Page 323 - Bible Writers Theology Original

Eschatology ♦ 307 lowing scriptures indicate death as "sleep" (Matthew 9:23-25;John 11:11;I
Thessalonians 4:13-18).
3 A nnihilation
There are sects that believe that all sinners will become ashes, simply
ceasing to exist. This belief is called the total annihilation of the wicked. They use Malachi 4:1-3 to substantiate their doctrine. This is referring to Israel's enemies, who will become ashes under their feet. Only flesh can be burned into ashes. Spirit cannot be turned to ashes. However, man is cre ated in the likeness of God, and as God lives forever, n\an will live in heav en or hell forever. The belief in total annihilation for the wicked does away with the idea that the wicked will be punished. Jesus states in Matthew 25:46 that there would be those who "shall go away into everlasting pun ishment: but the righteous into life eternal". (Seealso Daniel 12:2;John 5:29.)
4 Conditional Immortality
The Bible does not teach conditional mortality, but rather that God creat ed man after His own image. As God is a living Spirit, man also has a liv ing,eternalspirit. Genesis2:7says,"andtheLordGodformedmanofthe dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul." Eternal life is not given to man at his second birth to gain existence of life. The second birth was needed for the putting off the old man and putting on Christ's nature, eind the renewal of our spirit for deliverance from the everlasting punishment of hell. (SeeMatthew 13:41-50, 25:41-46; Revelation 20:15,21:8.)
10.1 The Second Coming of Christ
A
The Blessed Hope
The second coming of Jesus Christ for the Church is the most blessed hope. Titus2:12-13tellsthat"thechurchis"lookingforthatblessedhope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." The deepest desire of the Church is to see the conrung of the King and to reign with Him for eternity. I John 3:2-3 states "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
When He appears, we will be manifested togetherwith Him and we shall be like Him in honor, nature, power, and glory. Our vile bodies shall be madelikeHisgloriousbody(Philippians3:20-21). Weshallbefilledwith