What About Annihilation?

“What About Annihilation?”

Rev. 20:10; Mark 9:42; Matt. 26:24 

 

SUBJECT: HELL/EVANGELISM

THEME: Perhaps a better understanding of Hell will stir us to become more consistent evangelists for our Lord.

RELEVANCE: Our compassion for the perishing multitudes must be informed and aroused by the realities of Hell, to encourage us to become involved or remain with the task of evangelism. Multitudes are dying without Christ and going to Hell, who will give themselves to consistently point them to Christ?

INTRODUCTION:

The dreadful final future of the unsaved is distinctly outlined for all to witness! Rev. 20:14-15, 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.

This is why we need to be motivated to share the Gospel and send out missionaries! Our neighbors and the world are destined for a Devil’s Hell forever! We must be concerned to reach them for Christ before it’s too late. But a question lingers that I must answer.... 

MESSAGE:

Are The Unsaved Annihilated in Hell? (No!)

This question has been asked out of a desire to defend the merciful nature of God, “Are people eventually annihilated in Hell?”. People failed to accurately see how grave sin really is and how much God finds it offensive. We tend to feel sorry for the unsaved, but what about God’s righteous nature? We tend to value people’s comfort more than we value God holiness without even realizing we are. We all want to hurry to emphasize the loving compassion of God while at times ignoring His righteousness and love for justice. We default to avoiding the awkwardness this realization may create for a sinner. Another result is we’re incline to find it unbelievable that a good God would commit ‘good’ people to Hell forever.

A. CONSIDER THE CLEAR STATEMENTS OF SCRIPTURE.

God deals with these matters in the clearest terms in many cases.

1. Sinners Will Suffer in Hell Eternally.

Rev. 20:10, 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.

The final and permanent defeat of Satan, who is cast into the lake of fire to join the beast and the false prophet (one thousand years later) to face eternal torment. This verse triumphs the ultimate victory of God over evil at the end of the age.

·       “The Devil” as the deceiver of nations—Satan, is finally captured and judged.

·       “The Lake of Fire and Brimstone” the absolute, inescapable divine judgment and total separation from God.

·       “The Beast and the False Prophet” Human or political systems and false religious powers that previously opposed God and were thrown in earlier.

·       “Tormented…Forever” the permanent, irreversible, and conscious nature of their ultimate defeat.

2. The Punishment of the Unsaved Will Be Worse than Violent Death. This demonstrates that the punishment is not annihilation but a form of everlasting torment. Mark 9:42, And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

·       Mark 9:42 tells us that leading a new or vulnerable believer into sin is a severe spiritual crime. Jesus dramatically emphasizes that drowning with a heavy stone tied to one’s neck is better than facing God’s judgment for corrupting someone’s faith. Jesus warns that tempting others to do wrong or shaking the faith of a believer carries heavy accountability.

·       This vivid execution of a verdict illustrates God’s complete devastation, finality, and inescapable judgment. All this points to final and ultimate accountability for sinfulness before our Lord. Beloved, wickedness is not dismissed, overlooked, or remains unaddressed. No, one will get away with anything! (Mt. 25:46; Mk. 9:43-48; Re.19:20; 20:10).

·       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.

Revelation 14:10-11 details judgment upon those who worship the beast and receive its mark, describing their punishment as drinking the unmixed wine of God’s wrath and eternal torment with fire and brimstone before the angels and the Lamb. Sufferers will face torment by fire and brimstone in the presence of holy angels and the Lamb. Will this punishment eternally endure? The smoke of torment ascends forever without day or night rest.

B. CONSIDER UNMISTAKABLE WARNINGS OF THE LORD JESUS.

Jesus said it would have been better if Judas had never been born (Mt. 26:24). Jesus' words make no sense if Judas was only going to be annihilated.

·       Matthew 26:24, The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

·       While acknowledging God’s sovereign will (Christ’s impending betrayal and death are destined by Scripture) to secure our salvation and His necessary death, Jesus affirms the agonizing doom on Judas Iscariot for choosing to betray Him. The stark warning reveals personal accountability and the supreme gravity of actively opposing God’s purposes.

·       It would have been better “for that man if he had not been born”: This ancient Jewish idiom describes the ultimate, irreversible tragedy of divine judgment. It highlights the terrifying reality that whatever temporary earthly gains Judas received were infinitely outweighed by the eternal consequences of his betrayal.

Hell has eternal consequences that must be grappled with by the unsaved and the saved individuals. Jesus warned in Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Our Lord highlights the distinction between physical and spiritual realities, urging us to prioritize our spiritual well-being over earthly fears. Jesus contrasts the limited power of humans to harm the body with God’s ultimate authority over both body and soul. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith despite potential persecution or threats. The focus is on the eternal consequences of one’s spiritual state rather than temporary physical harm. Jesus correctly provokes us to think deeply about the Fear of Man vs. Fear of God, Spiritual Resilience, and the Eternal Perspective.  

Ultimately, the core message of Matthew 10:28 centers on making choices that align with our faith. We should deliberately choose to follow God’s path toward eternal life while placing less emphasis on earthly concerns. This shift greatly impacts how we view challenges and fears, guiding us toward a life dedicated to our faith.

As we reflect on Matthew 10:28, we find that overcoming fears requires aligning our focus on God and our spiritual lives. It invites us to build faith without boundaries and recognize that our eternal purpose far surpasses earthly worries. Instead of letting fear control our actions, we can choose courage that comes from faith in God. Embracing the liberating truth of this passage, we can confidently navigate our lives, spreading love while trusting in God’s perfect plan. –David Miller

“When we fear God, we free ourselves from the chains of anxiety concerning what man might do to us.” – David Platt

CONCLUSION:

We need compassion for the perishing multitudes stirred by the reality of Hell! This encourages us to become involved or remain committed to the tasks of evangelism and discipleship. Often, we miss the important work of showing God will vindicate His righteous nature…perhaps we never really realize this significant ministry, but people are accountable to the Creator Himself. He will judge finally one day…. Beloved, it’s guaranteed! 

Prepare Like a Faithful and Wise Servant (Part II)

 

Prepare Like a Faithful and Wise Servant

Matthew 24:44-51, Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. ⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; ⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; ⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Theme: Bible predictions should not inspire selfish behavior, wicked associations, our reservation--fears, nor merely pique our interest, but encourage active service to accomplish God’s will until He comes for us in the Rapture.

Introduction: 

By application, we must live in constant readiness for the abrupt, surprising return of Jesus Christ in the Rapture by faithfully fulfilling our assigned spiritual duties. Using this comparison of the faithful and evil servants, we are warned that while diligent stewards will be rewarded, unfaithful ones, who also reveal their worldly and abusive character, will face severe judgment and exclusion from the kingdom. This passage gives us two more ideas to be mindful of. 

Message:

I. Respect The Dangers of Indifference (Matt. 24:48-49).

The “evil servant” believes the Lord is delayed and, as a result, choses worldliness, selfishness, and mishandlings his fellow servants. Loosing focus, abusing authority, mistreating others, self-serving, overindulgent, excessive force, godless associations, and sinful living are temptations we must always refuse.

• “Such behavior demonstrates that he is not ready for the kingdom.”^[1]
• Such a servant, concluding that his master was not returning for a long time, took advantage of others (he beat his fellow servants) and lived wickedly (eating and drinking with drunkards).^[2]

One thing we cannot afford to be indifferent about is the pain, tears, and suffering of others. There is not a person on earth today who is not hurting or needy in some way. Everyone you and I know has a burden—a heartfelt need. Behind every plastic smile there is a world of burdens that we struggle and strain to cover up. We don’t want anyone to know our pain…we want to appear strong so that we don’t cause others to stumble. Remember, every set of eyes you will ever gaze into have shed hundreds of tears in secret when no one else but God was watching. That lady who is always smiling at church will one day need a shoulder to cry on. That guy who loves to laugh, cut up, and tell jokes will need encouraging one day. Our world is in a state of emergency and the disease is “an overdose of hurts and burdens,” and the medicine they need is someone unselfish enough to help when they hurt. Someone to love them and reassure them of God’s great love for them!

  o   Trials and temptations are the universal lot of us all, and only Christ can give that measure of strength necessary to overcome them.

§  1 Cor. 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

§  Look to the Lord for that way of escape and the power to endure until the temptation passes. Be assured He will never lead you into a scenario that is more than you can deal with. His grace is sufficient for you and me.

  o   Christians desperately need to be sensitive to the needs of others and to help bear another’s burdens (Rom. 15:1). This is a repeated instruction in the Word.

§  Gal 6:2, Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

§  1Thes 5:14, Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

§  Gal 5:13-14, For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14, For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  o   Because we all face similar trials, we may be used of God to help another overcome a challenge we have previously experienced ourselves. That is one reason why God allows us to suffer hardships. We learn to accept His help, strength, and comfort and as a result we can be of aid to someone else. (See 2 Cor. 1:3, 4.)

§  2 Cor. 1:3-4, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

God Himself comforts us when life hurts, and He provides fellow comforters among the brethren as we receive His comfort through our personal trials. All of this says that God cares about what hurts you. Many of you know exactly what I mean when I say, “The pain can overwhelm us at times….” We can become confused, perplexed, and our souls ache beyond our ability to express…. We can become lost in our sorrows were it not for the sweet Savior, the Lord Jesus.

II. Take His Judgment Seriously (Matt. 24:50-51). 

The Master returns unexpectedly to punish the unfaithful servant. The phrase “cut him asunder” represents severe judgment, separating him from the righteous and placing him with hypocrites, where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in Hell. 

• When the King comes, He will punish him and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites….”^[3]
• Like the wicked people of Noah’s day (vv. 37–39), he was unaware of the sudden coming judgment (v. 50). But the judgment will come and he will be dealt with as one would deal with a hypocrite, which is precisely what an unfaithful servant is. His separation will result in eternal judgment (weeping and gnashing of teeth; cf. comments on 13:42) apart from his master. Likewise, the judgment of the wicked at the Lord’s second coming will separate them eternally from God.^[4]

Will you be ready when Jesus comes? He could come in the rapture at any moment now!

Rom 10:8-10, But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2 Cor 6:2, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

           1. Acknowledge immediately that you cannot save yourself no matter how diligently you may try.

           2. Acknowledge that you deserve hell for your sin just like the rest of all humanity. We could never earn him dealing with us in mercy and grace.

           3. Acknowledge that you need the Lord Jesus to save you like the rest of us. It is Christ who died for our sin in our stead, was buried, and rose again the third day as he predicted and the scriptures foretold. Yes, Jesus is alive forevermore to save any one who calls on Him in faith.

Another question is, what would we change in our lives if we know He was coming in 10 minutes? As Believers we can rest assured that we will not go through the Great Tribulation, but we will have some tribulation in our lives as saints. John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Beloved, don’t place your hope in the next administration, a person, nor a strong economy, put it Jesus!

Jesus will faithfully and fairly judge the world in the future! Matthew 16:26-27, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Jesus Christ has been given the authority to judge all the earth (Rom 14:9-11; Phil 2:9-11). Although his judgment is already working in our lives, there is a future, final judgment when Christ returns (Matt. 25:31-46) and everyone’s life from the Tribulation Period will be reviewed and evaluated. This will not be confined to unbelievers; Christians from the Tribulation Period too will face a judgment. Their eternal destiny is secure, but Jesus will look at how they handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities to determine their eternal rewards. At the time of judgment, God will deliver the righteous and condemn the wicked. We should not judge others' salvation; that is God’s work.

Conclusion:
This passage refers to Christ’s visible return to earth as Messiah-King, but the principle equally applies to us anticipating the Rapture. “Many who profess to be Christians show by their hostility toward God’s people and their fraternization with the ungodly that they are not looking for Christ’s Return. For them it will mean judgment and not blessing.”^[5]

Indeed, our Lord finishes his lessons on the end times (the Olivet Discourse), giving us practical insight on how to live during these last days—not in fear, but in active service to execute God’s purpose. It highlights that real preparation and readiness are the central conditions of loyal service, not just hypothetical and theoretical knowledge of end time events. 

In addition, this kind of divine activity truly magnifies the grace of God! Really, we have NO REAL comprehension of the MERCY and GRACE of God until we first understand something about His GREAT WRATH (Rom. 11:22). When we see God govern Himself in this capacity, we should shout the praises of God for His great mercy and grace toward us undeserving sinners. Secondly, we should walk before God in the fear of the Lord our entire life!

Beloved, God is not obligated to give anyone a second chance to be saved in any age or dispensation. It was not obligation that made God seek to save any sinner in the first place! It was all a matter of His undeserved favor toward all of us as sinners deserving of Hell. WO! Unto them that reject the Savior, because one day they will face the wrath of an angry Judge! Ephes. 2:8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For the faithful witness and soul winner, we should ensure that our gospel presentation is clear, well organized, understandable, and Spirit lead. I am not trying to discourage you from witnessing I am trying to encourage you to be well prepared as you fervently endeavor to share Christ through the gospel.

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1297.

^[2] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 79.

^[3] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1297.

^[4] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 79.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1297.