The Body and Soul in Hell
“And fear not them which kill the body … but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”
Matthew 10:28
Jesus stated that after the sinners receive their punishments in hell according to their sins, they will be wiped out of existence, both body and soul. The sinners will not have immortality in hell. “Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it” (Isaiah 47:14).
Nothing but ashes will be left when the fire goes out. “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” “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 4:1, 3).
The Scriptures know nothing of the popular fallacy of an eternally burning hell. The wicked will not keep on burning endlessly; the fires of the last day will literally “burn them up” (Jeremiah 17:27; Matthew 3:12; 25:41; 2 Peter 3:7–13; Jude 7). The most definitive words are used to describe the complete and final destruction in hell. The Bible says the wicked suffer “death” (Romans 6:23), will receive “destruction” (Job 21:30), “shall perish” (Psalms 37:20), “shall be cut off” (Psalms 37:9), “shall be slain” (Psalms 62:3). God will “destroy” them (Psalms 145:20), and “fire shall devour them” (Psalms 21:9).
Some teach that our great God of love is more cruel than the worst criminals, like Hitler for example. Even though Hitler tortured people he finally allowed them to die. But those that hold that hell is forever say that God will keep the deathless souls alive forever. This is a total lie against God’s love and His justice. Will a person who committed sins for 70 years burn forever? Of course not! God will only punish the wicked according to their works but He will not immortalize them in the process.
Many sincere souls have been turned away from God because of this erroneous doctrine. They can’t love someone who would arbitrarily keep evil people in endless torment. The truth is that the wicked will come to an end and will not live forever (Psalms 37:10, 20).
Is hell for ever? Check the following link:
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
