acts (works) of kindness will be rewarded in the day of judgment. But "works" does NOT mean "fruit"!
The fruit (yes, FRUIT) of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, and peace, etc. (Gal 5:22), but it is ALSO goodness, righteousness, and TRUTH (Eph 5:9). Yes, spiritual TRUTH is ALSO a major FRUIT that the "branches" are to "produce" to not (yes, NOT) be "taken away" (cut off) from the TRUE VINE!
It is possible that TRUE believers have a "natural" LOVE for the vain, empty, and FALSE things of this evil deceived world/AGE, and they might ALSO have a "natural" LOVE for our Christian culture, and also "naturally" believe in the Christine doctrines. But we know that spiritual TRUTH is NOT found and NOT accepted by this "beast" inspired evil world/AGE! But SADLY certain spiritual TRUTHS are also NOT found and also NOT accepted by our Christian culture! Please understand; this non-acceptance of spiritual TRUTH makes it all the more precious!
Spiritual TRUTH is precious since it has the POWER to HEAL deceived hearts of the insanity of spiritual deceptions! Christ will NOT "take away" (cut off) TRUE believers from the TRUE VINE that "produce" the FRUIT of the POWER of spiritual TRUTH! But TRUE believers CANNOT have "one foot" in this evil world/AGE and have the "other foot" as a "branch" of the TRUE VINE! This would be the "lukewarm" TRUE believers that Jesus Christ will "spue" (G1692) or VOMIT out of His mouth….
Revelation 3:16 (KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
But here is a much BETTER translation of Revelation 3:16….
Revelation 3:16 (CLV) Thus, seeing that you are indifferent, and are neither zealous nor cool, I am about to spew you out of My mouth.
When Jesus Christ "tastes" the FRUIT of "indifferent" hearts it makes Him "sick to His stomach", and He will then VOMIT out of His mouth these TRUE believers that are "indifferent" (NO interest) to "produce" the FRUIT that will bring FREEDOM to the deceived hearts that have UN-REST, fear, and TORMENT!
TRUE believers should also "produce" the FRUIT that will LOVE others with the SAME love as (yes, AS) Christ loved them; which is the new (yes, NEW) commandment….
John 13:34 (KJV) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
But this is "UN-natural" love that must be INSPIRED by Christ! But it is possible that TRUE believers are "indifferent" (NO interest) in GROWING in the KNOWLEDGE of Christ that will INSPIRE HIS LOVE in their hearts. This also means that TRUE believers are "indifferent" (NO interest) to search and STUDY the original Holy Scriptures to GROW in spiritual TRUTH!
Jesus Christ is ALSO "indifferent" (NO interest) in the FRUIT of our Christian culture that TRUE believers "naturally" LOVE, and also "naturally" BELIEVE in the Christian doctrines! This is a major reason that Jesus Christ will "take away" (cut off) the "indifferent" useless "branches" of the TRUE VINE of HIMSELF!
Our Christian culture during the fourth century became CORRUPTED by the Catholic Church. This no doubt INSPIRED corrupt beliefs that included the corrupt BELIEF that NOW is our ONLY chance for salvation. But the REALITY of salvation is AFTER death; either after the FIRST death or after the SECOND death! King James truly believed in our corrupted Christian culture, so notice HOW he had 2Corinthians 6:2 translated....
(KJV) (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Notice; "For he saith". But did "HE" truly say; "NOW is "THE" accepted time and NOW is "THE" day of salvation"? Isaiah 49:8 indeed DOES SAY what "HE" (the LORD) said….
(KJV) Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
In "AN" accepted time, and in "A" day of salvation DOES NOT say, "NOW is the "THE" accepted time and NOW is "THE" day of salvation"! The KJ translators misquoted and totally IGNORED what Isaiah 49:8 TRULY said simply to UPHOLD a Christian doctrine! Sadly our Christian culture has "skillfully" taught us for hundreds of years to BELIEVE in the Christian doctrine that TEACHES us that "NOW is our ONLY chance to get SAVED"!
In conclusion; suppose you are a "rare" pastor that KNOWS the Greek meanings that DEFINE "everlasting punishment". But you also KNOW that this "rare" teaching means the salvation of ALL mankind. You also KNOW that this "rare" teaching could RISK your credibility, RISK your church attendance, and also RISK losing your salary. May God bless you IF you choose to teach the spiritual TRUTH on "everlasting punishment", and also teach that ALL mankind will be SAVED! You could indeed be a "firstfruit" in the FIRST resurrection and NOT be HURT of the second death! You would then be AS the WISE that will SHINE as the STARS in the glorious Ages of the Ages!
By Mahlon Wickey May, 2020
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Questions or comments?... Email: mrwickey7@gmail.com