XI, THE FINAL DESTINIES

Question 1

What is the future destiny of the unrighteous?

Answer 1

HELL

• It translates several Hebrew and Greek words which have reference to different stages of existence after death.
• It sometimes designate the place of departed spirits or the intermediate sate, which in Hebrew is called SHEOL, and in Greek is called HADES.
• Hell more often translates GEHENNA, which symbolizes the final eternal perdition.
• It once translates as TARTAROO, where the wicked angels were cast. 2 Pet. 2:4

Question 2

What are the theories which deny the punishment of the wicked?

Answer 2

Annihilationism
* The wicked are punished for an age and then are annihilated.
* They contend that the Greek word AIONIOS has the meaning of “age long” rather than everlasting.

Universalism
* According to them, punishment will bring about a change of heart on the part of the wicked and finally they, including Satan himself, will be saved.

Question 3

What is the future state of the righteous?

Answer 3

• The eternal state of the believer is Life through and with the Lord Jesus Christ.
  1 Jn. 5:11-12 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
• Eternal life is not merely eternal existence; it does not merely refer to the duration of life, but rather the quality of life. The believer has Christ’s life, because he has Christ within
  Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
  Col. 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.