Amelia Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Quote: Mt 25:46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." I have stated many times that I am not a learned student of the bible. But I am wondering if the word "eternal" in this verse is the same word. I mean, "eternal" punishment I have come to understand is not punishment that goes on and on and on for the rest of the persons judged afterlife. But is the "eternal" punishment from God that is all consuming and once done it's over and the life is over, never to be again. If t his is correct, is "eternal" life the same? Or is it as we think; an ongoing, never ending second life with God? Plus is the word the same in greek? Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
Woody Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 If you are on the side of 'death' ... death lasts forever. If you are on the side of 'life' ... life will last forever. Just my take. I could be wrong. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators Gerr Posted June 5, 2008 Moderators Posted June 5, 2008 I just looked up the verse. Yes, the Greek for "eternal" in both cases is the same. The wages/punishment of sin is death, death from which there is no possibility ever of a resurrection. The gift of God to the faithful is life, life in which there is never the possibilty of death. Gerry Quote
Stan Posted June 6, 2008 Posted June 6, 2008 Amelia There is a difference between eternal punishment, and eternal punishing... if that is the real question you are asking. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Moderators Nan Posted June 6, 2008 Moderators Posted June 6, 2008 I think the misundertanding of this topic comes from a misundertanding of what 'death' means. If death means no undertanding, no knowledge, permanent lack of consciousness - as I believe the Bible teaches - this verse is easier to understand. For those who believe all the dead are aware of what is going on, ie the inherent immortality of the human soul - the fate of the unrighteous raises the spectre of a vengeful God. Just expanding on my take of what Stan said. And agreeing with the other posts. Quote
robert hickman Posted June 6, 2008 Posted June 6, 2008 1 Timothy 6:16 tells us that only our GOD is immortal. HE knew better than to create sinners immortal. Quote
Moderators Nan Posted June 7, 2008 Moderators Posted June 7, 2008 Yes that is a key text in this discussion. Quote
ChildofChrist Posted June 7, 2008 Posted June 7, 2008 1 Timothy 6:16 tells us that only our GOD is immortal. HE knew better than to create sinners immortal. Like any good parent, you just don't hand the keys of your brand new vehicle to a 16 or even 18 year old child. They need to prove themselves first. Sin was loose in the universe and earthkind had not yet proven themselves. I will be so happy when all sin is eliminated for all times...even if it is Child of Christ that proves to be unworthy to life ever lasting. Don't take me wrong, I am walking a closer walk than ever before and study alone and with others is more and more frequent. Quote Wakan Tanka Kici Un ~~Child of Christ~~
Robert Posted June 7, 2008 Posted June 7, 2008 Mt 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Please remember that Christ, by assuming our humanity, experienced this "eternal punishment". It simply means goodbye to life forever with no hope of a resurrection! It's the 2nd death. Since the lost have persistently rejected the atonement they must take upon themselves the 2nd death. It is eternal in its effect. Once they die they will never come up...they will never be resurrected. So it is death that is eternal and not on going punishment. Quote
Amelia Posted June 7, 2008 Author Posted June 7, 2008 Thank you all for the replies. I am somewhat less confused about this verse than I was before. Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
nishaun Posted June 7, 2008 Posted June 7, 2008 Only the consequences of hell are forever. Saying, eternal fire, is like telling someone to put on warm clothes, the clothes aren't necessarily warm, only their effect. Quote
BibleShockers Posted August 10, 2008 Posted August 10, 2008 "Eternal" has some connotations (ie: "dimensions") that aren't in the Greek word. In this case, I think "permanent" captures the sense. Bill Ross Quote Bill Ross
Moderators John317 Posted August 10, 2008 Moderators Posted August 10, 2008 "Eternal" has some connotations (ie: "dimensions") that aren't in the Greek word. In this case, I think "permanent" captures the sense. Bill Ross It depends on the subject. The word itself simply means an indeterminate period of time. It is often translated "age," "world," etc. If it has reference to God, who is without end, then the meaning is the same, without end. If, on the other hand, it has reference to mortal, who are not without end, then it has reference to a period of time that has an end. There are places in the Old Testament and New Testament where the word refers to things that have already ceased to exist, so it obviously does not necessarily mean "endless". If people were immortal, the meaning in Revelation regarding "eternal torment" would refer to endless torment since the subject, man, would never cease to exist. But of course, God was wise enough not to give sinners the gift of immortality. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
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