The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1
PART II (Chapters 11-28)
New Testament Evidence
11. Christ’s Infallible Testimony of Life Versus Death | 183 |
I. Definitive Testimony of Jesus, Supreme Witness of All Time | 183 |
1. Jesus Christ—Star Witness of All Time | 183 |
2. Fatal Clash Comes Over Man’s Destiny | 184 |
II. Transcendent Scope and Significance of Incarnation | 185 |
1. Master Key to All Redemptive History | 185 |
2. Becoming Man, He Retains Humanity Forever | 186 |
3. Retains Only Scars of Sin in Universe | 187 |
4. Purpose of Incarnation Was Fivefold | 188 |
III. Eternal Life—Throbbing Heart of John’s Gospel Story | 188 |
1. From Bleakness of Sin to Radiance of Salvation | 189 |
2. New Testament a New Revelation of Life | 189 |
3. Brought About by New Spiritual Ingeneration | 190 |
IV. Two Progenitors, Two Births, Two Contrasting Destinies | 191 |
1. Significance and Scope of the Term “Life” | 191 |
2. Natural Dying Life; Supernatural Endless Life | 193 |
3. Nicodemus the Pharisee Held to Innate Immortality | 193 |
4. “Living Water” Springing Up Unto “Everlasting Life” | 195 |
5. Central Doctrine of John’s Gospel | 196 |
6. Controversy Over Bread From Heaven and Resurrection | 197 |
7. Jewish Challenge of Advent, Resurrection, Damnation | 197 |
8. Blinded by Platonism Jews Reject Life-Truth | 198 |
9. Many Followers Turn Away Because of Claims | 199 |
V. Rejection Comes Over Amazing “Zoe-Life” Claims | 200 |
1. Conflict Develops Into Supreme Crisis | 200 |
2. Again Sought to Stone Him Because of Claims | 201 |
3. Miraculous Raising of Lazarus From Death | 202 |
4. Burden of Christ’s High Priestly Prayer | 204 |
5. “Life Solely in Christ” John’s Paramount Theme | 205 |
6. Contingent Immortality Gives Honor to Christ | 205 |
12. Coordinates All Aspects of Life, Death, and Destiny | 207 |
I. Significance of Christ’s Life and Death in Plan of Redemption | 207 |
1. Christ—Revealer of God and Redeemer of Man | 207 |
2. Life-giving Scope and Significance of Christ’s Death | 208 |
3. Christ’s Death Summit of Sacrifice for Man | 210 |
4. Rejection of Christ’s Redemptive Provisions Supreme Sin | 211 |
II. Pivotal Place of Christ’s Teachings on Life, Death, and Destiny | 211 |
1. Proclamation of Truth and Confutation of Error | 212 |
2. Key to Understanding Conflicts of Centuries | 213 |
III. Sets Pattern for Eschatological and Chronological Sequence | 214 |
1. Prophetic Repetition for Emphasis and Amplification | 217 |
2. Repetition—Clearly Established Pattern of Prophecy | 217 |
3. First Coverage Leads Up to the “End” | 218 |
4. Second Coverage Likewise Leads to Advent | 219 |
5. Celestial Signs Are Chronologically Placed | 219 |
6. “Hour” Not Known, Imminence Can Be Known | 220 |
IV. Transcendent Events Mark “End of the World” | 221 |
1. Preparatory Events, Coming in Glory, Final Separations | 221 |
2. “Wheat” Into God’s Garner; “Tares” Into Fire | 222 |
V. Apostles’ Descriptions Agree With Christ’s | 223 |
1. Second Advent Ushers In “Day of the Lord” | 223 |
2. Second Advent Is Day of Separation | 224 |
3. Eternal Results of Final Reaping | 224 |
VI. “Sleep” of Death Followed by Resurrection “Awakening” | 225 |
1. Christ and Paul Both Employ Metaphor of Sleep | 226 |
2. No Conscious Lapse of Time Between Death and Resurrection | 227 |
3. Premise of “Sleep” Only Way of Understanding Paul | 228 |
4. Sleeping Dead Do Not Precede the Living | 229 |
5. Intent of the “Quick” and the “Dead” | 229 |
VII. The Resurrection Provision Pivotal in Christ’s Teaching | 230 |
1. Christ’s Resurrection Prerequisite to Ours | 230 |
2. Resurrection Is of the Whole Person | 231 |
3. Certitude of Resurrection Rests on Christ’s Infallible Word | 232 |
4. Not Uninterrupted Survival but Resurrection | 233 |
13. Christ’s Great Parable of the Lost Opportunity | 234 |
I. Problem Text (Luke 16:19-31): Parable-Fable of Dives and Lazarus | 234 |
1. Clearly One of Christ’s Many Parables | 235 |
2. Uttered When Jews Derided His Teachings | 237 |
II. Significant Place of Parables in Christ’s Teaching | 237 |
1. “Parable” and “Fable,” Definitions and Distinctions | 237 |
2. Parabolic Method Adopted to Circumvent Prejudice | 239 |
3. Revealed to Disciples; Concealed From Hostile Jews | 240 |
4. Number and Scope of Christ’s Parables | 241 |
5. Parables Not a Sound Basis for Doctrine | 241 |
III. Doctrinal Dogmas of Pharisees in Time of Christ | 242 |
1. Platonic Postulates Embraced by Time of Christ | 242 |
2. Paralleling Allegories in OT Imagery | 243 |
3. Not Biographical Sketch but Parabolic Fable | 243 |
IV. Christ’s Great Parable of the Lost Opportunity | 245 |
1. Rejoicing in Heaven: Resentment by Pharisees | 245 |
2. Logical Climax of “Lost Opportunity” Parable | 246 |
V. Salient Points and Perplexing Problems Outlined | 247 |
1. Terse Outline of the Parable | 247 |
2. Key Terms and Expressions Examined | 248 |
3. Sufficiency of Scripture, Unwillingness to Believe | 250 |
14. Gravity of Ascribing False Teachings to Christ | 252 |
I. Josephus Illuminates Dives-Lazarus Story | 252 |
1. Representative Character of Josephus’ Depiction | 252 |
2. Multiple Features of Hades Described | 254 |
3. “Just” Guided by “Angels” to “Bosom of Abraham” | 254 |
4. “Unjust” Dragged to “Neighborhood” of Hell | 255 |
5. Impassable Gulf Separates the Two Groups | 255 |
6. Eternal Torment for Wicked After Judgment | 256 |
7. Deflecting Inroads in Inter-Testamental Period | 257 |
8. Advocates Inject Unwarranted Additions | 258 |
II. Literalism Violates Consistency; Vitiates Christ’s Witness, Overturns Scripture Testimony | 259 |
1. Scofield Makes Passage Wholly Literal | 259 |
2. Inconsistencies Involved in Literal Interpretation | 260 |
3. Literalism Contradicts Christ’s Explicit Declarations | 261 |
4. Literalism Contradicts Inspired Revelation’s Dictums | 262 |
III. Gravity of Ascribing False Teaching to Christ, Embodiment of Truth | 263 |
1. Use of Parable Not Endorsement of Its Theology | 263 |
2. Gravity of Implied Charges Against Christ | 263 |
3. Makes Christ Guilty of Purveying Error and Perversion | 264 |
4. Demands of Resurrection Brought On Crisis | 264 |
IV. Major Area of Disagreement Between Christ and Pharisees | 265 |
1. Differences as Opposite as Light and Darkness | 265 |
2. Christ Must Not Be Arrayed Against Christ | 266 |
V. Conclusion: Immortal Soulism Collapses Under Scrutiny | 268 |
1. Fourfold Case Against Popular Contention | 268 |
2. Specific Counts Against Acceptance Are Determinative | 269 |
15. Christ’s Majestic Answer to the Penitent’s Plea | 270 |
I. Problem Text (Luke 23:43): Penitent Thief—”Today” and “Paradise” | 270 |
1. Setting of This Amazing Episode | 270 |
2. Acquainted With Christ’s Claims and Offers | 272 |
3. What, Where, and When Is “Paradise”? | 272 |
II. Three “Heavens and Earths”—Past, Present, Future | 273 |
1. No Conflict Between Peter’s and Paul’s Versions | 274 |
2. Paradise of First Earth Restored in Third Earth | 274 |
III. Penitent Neither in Kingdom Nor in Paradise That Day | 275 |
1. Did Not Die on Same Day | 275 |
2. “Together” That Day Only on Adjoining Crosses | 275 |
3. Jesus Went to the Grave, Not to Paradise, That Day | 276 |
4. Not in Heaven During “Three Days and Nights” | 277 |
IV. Meaning Completely Altered by Position of Comma | 278 |
1. Punctuation Constitutes Exegesis—Right or Wrong | 278 |
2. Placing of Comma Determines Meaning | 279 |
V. Determining Evidences on the Technical Side | 279 |
1. Punctuation Based Entirely on Human Authority | 280 |
2. Punctuation Not Introduced Till Time of Renaissance | 280 |
3. Relationship of Greek Adverb “Semeron” to Problem | 281 |
VI. Most Sublime Episode of Christ’s Redemptive Career | 282 |
1. Recognized in Jesus the Coming King | 283 |
2. Symbol of Multitudes in Earth’s Eleventh Hour | 284 |
3. Problem Removed by Shift of Comma | 284 |
4. Beware of Putting Falsehood on Lips of Christ | 284 |
16. Christ Portrays Doom of Wicked as Utter Destruction | 286 |
I. Seventeen Graphic Illustrations of Doom of Wicked | 286 |
1. Six Illustrations From Inanimate Life | 286 |
2. Second Group Based on Human Life | 287 |
3. All Portray Total and Final Extinction | 287 |
II. Christ’s Meaning of “Eternal” Fire, Punishment, Damnation | 288 |
1. Meaning Determined by Noun to Which Attached | 289 |
2. Divine Actions or Activities May Be Terminable | 290 |
III. Christ’s Explicit Teachings on “Hell” Examined | 291 |
1. Two Terms Used by Christ | 291 |
2. Christ’s Specific Teachings on Gehenna | 292 |
3. Explanatory Notes on the Seven Texts | 293 |
4. Inspired Key to Expression “Eternal Fire” | 294 |
5. Not Misery but “Destruction” Is Eternal | 295 |
IV. “Hades”—True Understanding Based on NT Usage, Not Pagan-Romanist | 297 |
1. Pagan Origin and Influence of “Hades” | 297 |
2. English Translations Molded by Romanist Backgrounds | 297 |
3. Hades Connected With Death, Never With Life | 298 |
4. Hades Clearly the Grave, or Gravedom | 298 |
5. All Souls Remain in Gravedom Until Resurrection | 299 |
6. Gravedom: Place of Repose Throughout Death-Sleep | 300 |
V. Problem Text (Mark 9:43-48): “Their Worm Dieth Not” | 300 |
VI. Sin’s Punishment Does Not Continue Through All Eternity | 301 |
17. Theologian Paul on Life, Death, and Immortality | 303 |
I. “Christ Our Life” Is Post-Pentecostal Theme | 303 |
1. Proclaimed First to Jews, Then to Gentiles | 303 |
2. Paul Preaches With Futility to Platonic Athenians | 305 |
3. Romans: Immortality a Gift Through Christ | 305 |
4. 1 Corinthians: Immortality Must Be “Put On” | 306 |
5. 2 Corinthians: Central Theme Christ Our Life | 308 |
6. “Eternal Life” Theme Runs Through Remaining Epistles | 309 |
7. Peter, James, and Jude Give Same Emphasis | 310 |
II. Heart of Pauline Theology—Gift of Life Instead of Destruction | 310 |
1. Redemption of Man Brings Life and Immortality | 310 |
2. Tremendous Scope of Salvation | 311 |
3. Opening Message Is on Eschatology | 311 |
4. Punishment of Wicked Is Total Destruction | 313 |
III. Places All Messages in Graphic Eschatological Setting | 314 |
1. Second Advent Involves Resurrection and Translation | 314 |
2. “Day of the Lord” Brings “Sudden Destruction” to Sinners | 314 |
3. Attendant Circumstances of Advent Portrayed | 314 |
4. Coming Apostasy Paul’s Grave Concern | 315 |
5. Differentiates Between Resurrection of Righteous and Wicked | 316 |
6. Our Vile Bodies Changed at Advent | 317 |
7. Seducing Spirits Impinge on God’s Unapproachable Immortality | 318 |
8. Immortality Brought Into Focus Through Gospel | 318 |
IV. Pauline Portrayal and Usage of “Immortal” and “Immortality” | 319 |
1. Absolute Immortality Is Attribute of God Alone | 319 |
2. Christ the Revealer of Immortality to Man | 320 |
3. Immortality Not Present Possession of Humanity | 320 |
4. Man, Now Mortal, to Put On Immortality | 320 |
5. Resurrection Is Time of Putting On Immortality | 320 |
6. Those Not Receiving Immortality Are Doomed | 322 |
7. Immortality Predicated Only of God | 323 |
18. Paul’s Leading Problem Passage (2 Corinthians 5:1-9) | 324 |
I. “Absent From the Body”; “Present With the Lord” | 324 |
1. Peril of Invoking the Isolated Verse | 324 |
2. Contention: Death Only a “Transition” | 324 |
3. Contention: Soul Now Enjoying Celestial Life of Bliss | 325 |
4. Unknown in Christian Church Until Nearly A.D. 200 | 326 |
II. Setting and Intent of Paul’s Unusual Portrayal | 326 |
1. Two Lives for Believers—Present and Future | 327 |
2. Earthen Vessels Must Be Replaced | 329 |
III. Full Text of Problem Passage With Definitions | 330 |
IV. Five Basic Considerations Involved | 331 |
1. Three Consecutive States Impressively Portrayed | 331 |
2. Shrinks From Being Unclothed in Death | 331 |
3. Longs for Eternal State | 332 |
4. Intermediate State the Basic Question | 332 |
5. Death Not a Point of Time, but a Period | 333 |
6. Interim Death State Versus Eternal Resurrection State | 333 |
7. Significance of Term “Not Made With Hands” | 334 |
8. Exemplified in Christ’s Natural and Resurrection Body | 335 |
9. Earthly Tabernacle Temporary; Heavenly Temple Eternal | 336 |
10. Simultaneous Reunion and Reward at Christ’s Return | 338 |
V. Glossary of Key Words and Phrases by Verses | 339 |
VI. Expositional Survey of Passage by Verses | 340 |
1. Verse 1—Earthly Home Dissolved; Heavenly House Eternal | 340 |
2. Verse 2—Groaning for Immortality Beyond Resurrection | 342 |
3. Verse 3—Clothed Again After Naked, State of Death | 342 |
4. Verse 4—Mortality to Be Swallowed Up by Immortality | 343 |
5. Indwelling Spirit Is Pledge of Our Resurrection | 345 |
6. Verse 6—At Home in Body; Absent From the Lord | 346 |
7. Verse 8—Interval of Death Separates From Presence With Lord | 346 |
8. Recapitulation: Three States for Man | 347 |
19. Paul’s Other Problem Passages | 348 |
I. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4): Paul’s Vision—”In or Out of the Body” | 348 |
1. Exact Specifications of Passage | 348 |
2. Visions Produced by Agency of Holy Spirit | 349 |
3. “Visions” Inseparable Part of Prophetic Role | 350 |
4. Paul’s Vision of Heaven Matched by Isaiah, Daniel, John | 351 |
5. Absurdity of “Soul’s Separation” Theory | 352 |
6. Preposterous Conclusions Involved | 353 |
II. (Philippians 1:20-24): “To Depart, and to Be With Christ” | 354 |
1. Basic Principles of Sound Interpretation | 354 |
2. Passage Regarded as Bulwark of Immortal-Soulism | 355 |
3. The Problem Passage in Its Entirety _ | 356 |
4. Historical Background for Philippian Epistle | 356 |
5. The Twin Gateways to Glory | 358 |
6. Paul’s “So” Precludes Every Other Means | 358 |
III. Paul’s Baffling Dilemma—“Life” or “Death” | 359 |
1. Christ “Magnified” by Either Life or Death | 359 |
2. Involvements and Advantages of Death | 360 |
3. Christ Will Call Forth From Dusty Beds | 361 |
4. Only Two Designated Ways to Glory | 361 |
5. Paul’s Multiple Testimony as to “When” | 362 |
6. Resurrection, Not Death, Ushers Into Presence of Christ | 363 |
IV. Paul’s Great Third Choice—Translation | 364 |
1. Translation Far Better Than Living or Dying | 364 |
2. Desired to Be Loosed, Set Free From Earth | 365 |
3. Relation of Problem Passages to Whole of Scripture | 366 |
20. Unique Witness of Epistles of Peter and John | 368 |
I. Peter’s Portrayal of Cataclysmic End Events | 368 |
1. Imposing Outline in Sweeping Strokes | 368 |
2. Characteristics of Centuries That Precede | 370 |
3. Coming Deluge of Fire in “Day of the Lord” | 371 |
II. Problem Text (1 Peter 3:19)—Preaching to “Spirits in Prison” | 372 |
1. Doubtful Texts Invoked to Support Doubtful Positions | 372 |
2. Profound Implications of Papal Position | 374 |
3. Christ Went Nowhere in Death; Preached to No One | 375 |
4. Christ Was Made Alive; Did Not Continue Alive During Interim | 375 |
5. When and to Whom Did Christ Preach? | 376 |
III. Christ Truly “Died” According to Prediction, Fulfillment, Attestation | 377 |
1. Explicit OT Prophecies of Forthcoming Death | 377 |
2. Jesus’ Own Unequivocal Predictions of His Death | 377 |
3. Inspiration’s Record of Christ’s Death | 378 |
4. Apostolic Witness to Christ’s Death | 379 |
5. Christ’s Post-Ascension Testimony From Heaven | 381 |
6. Christ’s Death Established, Certified, Attested | 381 |
7. All Is Lost if Christ Did Not Actually Die | 381 |
8. Multiple Benefits Annulled if Christ Did Not Die | 382 |
IV. Problem Text (2 Peter 2:4)—Fallen Angels Detained in “Tartarus” | 383 |
1. Place of Detention for Fallen Angels | 384 |
2. No Punishment Before Decisions of Judgment | 384 |
V. John’s Epistles: Life in and Through Christ Is Central Thought | 385 |
1. Life Manifested, Promised, Possessed in Christ | 385 |
2. Possession of Eternal Life Conditioned on Indwelling Christ | 386 |
21. Revelation—Inspiration’s Supreme Portrayal of Human Destiny | 388 |
I. Tremendous Scope and Grand Finale of Book of Revelation | 389 |
1. Sweeps in Past, Present, but Primarily Future | 390 |
2. Triumph of “Seed” and Crushing of Serpent | 390 |
3. “Day of the Lord” Is Master Key to Apocalypse | 391 |
4. Covers Transition From Time to Eternity | 393 |
5. Complete Vindication of God and Righteousness | 394 |
II. “Day of the Lord”—God’s Great Day of Reckoning With Man | 395 |
III. OT Texts and Terms Portraying “Day of the Lord” | 396 |
IV. NT Portrayal of Day of the Lord Jesus Christ | 398 |
V. “Day of the Lord”—Fulfills in Historical Actualities of Apocalypse | 399 |
1. New Note Has Increasing Volume and Tempo | 400 |
2. Detailed Bill of Particulars in Apocalypse | 401 |
3. “Old” Passes Forever; “New” Established Forever | 401 |
4. Consummating Testimony Seals Age-old Witness | 402 |
22. Apocalypse Reveals Final Fate of Wicked | 404 |
I. Teaching of the Apocalypse on Final Punishment | 404 |
II. Gehenna “Lake of Fire” Totally Destroys All Sinners | 405 |
1. “Second Death” Tied In With “Day of Wrath” | 405 |
2. “Lake of Fire” Equated With “Second Death” | 406 |
3. “Lake of Fire” Is Predicted “Gehenna of Fire” | 406 |
4. Constitutes Inexorable Chain of Evidence | 408 |
III. Problem Text (Revelation 14:11)—Torment Day and Night; Smoke Ascending Forever | 409 |
1. Terms of Revelation 14:11 Limited to Specified Group | 409 |
2. Smoke Ascends Up Forever—Fires Burned Out | 410 |
3. Neither “Torment” nor “Smoke” Are Eternal | 411 |
4. “Father” of First “No-Death” Lie Last to Die in Gehenna | 412 |
IV. No Eternally Seething “Lake of Fire” in Coming “New Earth” | 413 |
1. Dogma of Eternal Torment Involves Notorious Dualism | 413 |
2. Celestial Conflict Terminates on Earth | 414 |
3. New Earth and New Jerusalem Gloriously Real | 415 |
4. Endless Life in Christ Undeviating Note of Apocalypse | 416 |
23. Greek Terms and Usages—”Psuche” (Soul); “Pneuma” (Spirit) | 419 |
I. Characteristic Advantages, Disadvantages, and Pitfalls of Greek | 419 |
1. Issue of Immortality of Paramount Concern | 420 |
2. Conflict Over Punishment of Wicked | 420 |
II. “Psuche” in New Testament Usage | 421 |
1. Hebrew Background of the Early Church | 421 |
2. How the Translators Rendered “Psuche” | 422 |
3. Meanings of “Psuche” Fall Into Four Categories | 423 |
III. “Pneuma” in New Testament Usage | 425 |
IV. Exit and Re-entry of the Spirit | 427 |
1. Departure of “Spirit” From “Body” at Death | 427 |
2. Variant Ways of Expressing Act of Dying | 428 |
3. “Spirit” Departs at Death: Restored at Resurrection | 429 |
24. Terms and Usages: “Aion” and “Aionios” | 431 |
I. Principles Governing the Meaning of “Aion” and “Aionios” | 431 |
1. Definitions and Usages | 431 |
2. Specific “Aionios” Usages Outlined | 433 |
II. “Aion” and “Aionios” in the Contrasts of Scripture | 433 |
1. Golden Rule: Perpetuity Within Limits | 433 |
2. Two Determinative Principles re “Aionios” | 434 |
3. Gehazi’s “For Ever”—Leprosy Lasted Until Posterity Extinct | 434 |
4. Length Governed by Noun to Which Attached | 435 |
5. Body Blow to Immortal-Soul Theory | 436 |
6. Restricted Use in the Apocalypse | 436 |
III. Texts Exemplify Diversified Meanings of “Aion” and “Aionios” | 436 |
IV. Sound Interpretative Principles Emerge for Guidance | 438 |
1. Vast Scope of Meaning of “Aion Exhibited | 439 |
2. God Has Infinity; Man Does Not | 440 |
3. “Aionios”—Eternal in Results. Not in Process | 441 |
4. Revelation 20:10—Example of Limited Torment | 442 |
5. Beware of Unscriptural Foundations and Unsound Reasoning | 443 |
25. Terms and Usages: “Immortal,” “Incorruption,” “Immortality,” “Eternal Life” | 445 |
I. “Immortality”—Springs From God, Bestowed on Man | 445 |
1. “Athanasia” (“Immortality”)—Possessed by God; Put On by Man | 445 |
2. “Immortality” Is Immunity to Death or Destruction | 446 |
3. Not Natural Endowment but Special Bestowment | 446 |
II. “Athanasia,” “Aphthartos,” “Aphtharsia”—Restrict Innate Immortality to God | 447 |
1. “Aphthartos” (“Incorruptible”) Likewise Confined Exclusively to God | 447 |
2. “Aphtharsia” (“Incorruption”)—Not Inalienable Possession of Man | 448 |
3. Observation | 449 |
III. The Five English Uses of Immortal/Immortality Examined | 449 |
1. God the Possessor, Man the Future Receiver | 449 |
2. Recapitulation of Fivefold Witness | 452 |
IV. Problem “Eternal Life” and “Immortality”—Differences, Similarities, and Relationships | 452 |
1. Problem: Are “Eternal Life” and “Immortality” Equivalents? | 452 |
2. God’s Immortality Absolute; Man’s Always Contingent | 453 |
3. Eternal Life—God’s by Nature; Man’s to Receive | 454 |
4. Both Eternal Life and Immortality Center in Christ | 455 |
5. Eternal Life Based on Dual Relationships | 455 |
6. Sound Conclusions Deducible From Scripture Evidence | 456 |
V. Eternal Life—Present Possession, but in Christ | 457 |
VI. Immortality—God’s Alone, Man’s to “Put On” at Advent | 459 |
VII. Basic Twofold Provision—Condition of Eternal Life | 459 |
1. Similar to Christ’s Relationship to the Father | 461 |
2. Life of God Implanted Through New Birth | 461 |
VIII. Believers Predestined Heirs of Eternal Life Hereafter | 462 |
1. Already Heirs, Awaiting Time of Possession | 462 |
2. Proleptic Figure Employed re “Eternal Life” | 463 |
3. Eternal Life Vested in Christ, Not in Us | 464 |
4. Minor Heir Does Not Have Possession Until of Age | 464 |
26. Technical Terms: Sleeping, Waking, Resurrection | 466 |
I. “Sleeping” and “Awakening”—NT Terms for Death and Resurrection | 466 |
1. Multiple Speculations Over State in Death | 466 |
2. “Sleep”—Common Term for “Dead in Christ” | 467 |
3. Figure of “Sleep” Used Only of First Death | 468 |
4. Uniform Usage Determines the Meaning | 469 |
5. “Sleep” Implies Assurance of “Awakening” | 470 |
6. “Awakening” From Death—Sleep Is Inspired Terminology | 471 |
7. Translation Conceals Reiterated “Awakening” Emphasis | 472 |
8. Bears Vital Relationship to Advent Hope | 474 |
II. Two Separate General Resurrections—of Righteous and Wicked | 474 |
1. Two General Resurrections Follow in Sequence | 474 |
2. Resurrection Universal in Operation | 475 |
3. Drama of Rebellion, Sin, and Death Over | 476 |
III. Glory of Our Immortalized Resurrection Bodies | 476 |
1. Resurrection of Body Indispensable to Future Life | 476 |
2. Continuity of Identity and Personality Preserved | 477 |
3. Resurrection Bodies to Be Vastly Different | 478 |
4. “Spiritual Bodies” Perfectly Adapted to Resurrection Life | 479 |
IV. Many in Heaven Through Special Resurrection or Translation | 480 |
1. Enoch, Moses, and Elijah Are Earliest Trophies | 480 |
2. Glorified Moses and Elijah Appear at Transfiguration | 482 |
3. Special Resurrection at Christ’s Resurrection | 483 |
4. God’s Stipulated Way for Immortalization | 483 |
5. General Resurrection and Translation at Christ’s Return | 484 |
27. Terms and Usages: Final Disposition of the Wicked | 486 |
I. Multiple Terms Affirm Destruction, Perishing, Extinction | 486 |
1. English Translations Signify Utter “Destruction” | 486 |
2. Constable’s Considered Supporting Conclusions | 488 |
II. Greek Terms Affirm “Destroy,” “Consume,” “Perish,” “Obliterate” | 488 |
1. Leading Greek Terms Defined | 488 |
2. Not One in List Implies Eternal Torment | 490 |
III. Weymouth’s Devastating Charge of Manipulated Meanings | 491 |
IV. Succinct Summary of Over-all Evidence | 494 |
28. Summing Up the Case for Biblical Conditionalism | 498 |
I. Conditionalism Accentuated and Enforced in New Testament | 498 |
1. Complete Harmony Between Testaments | 498 |
2. Immortalization Accentuated and Amplified in New Testament | 499 |
3. Immortality an Acquisition, Not Inherent Possession | 500 |
4. Contrasting Positions Succinctly Set Forth | 500 |
5. Immortal-Soulism Is Immortality Without a Saviour | 501 |
6. Conditionalism Is Positive, Not Negative | 502 |
7. More Gained Through Christ Than Lost Through Adam | 503 |
II. Issues Illuminated Through Significant Series of “Two’s” | 504 |
1. Two Worlds: Temporal and Eternal | 505 |
2. Two Adams: The Natural, Then the Spiritual | 506 |
3. Second Adam: Progenitor of Immortal Race | 507 |
4. Two Births: First Fleshly, Second Spiritual and Eternal | 508 |
5. Two Covenants: First of Works, Second of Faith | 508 |
6. Two Classes: Carnal and Perishing, Heavenly and Abiding | 509 |
7. Two Kingdoms: Of God and of Satan | 509 |
8. Two Advents: In the Flesh, and in Power and Glory | 510 |
9. Two Resurrections: To “Life” and to “Damnation” | 510 |
10. Finality of Separation Occurs at Second Advent | 511 |
11. Two Deaths: First Death for All, Second Only for Wicked | 512 |
12. Second Death Follows Second Resurrection | 513 |
13. Second Death for Irreclaimably Wicked Only | 514 |
14. The Two Ways: Way of Life, and Way of Death | 515 |
15. Destined Endings of the Two Ways | 516 |
III. Fundamental Fallacy of Immortal-Soulist Concept | 517 |
1. Dualism Not Part of Divine Plan of the Ages | 518 |