Page 310 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

IMMUTABLE - IMPRECATORY

will notice that here Jesus uses the same word to [See Death, Eternal, Everlasting, Heaven, Hell,
describe the length of time of the blessedness of the Judgment, Resurrection, Seventh-day Adventism, Soul,
righteous in heaven. One will last just as long as the Spirit.]
other. In Lk. 16 Jesus told of a rich man who died and IMMUTABLE. Unchangeable. This is a character of
went to hell (hades), and “And in hell he lift up his
eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, God (Ps. 33:11; 102:26; Mal. 3:6; He. 13:8; Ja. 1:17).
and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, IMNA (he will strain). 1 Ch. 7:35.
Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus IMNAH (prosperity). 1 Ch. 7:30.
that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool IMPART. To share; to give a portion; to
my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame: (vv. 23
and 24). Does this look like annihilationism? Not if communicate; to supply (Lk. 3:11; Ro. 1:11).
words have any meaning. The soul of this sinner IMPEDIMENT. A restriction; a hindrance; an
certainly was and is immortal. obstruction (Mk. 7:32).
Now, having given proof of the immortality of both the IMPENITENCE. The state of refusing to repent; hard-
saved and the lost soul, let us notice a few Scripture hearted; stubborn toward God (Ro. 2:5). [See Humble,
texts that have been difficult for many to interpret. Impudence, Presumptuous, Pride, Repentance,
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so Stiffhearted, Stubborn.]
also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it
shall die” (Eze. 18:4). This passage is quoted by IMPERIOUS. Ruling; domineering (Eze. 16:30).
practically all those who believe in the doctrine of IMPLACABLE. Irreconcilable; refusing to be
annihilationism to prove that souls of lost sinners cease appeased; stubborn; constantly in enmity (Ro. 1:31).
to exist after death. The difficulty arises as to what is IMPLEAD. To call into court; sue at law or to answer
meant by the word “soul” and the word “die.” The use to a suit (Ac. 19:38).
of the word soul shows very clearly that many times in
the Bible it simply means the person; for example, IMPORTUNITY. Bearing on; pressing or urging in
“And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob request or demand (Lk. 11:8).
were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt IMPOTENT. Powerless; weak; sick (Jn. 5:3, 7; Ac.
already” (Ex. 1:5). Of course, other times the word 4:9; 14:8).
means the spiritual part of man. IMPRECATORY. To invoke judgment or a curse on
In this Ezekiel passage, if one will read carefully the one’s enemies. This term is used to describe some of the
context, and especially the following verses, he will see
that the writer has reference to persons. Ezekiel meant Bible prayers and Psalms which contain expressions of
practically the same thing that God meant when he vengeance toward one’s enemies (Ps. 2; 37; 69; 79; 109;
told Adam and Eve, “But of the fruit of the tree which 139; 143). Some have thought that the spirit of
is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall vengeance expressed in these Psalms is not morally
not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Ge. justifiable by the standard of the ethics of the N.T. Such
3:3). After they broke this commandment, the germ of passages do not cause difficulty, though, when it is
death was in their bodies, and they died spiritually that observed that they are not dictated merely by private
day. What is meant by death? Does it mean to cease to vindictiveness, but spring ultimately from zeal for God’s
exist? Not according to the Scriptures. Death means cause, with which the psalmist identifies himself, and
separation. The death of the Christian means they show a willingness to leave vengeance in the hands
separation from the body; but for the lost sinner it
means separation from God. of God. They show a spirit of righteous indignation, and
Paul in 2 Ti. 1:10, speaking about our Lord Jesus, said spring from an aroused sense of justice (Compact Bible
that he (Jesus) “... abolished death, and hath brought Dictionary). Compare 2 Ti. 4:14-15; Re. 6:9-10. These
life and immortality to light through the gospel.” This prayers in the Psalms are also founded upon God’s
passage has puzzled some Bible readers, but it should promises in the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. God
not, for no one can bring to light something that does has promised Abraham that “I will bless them that bless
not already exist. In other words, Jesus revealed life thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (Ge. 12:3). That
and immortality by means of his death, burial and promise has never been abrogated, and God will indeed
resurrection. curse Israel’s enemies (Mt. 25:31-46). Contrariwise,
Another passage which causes difficulty in the minds of when the disciples wanted to call fire down from heaven
some is 1 Ti. 6:16a: “Who only hath immortality, against their enemies, the Lord rebuked them and
dwelling in the light which no man can approach explained that it was not His purpose in this
unto.” Note that Paul does not say that God is the only dispensation to destroy but to save (Lk. 9:53-56). The
immortal being. God “hath” (possesses) immortality day of judgment will come all too soon. [See Anger,
and gives immortality as a gift to his human creatures.
He is the source of life, and is the source of Covenant, Day of the Lord, Great Tribulation, Judgment,
immortality. Kingdom of God, Vengeance.]

310 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity