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In this teaching I have ignored the current and popular Roman Catholic belief of eternal suffering in flames. Instead I have relied heavily on scripture, because I do not have any respect for denominational tradition, formulas and institutions of men built in the name of God. I however take the scriptures very seriously. So if you or I have anything to prove, then scripture it is. I also want to make it clear at this stage that Hell does indeed exist, but not forever as some think. The scriptures are clear; Hell is the temporary abode of the wicked, but the Lake of Fire will destroy Hell, the Universe and all that belong to this current order.

Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The next scripture proves without doubt that Hell is not forever.

Revelation 20:13-15
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Moving on:
When the scriptures mention the 'wicked', they often refer to the following 2 words, 'perish' and 'destruction'.
Lets first of all look at some versus that talk about the wicked perishing.

PERISH : The Greek word for perish according to the Strongs Concordance, means to destroy fully, die or mar.

To understand the meaning and context of the word perish; Read the next 2 scriptures.

Colossians 2:21-22 21
21 Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

Hebrews 1:10-12
10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

The following scriptures tell us that the wicked will perish too.

2 Peter 2:12
But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

The verse you have just read shows that the wicked will be destroyed/perish like beasts. Now if that somehow means that the wicked suffer eternal torment, then we can only conclude given that argument that animals will also suffer eternal torment. Doesn't sound right to me, I would suggest that both are destroyed ie: they no longer exist.

1 Corinthians 15:54
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory.

Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Romans 2:12
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

1 Corinthians 1:18
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 15:50
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

2 Corinthians 4:3
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

2 Thessalonians 2:10
and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

*John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

DESTRUCTION : The Greek word for 'Destruction' according to the Strongs Concordance, can mean the following: Perdition, waste, to die, destroying, utter destruction of vessels, ruin.

To understand the meaning and context of the word destruction; Read the next 2 scriptures.

1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The following scriptures tell us that the wicked will also be destroyed.

Romans 9 22
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?

Matthew 7:13
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Philippians 3:19
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power

2 Peter 3:7
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:11-13
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

It is possible that the fire God uses to destroy the universe is the Lake of Fire itself.

Isaiah 65:17
Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Revelation 21:1-2
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

Note: If Hell is inside the earth? and the earth is destroyed then Hell cannot exist after the destruction of the earth.

Also: The words "passed away" in the Strongs means 'Perish' or 'Go away'. The words 'Everlasting Destruction' actually mean that they will always be destroyed. That is God's punishment to the wicked. They will never have life. It is also God's mercy to the wicked because nobody really wants to exist forever in a sinful state, cut away from the presence of God who is Love and the source of all good.

The last verse summarizes the truth that sinners lose their lives and destroyed:

Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

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