From The Volumes of Truth

The State of the Dead and The Fate of the Wicked: The False Doctrine of Hell and Eternal Torment Exposed

PART 1 - Q & A: What is the State of the Dead?

Answer: Those who have died are currently sleeping in the grave, awaiting resurrection. This includes the wicked and upright, believers and unbelievers. Only babies and innocent children need not sleep in death, nor take part in the resurrection at the Last Day.





“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16





(State of the innocent who have died)

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. ” – Luke 18:16

“For The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to all such as these.[1] Thus these who have come forth from The Kingdom, who remain without blemish, whose lives were cut short, return to Him from whom they came. For the little ones need not sleep in death. For the penalty of sin is death,[2] yet they remain in their innocence... And oh how blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall surely behold My face.[3]” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 1 – “To Whom Does The Kingdom of Heaven Belong”)

"Yet you need not shed tears over these little ones who were swept away, for they have returned home. They dwell in the bosom of their Father, once again"...

..."Again, I say to you, wail not for those who have passed away, as though you had no hope,[4] nor for the little ones, for they have returned home. For most assuredly, I say to you, by no means does death have the last word. " ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 1 – “Make Way for the Coming of The Lord”)





(State of the dead)

*ALL WHO HAVE SINNED FIRST GO TO SHEOL [Hebrew word penned 65 times in the Old Testament Scriptures. It has been translated in the KJV: "Grave" – 31 times, "Pit" – 3 times and Mistranslated "Hell" – 31 times; SHEOL is also mistranslated in the New Testament as "Hades" (from the Greek) (i.e. Acts 2:27)]:

“What man can live and not see death ? Can he deliver his soul from the power of the grave ? Selah” – Psalm 89:48

“In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground , For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return. ” – Genesis 3:19

“For your life is but a glimmer, a mere drop of rain soon swallowed up by the earth , seen of no more; serving as nourishment for that which grows upon it, which is also soon withered and turned to dust, once again... Dust to dust, ashes to ashes , a flame brought forth, soon extinguished... So likewise are all those of the flesh. All flesh is given into His hand; whether from death unto life eternal, or from life unto death eternal, all is given into His hand.” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 7 – “A Day of Thick Clouds and Darkness, Bitter Sorrows... The Day of Deliverance and Judgment, The Day of The Lord”)

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave where you are going. ” – Ecclesiastes 9:10

“The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.” – John 5:28

"Yet I say, do not mourn for the dead , for they only sleep. They abide in darkness for but an instant, for the dead know nothing at all; they know not the passage of time, nor of the seasons. They have closed their eyes to this life, yet they shall surely open them again; Behold, all shall look upon the face of The Lord their Redeemer, The One who died yet is alive forevermore. Amen." ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 1 – “Make Way for the Coming of The Lord”)

“His spirit departs, he returns to his earth ; In that very day his thoughts perish. ” – Psalm 146:4

“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing , And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.” – Ecclesiastes 9:5

“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. ” – Ecclesiastes 12:7

“Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping .” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead . But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned , and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.” – Luke 8:52-55

“Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…” – Daniel 12:2

“If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. ” – Job 34:14-15

"For I am God of the living, The One alone worthy of all praise! I am not God of the dead, but of the living![5] For the dead have no ruler. There is no life in them; even all their thoughts have perished with them.[6] No voice is heard from the grave; only complete and utter silence dwells there[7] - darkness without time.[8]

For from the dust I created them, and to the dust they return. By My breath they were made alive, and without My breath they fall asleep.[9] In the image of The Son were My beloved created,[10] and in His likeness shall they be restored.

Behold, the day and hour is close at hand, yea it is very near, when the dead in Messiah shall arise and the sleepers shall awake, when the rotting corpses are revived and the dust gathers together once again..." ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 6 – “God of the Living”)

“ The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence ;” – Psalm 115:17

*When one dies, the breath of life that God has given to all mankind, ascends back to Him. However, the soul, which is who we are, dies/sleeps until the time of resurrection.

(State of the unfaithful dead)

“Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. ” – Psalm 31:17

"And of your forefathers, they shall surely answer for their subrogation of Me and My Word, in the day they are called forth from the pit, when they stand up in their graves to give an account of their every word and deed which they performed in My name, to pollute it!" ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 7 – “I Am Calling You Out! (Part 2)... Come Out of the Churches of Men and I Will Receive You! Says The Lord”)

“Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into sheol : for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” – Psalm 55:15

"Thus they have made their covenant with death, and with the grave they are in agreement." ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 3 – “Woe to the Captives of This World”)

"Lo, they have made their covenant with death, and with the grave they are in agreement!" ~ (The Volumes of Truth, A Testament Against The World... The Lord's Rebuke – “Blood Pours Down”)

Also see: Regarding the First Death





(State of the faithful dead)

“After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. ” – 1 Corinthians 15:6

“He said to them, “ Our friend Lazarus sleeps , but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death , but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep . Then Jesus said to them plainly, “ Lazarus is dead. ”” – John 11:11-14

“Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death .” – Psalm 13:3

“When Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit. ’” Having said this, He breathed His last.” – Luke 23:46





*The spirit that the Lord YahuShua (Jesus) committed to the Father was not “Himself” or “His Soul”. Rather, it was the life-force, the breath of God that sustained Him. While He was alive, the Lord Himself revealed where He would be during the time between His death and resurrection:

“As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ” – Matthew 12:40





*The Lord Himself also spoke to where He was not during the time between His death and resurrection:

“Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. ”” – John 20:17

For The Son of Man did indeed sleep in the lower parts of the earth, His tomb , for three days and three nights[11], yet by no means did He descend into the evils of man’s imaginings![12] ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 3 – “Proclaim NOT the Hell of the Churches of Men”)

“They stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ” – Acts 7:59-60





*The Apostle Paul speaks here of believers, like Stephen, whom have fallen asleep:

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep , lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus . For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep . For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16

And here:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep , but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality . So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “ Death is swallowed up in victory. ”” – 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

“Even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”” – Luke 20:37-38

“But now is Christ risen from the dead , and become The First Fruits of them that slept . For since by man came death , by Man came also the resurrection of the dead . For as in Adam all die , even so in Christ shall all be made alive . But every man in his own order: Christ The First Fruits ; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. ” – 1 Corinthians 15:21-23

“Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead …” – Revelation 1:5





*Even of His own soul did the Apostle Paul speak, saying:

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day , and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .” – 2 Timothy 4:8



“The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” – Revelation 20:5

“Grieve not over all these dead, for by no means does death have the last word ...” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 7 – “I Shall Bring My Hand Against ALL Nations Who Have Forsaken Me”)

“Come, all murderers; watch Me raise you, and all who sleep, from the grave. ” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 2 – “Come, Love Awaits You”)

“ There will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ” – Acts 24:15

“Thus says The Lord: The penalty of sin is death. Thus all who have sinned shall surely die, all shall lie down in death. Yet there is a people who shall not sleep, nor shall they lie down in death; a people who shall be awake at My coming, a people who have received of the divine gift, a people who know Me and in whom I am known, for I see of Myself within them. They shall be lifted up, not preceding those who have fallen asleep in Messiah. This is the first harvest and resurrection. ” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 2 – “The Judgment of God Is True and Without Question, Yet the Error of the People Is Great")





*Likewise did the Lord YahuShua (Jesus) speak concerning those whom are His:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. ” – John 5:25

And:

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ” – John 6:54

“Thus says The Lord: All people sleep in death, both those who have done good and those who have done evil. In no way are they among the living, nor are they aware; they know nothing at all, ; for all their thoughts have perished [13] with them. All remain at rest, until the day I call them to awake; some to the first, the resurrection of life, and many more to the second, the resurrection of judgment.[14] Blessed and holy are those who take part in the first resurrection, for over them the second death[15] has no power, as it is written.[16]

You have heard it said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord.[17]” This saying is true. For all those who die in Messiah will indeed look upon Him at the Last Day[18], yet it will be to them as the blink of an eye. For the dead know not the passage of time, nor do they know they have fallen asleep. Thus there is indeed life after death, yet during death there is most certainly not. ” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 1 - “Death and Awakening”)

Also see: Regarding the First Death





PART 2 - Q & A: What is the Fate of the Wicked?

Question: Is the fate of the wicked eternal consciousness in torment, or do they ultimately perish?

Answer: The unrepentant wicked, who reject the forgiveness and lordship of YahuShua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), and are cast into the Lake of Fire, will be utterly destroyed and no longer exist.





*Eternal Life contrasted with Death:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ” – John 3:16

“If you live according to the flesh you will die ; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ” – Romans 8:13

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death , blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19

“I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies ,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live! ”” – Ezekiel 18:32

“As righteousness leads to life , so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. ” – Proverbs 11:19

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing , but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life , and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ” – John 5:24

“He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption , but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life .” – Galatians 6:8

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

“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ” – 2 Corinthians 2:15

“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition , but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. ” – Hebrews 10:39

“Our Savior Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:10

"This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality ." – 1 Corinthians 15:53

And by no means shall one be cast into hell, to suffer day and night without end. This teaching is FALSE; myth, borrowed from the deceiver, who upon all pagan religion was built. Sons of men, know you not what the Scriptures say, that that whosoever believes in The Son abides forever , and whoever has not The Son shall perish and not see life ? How then shall one say that whether one believes or believes not, both have eternal life? This teaching among the churches is of the church called mother, and is of her father the devil, of which she continually emulates, seeking after her own glory which she claims she had received from Me... She shall be torn in pieces! ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 7 - “Salvation Is Given and Must Be Received; Once Received, Forever Shall It Belong to the Redeemed”)

And still to this day, the lie is widely spoken of and accepted, even fiercely defended by the churches of men for the sake of pride. For they uphold the lie, teaching that whether one believes and accepts The Son, or whether one forbears and rejects The Life, all have eternal life in Heaven or in hell - BELIEVE THEM NOT! See with greater eyes, for I do not change! I do not grant eternal life to the wicked, in any form, nor shall the evil of heart see everlasting life. Their existence shall be taken from them, they shall surely be blotted out.

Again, I say to you, those under condemnation are dead. In no way are they part of the living, nor are they living in torment; they know nothing at all. ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 4 - "Evil Blotted Out, Righteousness Reigns")





*More verses speaking of the end of the wicked:

“But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption.” – 2 Peter 2:12

“The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. ” – Revelation 21:8

“Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:15

“Thus only I shall make an end of evil. Only I shall destroy the wicked of heart and cast the sons of satan into eternal darkness, into the void of lifeless nothingness. For only The One who grants life can take it away. I AM THE LORD! Or have you forgotten whom you shall fear, The One alone who can destroy both body and soul? ”...

...“Only The One who formed it can raise it up again, and only by the hand of Him who created it shall it be utterly destroyed. Thus if one refuses to be restored in the image of God, which I am, he shall surely perish. He shall be blotted out, his life forfeit. Indeed, it shall be as though he had never been. ” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 2 - “The Judgment of God Is True and Without Question, Yet the Error of the People Is Great”)

“A valley of dead and dry bones, darkness and blackness, a void of lifeless nothingness! Behold, I shall pour out in My anger and destroy in My fury! With eternal fire, I shall take vengeance upon all My enemies, until they are utterly consumed! For thus is the second death, prepared for the wicked; thus is the second death, in which the evil of heart shall be consumed! Destruction and annihilation, blotted out!... The death of which the redeemed in Messiah need not fear...” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 3 - “The Truth Absolute”)

“Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’” – Job 20:7

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

“Knowing the righteous judgment of God , that those who practice such things are deserving of death …” – Romans 1:32

“He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes , and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly. ” – 2 Peter 2:6

“Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish .” – Luke 13:2-3

“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. ” – Ezekiel 18:4





*VERBS used in verses below - “ destroyed ”, “ consumed ”, “ devoured ”, “ perish ”

Please take note of the definitions of these >> emphasized words << in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, which is an exhaustive cross-reference of every word in the KJV back to the word in the original text.

“The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed. ” – Isaiah 1:28





*Hebrew word translated “consumed” – kalah:

Concordance: To accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent

“May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked be no more. ” – Psalm 104:35





*Hebrew word translated “consumed” – tamam

Concordance: To be complete, be finished, be at an end.

“ Consume (kalah) them in wrath, consume (kalah) them, that they may not be . ” – Psalm 59:13



"For the reign of evil shall be abolished ,

The wicked stricken and the evil of heart blotted out ,

Extinguished in the lake of My burning heart!...

For My heart is set ablaze in My anger,

And My countenance burns like a raging fire;

My sadness is infinite, the weight of

Unending sorrow covers Me...

For as I live, says The Lord,

I take no pleasure in the destruction

Of the wicked, but call all in the earth

To repent, to turn from their evil ways...



And return to Me."

~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 3 – “Stricken”)

"For I tell you the truth, death is at the door, and the pit is dug deep! Gei-Hinnom waits patiently and Sheol is made ready, and the wicked shall be cast into it; THE EVIL OF HEART SHALL SURELY DESCEND INTO IT! For death and wickedness are married, and the grave is never full. By evil deeds do the wicked consummate their union; by their every word do they confirm their agreement, until the fire consumes them and darkness hides them away. For the place of the deceased is known, yet those consumed by the fire shall never be found; they shall cease to exist, their names blotted out forever. " ~ (The Volumes of Truth, A Testament Against The World... The Lord's Rebuke - “The Generation of Wrath”)

“The wicked shall perish ; and the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke shall they consume (kalah) away.” – Psalm 37:20



*Hebrew word translated “perish” – ‘abad

Concordance: To destroy, kill, cause to perish, exterminate, blot out, do away with, cause to vanish

“Sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more. ” – Psalm 104:35

“Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble , and the flame consumes the chaff , so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust.” – Isaiah 5:24





*Hebrew word translated “devours” – akal

Concordance: To eat, devour, burn up, feed

“You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour (akal) them. ” – Psalm 21:9

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up (akal) like a garment, and the worm will eat them (akal) like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation.” – Isaiah 51:7-8

“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:9





*Greek word translated “destruction” – olethros

Concordance: ruin, destroy, death

For thus is the eternal state of My punishment, thus is the punishment you shall receive at My own hand: Destruction in the lake that burns, consumed in an instant, gone from My presence forever. Darkness, outer darkness, nothingness is your reward. And you shall never even know you had received it or received it not; you shall know NOTHING, nor shall you have ANY part in life! It is taken from you, and shall never again be granted to you; your inheritance lost, your existence blotted out. THIS, O perverse generation, Is the eternal state of My punishment. For the lake of My burning heart is Judgment and not life, a consuming fire! ...” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 7 – “Punishment”)

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna*.” – Matthew 10:28





*Greek word translated “destroy” – apollymi

Concordance: to destroy, put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin, render useless, kill, declare that one must be put to death, to perish, to be lost, ruined, destroyed

*“Gehenna” was used by The Lord YahuShua (Jesus Christ) 11 times, never by Apostle Paul, and once by James (the Lord’s brother). This is one of the few words of Hebrew origin used in the writing of the New Testament. It was an actual, physical, geographic place which those in Jerusalem and surrounding areas were well aware of.



*Concordance: "This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned up."



“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: Whose end is destruction , whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.” – Phillipians 3:18-19





*Greek word translated “end” – telos

Concordance: termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be

*Greek word translated “destruction” – apōleia (From a presumed derivative of “apollymi”)

Concordance: utter destruction, a perishing, ruin

“You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked ; You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” – Psalm 9:5





*Hebrew word translated “destroyed” – ‘abad

Concordance: To destroy, kill, cause to perish, exterminate, blot out, do away with, cause to vanish

“There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy (apollymi). Who are you to judge another?” – James 4:12

“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

“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.” – Psalm 68:2





*More of the Lord YahuShua's (Jesus) Words on life and death:

“ Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:26

“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death. ” – John 8:51

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. ” – John 6:47

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever ; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” – John 6:51

" He who believes in the Son has eternal life ; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life , but the wrath of God abides on him.” – John 3:36





(*Verses Often Stumbled Over)

1) “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: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” – Mark 9:47-48

Scripture rightfully dividing Scripture:

"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

“For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” – Isaiah 51:8

“I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched .” – Jeremiah 17:27

“Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched .” – Ezekiel 20:47

*Devour – Hebrew: Akal - to eat, devour, burn up.

The devouring worm will accomplish its purpose. The devouring fire will not cease from burning until that which it burns up ceases to be.





2) “These shall go away into everlasting punishment : but the righteous into life eternal .” – Matthew 25:46

Scripture rightfully dividing Scripture:

*If the wages/punishment of sin is a death from which there is no resurrection, how long will that state of punishment last? Indeed, if being blotted from life forever is the punishment, it would be an "everlasting punishment"

This is the case, as the Bible says throughout its writings.



"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction ..." - 2 Thess 1:9

*The above verse defines the nature of their punishment as: "destruction" that is "everlasting".



Concordance: ruin, destroy, death

*So we see by definition, that this "everlasting punishment" is "everlasting death".

*In Matthew 25:46, the Lord Himself uses contrast to define what “everlasting punishment” is in stating: “but the righteous into life eternal .”

--The implication is that the “these shall go away” group does NOT have life eternal. Therefore, there can be no other alternative to “everlasting punishment” being interpreted as “ everlasting death ”.--

*THE EXAMPLE:

What is the EXAMPLE God gave in the Bible of everlasting punishment?



a) Everlasting punishment is what annihilation is.

The punishment of damnation IS everlasting. Those that are damned are not everlasting... Unless you believe what >>the serpent<< said in Genesis 3:4 is true...

" Then the serpent said to the woman, " You will not surely die ." - Genesis 3:4





b) Is everlasting punishment a form of continuous torment?...

What does the Bible say?...

example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire." - "just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as anin undergoing the punishment of eternal fire." - http://bible.cc/jude/1-7.htm

example





*EXAMPLE... Both texts say EXAMPLE . That is not my word, that is the Bible's word... Example.

Think about that. We have two verses that say that what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah is an "EXAMPLE" of everlasting punishment.

-So ask yourself... Who is still being tormented in Sodom? Who is still being tormented in Gomorrah?

-Is the examples EXAMPLE, one of ongoing torment? Or is the EXAMPLE, one of utter annihilation?





c) And one more question to consider: If the punishment is ongoing and unending torment, and YahuShua (Jesus) took our punishment... Then what is He doing off the cross?

*Pray and consider...



--Annihilation IS everlasting punishment, but it is NOT unending torment.--





"if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them anof what is going to happen to the ungodly;" - http://bible.cc/2_peter/2-6.htm

3) "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." – Revelation 14:9-11

Scripture rightfully dividing Scripture:

“Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire ? Who among us can live with continual burning?"” – Isaiah 33:14

“Again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.” – Revelation 19:3

“There shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” – Revelation 22:5





*One who is cast into a raging inferno experiences torment for a matter of seconds at most. Their consuming bodies will produce a limited amount of smoke that will ascend from the fire. The limited amount of smoke that a burning human body and/or city can produce will ascend forever. However, the human body and/or city itself does not produce an infinite amount of smoke.

Seeing that 1) day and night has an end, 2) the fire consumes, 3) and causes eternal rest/death for the person cast therein, we can conclude that the “no rest day or night” pertains to them while they are still alive during the great tribulation, being recipients of the wrath of God which will be poured out upon them continually until they are ultimately destroyed by fire.





4) “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 (KJV)

Scripture rightfully dividing Scripture:

a) *One will notice that this verse in the Bible has the word "are" in italics. That is because the word "are" is not in the Greek manuscripts, and has been added by English translators.



b) The Greek word translated “forever and ever” is the word “aion” (used twice). The Greek noun “aion” literally means “an age” or “an indeterminate period of time.” Hebrews 1:2 tells us that “God made the ages,” and the Apostle Paul tells us that there was a state of existence BEFORE the ages (1 Cor. 2:7) and that the ages will END. (1 Cor. 10:11) Clearly, if something begins and ends, it cannot be unending.

There are three problems with the way the King James translates this verse.

First, if something is “for ever,” why bother adding another “ever?” Are we to think that there is more than one “for ever” or that we have to have an extra “ever” added so we get the point?

Secondly, both uses of the word “aion” are in the plural form. The problem with this should be obvious to anyone who is honest. Are we to somehow think that there is more than one (plural) eternity? No theologian teaches that and yet there is no doubt that the plural form of “aion” is used in this verse. If the King James translators looked at the tense a bit more carefully, they would have written the above phrase to read “for evers and evers.” This, of course, makes absolutely no sense. However, if we properly interpret “aion” to mean “an indeterminate period of time,” then the verse makes perfect sense. Therefore, both Rev. 20:10 and Rev. 14:11(from #3 above) would be more accurately translated:



“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were, and shall be tormented day and night unto ages of ages.” (Rev. 20:10)



"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up unto ages of ages; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Rev. 14:11)







Those who had knowledge of the Holy Scriptures contained in the Tanakh (Old Testament) were well aware of the fate of their adversary, satan. God had made it plain by speaking of his ultimate fate through His prophet, Ezekiel.





Ezekiel 28 is a prophetic chapter speaking of and to satan...



"You were in Eden ,



the garden of God"

"You were anointed as a guardian cherub ,

for so I ordained you."

"You were blameless in your ways

from the day you were created

till wickedness was found in you."

"By your many sins and dishonest trade

you have desecrated your sanctuaries.

So I made a fire come out from you,

and it consumed you ,

and I reduced you to ashes on the ground

in the sight of all who were watching."

“You have come to a horrible end



will be no more .

and





*The word(s) translated “forever” in Revelation 20:10 have been used in the Bible in other places in a figurative manner, and such is the case here.

“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

*These angels will be bound in these “everlasting” chains UNTIL…

“Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, 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

*This “eternal fire” is not currently burning today. Therefore, the fire itself is not everlasting as we think of everlasting in our English language.

“I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars [was] about me forever : yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.” – Jonah 2:6





*Again, “forever” is used figuratively. We should not find it difficult to understand that in the most figurative Book of the Bible, “forever” has likewise been used.





PART 3 - Q & A: Lazarus and the Rich Man Parable

Question: Is the story of Lazarus to be taken literally? Can this story be used to prove the doctrine of eternal torment? Does this story prove that there is an “after-life” without being resurrected?

Answers: No, No, and No.





*YahuShua’s audience when He told this story:

“The Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” – Luke 15:2





*How YahuShua Spoke to them:

“All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables ; and without a parable He did not speak to them .” – Matthew 13:34





*Purpose for speaking to them in such a manner:

”Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:

“Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,

And seeing you will see and not perceive;

For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed,

Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.”” – Matthew 13:13-15





*YahuShua did not speak parables in order that the masses would understand His message, repent, and be healed. On the contrary, He spoke as did Isaiah, to... “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes.” – Isaiah 6:10





*Likewise has the following parable become a stone of stumbling in the paths of those who consume bitter doctrines taught in the churches of men.

This story has been used by men in attempt to authenticate the false doctrine of eternal life for the damned in torment:



“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then 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.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” - Luke 16:19-31







*In reading this story as a literal event, from which we can develop doctrines, one must come to several conclusions (most of which are proven false by Scripture):

a) The rich man is currently conscious

b) The rich man has knowledge of his family

c) The rich man is in torment

d) The rich man was buried

e) The rich man has a new body, with which he "lifted up his eyes"

f) The rich man is in torment without having been judged or sentenced

g) There is a flame where the dead rich man is

h) The rich man can think and process information

i) The rich man can talk

j) Lazarus does not need to be resurrected from the dead

k) Lazarus is in "Abraham's bosom"

l) Lazarus wanted to eat crumbs that fell from the rich man's table

m) Hades is a "place of torment"

n) Abraham is currently conscious

o) Lazarus is not in hades, but in Abraham's Bosom

p) Lazarus was not buried

q) Lazarus is currently conscious

r) Abraham is not in hades

s) The flame does not consume, devour, or cause to burn up





*If this parable is to be taken literally, there should be no contradiction found within the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures), which all of the people whom The Lord YahuShua (Jesus) spoke this story to were familiar with.

The Septuagint, which is the Greek Translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (comprised during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE), translates "sheol"/"the grave" to "hades" which has unfortunately been translated in English to "hell".

The author of the Book of Acts (which is written in Greek) used the word "hades" when translating "sheol" from an Old Testament quote. (Acts 2:27 quotes Psalm 16:10)





In The Complete Jewish Bible Luke 16:23 reads as follows:

"In Sh'ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El`azar at his side."





*Therefore, Hades is Sheol, and Sheol is Hades > death and the grave.





Below are some Scriptures that speak of the state of the dead:

"Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in Sheol ." - Psalm 31:17

"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing ." - Ecclesiastes 9:5

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going ." - Ecclesiastes 9:10

“For the sin of suicide is very grievous, a sin which only multiplies suffering and increases pain; of which the dead have no knowledge, for there is only silence in the grave.” ~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 2 – “Twice Murdered")

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth ; in that very day his thoughts perish .” – Psalm 146:4

“For I know that thou wilt bring me to death , and to the house appointed for all living .” – Job 30:23

“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 12:2

“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of Sheol ? Selah.” – Psalm 89:48

“For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto Sheol .” – Psalm 88:3

"So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep ." - Job 14:12

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise . Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust : for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead .” – Isaiah 26:19

"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." - John 5:28-29





*Lazarus and the Rich Man will not regain consciousness until they are resurrected from the dead at their appointed time. By no means do the dead have any part in life prior to the resurrection of the dead.

“There will be a resurrection of the dead , both of the just and the unjust.” – Acts 24:15

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” – John 5:25

“The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” – Revelation 20:5





*This parable was prophetic, in saying “ neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead .”

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead ...” – John 12:1

“Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” – John 12:9-11





*The religious leaders (to whom YahuShua (Jesus) spoke the parable) also rejected the resurrection of the Lord YahuShua (Jesus) Himself, attempting to cover it over.

“Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “ Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept .’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” – Matthew 28:11-15





*These events brought to pass the Lord’s prophecy:

‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ – Luke 16:31

The very next verse:

“Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!”” – Luke 17:1





(Summary of Parable and Important Symbols)

Using the parable of Lazarus and The Rich Man, as a basis for unending conscious torment, is unwise... This is to speak foolishly without knowledge. Even the most literal extreme interpretation of that parable would still not be grounds for belief in unending suffering, because the duration of that suffering is not mentioned.



The Parable of Lazarus and The Rich Man is just that... A parable. And until one acknowledges that it is a parable, which uses figurative language and symbolism, understanding will always remain out of reach.





Key points to remember:



• Regarding the literal misinterpretation of this parable: The characters are hard to recognize, especially when reading the English translations. For example, Lazarus is the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name “Eleazar”.



• Lazarus/Eleazar was Abraham’s heir and faithful servant. He was also a Gentile (not of the lineage of Abraham). He was later disinherited, due to the birth of Abraham’s son, Isaac (who was Hebrew, of the lineage of Abraham).





Summary of the Parable:



The Gentile (Lazarus) was poor in life, but given the spiritual blessings of Abraham. This is contrasted with an Israelite (the rich man), who had riches in life, yet was spiritually poor because of unbelief. And though the rich man was of the lineage of Abraham, he did not receive the spiritual blessings of Abraham. (To better understand this parable, please also read Romans 11).





Summary of the Symbols of the Parable:



1. The Lazarus of the parable was Eleazar, Abraham’s steward (Genesis 15:2).



2. He was a Gentile “of Damascus”, “a proselyte of the gate”, who “ate the crumbs.”



3. He was disinherited (to become a beggar), but he remained faithful to Abraham and God.



4. When his earthly life was over, he received Abraham’s inheritance after all (he was in Abraham’s bosom) — in “everlasting habitations.”



5. The Rich Man of the parable was Judah. This son of Jacob had five literal brothers as did the Rich Man.



6. He was also a literal son of Abraham, while Eleazar (Lazarus) was not!



7. The Rich Man (Judah) also had the kingship (purple) and the priesthood (linen).



8. Yet Judah, a representative of God on earth, was not the true steward of the Abrahamic blessings.



9. Though he and his literal brothers had been graced with the “oracles of God” (the Old Testament), they would not respond to The One resurrected from the dead (The Messiah, who is called Christ).



10. The “great gulf” was the Jordan rift valley, the dividing line between Gentile lands and the Holy Land of promise (Abraham’s inheritance). Crossing the Jordan was a typical figure recognized by the Jews as a symbol of salvation.





Again, once these factors are recognized, all the points in the parable (with its context) fit perfectly, giving us simple yet profound teachings of YahuShua. It shows that the earthly promises of God, though excellent, are inferior to the spiritual redemption that anyone, Jew or Gentile, can have in Messiah.







PART 4: In Conclusion - "That, Which is Not of Me, is Against Me, and Comes From the Evil One, Says The Lord"

6/9/10 From The Lord, Our God and Savior

For a Sister and Brother in Christ, and For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear

(Regarding the doctrine of hell and eternal torment, as taught in the churches of men)



Thus says The Lord, He who is holy, He who is true: Have I not made the matter known? Beloved ones, how is it you have yet to discern? Tell Me, in this doctrine of hell and eternal torment, as taught by those who call of themselves Christian, what fruit is displayed? - Love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Kindness? Gentleness? Goodness? Mercy?! So then if it bears no fruit, according to My own spirit, then from what spirit must this doctrine come, and upon what foundation is it built? For I have already told you, whosoever believes in The Son shall abide forever, and whosoever has not The Son shall perish and not see life. Therefore you do greatly err.

Behold, I shall speak plainly, so those who have ears to hear may hear and draw close, and so those who refuse to hear may forbear and depart: ANYONE who holds fast to the false doctrine of hell and eternal torment, as taught in the churches of men, DO NOT KNOW ME! Nor have they embraced Me in truth, nor does My spirit dwell within them; I do not know them! Thus refinement shall be their portion, and abasement their due reward, in the Great and Dreadful Day of The Lord! For by strong rebuke I must correct them, and with an outstretched hand shall I bring swift discipline upon them! For they have surely blasphemed My name, even on the highest order!

Therefore, beloved ones, hear My words and also understand: You must forsake this doctrine, for it is most perverse. You must withdraw yourself from all who teach this doctrine or seek to uphold it in any way. For it is written: You can not drink the cup of The Lord and the cup of demons; you can not partake of The Lord’s table and of the table of demons.



Therefore come out from among them, and be separate...



Come to Me and embrace Me as I truly am,

And I also shall embrace you, setting you apart

From all these who have deceived you...

Then shall that which was brought forth

From a lie, as a veil of darkness to cover

The heads of My people, be destroyed in the light

Of pure understanding and undefiled wisdom,

Crushed beneath the weight of The Truth, which I am...

Says He who is faithful, He who is true.

~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 4)

"A Blemish and a Stain"

5/6/11 From The Lord, Our God and Savior

The Word of The Lord Spoken to Timothy

For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear

Thus says The Lord: Behold, the corrupt doctrines of the churches of men have crept into every corner; near and far, the doctrine of hell and eternal torment is embraced by the people.

Yet I tell you the truth, this doctrine is a loathsome spot on every garment worn in the name of truth! A detestable wrinkle within the tapestry of My glory! A horrible interwoven thread by which those who call of themselves Christian pollute My name and mar My image before the people, propagating that which came forth from the mouth of the dragon!

THIS DOCTRINE IS EVIL! And must be opposed by all who have received the love of the Truth. For I have indeed spoken to this generation, even as I have spoken in all times past. For I AM THE LORD, The Light in whom there is no darkness at all.

"Proclaim NOT the Hell of the Churches of Men"

1/14/06 From The Lord, Our God and Savior

The Word of The Lord Spoken to Timothy

For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear

Thus says The Lord: Listen, all you churches of men! Shall I, even I, torment My beloved?! SATAN IS THE TORMENTOR! Thus by your own mouths, you have unwittingly called your God, satan! Repent therefore, mend your ways and your doings! Stop profaning My name and desecrating the Glory of My majesty, for you have surely blasphemed The Spirit of Truth!

Again I say, repent, and have greater understanding of My Mercy, which endures forever. For The Son of Man did indeed sleep in the heart of the earth, His tomb, for three days and three nights[19], yet by no means did He descend into the evils of man’s imaginings![20] Become again a child of God, and seek to know Me as I truly am.

Beloved ones, the eternal state of My punishment[21] is the second death[22], the grave from which one shall never be raised. For they have been cast out, forever separated from God and their part in life. So then those under condemnation are dead. In no way are they part of the living, nor are they living in torment; they know nothing at all.[23] Their inheritance is lost, they have been blotted out, broken vessels of dishonor received by the earth once again.[24]



Thus all those who believe in The Son

And obey His voice shall rise and live...



Yet those who hate The Son will not see Life,

For the wrath of God remains upon them[25]...



Says The Lord.

~ (The Volumes of Truth, Volume 2)

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