The texts most strongly urged as
teaching the annihilation theory, if rightly interpreted, will be seen to refer
to removal from off the earth, and not to future retribution. Here are the
principal passages:
Psa.37:20 -- "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." This psalm is written for
the encouragement of Israel and against her enemies and their power on the
earth. This earthly power shall be utterly broken, and be of no more account
than the smoke of a burnt sacrifice. The great truth taught here is that the
earth is the inheritance of the saints, and that the wicked shall have no part
in it.
Obadiah 16 -- " . . . And they
shall be as though they had not been." These words are taken from the
vision regarding Edom, and refer to the destruction of the Edomites and their
land, and not to the future of the wicked in the next life.
In speaking of the "everlasting
punishment" with which the wicked will be visited, as recorded in 2
Thess.1:9, the annihilationist would say that reference is made to the
"results or consequences" of that punishment and not to the punishment
itself. But the Scriptures state that it is the "punishment" itself,
and not the consequences, that is everlasting.
No such interpretation as that put upon
these passages by those holding the annihilation theory can be maintained by
sound exegesis. What need is there of a resurrection if the wicked are to be
annihilated at death, or why should they be raised from the dead if only to be
at once extinguished for ever? Again, there is no such thing as
"unconscious" punishment. You cannot punish anything that is
unconscious. Can you punish a stone or a house? Punishment can take place only
where there is consciousness on the part of the one suffering.
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