The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

IV. Succinct Summary of Over-all Evidence

We now tersely summarize our findings: CFF1 494.4

(1) There is no principle in Scripture that demands the perpetual existence of the damned or the indestructibility of the individual incapable of becoming eternally holy and happy. Eternal, conscious suffering not only is repugnant to the moral sense of man but is utterly opposed to the revealed portrayal of the love and justice of God. Moreover, there would have to be indestructible life for the endurance of endless torments. But as the wicked do not possess such life, there could not automatically be endless torments for them. And the Infinite Power which can and did create also can and will discreate. CFF1 494.5

Picture 1: Jesus Points the Way to Life:
The Saviour Points the Way to Life. He Does Not Want Any to Die. He Is the Complete Saviour.
Page 494

(2) The punishment of the wicked is irremedial and definitive, and in that sense eternal. But the expressions “eternal punishment,” “unquenchable fire,” et cetera, mean, basically, that there will be no deliverance, no revival or ultimate restoration of the wicked. They will absolutely cease to be. The point is not the nature of the fire but of what is in the fire. The “first death” does not shut out the hope of being brought to life again, but the “second,” or “eternal, death” does. The “lake of fire,” which is the “second death” (Revelation 20:14, 15), puts the period at the end to the dying life of the obstinate sinner. It marks the final suppression of all life. It is the point of no return. CFF1 495.1

(3) Ordinary fire might be quenched before it has entirely consumed what it is reducing to ashes. “Unquenchable fire” cannot be put out before it destroys utterly. But the fire does not continue on after having burned out, and the victim does not escape, since he is destroyed. Such fire is thus the symbol of total destruction. Far from indicating eternal torments, it sets forth inextinguishable destruction. CFF1 496.1

(4) There will, of course, be accompanying suffering, proportionate to the demands of the just judgment of God—then eternal cessation of being, in obedience to the requisites of divine justice and righteous law. The suffering is but a preliminary phase of the total punishment. CFF1 496.2

(5) By the word “annihilation” (played up by antagonists of Conditionalism), if used, is simply meant the extinction of the conscious life or personality and the termination of all of its faculties. Death always designates destruction. The sinner leads a hopelessly dying life, ending finally in the “second death,” which is complete and determinative. When the ruin is complete it puts an end to the existence of the sinner. Therein is the blended mercy and justice of God. The punishment of the wicked involves not only death but loss of eternal life and denial of Immortality. The punishment is not merely negative, a failure to receive the reward of life; it is positive, a punishment for sin and deprivation of life. CFF1 496.3

(6) The elimination of evil and evildoers by way of extinction is thus seen to be in conformity with the declarations of Scripture, the dictates of reason, and the demands of equity. And the very nature and integrity of God, as immaculate holiness and the personification of almighty infinite power, imply that He will not tolerate evil in His universe forever. That He has plainly disclosed. CFF1 496.4

Note this cumulative documented series and its climax. Satan and his cohorts will be destroyed (Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14, 15; cf. Genesis 3:15). The “lawless one” will be brought to nought (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The great rebellion will be suppressed (Revelation 19:20; cf. Daniel 7:11, 26). There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3). Death will be abolished (2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 21:4; cf. Isaiah 25:8). Death will forever lose its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55, 56). Death and Hades join Satan in the abyss of destruction—the “lake of fire and brimstone” (Revelation 20:14). Sinners are no more. That is the ultimate faith of the irreconcilables. CFF1 497.1

But God will be all in all to those who survive the scrutiny of the final judgment (1 Corinthians 15:28), and the redeemed will live on in glorious triumph forevermore (Matthew 25:46). Evil will then have disappeared, and grace will “much more” abound (Romans 5:20). It is the end of sin. There will thus be a clean universe forever. CFF1 497.2