The Reality of Hell, Part 2 of "Heaven and Hell"预览

Hell is eternal destruction

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction...” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Today’s verse describes hell as destruction. Some people think this implies that the wicked will cease to be. This view is called ‘annihilationism’. However, the word ‘destruction’ does not necessarily mean that people will cease to exist. Moreover, the verse says their punishment will never end.

Greg Morse explains the concept of destruction as follows on desiringgod.org[1] :

“I have a family member whose car recently started on fire and was completely destroyed. It was totaled and rendered useless. They sent me a picture of it — its frame, and doors, still were intact though completely black. The mirror hung limp. The front mirror was incinerated. The hood melted and the wires and engine exposed. It was ruined, but did not cease to be.”

When God created the first humans, He made them “in His image”. They were perfect. This image was damaged when people turned away from God. It will only be further destroyed when they keep rebelling against Him till nothing good is left. “Eternal destruction” is the outcome of a process that’s already taking place.

The reverse is also true. If you submit yourself to Jesus, He will restore His image in you. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV), “And we ... are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory”.

Have you submitted yourself to Jesus to be renewed by Him? Looking back on your life, where do you see something of that renewal?

[1]https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/will-hell-really-last-forever