First of course ,what is annihilation theory? It is the belief that the unsaved ,the lost ,the wicked and in general those whose names are not written in the Book of Life.That all those people are not tormented forever but cease to exist and are in a eternal thoughtless,feelingless existence without any consciousness at all like eternal sleep.
What are the philosophical arguments on this ,they are quite simple.
The main two aruments in favor are 1.Compassion for the damned and that those whom are not chosen for God’s Kingdom are not tormented forever.
2.You know the any press is good press sort of attitude and that the wicked may not mind the pain in hell if they can revel in their ego’s.That if the wicked lose all existence then they become irrelevent`and lose all credit for their evil deeds, that sort of thing.So wicked may not like annihilation because no press is worse then bad press.
Arguments against : Mainly that fear of hell as been a top motive for accepting the savior who is Jesus .Consider if you think their are more souls in heaven really from desire for eternal life or fear of damnation.Think pragmatically ,what pagan would give up the life of debauchery to live with God forever (likely not many) .The average person would rather live how they want here and now if they do not think they will have pain in the after life and just sleep forever without conciousness.
It’s a viable argument that hell has scared more to heaven than eternal life enticed anyone there.
The real 24 million dollar question is what does the Bible say on this matter for that is the only argument that should concern us.
First what is what we call in English “hell”?
The word hell came from hel or helle which meant underworld or abode of the dead and the Old Norse goddess Hel who was the ruler of the underworld.
When the Bible first came into English it was used for lack of a better word to describe the eternal punishment in the Bible but it’s original pagan meaning was not the same as the biblical meaning but the word perdition which is more accurate did not exist at that same.Same scenerio with the Greek word Hades to which its pagan meaning was not perdition (perdition) but a realm of the dead which could be good or bad.
As the mythology goes the Valkyries who were witches chose those who were brave enough in battle to go to Valhalla (The hall of the fallen) and the other’s went with Hel to helle but this was not perdition( eternal torment) in the pagan mythology.
She’ol a Hebrew word associated with the underworld which meant the grave in early Torah and later would be a resting place for those awaiting final judgement or at least I believe that is so until the second death of Revelation but sheol is not perdition.
Geihinom ,this word is a Jewish post Biblical mythology as a place of eternal punishment for some and temporary correction for others.The word means Valley of Hinnom where the Canaanites sacrificed children to the god Moloch.Although no specific passages says the Canaanites sacrificed to Moloch but putting several passages together like in Leviticus and 2nd Chronicles implies this did happen and is accepted by most scholars but citing the verses is not relevant to our discussion.Later on the Valley of Hinom was where Israeli’s near Jerusalem burned their garbage and this area was constantly on fire and is where perdition became associated with fire.So basically Geihinom is the Orthodox Jewish hell which is not always eternal.
So now some common words for hell have been explained for background,so let us get to the heart of our search on what does the Bible really say about perdition or the eternally lost souls?
Here is from the Book of Revelation 20
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Some type of arch angel maybe a Cherub or Seref sat on the White Throne of Judgement.And sheol and hades and the underworld along with those who died at sea were resurrected for judgement.So all those resting in the ground sheol or hades and those in the sea arise. It does not appear that perdition or hell exists yet but the wicked sleep in the ground or sea until the second death and judgement (the souls of the righteous are with God awaiting new bodies).All the dead are judged on their works and those whose names are not written in the “Book of Life” are cast into the lake of fire!
I must admit this does open the door for annihilation theory because it does not say forever in this passage and many argue after the short term pain of burning in fire they could lose consciousness and cease to exist.But let us next look at Matthew 25
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
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.
This here in Matthew 25.41-46 implies for sure that punishment is forever
Now for mark 9.47-49
And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where
“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.
49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
This is important ,1 it says the fire is never quenched and 2 it uses the word fire which connects nicely to Revelation and the lake of fire.
Now for the final coffin nail in annihilation theory ,Daniel 12.2
ב וְרַבִּ֕ים מִיְּשֵׁנֵ֥י אַדְמַת־עָפָ֖ר יָקִ֑יצוּ אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּ֣י עוֹלָ֔ם וְאֵ֥לֶּה לַֽחֲרָפ֖וֹת לְדִרְא֥וֹן עוֹלָֽם
“Many that sleep in the dust of the ground shall awake,some of these to life everlasting and also those for disgrace and shame forever.”
And the same Hebrew word “olam’ meaning in ancient Hebrew forever is used for both eternal life and eternal punishment.So Daniel here is clear that that punishment is forever.Now Daniel describes more of an emotional suffering as opposed to a physical one.However it is possible that after all the bodies are burned in the pyre that the souls will remain to be in shame forever,maybe?But I think we can now take annihilation of the table and conclude that scripture is clear on perdition or hell or whatever term you like ,that punishment for the unsaved is eternal!
Does one need to believe in eternal suffering in perdition ,no I don’t think so ,if one trusts in Jesus alone as Messiah and savior to go to heaven, the Bible does not say one’s beliefs about hell are a salvation issue.However I think annihilation is bad theology and not supported by scripture.I can’t say what problems in the future may arise if this theology takes hold and gets mainstream but I can only say that it is not Biblical.
Thank you all and God Bless
Truth in Mikra 
Leave a comment