reconciled with the Watchtower teaching of the annihilation of the wicked?
And since the same Greek word for "eternal" in the phrase "eternal punishment" ( Matthew 25:46 ) is used in the phrase "eternal life" ( same verse ), does not this indicate that the punisment of the wicked is just as eternal as the everlasting life of the righteous?
2007-10-30 13:34:54 · 8 answers · asked by Nina, BaC 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The JW teaching of annihilation is not true. Yes you are correct in your interpretation of Matthew 25:46. Also your statement about varying degrees of punishment is correct.
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:47-48
2007-10-30 13:45:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The degree of punishment will be commensurate with one's sin against the light which one has received.
One good passage that indicated degrees of punishment is Luke 12:47-48: "That servant who know his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be BEATEN WITH MANY BLOWS. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be BEATEN WITH FEW BLOWS. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked". Other verses on this issue include MAT 10:15; 16:27; Rev. 20:12,13; 22:12.
Jesus affirmed that the wicked "will go away to ETERNAL punishment, but the righteous to ETERNAL life" (Mat 25:46)
2007-10-30 23:50:06 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It cannot be reconciled with it. Or with verses like Rev 14:11 - "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."
This is a pretty darn clear indication that eternal damnation is just that.
2007-10-30 20:40:59 · answer #3 · answered by jeffersonian73 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Book of Romans says the WAGES of sin is death (spiritual death). Wages are something one works for, so it would seem that there are indeed degrees of punishment; likewise the "servant" who was beaten with many stripes. Good Q!
2007-10-30 20:40:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
eternal punishment? or eternal punishing? I think you may have missed the Watchtower's pitch on this.
2007-10-30 20:42:15 · answer #5 · answered by What? Me Worry? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Then Jesus (God) created a placed to torture 95 % of population knowing that they will misuse the free will and before created them he prepared a place to torture them.
2007-10-31 00:09:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes unless of course you choose not to believe what it says. Which is what JW's do. They ignore anything that they do not like but are unable to rewrite.
2007-10-30 20:38:12 · answer #7 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
i think so
2007-10-31 09:24:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋