Soul Annihilation - is this idea supported in the Bible?

Question

Who, apart from Jehovah's Witnesses, teach this? And how do you explain what Jesus said about Lazarus 'being in the bosom of Abraham' after he died?

VERY interesting to learn that 7th Day Adventists also believe this (the JW's will not be best pleased!). Fascinating insight into Origen and the Easten Orthodox Church. So is hell like purgatory (Roman Catholic teaching)? I know nothing about Hindi spirituality, but it's interesting to learn that they believe soul annihilation is in error.

Teha4 - thank you for your reference to the Greek word which does not mean annihilation.

Jen, I really liked your answer and I thank you for actually referring to 'the bosom of Abraham' which is key to the question.

Annsan - how gracious you are! Thanks for the insight into the JW beliefs. How come if JW's believe we do not have a soul but we ARE souls they then conclude there can be no eternal torment for those souls who are 'lost' (as in Revelation and are destined for the lake of fire, along with Satan and his demons)? Oh, I suppose they take that bit of Revelation to be symbolic (unlike the mention of 144,000).

RescuedB - thank you!

Jesus said in Matthew 25:41 "they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." The punishment lasts as long as eternal life. This is not annihilation. The Greek words 'Ekmendenisis' and 'Ekmendenizw' were not used.

Then we have Daniel 12:2 - "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."
My understanding from what the Bible says is that death and Hades are the interim place for the dead - those who are in the grave - but then death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire, the second death.

Consider Matthew 8:12 where Jesus spoke of sinners being 'thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' How can that be if they no longer exist? To claim that hell = non-existence is an equation that makes no biblical sense.

Please take note that I don't give anyone a thumbs down when they take the time and the trouble to answer one of my questions - even if I don't happen to agree with them.

Excellent explanation from Ernesto. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Answer 1

Some people who support the idea of annihilation believe that when God raises the wicked from the dead, it is to condemn them to extinction, which, they say, is the second death. So, let's look at the four places in Revelation where 'the second death' is mentioned:

There is an assurance that the faithful believer 'will not be hurt at all by the second death' (Rev 2:11). This shows that the 'second death' hurts. Annihilation, on the other hand, would put an end to any and all hurt. So why did John tell believers they would not suffer pain, if the second death is annihilation? Doesn't make sense, does it?

'Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them' (Rev 20:6). On the Day of Judgement 'Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire' (Rev 20:14). To those who are 'lost' (as opposed to those who are 'saved') 'their place will be in the fiery lake of burnigh sulphur. This is the second death' (Rev 21:8).

Does the second death mean annihilation? No. In the first 65 books of the Bible the biblical meaning of death is not annihilation but separation. So, all of a sudden, in the 66th book of the Bible, the word 'death' suddenly changes its meaning?

If 'death' means annihilation, how can there possibly be such a thing as 'the second annihilation'?

If 'the second death' is the ultimate punishment for sin and it means annihilation, and since Jesus bore the full penalty for sin in his death, then why was Jesus not annihilated?

I believe that Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians and Seventh-Day Adventists reject the immortality of the soul and a literal place of torment and advocate annihilation. If I've misunderstood, I apologise.

Regarding annihilation, Donald Macleod, Professor of Systematic Theology at the Free Church of Scotland College, Edinburgh, said "It was never accepted as part of Christian orthodoxy. Church Fathers, reformers and Puritans all believed in eternal punishment." Soul annihilation is a modern heresy.

Edit: Ezekiel 18:4 "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die" NIV. Please note, Ezekiel was speaking out against a false use the people were making of a doctrine of inherited guilt. He showed that we are each and individually responsible for our own sin/guilt and that sin/guilt is not passed on from father to son. In this context, the word SOUL means 'life' or 'person' and is not used here to distinguish spirit from body.

Jesus clearly said "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:27-28). This salvation will be for all time - it will be imortal. And just as those who are saved to eternity will KNOW they are saved to eternity, so those who are judged to eternal damnation will KNOW they are suffering. They will not be annihilated.

If hell was only a figment of the imagination, Jesus would never have come to save us from it. He would never have warned us about it. He would never have been obedient unto death and allowed himself to descend into it for three days.

Soul annihilation is a false doctrine invented by men because they cannot countenance the idea that a holy and righteous God could possibly wreck such terrible punishment on unrepentant sinners. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 tells us that God 'will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people..." The Greek word used here WAS NOT ANNIHILATION. There is a huge difference.

Answer 2

Soul Annihilation is not supported by the Bible. My best understanding of this subject is as follows: Before Christ died, the underworld of the dead was hell or Sheol, divided into the place of those who died in faith which was where Abraham was comforting Lazarus after he died and the other part of hell that was separated by a large chasm no one could cross, was where the wicked were as with the rich man. This is why the Bible also says that Jesus preached the Gospel to the dead and set captives free (the righteous in hell) and some translations of the Bible say that Jesus went down to hell to take the keys of hell or hades. Now when people die they go to either heaven or to hell (the place of punishment) which is still around until the Lake of Fire into which hell is thrown into eventually.

Jehovah Witnesses often concentrate on Old Testament verses which may state that one dies and goes to the grave and knows no more. Of course it has to be understood that the Bible was progressive in its Revelation of truth. Often the saints of old did not understand what was the big picture in God's work. The New Testament explains the old and is the fuller revelation for us to know God's plans. It is absolutely plain that eternal torment awaits the wicked and that eternal salvation is for the believers in Christ, based on the Bible.

Answer 3

What Jesus said at Luke 16:23 is part of a parable. The rich man, while in Hades, is said to lift "up his eyes" and he sees "Abraham afar off and Lazarus in the bosom [position] with him."

The rich man then asks Abraham to "send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue." (Luke 6:24)

Abraham says that there is a "great chasm" between them. (Luke 6:26) Are we to reason that the rich man could see Lazarus across this chasm and that he could even communicate with him? It is clearly symbolic.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that we are souls because Genesis 2:7 says regarding Adam's creation that "God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul."

Ezekiel 18:4, 20 says: "The soul that is sinning - it itself will die." The soul is clearly not immortal, and, in view of these verses, Lazarus could not literally have been beside Abraham.

Atheists do not believe in God, whereas Jehovah's Witnesses do. Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas and birthdays, which have pagan origins, do not go to war, do not vote, etc. Yet these are things that atheists and many professed Christains do.

I would doubt any Jehovah's Witness would be upset that another religion has a similar belief to their own.

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If Hades is Hellfire, and that punishment is eternal, how come Hades gives up those dead in it? And how can Hades/Hell be thrown into a lake of fire along with the concept of death? Is the fire in the spirit realm?

The 'second death' is death without hope of a resurrection and that's forever, it is eternal.

While a person is dead, they do not exist, except in God's memory, awaiting a resurrection. Those who God does not deem worthy of a resurrection suffer the second death, everlasting cutting-off.

Ezekiel 18:4 makes it clear that the soul is not immortal. If anyone has another intrepretation of it, feel free to explain it.

Answer 4

Whatever you do, don't give me Best Answer for this because that should go to the guy above, RescuedB! I'm only chipping in with tuppence worth of comment about the JWs and atheists.

If Atheists believed we had a soul, THEY would believe in soul annihilation. Curiously, JWs do not believe we have a soul (which makes them just like the atheists in that respect). JWs say we ARE souls. I think a lot of atheists could go along with that too. So I just want to flag up this warning about those who mock the idea of some eternal-living invisible 'being' that survives death (the soul). JWs do that. Atheists do that. The only difference between them is that JWs say there will be a resurrection. A completely new body will be created by God (physical) and the personality, which God remembers, will be put into that new body. So not one iota of the actual person will be resurrected.

Contrast that with what Jesus said about Lazarus finding himself in Abraham's bosom after dying, and the rich man finding himself in torments, pleading that his brothers (still alive on earth) could be contacted and warned of the reality of this after-life. Jesus said that if they had not listened to Moses, neither would they listen if someone returned from the dead. Soul annnihilationists do not believe the words of Jesus recorded in scripture. They explain them away. Be warned!

Answer 5

Don't forget that death and hades are also thrown into the lake of fire.

The lake of fire or second death is exactly what is says

Death.

Eccl. states that the dead know nothing, that they are conscience of nothing at all.

Why do doctors operate on sleeping patients?

Because they don't feel anything.

Why does Jesus liken Death to sleep, because it is the closest thing to death human experience daily.

Since Jesus said that "NO man has assended to heaven except the one that has decended." Therefore Abraham's bosom has to be symbolic. Just as the death of Lazarus and the rich man are symbolic.

The torment expressed here is from Jesus and his disciples teaching the truth, such as immortality of the soul is a reward for faithfulness, and not something everybody has.

What was the original lie, If we disobey God we will not die.

What is the revised lie? You have an immortal soul that does not die.
1) to destroy

a) to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin

b) render useless

c) to kill

d) to declare that one must be put to death

e) metaph. to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell

f) to perish, to be lost, ruined, destroyed

2) to destroy

a) to lose

The word means not just ruin, but to destroy, to perish, to be lost

When you die your soul is destroyed, or perishes.

Read John 3:16, what happens when you don't have faith in Jesus?

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Answer 6

Luke 16:14-31;

Jesus was talking to or about Pharisees who had no idea what Moses and the prophets taught.
These did have ideas as Babylon, Good to a good place, bad to a bad place, and worldly Gen.8:21; the imaginations of the heart that is evil from youth, God said, Gen.3:19; from dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.
Of all said, Luke 16:16,17,29,31; is to be followed, if Moses and the prophets do not talk of the living dead as the rich man died and was buried, then was talking.
The Pharisees are not going to believe anything but what they want to believe or do anything but what they want to do, they do not represent Abraham or God or good or truth.
By Abraham seed all are blessed, because Abraham is son #20 in the genealogy of Jesus who is son #62, and the seed [ one Lazarus was raised from the dead, he will be at Pentecost to be anointed as one of the heavenly ];
the bosom of Abraham is not heaven or man's reward, Abraham was a rich man Gen.13:2; Abraham was a friend of God.
The Pharisee was a rich man that was his own friend and to him he deserved the very best, if any was down and out like Lazarus they are doomed to the place of the Pharisees imagination, Jesus put the rich pharisee in the place of his imagination to show his disciples how far from the truth [ this generation of vipers and serpents as religion ], a leading sects can be, Matt.23:1-7;
Jesus last enemy to destroy is death 1Cor.15:22-28,51-53; Some are of his heavenly, most are of the earthly, and the cause of death Heb.2:9,14,16;
Acts 2:27-35; Jesus died and was resurrected to God's right hand until all
enemies are down, and he and his heavenly have them underfoot Rom.16:20; THIS WE SHOULD ALL LEARN ABOUT IN SATAN'S SHORT TIME
to the pit, to Rev.20:7-10; Satan's final results and any like him Rev.21:8; the final results of these.

Answer 7

I don't know what "religions" believe and teach this false doctrine. I'm more concerned about the truth that comes from God's word when studied correctly.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to "destroy" both soul and body in hell.

destroy (Greek - apollumi) signifies to destroy utterly; in middle voice, to perish. The idea is not extinction but ruin, loss, not of being, but of well-being.

Revelation 20:10-15 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

(Great White Throne Judgment)11 "Then I saw" (signifies a new vision) a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them (the old earth and heaven because Satan had access to both). 12 "And I saw" (new vision) "the dead", small and great, standing before *God (literally 'the throne'), and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life (Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28). And "the dead" were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up "the dead" who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up "the dead" who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then "Death and Hades" were cast into the lake of fire. This is the "second death." 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

"the dead" is a reference to those who never trusted Christ as their Savior.

"second death" the first death is when we die physically and the second death is spiritual and eternal in the lake of fire, the final, eternal hell.

"Death" (Greek - thanatos) literally, the stroke of death .. the separation of man from God. (VEDNTW)

"Hades" (Greek - hades) signifies the temporary place of the doomed; it is to give up those who are therein and is to be cast into the lake of fire. (VEDNTW)

Luke 16:19-31 (Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus)
"Abraham's bossom" This same expression (found only here in Scripture) was used in the "Talmud: as a figure for heaven. The idea was that Lazarus was given a place of high honor, reclining next to Abraham at the heavenly banquet.

"Talmud" a collection of Jewish writings of the early Christian centuries. (ZPBD)

I do not believe in soul annihilation and the above Scripture should prove my thinking.

Lazarus believed Jesus and received salvation ... of course he would go to heaven when he died (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord). The rich man did not believe and went to Hades. As we just learned, Hades is a temporary place for the unbelieving dead.

I hope this has helped.

Answer 8

No, they are rather somewhat diverse. seventh Day Adventists are a lot nearer to mainstream Protestants, different than the fact that they have got church on Saturday because of the fact they have self assurance the unique sabbath ought to be stated. yet they are trinitarians, they are able to have fun trip journeys and take part in politics, and are not rather regular for proselytizing. Jehovah's Witnesses bypass door to door attempting to transform human beings, and don't have fun trip journeys or take part in politics or different issues that are too "worldly". and that they don't have self assurance in the trinity. they do no longer notice the Saturday sabbath like Adventists, and merely have their conferences on Sunday. there is fantastically a lot merely one element that the two have in user-friendly, and that's the doctrine of conditional immortality (which potential human beings don't have souls that are huge wide awake in between loss of existence and their resurrection, and individuals who're no longer saved would be annihilated in the top, extremely than go through eternal torment in hell).

Answer 9

There are a couple of verses that strongly support this idea.

All souls belong to God:
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
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In the above verse we see God Almighty states that the soul that sins will die.
_______

Contemplation of the lives of those who have followed Christ encourages us to lead a good, upright Christian life which makes us “worthy of the kingdom of God”:
2 Thes 1:5
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
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So if we do not lead the life which is of Christ Jesus we are outside of the Kingdom of God.
_______

Here is another affirmation that the soul that is unrepentant is not given rest:
Hebrews 4:
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,
THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,”
although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; 5 and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.”
6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
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Does God Almighty state they shall not have His rest in the above verses?
_______

A question that is heard is: If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it is there still sound?
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Revelation 20:
12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
_______

the lake of fire?

V. 10

Answer 10

There is little direct reference to Spirituality in the Bible, and a lot of "thinking about" who Christ was, what he did, and what He (speaking as God) meant.

When Christ (and Christ is who the man Jesus became once he was initiated by John the Baptist and became God-realized) said that one was to "Love" others as oneself..... His reference to Love was a Spiritual reference. Love is a vibrational Reality that ones Soul may experience when it is awakened to the Spiritual realm existing within ones "Self" (or the Whole Human Being).

In the East, in Hindi specifically, the Spirituality within oneself is called "Shabd", and Shabd is the animating Energy sustaining each Soul, regardless in which form the Soul is experiencing Creation.

The Soul is an Aspect of God, it is composed of Neutral Spiritual Energy, the same Energy as that of God. The Soul is an Absolute, and as such, it is permanent, unchanging, and it cannot be destroyed.

Anyone who would suggest that the Soul could be annihilated is in error.

Peace