Here is a good explanation on this issue..
"In Biblical usage of the word “forever,” we see that the context and application MAY be for something that will come to an end. God said of the Temple that Solomon built, “‘For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually'” (2 Chronicles 7:16). However, because of the sins of Israel and then Judah, God caused this Temple to be destroyed! (Compare 2 Chronicles 36:15-21).
When studying the concept of “forever” in context, we see a variety of intended meanings. The word can express a never-ending condition or situation, but it can also refer to a certain limited period of time, based on the life of the parties involved and also dependent on relevant conditions." When the Bible uses the term "forever," does this always mean the same as "everlasting" or "eternally"? | Church of the Eternal God
To the wicked, the burning in the lake of fire will not cease till it has entirely devoured them.
Psalm 37:20 King James Version (KJV)
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.
The Bible confirms they will be turned to ashes:
Malachi 4:1,3 King James Version (KJV)
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch...
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
But many who have been told by teachers and ministers that the false teaching that man is immortal and so the dead live forever read the words "that it shall leave them neither root nor branch...for they shall be ashes " and still insist that the wicked are alive and suffering someplace under their feet. Even Christ's words in Matthew 25 are not confusing when we see the obvious meaning:
Matthew 25:46 King James Version (KJV)
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Many are troubled over the expression, "everlasting punishment," but the punishment Christ is talking about is that it will last eternally. Jesus was simply saying that the death would be everlasting.
"In Biblical usage of the word “forever,” we see that the context and application MAY be for something that will come to an end. God said of the Temple that Solomon built, “‘For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually'” (2 Chronicles 7:16). However, because of the sins of Israel and then Judah, God caused this Temple to be destroyed! (Compare 2 Chronicles 36:15-21).
When studying the concept of “forever” in context, we see a variety of intended meanings. The word can express a never-ending condition or situation, but it can also refer to a certain limited period of time, based on the life of the parties involved and also dependent on relevant conditions." When the Bible uses the term "forever," does this always mean the same as "everlasting" or "eternally"? | Church of the Eternal God
To the wicked, the burning in the lake of fire will not cease till it has entirely devoured them.
Psalm 37:20 King James Version (KJV)
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.
The Bible confirms they will be turned to ashes:
Malachi 4:1,3 King James Version (KJV)
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch...
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
But many who have been told by teachers and ministers that the false teaching that man is immortal and so the dead live forever read the words "that it shall leave them neither root nor branch...for they shall be ashes " and still insist that the wicked are alive and suffering someplace under their feet. Even Christ's words in Matthew 25 are not confusing when we see the obvious meaning:
Matthew 25:46 King James Version (KJV)
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Many are troubled over the expression, "everlasting punishment," but the punishment Christ is talking about is that it will last eternally. Jesus was simply saying that the death would be everlasting.
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