Will Humans Be Tortured Forever In Hell?

A compilation of Scriptures by Dan Beeson 22 September 2022

www.vigilantvaliant.com    dan@vigilantvaliant.com

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

YAHWEH IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY YAHWEH ALONE IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL.

NO SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT YAHWEH IS NOT ETERNAL OR IMMORTAL.

ARE HUMANS IMMORTAL?

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE MORTAL, NOT IMMORTAL.

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE IMMORTAL

BODY AND SOUL AND SPIRIT

THE BODY:

THE SOUL:

THE SPIRIT:

HOW DOES A PERSON RECEIVE A SPIRIT?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HUMANS DIE?

WHERE DO MOST PEOPLE GO, HEAVEN OR HELL?

THE GOOD NEWS

THE BAD NEWS

DO THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION?

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY AT DEATH THE SAVED GO TO YESHUA

WILL LOST HUMANS DIE IN HELL?

WHAT IS HELL?

THE FIRST DEATH

THE RESURRECTIONS

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

THE RAPTURE OF THE SAVED

THE SECOND RESURRECTION

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT

THE BOOK OF LIFE

THE SECOND DEATH

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY HUMAN SOULS WILL DIE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE

WILL HUMANS BE TORTURED FOREVER IN HELL?

WHAT DOES FOREVER MEAN IN THE BIBLE?

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY SOULS WILL LIVE FOREVER IN HELL.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

CONCLUSIONS

APPENDIX

REVELATION 20:10 HAS NO WORD "ARE"

NON-BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOLLOW

INTRODUCTION

This is a scripture search for the “TRUTH.. Why? So I will not be beguiled, tricked, deluded, or deceived. We humans can be so easily deluded. Consider this White Triangle.

See the White Triangle to the left, between the three black circles and upside down from the black triangle?

Great. Most people see it. But we are deluded. There is neither a white triangle, a black triangle, nor three black circles. This is an example of Illusory Contours or Modal Completion. Sure, now you see it. Now you say you were never tricked by that image. You never saw a White Triangle! Look again.

See the Old Lady to the right? Ahh. Now you are ready to catch this one. Maybe you see the Old Lady with the big nose with a wart on it and a protruding chin. But just maybe, you see the Young Lady, looking away from us, with a black neckband, and her left ear peeking out from under her hair. Note that the Young Lady’s ear is the Old Lady’s eye. The Young Lady’s neckband is the Old Lady’s mouth. The Young Lady’s little nose is the Old Lady’s wart on her big arched nose. The Young Lady’s left ear is the Old Lady’s eye.

Even after seeing the two, sometimes I have to think and focus to try to see the other again. I will get stuck on just seeing the Old Lady, and have to really think to see the Young Lady again. You too?

The point of these images is how easily we are deceived or deluded. And how even after having it explained to us, and seeing one view, we can slip back into the other view.

How easily mankind can be beguiled, tricked, deluded, or deceived.

The first deception of humans recorded in the Bible is in the Garden of Eden.

"15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:15-17)

"3 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3, 3-5)

So the devil first twisted what Yahweh said, to make Yahweh’s commandment sound very unjust and harsh, “not eat of EVERY tree.” Then the devil says, “ye shall not surely die”, which is the direct opposite of what Yahweh said. The devil is saying Yahweh is lying. So Yahweh says to Eve “thou shalt surely die” if they eat it, the devil says they will not die. The fact that they did not drop dead that very day shows that Yahweh was speaking of something besides their bodies dying in that 24 hour period. But the death sentence was now on Adam and Eve, and sadly, mankind.

Sadly, this first deception of humans is STILL TO THIS DAY believed by a majority of Christians. Yahweh says you shalt surely die, the devil says you shall not surely die, and this lie has been accepted by the majority of the Christian church in these current times.

Satan used the scriptures against Yeshua (Jesus in English) during His 40 day fast in the desert. He did not twist it this time, but applied it incorrectly. Let that sink in.

"5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:5-7)

Is the truth that hard to find? Actually, the Bible says YES! Yeshua Himself says we can be beguiled, tricked, deluded, or deceived. Note the verses below.

"8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:8-14)

"4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5 NOTE: Mark 13:5-6 and Luke 21:8 are the same as these verses.)

"11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:11-14)

"23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:23-24)

The verses above are just a few that show Jesus warns Christians about being deceived or deluded.

You may think, “But we could not be deceived through the Bible itself.” Guess again.

"4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:1-10 NOTE: This is the same as Luke 4:1-13)

So the verse above shows that the devil, and by extension, people, can use the scriptures improperly, or twist the meaning of the scriptures, and try to deceive us. So we must study the scriptures carefully.

This is a scripture search for the truth about what happens after we die. What does the Bible say happens to humans when they die? What does it say clearly, without interpretation, without needing an hour lesson by some linguist on what that word or sentence “really” means? What does it overwhelmingly say? If a hundred scriptures seem to say “A” and three or four seem to say “B”, which side of the balance am I going to trust? If a couple of neighbors say they believe “B”, if a hundred preachers say we ought to believe “B”, are you going to trust the “B” side, or the side with 100 scriptures?

And just to be sure, we are not going to take scriptures out of context. Each pertinent scripture will have a few before it and a few after, to ensure we are reading it in the original setting, in context.

Who am I to do a Bible study? I am nobody, a common man, a stumbling Christian, an everyday American. But, through all my failings and sins, I love Yahweh, want to be good and want to be obedient to Yahweh, though I can almost see Him rolling His eyes as I say that. And my guardian angel has probably asked for reassignment dozens of times, or hazardous duty pay. But like you, I read the Bible and try to understand it. So I study it in my own way. This writing is one of my studies.

What does the Bible say about what happens to humans when they die? The Bible says Yahweh loves us, us the common people. The Bible says Yahweh is love.

"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

"7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

Have you considered how Christians make Yahweh look when we talk to people? We say, “We believe in the God who loves us.”, “Our scriptures say, God is love.” People say, “What if I don’t believe in Him?” We say, “Then He will torture you forever and ever, burning you in fire but not letting you die.“ Does that sound like love to you? Or does it sound mean and cruel?

Consider a little 14 year old girl, (above the age of reason), who never really got any Bible teaching or even heard of Yeshua ( Jesus in English), who lived a normal life as a good kid, who dies at 14 years old. Does it make any sense at all that Yahweh loves her, but based on her not accepting Him as her savior in those 2 or 3 years she lived above the age of reason, He will torture her eternally, for ever and ever, in a horrifying, terrifying existence? Does the punishment fit the crime for her? I am not asking if He will take her to His home in heaven, or give her eternal life. But will Yahweh really take a normal, reasonably decent person, who lived a reasonably good life, and torture them for ever and ever, burning in fire continually, screaming in unfathomable pain, unable to die to end the agony?

You and I wouldn’t do that to the most evil murderer. And all of us have enough not so nice vindictive vengeance in us to sentence an evil murderer to a really bad sentence. Clearly Yahweh is better than us in mercy, grace, and love. Don’t you believe Yahweh is good, really, really good? And don’t you believe Yahweh is loving, very, very loving?

So if He won’t save her, and that’s a fair choice, and if He won’t torture her forever, as some have been told the Bible says, then what will Yahweh do with her? What will He do with you and me, if He doesn’t save us?

We not-so-nice humans have some sense of fairness. Abraham bargained with Yahweh and proved that Yahweh is also fair. He is fair far beyond our ability to be fair.

"20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.  30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. 33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place." (Genesis 18:20-33)

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Abraham had a sense of fairness. And Abraham asked Yahweh outright, face to face, if the Most High God, the Judge of all the Earth shall do right. Would Yahweh be fair? And of course, Yahweh was fair.

As we examine what will happen to humans, we may also wonder, what will happen to the Devil, and his evil angels? These creatures, that lived for uncountable centuries, have lured billions of souls to be damned. But this study is not about their fate.  To see their future, see “What Will Happen to the Devil?” at www.vigilantvaliant.com.

Does the little 14 year old girl mentioned above get tormented forever and ever? Is this fair? Would Abraham not bargain strongly for this little girl? “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The little girl did no real evil, affected no one else, and only lived for 14 years, was of the age of reason for only 2 years, and she receives torture forever as punishment? Really? Do you really believe Yahweh would do that? Does that sound even remotely fair? Does that sound at all like justice?

Our God, The Living God, Yahweh, says this.

"But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24 Berean Study Bible)

Does that sound like Yahweh will not judge justly, fairly?

Why would the forces of evil deceive people about hell? Picture the evangelist telling the unbeliever about God. He says, “Believe in our God, He is a merciful God, a patient God, a kind God, and a loving God.” The unbeliever asks, “What if I don’t believe in Him?” The evangelist says, “Then he will torture you with horrendous tortures, as you scream in pain, forever and ever and ever.” Can’t you almost hear the unbeliever say, “Thanks, but you can keep your ‘loving' God.” How many might have come to the real God, if they had not been horrified at the mean and cruel god the “Christian” told them about? What harm has this done to the effort of evangelization?

People already know they are going to die. I believe the truth the bible tells us is this. “Believe in our holy, loving, good God and He will give you eternal life.” “What if I don’t?” “Then you won’t get that eternal life, and you will die.” To which, I think most people will say, “Fair Enough. Tell me more about how to gain eternal life.”

But we can not base our understanding of Yahweh on our feelings, our emotions or our understanding of justice. To know the truth, we must hear it from the mouth of Yahweh. The closest thing we have to that nowadays, short of personal revelation, is the scripture.

So my question, perhaps yours too, is what does the Bible REALLY say happens to humans when they die? What happens to angels might be interesting, but to keep this study shorter, we will save what happens to angels for another separate study.

I don’t translate Hebrew or Greek words (though Strong’s Exhaustive Bible Concordance does and is a great help). Through life, I have come to firmly believe that Yahweh is able. He is able to do whatever He wants. He can do anything. How do we even know anything about Yahweh or Yeshua? Isn’t it through the Bible? Yes, our mothers and fathers first taught us what they believed about Yahweh, and then preachers and teachers. But what do you consider the real authoritative source of knowledge about Yeshua and Yahweh? For millions and millions of people, that is the Bible.

Maybe you don’t trust the Bible was inspired by God. Then this compilation isn’t for you. This is for people who, at least to a great extent, believe the Bible is what God wanted us to read to learn about Him.

Does it make any sense at all, that if Yahweh inspired the writers of the Bible, if Yahweh inspired those who selected the writings for the biblical canon, that it would be non-understandable by 99% of people? Does it make any sense at all that Yahweh would allow it to come about that nobody or very few can read the Bible and understand what it says? Do we really have to have some preacher to tell us what Yahweh is really trying to say to us?

I sincerely appreciate those sincere preachers and teachers and linguists who, moved by Yahweh, try to give the rest of us insights and help our understanding of the scripture. I have heard very good preaching that has opened my eyes to some of the details in the Bible, or convicted me of my sins, or led me to repent, or made me want more passionately to be a good person, a good Christian. May Yahweh thoroughly bless these servants of His.

They can point out what some Greek or Hebrew word really means. Strong’s Concordance is very useful and helpful. But did Yahweh inspire the writing the Bible only for those very few select people? Or did He intend that it be used by the people, by normal people like you and me?

When Yeshua (Jesus in English) walked the Earth, who did He speak to the most, the teachers and priests in synagogues, or the common people? The Bible seems to say Jesus overwhelmingly talked to the normal, common people.

We must read the bible and pray as we read for Yahweh to guide us. We must study the scriptures on a topic and pray hard asking Yahweh to make clear what He is saying to us. Please consider this. Satan and the powers against Yahweh, try to deceive humans. They try to trick us.

Please read your bible again. Remove from your mind what preachers have told you, what the “traditions” are, what other people think, and see what Yahweh said to you. Wikipedia says,” The Second Vatican Council taught on tradition, scripture, and magisterium in Dei verbum, n. 10: ‘Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church’.” In fact, they put tradition ahead of scripture. Is that what you want to do, put what “somebody” said, ahead of what God said?

There is one non-biblical reference section after the end of the scriptures that shows that early Christians were forced by the Catholic Church to believe in an eternal conscious torture of humans in hell. The early Christians did not believe that. They were ordered to believe it or be punished, cursed. See “The Catholic Second Council of Constantinople” at the end.

You read your Bible. You decide. What is the TRUTH Yahweh is trying to tell us in the Bible?

Most of my Bible Studies attempt to have EVERY SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE on the topic.  Some people have complained that it is just TOO MANY Bible verses.  But my Bible Studies are to learn the TRUTH about what the Bible says, not what some denomination told me to believe, not what some person told me to believe, but what the Bible really says.  I want ALL the scriptures on the topic.  I want the scriptures those with opposing beliefs use as their key scriptures, so I can analyze them.  I want to know their reason for believing the way they do, and give that a fair hearing.  How can we find the “Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth” if we don’t have all the data, all the information available? Since my studies are meant to learn what the Bible really says on a topic, I typically use nothing from outside the Bible.  Outside sources may or may not be valid.  The ONLY place we can read the words of Yeshua (Jesus in English) is from the Bible.  So yes, I hope I have found EVERY SCRIPTURE on the topic.  if I have missed a scripture, If you find other scriptures that address the question, or if you can in any way help me improve this writing or see a mistake, please contact me and let me know at dan@vigilantvaliant.com.

I have compiled below scriptures I found on this topic. If you like it, if it seems to be thorough and accurate, my other Bible Studies may be found on www.vigilantvaliant.com.

If you wonder why I use The Living Yahweh's name, Yahweh, and Our Savior's name, Yeshua, please see my other Bible Study, "Does Jesus Want Christians to Obey the Ten Commandments" in the Appendix, in the section, "THE NAME OF YAHWEH AND HIS MESSIAH" for a short explanation.

I use the King James Version (KJV) only because it was by far the main English translation during my life. While there are other good translations of the Bible, I am using the one I am familiar with, the KJV. Yes, it is old-fashioned English, but it can also be poetic and beautiful. So, all scriptures are quoted from the KJV Bible (King James Version), unless otherwise noted. All scriptures will be indented and in italics.  All Bolding, Underlining, Italicizing, (parentheses), highlighting, and [brackets] are done by me for emphasis.

END OF INTRODUCTION

YAHWEH IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL

Definitions of “eternal” and “immortal” are from the Oxford Dictionaries, and from Dictionary.com.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/eternal

Definition of eternal in US English: eternal, ADJECTIVE, 1Lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/eternal

eternal, [ih-tur-nl], adjective, 1. without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal): eternal life.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/immortal

Definition of immortal in US English: immortal, ADJECTIVE, 1Living forever; never dying or decaying.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/immortal

immortal, [ih-mawr-tl] , adjective, 1. not mortal; not liable or subject to death; undying:

The two sources noted above differentiate “Eternal” as having no beginning or end, from “Immortal” as just having no end.

The word ETERNAL is used only 2 times in the Old Testament that was written in Hebrew. One of those verses, Deuteronomy 33:27 below,  plainly says Yahweh is eternal. The other Isaiah 60:15 is a prophesy, and hard to clearly identify if it is speaking of Israel, or the Messiah. The word ETERNAL is used 45 times in the New Testament that was written in Greek.  It is used of men being giving life everlasting by believing in Yeshua (Jesus in English).  Therefore it is clear these humans had a beginning, and the translation from the Greek does not hold true for our modern English definitions. Life everlasting would be more accurate than life eternal. Each occurrence has to be analyzed on its own, as to whether it truly means Eternal, with no beginning and no end, or just Immortal, with no end.

Some other phrases are used to mean eternal.  “From everlasting to everlasting”, seen in (Psalm 90:1-2) further below, means with no beginning and no end. Also “having neither beginning of days, nor end of life” as seen in (Hebrews 7:1-3) below.

"7 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." (Hebrews 7:1-3)

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY YAHWEH ALONE IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL.

The following verse shows that the angels were created at some point in time. They did not exist before that, so they are immortal but not eternal. This immortality was given them when they were created. God ALONE HAS immortality in Himself, and He gives it to whom He wishes, and He can take it away from whom He wishes.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:16)

"13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:13-16)

Taking this one verse at face value, ONLY Yahweh has immortality. That means humans do not AND angels do not. Yahweh states He will GIVE immortality to the saved humans, and He has given it to His Holy Angels.

36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 20:36)

We saw above that angels were created, so had a beginning, so are not eternal. In Luke 20:36 above, it states the angels who are in heaven with Yahweh at the time of the resurrection, God’s Holy Angels, have immortality also. So the Bible says ONLY Yahweh has immortality, and those to whom He grants it. So we have our first solid facts, anchors of truth to hold onto. ONLY Yahweh is immortal, as an innate characteristic.

"27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them." (Deuteronomy 33:27)

“90:1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:1-2)

Yahweh is “from everlasting”, with no beginning, and “to everlasting” with no end. This means Yahweh is ETERNAL, in our English definition.

“6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:6-8)

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)

"20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Romans 1:20)

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

So Yeshua is the Lord, the King, and the only wise God. So God, and Yeshua as God, had no beginning, and will never die or end. Also, Yahweh, through Yeshua, created everything else, so everything else has a beginning, which would include angels, demons, devils, etc. Therefore we have our second solid fact. YAHWEH, and ONLY YAHWEH, IS ETERNAL.

NO SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT YAHWEH IS NOT ETERNAL OR IMMORTAL.

I could not find one scripture that indicates Yahweh is NOT Eternal and Immortal.

Only Yahweh is innately both eternal and immortal, with no beginning and no end.

ARE HUMANS IMMORTAL?

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE MORTAL, NOT IMMORTAL.

“And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:22)

This clearly says IF man eats of the Tree of Life, then he will live for ever. Otherwise, he won’t, so he is not immortal.

"6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." (Genesis 6:6-8)

"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6:13)

"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die." (Genesis 6:17)

"For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth." (Genesis 7:4)

"And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark." (Genesis 7:23)

"And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" (Genesis 18:23)

Clearly, the wicked are destroyed, but the righteous are saved from destruction.

“(For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth." (Deuteronomy 6:15)

"16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker? 18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: 19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? 20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. 21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? They die, even without wisdom." (Job 4:16-21)

How clear can the Bible get? It says man is not immortal, but mortal, and is destroyed, dies, and perishes for ever.

"11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. 13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. 14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. 15 And where is now my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it? 16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust." (Job 17:11-16)

“But the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6)

If you believe in an eternal conscious hell, you don’t believe the ungodly shall perish.

“All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul." (Psalm 22:29)

"18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18-19)

“Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” (Psalm 34:21)

If you believe in eternal hell, you don’t believe that evil brings death.

"9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:9-11)

Psalm 37:10 says the wicked “shall not be.” This clearly means shall not exist.

“But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.” (Psalm 37:20)

"But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish - like smoke they vanish away." (Psalm 37:20 New American Standard Bible NAS version)

The wicked will be “consumed”, “vanish” How much clearer can that be, “consume away”, “vanish away.”

“For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 37:28 New International Version (NIV) [significantly different than KJV])

What phrase does the Bible use? The wrongdoers will be “completely destroyed.”

“For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” (Psalm 37:28 KJV)

"For the Lord loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off." (Psalm 37:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Appears to agree with KJV not NIV.)

"37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:37-38)

"For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" (Psalm 56:13)

“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” (Psalm 73:27)

"What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?" (Psalm 89:48)

“When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:” (Psalm 92:7)

If you believe in eternal conscious hell, you don’t believe the lost are “destroyed for ever”, but that they live forever.

"The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish." (Psalm 112:10)

Melt away does not mean live forever, and the wicked shall “perish” does not mean live forever.

"The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy." (Psalm 145:20)

"3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." (Psalm 146:3-4)

“28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose lea fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.” (Isaiah. 1:28–31)

"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." (Ezekiel 18:4)

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:20)

Yahweh says it again. Both Ezekiel 18:4 and 18:20 say the “soul” shall die. We know it doesn’t mean we will keel over dead the minute we sin. But it does mean someday, we will die. Clearly a soul that “dies” is not immortal.

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23)

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

" 10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways." (Ezekiel 33:10-20)

Yahweh says He has no pleasure in the “DEATH” of the wicked, “he shall die”, “thou shalt surely die.” This is exactly what He told Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Yahweh does not say sinners will be tortured forever and ever.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1)

Of the wicked, God says He shall “burn them up”, and no root or branch is left. They will not burn forever and ever, but be burned up totally, with nothing left.

“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. “(Matthew 7:13-14)

"28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

This is a strong verse directly from Yeshua’s mouth. Think about it deeply. It uses the word destroy for the body, in the fire of hell. We know the body burns up to ashes and turns to ash which itself may be burned up into the elements we were made from. But it also talks about the “soul” in exactly the same way. It clearly says God can “destroy” the soul of man. A second word used is “kill.” Other humans can kill our bodies, but they can not kill our souls. For those who say “destroy” does not mean destroy, now must also say “kill” does not mean kill. Note it does not say man has a spirit, only a body and a soul.

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30)

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36-43)

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50)

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-17)

Yeshua Himself says humans must “enter into life” by keeping the commandments. We do not posses eternal life already. Since they are listening to and obeying Yeshua, we know they are saved by faith, but that faith and love is shown by obedience.

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)

Again, from the mouth of Yeshua, we must “inherit eternal life,” we do not possess it already as an inherent attribute of being human.

THE ETERNAL TORTURE PROOF TEXT

The ONLY verse in the Bible with the phrase "ETERNAL PUNISHMENT" is used by some as a proof text of God torturing the lost for eternity, forever and ever, never letting them die. I use the New International Version NIV below as it a more modern translation. It does not change anything significant from the KJV.

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46 NIV)

Some people use this verse to try to prove ETERNALLY ONGOING PUNISHMENT of the lost. Does this mean eternally in the act of being tortured?   Or does it mean the results of the punishment will last forever?

Let's examine four more scriptures with the same usage of "eternal."

"1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2 NIV)

Does the above mean ETERNALLY ONGOING JUDGMENT? Will Christ be sitting on His judgment seat examining the facts of the case forever?  No, but the effects of judgment will be final, lasting forever.

"29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”  (Mark 3:29 NIV)

Does the above mean these people are ETERNALLY CONTINUING SINNING? Are they blaspheming the Holy Spirit over and over forever?  No, but the effects of the sin will last eternally, causing this sin to be labeled "the unforgivable sin".

"7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV)

Is Yeshua ETERNALLY SAVING people forever?  Will He be going around in the New Heavens and New Earth preaching basic salvation to people over and over forever, leading them to repent? No, but the effects of the salvation are forever.

"He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[a] eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12 NIV)

Above is Yeshua ETERNALLY in the act of REDEEMING people?  No, but the results or effects of the redemption are forever, for once redeemed, they earn immortal life.

So while Matthew 25:46 MAY mean the torture is ongoing  forever, we have seen other scriptures above showing the same usage of the word "eternal" in which the usage is of an act completed, but with the effect or results that last forever.

This shows that the interpretation of ETERNALLY ONGOING PUNISHMENT is certainly not forced for this verse, and that the alternate interpretation of THE EFFECTS OF THE PUNISHMENT continuing forever is a very possible interpretation.

Now aligning BOTH of those interpretations up against the preponderance of OTHER SCRIPTURES, the interpretation of the EFFECTS OF THE PUNISHMENT continuing matches much better the overwhelming indication in the Bible as a whole text, that "The soul that sinneth, it shall die."

THE ETERNAL TORTURE PROOF TEXT FAILS.

If you are banished from a family, the banishment lasts forever, though you die. Here also, Eternal Punishment can mean punishment from which you do not get forgiven. Some use this scripture to say you will be tortured eternally. It says you will be punished eternally. That punishment will never end or be forgiven or removed. Nevertheless, if YOU think this means “tortured forever,” add it to your count of scriptures that say that.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” (Mark 10:17)

Yeshua clearly agrees with the man that he does NOT have eternal life, or else Yeshua would correct him. Instead, Yeshua says IF you do this, THEN you shall live.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)

Yeshua says this person will receive eternal life. He doesn’t innately possess it.

"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” (Luke 10:25)

Yeshua does not say his HAS eternal life NOW, but says IF you do this you will live.

“18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”  (Luke 18:18)

Yeshua does not say this ruler HAS eternal life NOW, but says IF he does such and such he will have life everlasting in the WORLD TO COME.

"34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 20:34-36)

Please consider this verse above, Luke 20:36 carefully. Those who are worthy, the saved, “can not die any more”, clearly meaning they could die before. But now, after the resurrection, they are “equal unto the angels” who were created immortal (not eternal). If man was created immortal, this is no change, but Yeshua clearly says these people had to be “accounted worthy to obtain that world.” How clear can the Bible get?

"15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  (John 3:15-16)

Perhaps the most famous verse in the bible, John 3:16 says those who believe in Yeshua gain eternal life. Those who don’t, perish. It does not say they are tortured eternally. Eternal life is not innate in humans. They earn it by faith in Yeshua.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)

“but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:14)

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." (John 4:36)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)

Believers shall not come into condemnation. When would that be? It will be at the final judgment. They will have passed unto life from DEATH, not from eternal torture.

“39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39-40)

Yeshua clearly is telling people that “ye think ye have eternal life” but you are wrong, because “ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” How clear can the Bible be? How clear can Yeshua be? You are wrong, He tells them. If you come to me, I can give it to you. You do not have it now.

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” (John 6:27)

If you want the truth, PRAY to Yahweh and read the Bible CAREFULLY. Look at the verse above. The phrase “the Son of Man SHALL give to you” clearly means you do NOT have everlasting life now.

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)

Again, Yeshua says believers will have everlasting life. Others do not.

“47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:47-54)

The two verse selections above, John 6:40 and John 6:54 clearly say Yeshua will RAISE the saved on THE LAST DAY. A myriad of verses above say that until then, we are “asleep.” The BODY can’t be asleep, for it has long since returned to the earth or dust. They also say “IF”! If they believe, THEN they will have everlasting life.

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word he will never see death." (John 8:51)

“Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:24-28)

Yeshua says He will “give unto them eternal life” to His sheep. Yeshua does not say all men “have” eternal life, but that IF they believe, then He will “give” them eternal life. If all humans including non-believers HAVE eternal life already, why would Yeshua say this over and over? Why wouldn’t Yeshua say I will take you to live forever in heaven, instead of sending you to live forever in hell? Why wouldn’t Yeshua say you already have eternal life, choose where you want to live eternally, in heaven or in hell? He never ever once says anything even remotely like that. Search the scripture. How many times does He have to say it before we will believe it?

“25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this??" (John 11:25-26)

All humans die the first death. Yeshua is obviously not speaking of the death of our body, but of our soul. Does it make any sense at all that Yeshua would say “who lives and believes in Me will never die”, if those who live and DON’T believe in Him also will never die, but burn forever without dying?

“And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:50)

"1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:1-3)

Yeshua says He gives eternal life to those whom Yahweh gave to Him. If all humans already have eternal life, then Yeshua does not need to give it.

“46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:46-48)

"3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;" (Romans 2:3-9)

Who win immortality and eternal life? Will all humans win it, or just the Saved? If humans have immortality and eternal life, then why are these SEEKING it?

“So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)

“22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23)

Growing up, we’re taught that the “wages of sin is eternal punishment in hell”, but the Bible says it is death, perishing, being destroyed, the opposite of eternal life in hell. If ALL men possess eternal life from birth, it is NOT a “gift of God” through faith in Yeshua. But the Bible says it IS A GIFT FROM YAHWEH!

Does Yahweh give you a “gift” you already have? You could point to an unrepentant murderer and say he has that same gift. Some say that the unrepentant murderer’s gift is eternal life in hell and yours eternal life in heaven. How patently obvious can it be, that that is NOT what it says, and those teaching eternal torture are bending over backwards to twist it into a pretzel to try to make it say what they want it to say.

“20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." (Romans 9:20-26)

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)

"16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:16-22)

Paul says IF Christ did NOT rise from the dead, believers in Christ who died PERISHED, not are tortured forever. He is talking of believers who already have physically died, which he calls sleep. He then says if Christ did not rise, they are perished. Their bodies have already rotted into dust. What is he saying perished? It can only mean the soul. Also, Paul says that in Adam “ALL DIE”, not all are tortured forever. Also that it is through our savior, Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus the Messiah, that we shall be made alive, to live forever.

"50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)

Paul clearly states we are MORTAL, not IMMORTAL. How many times does the Bible have to say it before we will believe it? Where is the large collection of numerous scriptures that clearly say sinners will be tortured forever? Please email these scriptures to me. If you do not have a large collection of these scriptures, WHY do you believe that?

“15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? “(2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

So we reap either corruption or life everlasting!

"27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." (Philippians 1:27-28)

“18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:18-19)

“8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

A human being destroyed can not happen over centuries, but once he is destroyed, he stays that way forever. This clearly means destroyed forever, not to come back, not to be forgiven, and not to be brought back for another chance.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

That people must “LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE”, clearly means they do not innately possess it.

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:19)

So Yahweh ALONE has immortality as an innate characteristic, and those to whom He GIVES it, like the angels, and saved humans.

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” (2 Timothy 1:10)

If Yeshua “BROUGHT life and immortality,” how can you possibly believe you already possess both, before you are saved?

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Titus 1:2)

This says Eternal life is HOPED for and was PROMISED by Yahweh, IF you believe in Yeshua.

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

Eternal life is HOPED for, not an innate possession.

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15)

“12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

And yet again, as the Bible says over and over, the ungodly will be DESTROYED, not “live forever,”

"3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." (2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV)

Again, how clear can the Bible be? It says our lives is a “vapour”, which lasts a “little time” and “vanishes away.” How long does the Bible say our lives last? What does the Bible say happens at the end of our lives?

“(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ;)” (1 John 1:2)

How clear can it be? Eternal life was “with” the Father, and it had to be “manifested” to humans.

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:17)

“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” (1 John 2:25)

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15)

Read that carefully. It says the unsaved do NOT have eternal life. It does NOT SAY the murderer will have eternal life in the Lake of Fire, or hell, or Hades, or Gehenna, or anywhere. It says the murderer does NOT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. How clear can the Bible be?

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

“11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:11-13)

Eternal Life is ONLY given by Yahweh through Yeshua.”

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:41)

It was not created for man. The Lake of Fire burns forever. Man burns up and is destroyed. How many times have you seen, in the verses above, that the Bible say that plainly?

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21)

This clearly states the Christians being written to did NOT have eternal life, as they were looking to the mercy of Jesus to gain eternal life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

To eat of the Tree of Life is granted ONLY to “him who overcomes.”

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20)

“1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 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.7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."  (Revelation 20:1-10)

Revelation 20:10 specifies the Devil will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, however we know from Matthew 25:41 that the devil’s angels are there also. All of these are demons, created spirits who became evil.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:41)

This includes the devil AND HIS ANGELS.

The book of Revelation is very hard to understand, and I certainly don’t understand it well. But for the purposes of this study, “Will Humans Be Tortured Forever In Hell”, we don’t really need to know what happens to the devil and the fallen angels. That is in another study.  Nevertheless, let’s address it breifly so we don’t ignore it totally. We must be aware that with Yahweh, a day is like 1000 years.

" But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)

So in the book of Revelation, past, present, and future can all be in one sentence. Yes, it can get very confusing. But here is a short attempt at what happens concerning the Lake of Fire.

Starting in Revelation chapter 4, Yahweh shows John what His plan was, and is, and will be.

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (Revelation 4:1)

For our purposes here, we want to know what happens with the Lake of Fire.

First, the devil and his fallen angels fight in heaven, and are cast down to earth. This is apparently in the past, as it appears to talk of Yeshua being born, and the devil being thrown from heaven.

"7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:7-9)

Second, the beast and the false prophet are thrown in the Lake of Fire.

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20)

Third, the devil is bound for 1000 years in the “bottomless pit.”

“1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)

Fourth, the First Resurrection occurs, the resurrection of the saved.

“4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:4-5)

Fifth, after 1,000 years, the devil is released from the bottomless pit.

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, “ (Revelation 20:7)

Sixth, the devil causes rebellion again, but is thrown in the Lake of Fire.

”And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:10)

Is the devil destroyed in the Lake of Fire? More comprehensively, are the devil and his fallen evil angels destroyed in the Lake of Fire? This would add many pages to this study, so it is held separate for another study.

"13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:13-14)

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE IMMORTAL

I found no scripture that says humans are born innately immortal. If you find any please let me know at dan@vigilantvaliant.com

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Above are approximately sixty-six verses strongly indicating that humans do not have eternal life and are not immortal.

BODY AND SOUL AND SPIRIT

In this preface to this section on Body and Soul and Spirit, we must acknowledge that this is a difficult study, not because of the Bible, but because of our own humanity. We all have preconceived beliefs. Are the Soul and Spirit different?

From Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Spirit - The Old Testament.

"The Hebrew word for "spirit" is ruah [;jWr]. It appears 389 times in the Old Testament. Its varied use almost defies analysis, but some emphases are discernible. It is used more often of God (136 times) than of persons or animals (129 times).”

Please consider that even the most honest, knowledgeable, and spiritual man has preconceived notions. We must keep in mind the predilections of the translators. Individual words were translated by each man according to his personal beliefs, from the context in which it is set.

So what are the parts of a human and what happens to each part? The two scriptures below speak of the Body, Soul, and Spirit, with “joints and marrow”, with “marrow” indicating body in the Hebrews 4:12.

“23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

"12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Let's see what the Bible says about these 3 parts of a human being.

THE BODY:

There is no mystery about the body. If you wonder about that, stub your little toe hard on a heavy table leg.

“7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

"17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 3:17-19)

All humankind knows what happens to the body when it dies. It is exactly the same as when an animal dies. God tells us straightforward, after dying, the human body turns to dust.

THE SOUL:

For understanding this word from scripture, knowing the Hebrew word may help clear up misunderstandings.

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance H5315:

"Nephesh=nphsh=נֶ֣פֶשׁ : a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion."

It is used of animals and man and is the life force in them. This is NOT any spiritual part of a man. It is used a total of 753 times in the Bible, and is translated as "soul" 475 times, as "life" 117 times, and as other things like person, mind, heart, creature, man, and more.

See Leviticus 17:11 from BibleHub.com's excellent Interlinear Bible.

From Genesis 1:20-21 below, you can see it is used of animals.

"20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:20-21)

In Genesis 2:7 below, this exact same word “nphsh” / “nephesh” is used for “soul” as for the whales, other fish and sea life, and winged fouls. It is again, clearly NOT an eternal spirit.

“7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

From BibleHub Interlinear Bible, below, note "being" is another English word that can be used as equal to "soul".

Below, a scripture with the same word nepes Strong's H5315, shows this is the life-force leaving Rachel, as she died.

"17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem." (Genesis 35:17-19)

So the word "SOUL" does not mean "SPIRIT", but "LIVING CREATURE." SOUL is used for animals and humans. It is the breath given by Yahweh, that gives animals and men life. When it departs, it goes back to God, and the animal or human dies.

THE SPIRIT:

CLEAR UP CONFUSION OF SPIRIT WITH SOUL.   Show different uses of SPIRIT. Show man does NOT HAVE A SPIRIT until God gives him one on salvation.

Some say that when Yahweh made man, He breathed into them an immortal spirit. But what the Bible says is He breathed in “the breath of life.”

From Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:

"Strong's H7307 - rûaḥ רוּחַ

Transliteration rûaḥ"

"The KJV translates Strong's H7307 in the following manner: Spirit or spirit (232x), wind (92x), breath (27x), side (6x), mind (5x), blast (4x), vain (2x), air (1x), anger (1x), cool (1x), courage (1x), miscellaneous (6x)."

Note that in Ecclesiastes 3:21, below, the exact same word for the "SPIRIT" of animals, and the "SPIRIT" of man, proving that this word is NOT indicating an "IMMORTAL SPIRIT."  Remember it is Hebrew so reads RIGHT to LEFT!

Consider this example:

ECCLESIASTES 12:7

KJV          "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

CEB         "before dust returns to the earth as it was before and the life-breath returns to God who gave it."

CEV         "So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God. "

GW          "Then the dust of mortals goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it"

GNT         "Our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God, who gave it to us. "

LEB           "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it."

NOG           "Then the dust of mortals goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to Elohim who gave it."

NABRE            "And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it."

NET Bible   "and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life's breath returns to God who gave it.”

NRSV            "and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it."

NRSVA      "and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it."

NRSVACE "and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it."

NRSVCE   "and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it."

Above, Twelve translations of the Bible say the “BREATH” returns to God, Yahweh, though KJV and many others say “SPIRIT.”

They are referring to Genesis 2:7

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

Below, it is used of God, as in the Spirit of God.

Below, it is used of angels, as in angels being ministering spirits.

Below, it is used of a human,  Pharaoh of Egypt.

The body was created, but lifeless, so Yahweh put life into the man’s body. Some like to think of this as man’s IMMORTAL SPIRIT which goes back to Yahweh in heaven. However see Genesis 7:15.

"And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life" (Genesis 7:15)

This shows this is exactly the phrase and Hebrew words used for animals’ life force. And again see in Genesis 7:21-23.

"21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark." (Genesis 7:21-23)

Also see Psalm 104:25-29

"25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. “(Psalm 104:25-29)

These and other verses show the same Hebrew words translated “SPIRIT” in man and animals, in “things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.” and in the leviathan. The point here is a dozen translators saw it proper in one instance to use “breath” where many others chose to use “spirit.” How difficult it is to evaluate all these anomalies in Hebrew and Greek translations. We just go with the KJV, BUT with the realization there will be discrepancies, so we need to be very careful.

Below are the only 6 scriptures in the NIV translation and 4 in the KJV translation with this phrase in the Bible. NIV & KJV are the same on the first four.

“6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." (Genesis 2:6-8)

"16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee." (Genesis 6:16-18)

"14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in...” Genesis 7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died." (Genesis 7:14-16)

"21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark." (Genesis 7:21-23)

Below are two verses, in NIV where “the breath of life” is used, and KJV is slightly different.

"And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so."  (Genesis 1:30 NIV)

"And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." (Genesis 1:30 KJV)

"But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them." (Revelation 11:11 NIV)

"And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them." (Revelation 11:11 KJV)

Since the same phrase is used of animals and humans, it is obvious it does not refer to an immortal spirit. As stated in more detail in the preface above, I debated including some Hebrew and Greek here, but my research found scholars with very erudite, brilliant and deep sounding, lengthy Hebrew and Greek discussions on the words for soul and spirit on both sides of the issue. But the highly educated authors of those intellectual studies couldn’t agree on soul and immortal spirit. So I will trust the two (2) major translations as show above.

"17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?" (Ecclesiastes 3:17-22)

How clear can Yahweh be in the verse above? “Man has no preeminence above a beast”, and “as the one dieth, so dieth the other.”

"36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy." (Matthew 26:36-43)

"49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done." (Luke 8:49-56)

From the verse above, Luke 8:55 shows there is a spirit in a man that keeps him alive. This agrees with James 2:26 below.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

According to the Oxford Dictionary:

"Pneuma (πνεῦμα‎‎, Lat. spiritus) is connected etymologically with πνέω‎‎, breathe or blow, and has a basic meaning of ‘air in motion’ or ‘breath’ as something necessary to life. In Greek tragedy it is used for the ‘breath of life’ and it is the ‘Spirit’ of the New Testament. In early Greek thought pneuma is often connected with the soul; in Aristotle it frequently denotes ‘warm air’, sometimes ‘heat’, and the term is also used of seismic winds which are trapped within the earth. Its precise meaning, then, must always be determined in its context."

So whether pneuma is translated as wind, or breath, or blow, or spirit is all in the preconceived notion of the translator.

HOW DOES A PERSON RECEIVE A SPIRIT?

We must ask God for His Holy Spirit.  When we believe, repent, ask, and receive, we are Born Again. We now have a spirit, Yahweh’s Holy Spirit inside us.  It is at this time that we become a child of Yahweh.

"9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:9-13)

"3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:3-7)

"38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)

According to Strong's Concordance, the word translated "again" is word G509  anōthen=ἄνωθεν, and means "from above".  It is reasonable that being "born from above" means born of heaven, or of the spiritual world.

"Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God."  (John 3:3 Berean Literal Bible)

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."   (John 3:3)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"  (1 Peter 1:3 ESV)

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."  (1 Peter 1:23)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

" Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."  (Galatians 3:26)

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13)

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19)

How much clearer can that be? That which is born of the flesh is flesh.

THIS is how humans receive a spirit. They must be “Born Again.”

The following is a long scripture reference, and from the Old Testament, but it seems to me to be an example of a person being “born again” and receiving the Holy Spirit from Yahweh. It is Yahweh’s selecting and anointing of David to be king over Israel.

"1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. 7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah." (1 Samuel 161:13)

"11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:11-14)

Again, ignoring or removing from our minds the “traditions of men”, 1 Corinthians 2:14 says the “natural man” can not understand spiritual things, because you must have a spirit to discern them. Above in 1 Corinthians 2:12 it says we have received the "spirit which is of God."

"9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 5:9-20)

The first 3 verses of 1 Corinthians 5 show Paul is talking to Christians, saved people. 1 Corinthians 5:19 says that the “Holy Ghost” (Holy Spirit) is “in you” and you “have of God.” It does not speak of some “human” spirit that is in us, but of the Holy Spirit of God which humans receive upon being "born again."

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26 NIV = same as KJV)

"Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" (James 4:5)

James seems to mean “the breath of life” in man that is NOT the Holy Spirit of Yahweh. This is Strong's Concordance G4151 again.

"17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:17-23)

Above: Man gains a spirit by being “born again.” It is an incorruptible spirit, an immortal spirit. But he was born of corruptible seed.

"8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" (Romans 8:1-16)

Paul gives us a wealth of information above.  Notice it is NOT the law of sin and ETERNAL TORTURE. It is the law of sin and DEATH. Notice that it is the Spirit of God that dwells in us, by faith in Yeshua, not some immortal soul or spirit in mankind from birth. Notice that if we live "after the flesh" meaning carnally, sinning, we shall DIE, not be tortured forever. Notice that if we stop sinning, mortifying the deeds of the flesh, then we shall live.  The opposite of live is die, not live forever.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HUMANS DIE?

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 3:19)

“6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)

Together, the above verses say that when all people die, their spirit separates from their body, the body decomposes, and the spirit is returned to Yahweh. They do not say what state the spirit is in or when it goes. Are we awake and cognizant, or asleep?

WHERE DO MOST PEOPLE GO, HEAVEN OR HELL?

Accepting for now the very widely believed idea of people going to a Heaven of pleasure, or a Hell of Eternal Torture, where does the Bible say most people go? Are most “saved” and go to eternal bliss in Heaven, or are most “damned” and go to eternal torture in Hell? First, the GOOD NEWS!

THE GOOD NEWS

We see by the verses below the GOOD NEWS! Yahweh wants everyone to be saved!

"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23)

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)

Yahweh does not say “why will ye burn forever and ever.” He says “why will ye die.” And He takes no pleasure in even that.

"3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:3-5)

"8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9)

THE BAD NEWS

Nevertheless, the verses below show the Bad News, that the majority, that most men, will reject Yahweh. Oh, they want to go to the good place, want to live forever, but they are unwilling to be obedient and shape themselves into the kind of people that Yahweh wants in heaven. It is a conscious choice to obey Yahweh or not. It is a conscious choice to believe what Yahweh says is true, and to live like Yahweh says. Luckily, once that choice is made for the good, Yahweh grabs our hand and helps us in, with guidance, training, and forgiveness and mercy and grace.

"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:21-27)

The verses above show that many religious people will not make it into heaven. They will be surprised they are not saved. That is from the mouth of Yeshua. Note that Yeshua said one path leads to DESTRUCTION, and the other path to LIFE.

"23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Luke 13:23-24)

DO THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION?

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them." (Deuteronomy 31:16)

"10 And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? For thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. 15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do." (1 Samuel 28:10-15)

Samuel says he was disquieted or disturbed, and brought up from the earth, not down from heaven.

"And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom." (2 Samuel 7:12)

"10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." (Job 14:10-14)

The resurrections spoken of in the Bible are after the heavens and Earth are done away with, and a New Heaven and New Earth are created. So Job knew that men would not rise until the heavens were done away with.

"For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" (Psalm 6:5)

"Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;" (Psalm 13:3)

"The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." (Psalm 115:17)

This says people go into silence in death, not wailing, and if the saved ones are awake and in heaven, why are they not praising Yahweh? Job14:12 above says that men will NOT RISE until the heavens be no more. Yahweh says He will destroy the old heavens and earth and will create a NEW heavens and a New earth. That is in the time of the resurrection and the Day of Judgment.

"3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." (Psalms 146:3-4)

When we die, all our thinking stops, our thoughts perish.

"3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:3-10)

"1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 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." (Daniel 12:1-2)

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (Daniel 12:13 NIV)

In this one verse, Daniel 12:13, an angel says it all. The unnamed angel told Daniel to continue doing what you are doing until the end of your life, when you die. He says Daniel will then REST. But at the end of the days, Daniel shall be raised from the dead, from his rest, and will receive a reward.

'18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose." (Matthew 9:18-25)

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," (Matthew 27:52)

"22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment." (Mark 5:22-42)

"And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13)

"26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:26-29)

The Bible says, “ALL” that are in the graves shall come forth in resurrection, some to the resurrection of life, clearly meaning eternal life in heaven. These saved Christians and those who have done good, were in their graves until resurrected.

“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54)

How much clearer can Yeshua say it? He Himself said He will raise them up AT THE LAST DAY not before. Yeshua Himself said NO MAN HAS ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN!

"5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." (John 11:5-15)

"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60)

"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:" (Acts 13:36)

"28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." (1 Corinthians 11:28-30)

"12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:12-26)

"50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)

This is a very powerful verse. Think this through, “this mortal must put on immortality.” Paul clearly says humans are mortal. They must “put on” immortality.

"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

Every preacher I have ever heard, and every article on this I have ever read, agree that “prevent” here means “to go before.” What does Paul say is the condition of those who have physically dies, believing and accepting Yeshua as their savior?  1 Thessalonians 4:13 "them which are asleep." Twice Paul says that!  It is at the Trumpet blast of God signaling the return of Christ that they "shall rise." They are dead, but "dead in Christ."

The verses below are about when Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha died, and Yeshua went to the family, three days after Lazarus died.  There is an important reason Yeshua waited for 3 days.  The Jews in that day knew that some people appear dead through some diseases or conditions, but do revive after a couple days.  But by the third day, you know for sure, for the body is by then visibly rotting, and stinks.  That means they are REALLY dead.  Jesus waited until everyone knew for certain that Lazarus was truly dead.

"11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." (John 11:11-16)

"21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:21-26)

Yeshua plainly told His own Apostles that the dead "sleep." Martha knew the dead will be raised in a resurrection "at the last day", the day the trumpet of God will sound.  Yeshua tells her very important doctrine.  Those who believe in Yeshua as their Savior, but physically die, shall live again, and those who live and believe in Him shall NEVER DIE.  Now the whole world knows that ALL PEOPLE DIE physically.  No one listening thought He meant His believers won't physically die. They knew that by saying "shall never die" meant they would be raised at the resurrection to ETERNAL LIFE. Until then, they sleep, like Lazarus, His friend.

"Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

"24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:24-28)

The verse above, Hebrews 9:27 says after death comes judgment. Since all judgments happen at the end times, what do men do between death, and judgment? If we sleep the sleep of death, whether 1 year or 1,000 years, and are at judgment when we wake, Judgment came as the first thing after death.

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY AT DEATH THE SAVED GO TO YESHUA

"28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud." (Luke 9:28-34)

Some will say that Moses and Elijah (Elias) appearing with Yeshua means they were in heaven with Yahweh and came down for Yeshua’ transfiguration. But it doesn’t say that. They could just as easily have been raised from soul sleep in the grave.

"19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

Luke 16:22 says the beggar went to “Abraham’s bosom.” Yeshua did not say heaven, or to be with Yahweh, but uses this phrase used nowhere else in the Bible. This is not definitive in to me; it is not “crystal clear.” Nevertheless, this is the strongest scripture for me against the dead sleeping, but it is overwhelmingly outweighed by perhaps a hundred scriptures saying otherwise.

"39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

Many say this verse says the saved go immediately to heaven, but Yeshua had used the word for heaven very often, and He did NOT use that word here. The word paradise is used by Yeshua ONLY HERE. He does not equate it with heaven. It is used only three times in the Bible. Here, and once by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:4, and once by John in Revelation 2:7. Paul and John do seem to equate it with heaven. But at the very least, its meaning here is questionable. With the scripture about Abraham's bosom above, this is the second scripture seeming to support being with God immediately after death.

"6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

While the verse above is often used to show believers go immediately upon death to be with Yeshua, read it again. It says nothing like that. If you think it says that, how can that work together with being resurrected as seen in later verses?

"20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" (Philippians 1:20-23)

Again the verse above is used to say we die and go immediately to Yeshua’s side. Read it again. It doesn’t say that is immediately. In the grave the dead know nothing at all. Therefore the split second after we die, whether today, or 1,000 years ago, we wake up at the Day of Judgment.

"9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Revelation 6:9-11)

The phrase "under the altar" is found only once in the entire Bible. Exactly what does that mean? We have no other scriptures to explain or clarify this phrase. It does say they should “REST YET” for a little season. People are laid to their rest in the grave.

WILL LOST HUMANS DIE IN HELL?

WHAT IS HELL?

In the Old Testament, the word “sheol” is translated hell and grave.

From www.biblehub.com the following excerpt from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

“sheol: underworld (place to which people descend at death)

Strong's H7585 Original Word: שְׁאוֹל”

This again is one word where the Hebrew and Greek may be helpful. www.biblegateway.com is a very helpful Bible study site, as is https://biblehub.com/. A search of the KJV Bible by biblegateway.com for the word “hell” says it is used 54 times, 31 times in the Old Testament, and 23 times in the New Testament. The very fact that this word “sheol” is translated “grave” half the time and “hell” the other half shows we need to be very careful.

While many of us believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, no rational person can help but to admit that with approximately 683 translations of the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English, with significant variations in the meanings of passages, not all can be correct, hence some must be just plain wrong. Though we believe the original writings to be inspired, that does not ensure every translator since was inspired, or using the best ancient writings.

The bottom line for me, I believe by faith, that Yahweh is able. He is able to have the main translation(s) accurate enough to guide us to a saving faith in Yeshua, the Christ.

"25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool." (Acts 2:25-35)

In Acts 2 Luke says Yeshua was “not left in hell.” The word for hell was hades, which just meant the grave. Yeshua went to the grave. Do you think this means Yeshua spent three days of torture in the Lake of Fire, or in the grave from whence he came out? Yeshua said He would spend three days and three nights in the heart or depths of the Earth, not in hell.

Also, in Acts 2:35 above, Peter says King David “IS” dead and buried, and “IS NOT” ascended into the heavens.

Below: To get to heaven or hell, once dead, we must be resurrected. There are two resurrections spoken of in the Bible and two Deaths.

THE FIRST DEATH

There is no scripture I can find that uses the phrase “First Death.” The phrase is here because there are four scriptures (below) that talk of the “Second Death”, therefore there must be a first death. I would guess that no one would argue that the physical death talked about in dozens and dozens of scriptures above, is the “First Death.” Every human alive knows they will die, unless they are raptured.

"11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. 13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." (Job 34:11-15)

Job talks of God gathering to Himself His spirit and His BREATH, and that all men would die.

THE RESURRECTIONS

"1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 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.” (Daniel 12:1-2)

"24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:24-29)

Above Yeshua explains the two resurrections, the Resurrection of Life, and the Resurrection of Damnation.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

"23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:23-27)

"12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

"28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29)

“40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44)

"42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:42-57)

"8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:8-21)

"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

"4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 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." (Revelation 20:4-6)

Twice above Yeshua says He will raise the saved up on the “Last Day.”

This is the First Resurrection, the Resurrection of the Just, the Resurrection of Life.

THE RAPTURE OF THE SAVED

"13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

"42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-57)

So the Last Trumpet will sound, and the Resurrection of the SAVED comes first, with the Rapture of still living saved happening immediately thereafter, joining them in the clouds with Yeshua.

THE SECOND RESURRECTION

There is no phrase in the Bible saying “The Second Resurrection.” Nevertheless, the scriptures above do talk of the “first resurrection”, differentiating it from the one or more that follow. So we know there are at least two resurrections.

Those who died while being faithful to Christ will live and reign with Him for one thousand years. Others are raised AFTER the one thousand years. This is the Second Resurrection, as it is the only one we know of after the first.

The verses below are so full of important points that a large selection is quoted. Please read it all but note the bolded sections. The note that follows speaks to each point.

"26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." (John 6:26-57)

Examining the verses above please note the following. John 6:27 says man must “endure” to “everlasting life” which the Son of Man (Yeshua) “gives” him. He does not have it. It is given, IF he endures (faithful until his death). Yeshua will “raise it up” “at the last day.” Man does not go to heaven upon death. Anyone who “believeth on Him”, Yeshua, “may have”, not does have, “everlasting life.” When? “At the last day.” The Bible is very clear about this, if we can break through our delusions or the “traditions of men” Yeshua warned about. John 6:51 says if a man eats, consumes, brings into his being, his heart “the Bread of Life” he will not “DIE.” Can you find any verse at all where Yeshua says you will be tortured forever? Why do Yeshua and Yahweh Himself use the word “DIE” if that is not what they mean? Do you really believe They could not have gotten the message across to us clearly if they meant “tortured forever”? Do you really believe that They, the Godhead, ALL-KNOWING, knowing the future and past, that the “tradition” would say “tortured forever”, would not have said that clearly, instead of saying dozens and dozens of times words like die, destroyed, destruction? Also verse John 6:51 above says “IF” a man receives Yeshua, he shall live for ever. What do you think IF means there? Would not almost all people reading that without prejudice, bias, tradition, or delusion, say that it means, IF you do believe you will live for ever, and IF you don’t, you WON’T?

"And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust," (Acts 24:15)

"4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 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." (Revelation 20:4-6)

The following verses are just here to not have a gap between the above Rev20:4-6, and the below Rev20:11-13

Revelation 20:7-10

"7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:7-10)

"28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29)

So one thousand years have passed since the First Resurrection. This is the Second Resurrection, the Resurrection of Damnation, the Resurrection of the Unjust, sometimes called the General Resurrection.

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT

"29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 1729-31)

"11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And 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.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

THE BOOK OF LIFE

The phrase the “Book of Life” is found 11 times in the Bible, but referenced 7 more times. We look at these verses about this book here, since it is talked about in the Second Resurrection and Great White Throne Judgement that follows. Some verses talk about “my book” or “your book”, but I think all will agree, this is the same book referred to in the verses below. It is the book of Yahweh’s record of our life, under our name. Scriptures below clearly show that those names written in the book will live eternal life, and the others will die by being cast into the Lake of Fire. Scripture also shows that names can be BLOTTED OUT. Hence the scriptures about enduring to the end!

"30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." (Exodus 32:30-33)

" Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?" (Psalm 56:8)

"27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." (Psalm 69:27-28)

"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:16)

"1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 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.” (Daniel 12:1-2)

The verse below seems to be the reference to the very time Yahweh had the Book of Life written.

"16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." (Malachi 3:16-18)

Malachi says those who serve Yahweh are the righteous, and those who do not are the wicked.

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)

“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:3)

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)

“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” (Revelation 17:8)

“And 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.” (Revelation 20:12)

An important note here. Study the scripture above well. Books were opened. We don’t know how many, but books plural. Now the dead were judged by the things in these books, plural. This is our “works” as the Bible is clear we shall be judged by our works. But while ALL are judged out of those books, those whose names are ALSO in the “book of life” will be saved anyway, saved by faith, not works, lest any man boast.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:19)

THE SECOND DEATH

Only four scriptures could be found that use the phrase “Second Death.” They are listed below, and all clearly agree that the second death is being thrown into the lake of fire. Please note it called “The Second Death”, NOT the “Eternal Torture.”

"8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 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." (Revelation 2:8-11)

"4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 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." (Revelation 20:4-6)

"11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And 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." (Revelation 20:11-15)

"1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 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." (Revelation 21:1-8)

How clear can the scripture be? All men suffer the FIRST DEATH, the death of the physical body. Then comes judgement. After judgement, those whose name is not written in the Book of Life, will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. And the Bible says this “is the second death.”

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY HUMAN SOULS WILL DIE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

First, From Romans 6:23 above, let’s review how humans lose salvation and eternal life. SIN!

And what is the penalty for sin? DEATH, not eternal torture.

The whole chapter Romans 5 is below. It is 21 verses. Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome. It explains HOW we are saved. Notes are interspersed.

"1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Romans 5:1-11)

Romans 5:6b says Christ DIED for us. It does not say He was eternally tortured. Romans 5:8b says that Christ died for us and that we are justified by His blood, and that saved us from the wrath of Yahweh. If the wages of sin are eternal torture, how could death pay that price? It continues to say that what reconciled us to Yahweh was Yeshua' death, not His eternal torture. It was through Yeshua's death that we received atonement for our sins.

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.” (Romans 5:12-16)

When SIN entered the world, it did not bring with it eternal torture. By sin DEATH entered the world. It was not eternal torture that reigned from Adam to Moses, but DEATH.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:17-21)

We are justified to LIFE, saved to ETERNAL LIFE. THINK THIS THROUGH. The opposite of LIFE is not eternal torture, but DEATH.

"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” (Deuteronomy 30:15 NIV)

"15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: “ (Deuteronomy 30:15-19 KJV)

In Deuteronomy 20:15, the NIV (New International Version) may have chosen the better translation word, destruction. The choice Moses laid before the people that day was not between life in heaven or life in a burning pit, but “life and prosperity” or “death and destruction.” How clear can Moses and Yahweh be?

"10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." (Psalms 37:10 KJV)

"A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found." (Psalms 37:10 NIV)

“But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.” (Psalm 37:20)

“7When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:” (Psalm 92:7)

"The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish." (Psalm 112:10)

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

“rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.” (Isaiah. 1:28, 30–31)

"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." (Ezekiel 18:4)

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:20)

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” (Malachi 4:1)

Yahweh says the evildoers are destroyed and no root or branch is left.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.“ (Matthew 7:13)

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

Yahweh will destroy the soul in Gehenna, not just the body, but ALL of the unsaved person.

"29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.;" (Romans 1:29-32)

Above, Paul says the “judgment of God” is that sinners are worthy of DEATH, not eternal torture.

“If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: “ (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

“27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” (Philippians 1:27-28)

“ (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:18-19 18)

“8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15)

“There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.” (James 4:12)

"19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

This is obviously not talking about physical death, as all people die. This says the soul dies.

WILL HUMANS BE TORTURED FOREVER IN HELL?

WHAT DOES FOREVER MEAN IN THE BIBLE?

As 20th century Americans, what does “forever” mean to us? Different dictionaries define forever as, for all future time, for always, for a limitless time, continually, and lasting or permanent. Yet even for us, we use that term figuratively to make a point. For example, “The drive to St. Louis took forever”, and, “He was forever talking about his first car.” The question is how did ancient Hebrews or Greeks mean the term, as it ended up in the Bible. Following are examples of “forever” NOT meaning what we might think at first glance. In the King James Version, the word “forever” does not appear. The phrase “for ever” appears 381 times in the Old Testament (Hebrew), and 72 times in the New Testament (Greek). We can not examine those 453 times here, so will use the ones that show that “for ever” does not always mean “without end.”

"29 And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it. 30 And if it be not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be established for ever to him that bought it throughout his generations: it shall not go out in the jubilee. 31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee. 32 Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time." (Leviticus 25:29-32)

Leviticus 25:30 clearly does not mean through eternity, for Yahweh said He will destroy the Earth and create a new Earth. It clearly means a shorter time.

"45 Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. 46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour." (Leviticus 25:45-46)

" 16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise." (Deuteronomy 15:17)

In the two verses above, obviously, a servant or bondman can only be a bondman until he dies. Therefore the word forever, when applied to a human, can mean until their death.

"And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever." (Numbers 24:20)

"And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever." (Numbers 24:24)

We think of perishing as being the end, so we easily interpret this as meaning he will die and never live again. But in the two verses above, no one would interpret this to mean he will be in the act of perishing for ever, never dying, but to be in a state of dying for eternity.

"An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever:" (Deuteronomy 23:3)

This verse above limits for ever to ten generations. That may be about 400 years, but it is not for eternity, as we are used to "for ever" meaning.

"And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (1 Samuel 1:11)

"20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever." (1 Samuel 1:20-22)

Again, these verses show that in dealing with humans, for ever can mean until the end of their life.

"And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever." (1 Samuel 27:12)

"1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. 2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever." (1 Samuel 28:1-2)

A commentary says the word “head” in verse 2 above, means Achish made David his bodyguard, or head of his armed forces. So in the two verses above “for ever” obviously means until David’s death.

"Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever." (1 Kings 1:31)

Here Bathsheba was obviously wishing David a long life, until he died.

"12 Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever." (1 Kings 8:12-13)

No matter how sturdy the temple was, Solomon knew it would not last to eternity. In this verse, for ever clearly means a long, long time; perhaps thousands of years.

"And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." (1 Kings 9:3)

1 Kings 9:3 above is particularly important, for it shows that even Yahweh uses “for ever “ to mean for a long, long time. Yahweh knew He would allow Rome to destroy the temple a few decades after Yeshua’s life.

"6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." (1 Kings 12:6-7)

“For ever” in the verse above clearly means until Rehoboam’s death. There are many more such instances of “for ever” NOT meaning to eternity, as we usually understand it today.

"9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. 10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever." (Isaiah 34:9-10)

As in Isaiah 34:9-10 above, the punishment of Idumea or Edom was burning, of which the “smoke thereof shall go up for ever.” Is there still smoke rising from the ancient city of Edom. No. Clearly this term does not mean forever and ever and ever. Since there is no smoke going up today from Edom, this must mean something other than that the physical city of Edom actually will burn and smoke forever. The fuel ran out, the fire burned out, the smoke died out.

"5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."  (Jude 1:5-7)

Are Sodom and Gomorrah STILL BURNING? No, so the term “eternal fire” can not always mean fire that burns forever.

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17)

"1 Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. 3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. 4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. 6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. 7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. 8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. 10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land." (Jonah 2:1-10)

The Bible itself says Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. This is clearly only three days! Yet I think we can all understand Jonah feeling like that was for ever.

"19 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great." (Revelation 19:1-5)

There seems to be some debate over exactly what city or nation or religion this “great whore” is. Nevertheless, in Revelation 21 Yahweh makes a totally new Heavens and Earth. Will this city be kept around burning, being refueled, through eternity, in the New Earth? That seems totally unimaginable. As with the smoke from Edom going up “forever”, this just has to mean something else, like it will never be forgotten.

Another thought on “forever” or “everlasting”. Consider this verse.

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 1:6)

It says EVERLASTING chains, but only UNTO the day of judgment of the great day.

“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.”  (Revelation 21:8)

Note this verse says these unsaved humans receive “their part in the lake”, which does not specify for how long, but for these lost, unsaved humans, it is called “the second DEATH.”

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY SOULS WILL LIVE FOREVER IN HELL.

"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." (Isaiah 66:24)

The verse above is here only for those who would otherwise complain that I missed one. Please read the above verse carefully and note that it does not say they will be tortured forever, but the fire will not be quenched, which means put out. It is the lake of fire. We know it will not be put out or quenched. If you throw wood into a fire that is not quenched, the wood burns up, it does not burn forever, though the fire is not quenched. Also, their “worm shall not die” doesn’t say soul or spirit. Will you let one (1) verse that is at best nebulous, to outweigh dozens and dozens of very clear verses to the contrary?

"40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:40-41)

Again, the verse above is here only for those who would otherwise complain that I missed one. But note it says only that the humans will be thrown into the fire. This does NOT say that they will NOT be consumed and destroyed. It says the FIRE is everlasting. The Bible clearly says man is not immortal.

"43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt." (Mark 9:43-49)

“Their worm dieth not.” What does that really mean? Does that obscure statement overpower about sixty scriptures that clearly says sinners die, are destroyed, and are burned up? “The fire is not quenched” is confirmed by Matthew 25:41 "41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"

"19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

The parable in Luke 16:22 and 23 is the only place in the Bible that mentions “Abraham’s Bosom.”  This one (1) verse is problematic. But it stands as one against the many, many above that clearly say the exact opposite. It also does not address how long of a time the rich man had been there or was going to be there. It does not say for eternity. This is before the Great White Throne Judgement. Are people thrown into hell, at death, then brought out for the judgement, then thrown back in?

The following verses at first seem to say that those who worship the beast, the antichrist, will be tormented forever and ever. But it says “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.” The Lake of Fire does burn forever, and its smoke will go up forever. That does not say they will be alive in that fire and smoke for ever and ever.

"9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 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." (Revelation 14:9-11)

Some use Revelation 20:10 to say it proves that HUMANS will be tortured forever in the Lake of Fire. They say the first beast, the antichrist, and the second beast, the false prophet, are still alive in the Lake of Fire, burning and being tortured, when the devil is thrown in. The beast and false prophet were thrown in the Lake of Fire BEFORE the 1000 years. The devil is thrown in AFTER the 1000 years, and Revelation 20:10 appears to say the beast and false prophet are still there, not destroyed. However, the word “ARE” is not in the Greek manuscripts. See Revelation 20:10 in the “NON-BIBLICAL REFERENCES” section at the end of this paper. Many translations add the word “are”, but a number of translations do not, and try to stay more true to the original language. For example, the following list is not complete, but a sampling.

"and the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. They will be tortured day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10 International Standard Version)

"And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10 Berean Study Bible)

"and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10 English Standard Version)

"Then the Devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10 Good News Translation)

"The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were also thrown. They will be tortured day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10 GOD'S WORD Translation)

"And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where [are] both the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for the ages of ages" (Revelation 20:10 Darby Bible Translation)

The brackets show the word “are” was added by translators.

"and the Devil, who had been leading them astray, was thrown into the Lake of fire and sulphur where the Wild Beast and the false Prophet were, and day and night they will suffer torture until the Ages of the Ages." (Revelation 20:10 Weymouth New Testament)

So we see that translators who had a preconceived notion that humans had spirits that can not die, added the word “are” to sound better in English. However, we now see that their translation was then subject to their predilections. Those without that preconception do NOT add the word “are” and just say they were thrown there, leaving it open to the fact that they were destroyed there, in the Lake of Fire, called the Second Death.

Also, we can see from the last two translations, that the Greek does not say they will be tortured “forever and ever”, but more accurately, until “the ages of ages. This shows “forever and ever” was a choice based on the translators’ preconceived notions or traditions.

"7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Revelation 20:7-10)

This specifies ONLY the Devil. The Beast and the False Prophet WERE thrown there. Remember, the word “ARE” is not in the original text. This verse is therefore not proof that the Beast and the False Prophet were STILL THERE, to be tormented forever in the Lake of Fire. The Beast and the False Prophet had been thrown into the Lake of Fire before, in Revelation 19:20.

There are differing opinions as to whether the Beast and the False Prophet are humans or spirits/demons. Those who say they are humans will use Revelation 20:10 to try to prove humans will be tortured forever in “hell”, the Lake of Fire. Let us briefly examine the scriptures and see if we can determine if the Beast and the False Prophet were human or even governmental systems driven by humans.

In Revelation, from verse 4:6 to 7:11, the word “beast” is used for the 4 sprits around the throne of Yahweh, and once for the animals of the Earth. So a number of times, the word beast means a spiritual creature.

Then, starting in Revelation 11:7 we see three more beasts.

THE FIRST BEAST:

We are introduced to the FIRST BEAST in Revelation 11:7. Scripture tell us plainly, this is the devil, Satan.

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." (Revelation 11:7)

"7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:7-9)

The devil, Satan, is a spirit. He ascends from the bottomless pit.  As such, he CAN be locked up and tortured forever and ever, as he has no physical body to die. This is to not say that that happens, just that it could happen. Whether he is or is not is a different Bible study.

THE SECOND BEAST:

We are introduced to the SECOND BEAST in Revelation 13:11. This beast is later identified with the antichrist.

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:1-3).

This second beast is said to come out of the sea. It has ten horns and seven heads with 10 crowns. That description is very similar to Daniel 2:31-44, where Daniel told king Nebuchadnezzar about the king’s dream, and this image was stated to represent kingdoms or governmental powers.

"31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Daniel 2:31-44)

While Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar “Thou art this head of gold.” Nebuchadnezzar was king over the Babylonian Empire. So the head of gold stands for the kingdom.

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."  (Revelation 13:17-18)

We see from Revelation 13:18 that this Second Beast is the antichrist, whether spirit or governmental institution.

What man has “ten horns and seven heads with 10 crowns”? What man resembles a leopard, a bear, and a lion?

Does the Second Beast sound like a Human Being to you?

THE THIRD BEAST:

We are introduced to the THIRD BEAST in Revelation 13:11. This beast is later identified as the False Prophet.

"11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. "  (Revelation 13:11-17)

What man has two horns and speaks like a dragon? What man can make fire come down from heaven?

Does the Third Beast sound like a Human Being to you?

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet." (Revelation 16:13)

Again, those two are not Human Beings. They seem to be the “ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT” and the “ONE WORLD RELIGION”, or the spirits in control of those institutions. So their fate has no direct bearing on our study about humans being tortured forever and ever, or destroyed in a short time.

Some will say only angels or people can be thrown in the lake of fire, not a government or religion. But we see that death and hell are also cast into the lake of fire, and these are not humans or spirits.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)

While there are times the antichrist and the false prophet seem to be referred to as individuals, the scriptures above show them to be spirits or governmental agencies, not humans.

Consider also that the second beast, the antichrist, and the third beast, the false prophet, are thrown into the Lake of Fire FIRST, even before the devil, in Revelation 19:20.

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20)

Then, later, in Revelation 20:1 the devil is bound for 1,000 years, called the millennium, while Christ himself reigns on Earth.

“1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 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. (Revelation 20:1-6)

Then, even later, in Revelation 20:7-10, the devil is thrown into the Lake of Fire.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."  (Revelation 20:1-10)

So FIRST the beast and false prophet are thrown in, and THEN the devil is thrown in. NO HUMAN has yet been thrown in. Would a human be thrown into the Lake of Fire, the Second Death, BEFORE being judged? So this scripture is not relative to human beings. This does NOT say human beings will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The Great White Throne Judgement, the last judgement, is shown even later, in Revelation 20:11.

"11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And 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.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

Up to the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11, only spirits were thrown into the Lake of Fire. But at the Great White Throne Judgment, “every man” was judged.

The verses above indicate the beast and the false prophet are not human and therefore can not be used as examples of humans that burn forever in hell.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

Please read the following scripture section carefully from beginning to end.

Yahweh, the Living God, the Eternal God is speaking to His people, which includes believing Christians.

(If you do not think that believing Christians are the sons of Abraham, the children of Israel, and the house of Israel,

please see my study " Christians are Children Israel - One Family One Law")

Please pray to God our Father to guide you in understanding what HE is saying to you through Ezekiel.

"20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? Are not your ways unequal?

30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." (Ezekiel 18:20-32)

Do you think The Almighty God can not make Himself understood?

Don't you think The Creator God could is capable of choosing the right words to convey what He meant?

Do you trust a minister or leader's interpretation, however good hearted, over the actual words of God?

Does it make any sense at all when someone tells you this word "die" doesn't mean "die", but to "live forever?"

Does it make sense that this only means the body, not the soul or spirit?

If God was simply telling unrepentant sinners their physical body would die, how is that any different from those whose sins are forgiven, but still die a physical death? I believe it is impossible that the physical body is what God is talking about in these verses. We have all heard of lifelong thieves, murderers, and other sinners who never repented.

Did their bodies die any earlier in life than everybody else? If not, then you are making God a liar, to believe He meant body here.  Adam and Eve are proof of this. Their bodies lived full lives after sinning by eating the forbidden fruit. God was not talking about physical bodies then in Genesis, and He is not talking about physical bodies in the passage above from Ezekiel.

.

Is it really feasible to believe that God actually meant "will live forever in torture" instead of "DIE?"

Why is the Lake of Fire called "The Second Death?"  Verse 30 above shows God meant the opposite of "die" was "live." The opposite of "living forever" in heaven is not "living forever" in hell.  The opposite of "to live" is "to die."

One Hebrew word used in the verses above is Strong's H4191 muth.  It has ONE meaning; to die.

Another Hebrew word used is Strong's H4194 maveth. It has ONE meaning; death.

Look up any English translation of the Bible and they ALL say die!  Using BibleGateway.com's "All English Translations" link at the bottom of search results for Ezekiel 18:20, shows that FIFTY TWO (52) Translations ALL SAY DIE!

CONCLUSIONS

Make your own conclusions based on your understanding of the Bible. It seems to me the overwhelming meaning of the Bible is that humans who are saved will earn immortality or eternal life and live forever. The others are thrown into the Lake of Fire, and burned up in some short time, being consumed and destroyed. It seems to me the immortal human spirit, or immortal human soul, is a lie directly from the devil in the Garden of Eden. The Bible seems to overwhelmingly say the soul that sinneth it shall die. I can not find one scripture that clearly says the unsaved human spirit will live forever in torture.

May Yahweh richly bless you and guide your studies and understanding.

APPENDIX

REVELATION 20:10 HAS NO WORD "ARE"

Revelation 20:10 from BibleHub.com Interlinear Bible showing by square brackets that the word “ARE” is not in the Greek.

NON-BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOLLOW

The Catholic Second Council of Constantinople

Early Christians did not believe in an everlasting torture in hell for the lost. Just like the devil in the Garden of Eden first twisted Yahweh's word, then declared that the truth was the opposite of what Yahweh said. First the Catholic Church Second Council of Constantinople twisted Yahweh’s word, by adding demons, and mortal men together. Then they declared a curse or excommunication on a person believing what the scripture clearly says about humans being totally destroyed in hell, and not being tortured forever. Hence, they deceive a majority of Christians into believing a lie and discounting what Yahweh said. This is exactly the same as the Catholic Church did with the Sabbath Day, totally reversing what Yahweh said. This is not an attack on the Catholic Church. This is a statement of historical fact from the Catholic Church’s own documents. I have this document, and you can find it online and read it for yourself.

The Catholic Second Council of Constantinople commanded Christians to believe in eternal punishment of the lost under penalty of ANATHEMA. The Oxford Dictionary says ANATHEMA means, 2. a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.

Fifth Ecumenical Council: Constantinople II : the synod was opened on the 5th of May A.D. 553, in the Secretarium of the Cathedral Church at Constantinople.

THE ANATHEMATISMS OF THE EMPEROR JUSTINIAN AGAINST ORIGEN

"IX. If anyone says or thinks that the punishment of demons and of impious men is only temporary, and will one day have an end, and that a restoration (apokatastasis) will take place of demons and of impious men, let him be anathema."

Table of Contents

YAHWEH IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY YAHWEH ALONE IS ETERNAL AND IMMORTAL.

NO SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT YAHWEH IS NOT ETERNAL OR IMMORTAL.

ARE HUMANS IMMORTAL?

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE MORTAL, NOT IMMORTAL.

SCRIPTURES THAT SAY HUMANS ARE IMMORTAL

BODY AND SOUL AND SPIRIT

THE BODY:

THE SOUL:

THE SPIRIT:

HOW DOES A PERSON RECEIVE A SPIRIT?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HUMANS DIE?

WHERE DO MOST PEOPLE GO, HEAVEN OR HELL?

THE GOOD NEWS

THE BAD NEWS

DO THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION?

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY THE DEAD SLEEP UNTIL RESURRECTION

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY AT DEATH THE SAVED GO TO YESHUA

WILL LOST HUMANS DIE IN HELL?

WHAT IS HELL?

THE FIRST DEATH

THE RESURRECTIONS

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

THE RAPTURE OF THE SAVED

THE SECOND RESURRECTION

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT

THE BOOK OF LIFE

THE SECOND DEATH

BIBLE VERSES THAT SAY HUMAN SOULS WILL DIE IN THE LAKE OF FIRE

WILL HUMANS BE TORTURED FOREVER IN HELL?

WHAT DOES FOREVER MEAN IN THE BIBLE?

BIBLE VERSES THAT SEEM TO SAY SOULS WILL LIVE FOREVER IN HELL.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

CONCLUSIONS

APPENDIX

REVELATION 20:10 HAS NO WORD "ARE"

NON-BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOLLOW