What will happen to the wicked in eternity?

The information in the shaded area below is the end portion of a more comprehensive study, written by Arthur Licursi, called, " The Real Meaning of 'The Rich Man and Lazarus' " on his website here. Of particular interest to me, at this time of writing this post, was the Q&A section where Arthur answers some interesting questions about the fate of the wicked at the end of God's final judgements. 

The contextual answers that Arthur provides may surprise you when you weigh it up against traditional Christian teachings and understanding. I encourage you to read through the information and come to your own conclusions based on the interpretations and context of the scripture references that Arthur provides.

The proper Bible hermeneutic (interpretive) rules tell us we should always interpret the words of the Bible literally, unless the context clearly makes it otherwise. That's how God intended His Word to be understood and interpreted. Otherwise, when the Bible is not taken literally, our understanding of the Word is left to the opinions and imaginations of fallible sin-laden mankind. Let's here apply this hermeneutic rule as we read these verses below, noting the words; perish, destroy, 'be no more,' death, die, consume, devour, 'bring to ashes,' etc.

▶ Will the wicked go on living throughout eternity?
"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." Psalms 37:20.

▶ Some ask; "So, the wicked will be destroyed and not burn forever?"
Correct!

"But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off." Psalms 37:38.

▶ But doesn't "cut off" only mean they will be separated from God?
This idea is a false religious tradition.

"As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God." Psalms 68:2.

▶ So, then this must mean that the wicked will be no more or consumed!
"Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD." Psalms 104:35.

▶ So, there will be a final destruction of the wicked, they will not burn in hell for eternity?

"The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy." Psalms 145:20.

▶ What method will God use to destroy the wicked?
"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.

▶ But many say, "I thought the soul never dies?"
To "die," below, means to "cease to be alive." "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.

▶ How does God feel about the final destruction of the wicked?
"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?" Eze. 33:11.

▶ So, after the destruction of the wicked, sin will not rise up again?
"What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry." Nahum 1:9-10.

▶ How complete will the final destruction of the wicked be?
"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.

▶ Does the New Testament talk about the destruction of the wicked?
Jesus said; "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:" Matthew 7:13

▶ Does the New Testament speak about the soul dying?
Jesus said;

"… but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28b.

"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord…" 2 Thessalonians 1:9

▶ When will all of this take place?
Jesus said; "… the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so, shall it be in the end of this world (age)." Mat. 13:40.

▶ Matthew 25:41 speaks of "everlasting fire" for the wicked. Does it go out?
Jesus said; "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:"

Yes, according to the Bible, it does go out. But we must let the Bible explain itself. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with everlasting, or eternal fire, that fire turned them "into ashes" as a warning to "those that after should live ungodly." The fire is everlasting, but for the consumed wicked… it is out.

"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 1:7.

"And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;" 2 Peter 2:6.

These cities are not burning today. The fire went out when everything was burned up.

Likewise, everlasting fire will cease its work upon "the wicked" after it has turned the wicked to ashes.

"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 4:3.

The fire and its effects are 'everlasting,' but not the burning of the wicked lost souls.

▶ Doesn't Matthew 25:46 say the wicked will receive "everlasting punishment"?
"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matt. 25:46)

NOTE: Notice the words are "everlasting punishment," and not "everlasting punishing." Punishing would be continuous, while a "punishment" is one conclusive act. The "everlasting punishment" of the wicked is death, this death is everlasting. Nowhere in the Bible does it say the wicked will receive a continuing eternal life.

▶ What will happen to the "saved"?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (Gk. apollymi, be utterly destroyed), but have (the) Everlasting Life." John 3:16.

▶ What are the wages of sin according to the book of Romans?
"the wages of sin is death (not suffering); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ..." Rom. 6:23.

▶ What will happen to the Devil, will he be destroyed also?
"… that through death he might 'destroy' him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" Hebrews 2:14.

"(Lucifer) Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay they before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of they traffick; therefore I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee." Ezekiel 28:17-18.

▶ It's impossible for sinners to be in the presence of God because "our God is a 'consuming' fire." Heb. 12:29.

▶ What example does the Bible use to show that God will destroy the wicked by fire?
"And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;" 2 Peter 2:6.

▶ Where will this fire occur that destroys the wicked?
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.

▶ Doesn't God want us to repent? What will ultimately happen to the whole earth?
"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." 10the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works (of man) that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:9-10.

▶ Doesn't Jude 1:7 talk about eternal fire?
"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 1:7.

Note that these 'cities' are not burning today. The fire went out after everything was burned up. Likewise, everlasting fire will go out for those wicked who are turned to ashes.

▶ Where will the fire come from?
"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." Revelation 20:9.

▶ Is the second death final?
"And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:14.

"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.

▶ Will the Devil be burned up completely? No! Will the Devil cease to exist? No!

"Thou (Lucifer) hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a Fire From The Midst Of Thee, it shall devour (Heb. akal, eat at) thee, and I (the Lord) will bring thee to ashes (Heb. eper, worthlessness) upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (sealed in the "pit" during the Tribulation) 19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be (a terror) any more." Ezekiel 28:18-19

▶ What about the verse in Revelation 20:10 where it talks about the devil, the beast and false prophet being tormented for ever and ever. Doesn't that show that hell fire is forever or eternal?
"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 (Gk. aion, age upon age)." Rev. 20:10

Sadly, the teaching of 'eternal torment of lost souls' is wrong. The verse applies only to the Devil and his angels, not to lost man. This religious error has done more to drive people to atheism and insanity than any other religious invention of the Devil that was widely use in the Catholic church during the middle ages to raise money. It is slander upon the loving character of a tender, gracious heavenly Father and this lie has done untold harm to the Christian cause.

By contrast, in the case of 'lost mankind' "for ever" is only "as long as he lives," that is "until his death."

"For this God is our God for ever and ever (age upon age): he will be our guide even unto death (Heb. mut labben, meaning, as long as he lives) Psalm 48:14 "Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever." (obviously only 'until death')" Exo. 21:6

So, the wicked lost souls will burn in the fire only 'as long as they live,' meaning 'until they are consumed."

It does not feel right to have discussed this subject without encouraging you to continue in your ambassadorship of Christ's heavenly kingdom. Let the gospel of God's grace shine out of you in a natural and effortless way, in your deeds and speech, so that others might see the good things of Christ within you and praise the Heavenly Father.

If you are reading this and have not yet heard and responded to the good news of the gospel of grace, then I encourage you to read this page and place your trust in the cross work of Christ unto eternal salvation.

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus.

ADDENDUM

Revelation 14:10-11 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.” 

How long will the torment of the lake of fire last? "For ever and ever.” The Bible says “they have no rest day nor night"

I cannot dismiss the two verses above. Just like I view the context of extinguishing from a literal perspective, I have to interpret these two verses in the same way, and when I do, I do see an eternal context; that is: an everlasting torment or suffering involved here.

• Verse 10 starts with the words, "The same..." This refers to the ones who took the mark of the beast. So, the reference is not connected to fallen angelic beings, but humans who have sold their soul to the devil.
• It then continues with, "shall be tormented with fire and brimstone", which is a reference to the lake of fire. The torment is not on earth during the tribulation, but after the Great White Throne judgement and while they are in the lake of fire.
• It continues with, "their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night,". Day and night, in particular, is a perpetual statement.
• Lastly, "...whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" implies to me that this specific group of people will be judged differently to the rest of the unbelieving humanity. 

My revised conclusion (based on scripture and assumption and logic)

Taking the mark of the beast is a pledge to the allegiance of Satan, effectively selling your soul in an eternal way! Since the verse specifically highlights this group (who have his mark), it could mean that this group of humanity will suffer the same fate as the devil and the other fallen angels; ie: to suffer in eternal torment in fire and brimstone. These sold-out souls will not be extinguished as the rest of unbelieving humanity. (It's difficult to interpret it any other way!?) Their fate seems sealed in a similar fashion to Satan, the fallen angels, and BTW, includes the false prophet and the antichrist.

I am not a proponent of different levels of suffering and torment. For me, sin is sin. One is not judged by the measure or intensity of one's sin, but rather by unbelief in the Son of God. 

John 6:28 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.

For unbelief, one is extinguished. But for taking the mark, could it be that one takes on the fate of the devil and the fallen angels themselves?

An interesting thing is that there is overwhelming evidence and multiple scriptures to confirm total destruction of the human soul, and only one scripture that presents this angle. Of course, one cannot ever dismiss scripture, so there remains only one option, which is to include it and revise one's views based on it. Whether I'm interpreting this scripture in context, based on my above revision, I do not know, but I'm open to be corrected. That's the joys of learning and growing and having the attitude to remain open to be teachable.

I will continue to attest that all this above is my personal understanding in regard to my current views on this topic. I cannot claim to be dogmatic on it and whatever I present or publish is strictly my belief at the time it was spoken or printed. I, like everyone else, continues to learn new insights into this and I also personally believe that this will never truly be resolved. It is a mystery that only God knows.