Counsel #7 — What Is “Forever”?
Picture: Counsel #7 — What Is “Forever”?CFL 89.1
Many Christians have misunderstood the word “forever” in Revelation 20:10: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” In the Bible, “forever” usually means until the purpose is fulfilled, or until the end of the age or for a given period of time. It does not mean endless existence.CFL 89.2
Here are three examples of the use of forever:CFL 89.3
Exodus 21:6 The servant would serve his master for as long as life lasts.
1 Samuel 1:22, 28 Samuel would be lent to the Lord for as long as he lived.
Jonah 2:6 Jonah was in the belly of the whale until God’s purpose was fulfilled.
In the case of Revelation 20:10, forever means until the wicked are burned up and exist no more (see Malachi 4:1, 3). The consequences of sin, being separated from God, last forever.CFL 89.4
“Evil has been wrought by the heresy of eternal torment…. Eternal torment is one of the false doctrines, the wine of abominations (Revelation 14:8; 17:2) which Babylon makes all nations drink.” Ellen White in From Here to Forever, pp. 330, 331CFL 89.5
Reflect: If hell were a place of eternal torment, what would that say about the character of God?CFL 89.6
