Eternal death — The miserable fate of the
wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8;
25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of
the penal sufferings of the lost as the “everlasting life,” the “eternal
life” of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion,
aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1
Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy
Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the
lost (Matt. 25:46; Jude 1:6).
Their condition after casting off the mortal body is
spoken of in these expressive words: “Fire that shall not be quenched” (Mark
9:45, 46), “fire unquenchable” (Luke 3:17), “the worm that never dies,” the
“bottomless pit” (Rev. 9:1), “the smoke of their torment ascending up for
ever and ever” (Rev. 14:10, 11).
The idea that the “second death” (Rev. 20:14) is in the
case of the wicked their absolute destruction, their annihilation, has not
the slightest support from Scripture, which always represents their future
as one of conscious suffering enduring for ever.
The supposition that God will ultimately secure the
repentance and restoration of all sinners is equally unscriptural. There is
not the slightest trace in all the Scriptures of any such restoration.
Sufferings of themselves have no tendency to purify the soul from sin or
impart spiritual life. The atoning death of Christ and the sanctifying power
of the Holy Spirit are the only means of divine appointment for bringing men
to repentance. Now in the case of them that perish these means have been
rejected, and “there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:26, 27).
Eternal life — This expression occurs in the
Old Testament only in Dan. 12:2 (R.V., “everlasting life”).
It occurs frequently in the New Testament (Matt. 7:14;
18:8, 9; Luke 10:28; comp. 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the
redeemed (Luke 16:9), and is opposed to “eternal punishment” (Matt. 19:29;
25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God
enter (1 Tim. 6:12, 19; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Rom. 5:21); their
Sabbath of rest (Heb. 4:9; comp. 12:22).
The newness of life which the believer derives from
Christ (Rom. 6:4) is the very essence of salvation, and hence the life of
glory or the eternal life must also be theirs (Rom. 6:8; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12;
Rom. 5:17, 21; 8:30; Eph. 2:5, 6). It is the “gift of God in Jesus Christ
our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). The life the faithful have here on earth (John 3:36;
5:24; 6:47, 53–58) is inseparably connected with the eternal life beyond,
the endless life of the future, the happy future of the saints in heaven
(Matt. 19:16, 29; 25:46).
Easton, M.G.: Easton's Bible
Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996,
c1897