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Mortal Vs. ImmortalPeople have a strong need to believe in the immortality of the soul. No doubt we all want to know that there is more to life than what we may experience in the short time we live.
What does the Bible teach about immortality? How and when do we get it? God gives immortality to those who obey the truth.Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:God gives us immortality at the right time. God is referred to as immortal.1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.Only God has immortality in Himself.1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. God has life underived, within Himself forever. Man is mortal.Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?We will put on immortality.Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.We do not yet possess immortality. Jesus will give it to us when he comes the second time to take us home to the place he has prepared for us. Paul said man is mortal.2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.The eternal God is your refuge.Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.Jesus said that eternal life is inherited by those who give up much for Him and His cause.Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my names sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, [30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
One group gets everlasting punishment and the other group gets eternal life. Note that Jesus is not giving eternal life in hell to the wicked. He is giving eternal punishment. This means that the wicked cannot hope for a time when they will be reinstated in God's good graces. They will have passed that opportunity by. They will get their eternal (everlasting) punishment by being destroyed forever. The righteous will get eternal (everlasting) life. Only the righteous are promised eternal life.
Jesus states plainly that those who do not believe in Him as their Savior will perish. They will not go on living eternally. They will perish-cease to live-go out existence. God alone is immortal. He can grant immortality to whomever He wishes to grant it. But they do not then continue to possess it without remaining in His favor. The Devil has fallen from God's favor and the Devil looks forward to perishing when God wipes sin from His universe.
At first glance this verse may seem to say that Satan will be tortured for eternity. But, does the phrase forever and ever mean an eternity in the original Greek language? "Forever and Ever" is a gross mistranslation of the original Greek phrase “eis tous aeonas ton aionon,” which means to the ages of the ages. A more correct translation of verse 10 is as follows: "And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were. And shall be tormented day and night until the age of ages."
Satan will not endure everlasting punishing; He will have his existence terminated; He will cease to exist forever. The age spoken of in verse 10 is the termination of an age. It is the time when the existence of physical humans as we now are on this earth as it now is will end. Moreover, it is a time when a new age will begin and the mystery of what God is doing here on earth will be revealed.
Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Press Ctrl-P to print this page. This page designed by Ron Booth (c) 10/21/13 Version #0131021-0950. All Bible quotes given in the KING JAMES VERSION. |